Personal Details

John Cruz
  • Birth

  • Address

  • Phone

  • Mail

  • December 31, 1985; Detroit, MI

  • 5 Hubbard Mt. Clemens MI 48043

  • T: 313.799.2789 | F: 779.490.6690

  • john@cruzweb.net

I am a web developer turned city planner seeking full time anglophone work in the Montreal area. I will be moving to Montreal in late August 2013 with my fiancé (who will be my wife at the time of the move) and I will not require work sponsorship as I will be legally allowed to work in Canada with a student spousal visa.

Organizations I am looking to join include those involved in community development, economic development, TOD, and public policy, as well as those who do general municipal and master planning in either the public or private sector.

I have retained work at a time when roughly 20% of all college graduates from the class of 2008 have had difficulty finding any sort of work within 6-12 months. I found a job within a month of graduation, kept it during the recession and while working on my master’s degree part time. I am a stable and reliable employee; I have remained in all positions I have held for more than one year.

I am currently working as an immigration data intern for Global Detroit, a web developer for The Red Theory, and a social media coordinator / photographer for the Detroit Revitalization Fellowship Program.

I am not interested in any opportunities pertaining to web/internet development, computer science and programming, or IT / CIS work.

Education

  • Baker College

  • Bachelors of Science | Web Development Major (Computer Science)
  • Fall 2006 - Spring 2008

    Grade: 3.4/4.0 | View Diploma

    By the time I graduated I was already working as a full time web developer. Instructors at the college were also hiring me for some additional freelance work to support their own businesses.

    2006-2008
  • Baker College of Clinton Township

  • Associates of Applied Science Cum Laude | Web Design Major
  • Fall 2003 - Spring 2006

    Grade: 3.5/4.0 | View Diploma

    2003-2006
  • Mount Clemens High School

  • High School Diploma | Music Concentration
  • Fall 2002 - Spring 2003

    Grade: 3.4/4.0 | View Diploma

    Graduation Honors for Music and the National Honor Society.

    2002 Central Michigan University Jazz Fest class B-C-D Outstanding Soloist Award. Baritone Sax solo during Carnival by Steve Spiegl.

    Stage Crew for all in-school productions and the community concert series.

    Marching Band, Jazz Band, Student Teacher (6th grade woodwinds).

    2002-2003
  • Mt. Clemens Senior Academy

  • Edison Schools, Inc.
  • Fall 1999 - Spring 2002.

    Privatized public school managed by Edison Schools Inc.

    Office Aide / Attendance Liaison (2001 - 2002), Football (1999 - 2000), Bible Club (1999 - 2000).

    1999-2002

Work Experience

  • Detroit Revitalization Fellowship Program.

  • Social Media coordinator, photographer
  • March 2013 - Present | Detroit, MI

    Social media updates, coordination, correspondence, and planning.

    Event photography.

    Misc. duties as needed, including preparing demographic reports on applicants, data scrubbing, and putting together powerpoint presentations.

    Mar 2013 -
  • Global Detroit / New Solutions Group

  • Research and Data Analysis Intern
  • November 2012 - Present | Detroit, MI

    Research and data analysis on immigration.

    Nov 2012 -
  • Web Developer

  • The Red Theory Online Services, LLC
  • July 2008 - Present | Warren, MI

    Back-end PHP Web Development, Front end HTML / CSS / Javascript, Wordpress Development, Web server management, Graphic and Web Design.

    I was the company’s first full time employee. When I started it was a home-based business with a handful of clients. We now have a wide portfolio, partnerships with other companies, a brick-and-mortar presence and multiple full time workers.

    Jul 2008 -
  • Michigan Campaign Director

  • Gary Johnson for President 2012
  • August 2011 – November 2012 | Michigan

    Statewide campaign director for the most successful write-in presidential campaign in Michigan’s history.

    Candidate handler for Governor Johnson and Judge Gray while in Michigan.

    Volunteer management, Communications, Event Planning, Fundraising.

    2011-2012
  • Producer for “Defend Your Ride”

  • CBS Detroit
  • September 2011 - December 2011 | Detroit, MI

    Produced the first “Defend Your Ride” segments for CBS Local Detroit, interviewing people about their cars and how they used them.

    Interviews and Photography

    Example of work

    2011
  • Web Developer / Shipping Coordinator

  • Banner Sign Specialties | www.signs365.com
  • October 2006 - December 2007 | Utica, MI

    Developed first version of www.signs365.com, a custom “to-the-trade” website for sign shops to purchase digital signs. Once development was complete, I handled online and phone customer service. Later I coordinated all export shipments.

    When I started, the company had no presence on the web. When I left, online sales were up to around $20k per month and in-store sales were almost completely phased out. Since then, the company has continued to build and expand upon my technology, and now has a second printing facility in Arizona.

    2006-2007

Letters of Recommendation

Wayne State University

Dr. Robin Boyle

Chairman of the Department of Urban Studies and Planning, Wayne State University.

Download Robin Boyle Letter PDF
Southeast Michigan Council of Governments

Dr. Chade Saghir

Transportation Planner, SEMCOG. Adjunct Professor, Wayne State University.

Download Chade Saghir Letter PDF
Michigan Association of Planning

Lauren Carlson

Director of Information and Planning, Michigan Association of Planning.

Download Lauren Carlson Letter PDF

Download Resume as a PDF

Download John Cruz's Resume

Extra

I am a semi-professional photographer. View my work at misplacedfocus.com.

I have been part of two Guinness World Records. A performer in the World’s Longest Concert by Multiple Artists in 2010 and a participant in the World’s largest online Secret Santa Game in 2012.

I play saxophone and guitar, love books, urban exploration, and finding new ways to be creative and enjoy life.

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