Kevin Bruce
IT Coordinator, Contract Developer
Supporting scientific research through creative technology solutions.
As IT Coordinator and Web Developer for Maryland Sea Grant College, I support research on Maryland’s watersheds and the effects of climate change. I work closely with the IT departments of the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science (UMCES) and the University of Maryland, College Park to meet the institution’s hardware and software needs, from developing our custom intranet application to provisioning laptops and desktops for staff and faculty.
I am an active participant in shared governance, serving on the UMCES Staff Council, the Council of University System Staff (CUSS), the Maryland Sea Grant DEI Committee, and the UMCES DEI Committee. I have chaired both the UMCES Staff Council and the Maryland Sea Grant DEI Committee.
Professional Background
My career spans art director, creative director, illustrator, designer, senior designer, developer, and business owner, leading to my current role as IT Coordinator. As Creative Director and front-end designer/developer at Musketeers.me, I brought professional design expertise to a team of four senior developers. I have extensive experience in object-oriented PHP and MySQL and have been designing for the web since 1998. My classical training includes color theory (Munsell color system), typography, illustration, and advertising.
Speaking and Community Leadership
I founded the Frederick Web Technology Group, which hosts guest speakers and presenters, and I speak on design and technology topics at local meetups and international conferences.
Specialties
HTML5, CSS, JavaScript, Ajax, PHP, MySQL, responsive design, web design, graphic design, print design, client relations, and general technology support.
Experience
-
Contract Developer
Oct 2021 – Nov 2025
When needed, I help Marcom with Drupal, PHP, and Javascript development. Some solutions I helped with are: - Created a prototype hand-off chat system as a Drupal module. - Refactored old code. - SCSS development and clean-up. - React/Drupal hand-off solutions. -
IT Coordinator
Oct 2017 – Apr 2026
Developer for in house coding and Drupal website updates for our many outreach programs. Hardware and software support for staff. Creator and maintainer of MDSG intranet that has applications for asset management, desk reservations, car and conference room reservations, and procurement approvals. Member on the UMCES Staff Council where I chaired one year, overseeing a structural change to mission and membership. Member of the USM Council of University System Staff (CUSS). Advocate for conservation of the Chesapeake Bay and Maryland waterways and coasts! -
Web Applications Developer
Dec 2016 – Oct 2017
Front End Design and Development. For development, I Participate in an Agile environment, utilizing SASS, jQuery, reactJS (only in a tweaking capacity), PHP. I work in PHPStorm, and use gulp for compiling JSX. For UI and UX design, I use Adobe XD and inDesign to mock up the designs and support the Developers by implementing the look in CSS (SCSS). -
Art Director
Jan 2013 – Dec 2016
I managed the visual brand of php[architect] and it's assets (magazine, books, training, conferences). I layout the monthly magazine and books as well as conference site themes, signage and collateral. My driving goal is to keep the brand current and relevant by leading trends. -
Founding Partner
Aug 2012 – May 2018
Co-Founder of Musketeers.me, a company creating next-generation websites with precision and care. Building web products that are useful and fun. Consulting services focusing on cloud hosting, performance, and scalability. I was the Design arm of the team. -
Creative Director
Jul 2011 – Jul 2012
Creating the look and feel as well as the user interface for mojoLive.com. Overseeing several designers and managing workflow while maintaining a creative environment that grows the individual artist. Funding for this startup went dry in July 2012. -
WWW/Internet Developer
Jan 2010 – Jul 2011
Designed and built scientific web apps. PHP Web Developer working on National Cancer Institute research sites. Had my name on the non-b DNA scientific paper. -
Manager, Communications
Oct 2007 – Feb 2010
Web content design and web development for in house web properties. Desktop Publishing for in house catalogs, price guides and ads. Transitioned Hadco's corporate image from Hadco - Genlyte to Philips Hadco. -
Educational Web Designer
May 2003 – Sep 2007
Design, coded and built a community website for an NSF grant. Designed and built the Maryland Sea Grant site. Photographed and video'd NSF events -
Owner/Designer/Developer
Mar 2001 – Apr 2003
This was my Freelance/Contract business. I ran the business, maintained clients and designed and developed their sites. See below for sites that were built for my clients. -
Senior Web Designer
Sep 1999 – Feb 2001
Designed compelling e-care community sites such as cancerpage.com and altmed.com as well as their AOL counterparts. Guided one artist under me as Lead Designer for 2 sites (AltMed.com and ConvergenceHealth.com). Created printed collateral on occasion. -
Art Director
Oct 1998 – Aug 1999
I cut my teeth on the web in this position, learning everything I could about HTML and CSS and Javascript. I dove into Dreamweaver 1.0 and Flash 1.0. I learned about web servers and systems. I never touched any server-side during this stint. I worked on many local clients’ sites as well as Volvo Action Services internal employee portal. -
Designer
Sep 1993 – Sep 1998
Illustrated town buildings first in pen & ink, then Photoshop for placement in "Our Town" style jacquard woven afghans. Was top producer for much of the time. Was one of two designers picked in the company to start the desktop publishing department, designing catalogs and brochures for the product lines.
Projects
-
php[architect] Magazine Design
Jan 2013 – Sep 2017
Using design to enhance the readability of code articles and demonstrated samples is my goal in laying out php[architect]. Going fare beyond just adding pictures, -
mojoLive.com
Aug 2011 – Jul 2012
Designed the look, feel and user interface of this exciting site that brings gamification to improving your career.
Volunteering
-
Den Leader
May 2016 – Present
Subbed for our existing den leader when he had a heart event. Co-leadign den starting in August 2016. -
Web Director
Jul 2014 – Jun 2016
Maintain all web properties for the association.