Michael Rassel: Web Developer, SEO
Hi, my name is Michael Rassel. I’m a Web Developer managing the web department at a marketing company in Sarasota, Florida. As the Web Director, I oversee the website based operations for the company. This includes managing a team, developing websites, creating processes, publishing documentation, providing training, and procuring cloud servers and software. The owner leans on me for technical advice and problem solving, while my team members lean on me for troubleshooting and mentoring. Clients call upon me to solve Internet marketing issues, while vendors call upon me to assist with third-party integrations and DNS edits. I develop processes that help my team operate efficiently and effectively on a consistent basis. There are a lot of pieces to the Internet marketing puzzle, and I put all of those pieces in place.
I deploy Internet Marketing efforts that are affordable, efficient, and follow industry best practices.
Michael Rassel has worked on web development projects for:
Michael led a team that won a Communicator Award for a Hewlett Packard website presentation.
Work History
“15 years of professional experience in WordPress development.“
I’ve been working professionally in web development for 20 years. Six months out of school, I was hired at Viewpoint Corporation in New York City, and that is when the real education began. While at Viewpoint, I am proud to have worked on website projects for Sony, Nike, IBM, Hewlett Packard, and similar brands, which provided rare experience that pushed my skills to a new level. I am very fortunate to have worked alongside world class engineers and product managers, whose invaluable tutelage gave me an advantage in the field.
After three years in New York City, I put my experience to work for my own web development company in Sarasota, FL. I immersed myself in my business, and hosted small and large businesses such as Hoveround Corp., Quest Inspar Robotics, and Detwiler’s Farm Market, to name a few. Running my own business was another invaluable learning experience, as it taught me operational insight from a business owner’s perspective. Insight I’ve found to be valuable as a management employee.
After seven years of running my business fulltime, I sold my website clients to the marketing company I work for now. I have been serving as the Web Director at this Sarasota Florida marketing company for the last ten years. During this time I’ve honed my skills and specializations, particularly in process development, team management and client communication. My owner is very skilled in sales and customer service. I have learned from him that promoting kindness and positive enthusiasm is as invaluable in a team environment as it is in client relationships. And taking accountability is the hallmark of great customer service. When something breaks, it’s my job to fix it. When special functionality needs to be created that noone knows how to do, I do it.
I’m often the technical liaison between the marketing company and the customer, interpreting their ideas into actionable tasks. I look out for the best interests of my customers, I enable my team, and I nurture the company.
Bio
I’m originally from a Minneapolis suburb in Minnesota, USA. I could try to convince you that my vast experience and diverse knowledge is what sets myself apart from my peers. But really, that’s a bunch of malarkey. It was my dad. My dad started teaching me the value of hard work when I was five years old. I made the hockey traveling team when I was 11 years old. I remember training to achieve that goal was extremely difficult. But the positive result taught me the value of very hard work at a very young age. I am grateful for that.
Dad’s dream of me becoming a professional NHL hockey player was shattered when I was recruited by a rock band right out of college. I took his coaching and applied it to a music career. I became one of the top hard rock singer/guitarists in the Minneapolis area, and I toured the United States and Canada for several years as a professional musician. It wasn’t hockey, but my dad acknowledged my accomplishments.
I eventually got married, retired as a fulltime musician, and became a professional web developer. I continued performing and recording as a part-time musician locally and regionally. But I redirected my focus to a fulltime career in web development. Again, I applied my dad’s coaching to my web development career, and his guidance is still serving me today. I worked as a lead artist for Viewpoint Corporation in New York City, where I gained experience in real-time 3D programming and web development, working on projects for Nike, Sony, IBM, and winning a Communicator Award for a Hewlett Packard 3D website presentation. After a few years of high-end experience at Viewpoint, I started my own business in Sarasota, Florida.
I ran my business fulltime for several years, serving hundreds of local and regional clients. I was also a contributing member of my local community. My dedication to family and the local community was recognized when the Sarasota County School District presented me with an Outstanding Adult Volunteer Award for 2010-2011. I volunteered as the weekly coach for the Fruitville Elementary School Chess Club from 2008 until 2011. I also coached a Sarasota U19 soccer team from 2016 until 2019.
I sold my business to a local marketing company in 2014, and I currently work at that company as the Web Director. During this time I have learned valuable insights into serving the best interests of customers, while nurturing the growth potential of the business.
I continue to live in Sarasota, FL with my wife, son, and Boston Terrier. I am the cook of the family, and we rarely eat at steak restaurants because my steak is better. I also grow exotic chili peppers as a hobby and my freezer is currently full of Lemon Drop peppers and Ghost peppers. The Lemon Drop pepper makes anything taste better. Ghost peppers are the Holy Grail in spaghetti sauce and vinaigrette dressing.