Welcome to Brazen Careerist!

About Me

Interactive Producer / Project Manager (working towards PMP certification), Writer and Strategist with 15 years of operational, creative and strategic experience. Responsible for P&L on diverse projects as large as $2MM and running teams of up to 20 members. As of February 2011, I've been serving as the Director of Web Strategy & Development for Music Mastermind, while maintaining my consulting practice.

More than 6 years of experience researching, writing and developing strategy for Business Plans and Strategic Plans (more than 100 completed to date) on behalf of start-up, early stage and middle market companies that have subsequently raised millions of dollars in capital.

Creator of the "Tao of the Zentropist," a professional and personal development framework synthesizing Eastern and Western wisdom traditions currently found at: http://zentropist.wordpress.com

Accomplished storyteller trained in prose and cinematic techniques with strong understanding of structure, theme, plot and character development. Deep knowledge of classical and contemporary mythology and folklore.

My creative writing has received some recognition and awards over the years and in 2010, I was honored to contribute a chapter to "Terrorism and Homeland Security: Perspectives, Thoughts and Opinions" which was published by CRC Press and edited by Dale L. June. Dale is a retired Secret Service Agent who served on the Presidential Protection Details of Presidents Nixon, Ford and Carter and is the author of "Introduction to Executive Protection" which is considered a standard resource in this field. I'm proud that he's also a friend and colleague.

Skills include: interactive/digital media and traditional media creative development and production; project management (PMI / PMBOK based formal training in various methodologies including Waterfall and Agile/Scrum); proposal writing for federal government, institutional and commercial RFP's (trained in Shipley Methodology), strategic analysis and business development; corporate communications; and marketing.

Special expertise and operational experience in the Entertainment/Media, Internet/Technology and Lifestyle/Recreational industries.

Additional consulting experience in business verticals including Automotive, Business Services, Consumer Goods, Education, Financial Services/Banking, Legal, Government, Healthcare/Life Sciences, Real Estate, Semiconductors, Telecommunications and Travel/Transportation.

Resume, references and writing samples (business as well as creative portfolio) available upon request. Additional information can be found online: http://www.blackrockconsult.com

You can find me on the following networks as well:

http://twitter.com/zentropist

http://www.linkedin.com/in/blackrockconsulting

http://www.facebook.com/jsross.zentropist

http://about.me/Zentropist

Work History

• Black Rock Consulting
• Managing Director
• September 2000 to Present

• Black Rock Consulting is a boutique management and communications consultancy offering a comprehensive line of services to start-ups, early stage and middle market companies, typically focusing on small businesses and other entrepreneurial ventures. We provide:

  * STRATEGIC PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT
  - Business Plan & Strategic Plan Research, Writing & Editing
  - Financial Modeling, SWOT Analysis & More
  - Presentation Decks & Communications Materials

  * PROJECT MANAGEMENT
  - Budgeting, Scheduling & Team Leadership
  - PMI / PMBOK Recommended Documentation & Procedures
  - Business, Functional & Technical Specification Development

  * MARKETING
  - Brand Development
  - General Marketing Strategy
  - Copywriting for Print & Digital Media

  * CREATIVE WRITING
  - Film & Television Scriptwriting
  - Novels, Essays & Short Fiction
  - Interactive Content Development

  We believe that commitment, accountability, and integrity matter and always act accordingly. We deliver results, not excuses.

• Tomahawk Partners
• Consulting Partner
• May 2007 to Febuary 2010

• Tomahawk Partners, LLC is a strategic consultancy and business advisory firm comprised of seasoned professionals with experience in corporate and project finance, operations, communications, and the creation of senior managerial infrastructure across various industry verticals.

  Tomahawk provides clients with expert business consulting, project management and advisory services, focusing its efforts on global infrastructure (physical, logistical and technological) opportunities, particularly in under-developed nations. The principals maintain networks of strategic partners to provide domain expertise, professional networking and project financing opportunities for the Company’s clientele.

  The venture is currently on hiatus but may reform in the future.

• iFUSE, Inc.
• Director of Production & Digital Strategy
• October 1999 to September 2000

• Recruited to manage design, development and deployment of initial Web site for this entertainment start-up specializing in production of original content (including online video) targeted to 16-24 year olds.

  * Established production and creative departments, including hiring and developing 10 staff.

  * Co-designed and developed the Web site's initial user interface and information architecture.

  * Pioneered broadband and wireless strategy. Collaborated with VP of Marketing on creative and technical issues pertaining to content development and brand marketing.

  * Closed nine content distribution and technology contracts, working closely with legal counsel.

• iXL, Inc.
• Interactive Producer / Sr. Project Manager
• September 1998 to October 1999

• Directed full life-cycle production of Web sites and DVD menu interfaces with total P&L responsibility.

  * Authored Statements of Work, business and design requirements documents and project status reports for such clients as Warner Home Video, Rioport.com, Disney, DIRECTV, Knowledge Universe, STAPLES Center and UCLA.

  * Managed multiple projects with budgets up to $2 million. Directed workflow of geographically-dispersed teams of up to 20 designers, engineers and web developers.

  * Generated more than $400,000 additional revenue through up-selling services to clients.

  * Earned “Production Services Employee of the Quarter” award for outstanding project management.

  * Rapidly promoted from Project Manager. Trained in PMI/PMBOK based project management methodologies and documentation.

Education

• USC School of Cinematic Arts (formerly School of Cinema-Television)
• MFA, Screenwriting
• 1992 - 1994

• Duke University
• BA, Political Science (International Relations Focus), English, History
• 1988 - 1992