General Resume

General Resume

Thomas Benner
7401 North Lamar Blvd. #336
Austin, Texas 78752
(800) 460-1602
JOB OBJECTIVE
A position where I can use my innovative training and public relation skills to provide high quality customer support and promote the effective use of Apple and Adobe technology.
OVERVIEW
• Developer of innovative Macintosh and Adobe Creative Suite courses to capture interest and enthusiasm of users.
• Technical expertise in troubleshooting and the effective use of operating systems, applications & utilities.
• Effective teacher to all ages, nervous novice to know it all expert.
• Experienced manager of people to achieve goals.
• Web Master; Database, Graphic and Interactive Multimedia Designer. Special skills in database development, graphic design,
interactive multimedia design and web development.
• Experienced Sales and Customer Service: very successful in Apple and Kodak retail sales.
• Skilled written and verbal communication.
COMPUTER EXPERIENCE
Computers: All Macintosh models: OS 6 to OS X, Palm Pilot; Windows 98 to Windows Vista; cross-platform integration.
Languages: Flash ActionScript, AppleScript, Pascal, algorithm design.
Productivity applications: FileMaker Pro, Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint & Entourage), ClarisWorks/AppleWorks, Palm Desktop, Now Contact & Up To Date, Quicken, QuickBooks Pro.
Design applications: Adobe CS2 and CS3 and Macromedia studio 8 (Photoshop, Illustrator, Fireworks, Dreamweaver, Flash, Acrobat Professional, Premiere Pro, In Design), PageMaker, FrameMaker, Extensis Portfolio, QuickTime multimedia.
Internet tools: Safari, Internet Explorer, Netscape Navigator, OmniWeb, Firefox and other browsers, iTunes, URL Manager Pro, Outlook Express & Entourage, Eudora, Fetch, Real Audio Player, FirstClass & Z-term, Global Village Fax, FaxSTF, FaxElite
Utilities: DiskWarrior, Norton SystemWorks, Tech Tool Pro, Virex, Suitcase, Font Reserve, Resedit, AppleScript, QuicKeys, Timbuktu Pro, Stuffit Deluxe, FWB Toolkit, CanOpener, Retrospect Remote, VirtualPC
Operating systems: Mac OS 6.0.4 through 9.2.2, OS X 10.0 through 10.5.2, OS X Server; Windows 98 - Vista
TEACHING AND TRAINING
Dale Carnegie Public Speaking Awards
Multimedia Specialist Training (3 days a week for 3 months)
Taught Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, Fireworks, Dreamweaver, Flash, Acrobat Professional and Premiere Pro with a focus on interactive multimedia, graphic and web design and video editing.
FileMaker Pro (tips, tricks & shortcuts)
Taught a monthly class of 40-50 students each month for 3 years. All levels.
ClarisWorks/AppleWorks (installation to advanced techniques)
Taught a monthly class of 40-50 students each month for 3 years. All levels.
Basic Mac (general computer use) Guest presenter monthly.
Hardware/Software Troubleshooting Clinic (weekly hands-on clinic for 20 users)
Customizing Your Mac for Efficiency (computer lab summer school)
Telecommunications: Internet Tools & BBS s (monthly class)
CONSULTING EXPERIENCE
MACinTUTOR, Apple Consultant & FileMakerPro Developer, Multimedia Specialist and Web Master 1992 to Present
Member of Apple Solutions Provider Network; Apple Solutions Professional; Associate member of FileMaker Solutions alliance
Advised clients on hardware and software purchase and provided training and support. Trained clients in the use of operating systems, applications, utilities, database solutions, browsers & internet tools.
Clients include:
Mayor of Austin, TX Will Wynn
City of Oakland, CA Public Works Agency
UC Berkeley Dept. of Health Berkeley, CA
Ansel Adams Institute Mill Valley, CA
San Francisco Bay Girl Scouts (instruction)
Hopscotch Press Berkeley, CA
Piazza Trading, import company Sausalito, CA
Children's Hospital Oakland, CA (systems administration)
Austin American Statesman
Consulting Solutions.net 2006 to Present
Multimedia Specialist Training. Taught class on Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, Fireworks, Dreamweaver, Flash, Acrobat Professional and Premiere Pro with a focus on interactive multimedia, graphic and web design and video editing.
Austin Mac Repair 2005-2007
Apple Macintosh computer repair & service
MSI Fall 2005
Kodak Camera Product Demo Representative. Set USA sales records for number of cameras sold at Austin Wal-Marts.
Alamo IronWorks Jim Savoie San Antonio, Texas 2001-2002
Implementer and trainer on-site across USA and Canada for customers of their FileMaker database and Adobe FrameMaker catalog publishing solution
CompUSA North Austin, Texas 2000-2001
Apple Product Professional, Technology Sales Specialist for Apple store and Trainer for Mac classes
Apple Computer, Inc Austin, Texas 1999 to 2001
Servers and Applications Technical Support Specialist Level 2.5
FileMakerPro database manager for Apple support center
B.M.U.G. Macintosh users group Berkeley, CA 1995 to 1999
Claris SIG coordinator, hardware/software troubleshooting clinic instructor
Trained new users in Macintosh basics, hard drive setup and organization, maintenance, prevention, and repair. Handled challenging software/hardware problems. Conceptualized and directed the Claris special interest group teaching databases, word processing, font management, spreadsheets, graphics (drawing and painting) in ClarisWorks/AppleWorks and FileMaker Pro. Developed curriculum materials and worked with teachers in their implementation.
Macs of Marin Macintosh users group in San Rafael, CA 1996 to 1999
Help clinic coordinator, Internet SIG instructor
Developed courses, identified resources to train all levels of users in the effective use of their equipment and software.
University of California, Los Angeles 1987-1990
Research assistant and technical translator in the design and implementation of computer applications for a comparative Semitic language project.
PUBLISHED WORKS
Book reviews related to Macintosh software use.
Technical articles for the Apple Knowledge Base
Technical article for the Claris Journal
Writer and publisher of monthly newsletters for BMUG members (also an online edition)
EDUCATION
University of California, Los Angeles
M.A. Near East Languages & Cultures
University of Iowa Iowa City, Iowa
B.A. Anthropology;
B.SC. Math & General Science
AFFILIATIONS
The National Association of Photoshop Professionals
LANGUAGES
Fluent in German and Modern Hebrew.
Detailed FileMaker Pro Resume also available on request.
(800) 460-1602