David O'Dey
JavaScript & Web Component Developer, Full Stack Engineer, Phoenix Arizona
2024
Designed, and developed Homework Pilot, an AI powered iOS application that helps parents assist their kids with physical homework, now available on the App Store.
Worked with product to build out Pearson Advantage, an application that sells online courseware.
Developed an AI chatbot application integrated with the Pearson Virtual Schools platform, enabling real time communication with the backend to recommend courses and learning pathways for students.
2023
Continued leading the Endeavor project, adding key features such as AI powered reporting based on GitLab and DigitalOcean activity, along with enhanced project management capabilities.
Became an Apple iOS developer and built my first React Native application with Expo and Firestore.
Got introduced to design tokens and explored their impact on CSS, using them to standardize colors, typography, and spacing.
Developed a Slack application using Azure services and Credly, enabling company wide shout outs with achievements and recognition directly in Slack.
Started my journey into AI and machine learning, experimenting with Python packages, TensorFlow, and vector databases to explore data processing and model training.
2022
Integrated our DevOps platform with DigitalOcean and GitLab APIs to streamline hosting, domain management, and codebase deployment, enabling teammates to set up projects with a single click.
Had the incredible opportunity to collaborate directly with USC professors, bringing their vision to life by developing an application designed to help students learn physics more effectively.
Designed and developed a classroom test system that enabled product validation in a real classroom environment, using actual students and real grades to gather meaningful insights.
2021
Implemented real time communication by building a notification system, experimenting with technologies like Firebase and WebSockets.
Expanded my expertise by learning Astro.js, Next.js, Firebase, and Firestore, gaining deeper insights into modern web development and serverless technologies.
Led the team in integrating Pearson SAML SSO into multiple applications, enhancing security and streamlining user authentication.
Worked closely with Pearson management to develop an internal user testing platform, reducing our reliance on Usertesting.com and cutting costs while streamlining the testing process.
2020
Implemented OAuth2 authentication in Node with JWT on Endeavor, ensuring secure user signups and authorization.
Started a 5 year journey leading the design and development of the Endeavor Devops / Project platform.
COVID reshaped the world, disrupting initiatives and business units, forcing us to pivot and rethink education to adapt to a rapidly changing landscape.
Extremely proud to have been promoted to Lead Creative Technologis at Pearson Education.
2019
Crossed off another bucket list item and went to my first WWE Royal Rumble at Chase Field and got to see some of my favorite superstars live in an unforgettable night of action.
On the side, helped the local Goddard School in Cave Creek, Arizona by building a system to organize legal and state documents, making compliance and record keeping more efficient.
Started mentoring teammates to sharpen their front end development skills, sharing best practices and helping them grow into stronger engineers.
Built a Node powered EPUB to API conversion service that streamlined usertesting for Pearson+, making it faster and easier to validate eTextbook workflows.
2018
Proud to deliver the Gravity Web Components design system and publish it to NPM, making it accessible for developers to build consistent and scalable user interfaces.
Was honorod that our Wayfinder project was selected to be pitched to Pearson CEO Andy Bird and the Board of Directors, showcasing the impact and potential of our work.
Attended my first Boston Red Sox game at Fenway Park, an unforgettable experience in one of baseball’s most iconic stadiums.
Had the incredible opportunity to travel to Boston with Pearson for a five day workshop where we collaborated to build the Wayfinder system, helping students navigate their careers with confidence after graduation.
2017
Learned Node.js, RESTful APIs, MongoDB, and Express to build scalable backend systems and connect dynamic web applications with efficient data handling.
Was assigned to be a lead, with 3 resources to build a pure vanilla javascript web component library, containing over 20 components that could be used in our React, Angular, and Vue applications.
Developed and published several production ready React components to our NPM library, making them accessible for public use and streamlining development across projects.
Welcomed our amazing daughter Allison Grace O’Dey into the world on August 15th, a day filled with love, joy, and endless gratitude.
2016
Was honored to represent Pearson in the W3C CSS working group, where i participated in calls and gained valuable insights in to CSS development.
Built an accessibility checker application for Pearson that scanned URLs and flagged non WCAG compliant issues, helping teams create more inclusive digital experiences.
Gained expertise in React 15 and Redux 3 to develop modular, component driven interfaces focused on scalability and maintainability.
Got promoted to Senior Creative Technologist and began expanding my skills in backend development to grow into a full-stack engineer.
Kicked off an exciting journey at Pearson Education as a Creative Technologist, driving innovation in scalable and reusable web components with React.js. Collaborating with an incredible team to push the boundaries of digital learning experiences.
2015
I work on the e-commerce team for O'Reilly Automotive as a UI / UX Engineer. Our team is redesigning the professional sales web application which generates over 1.2 million dollars a day in sales.
Went to my second 'An Event Apart' conference in Chicago and met another one of my heros Ethan Marcotte.
I became a proud daddy when our son Benjamin Peter O'Dey was born on October 11.
2014
Worked for a design agency in Phoenix Arizona and lead the design of Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate and Century 21's Fine Homes & Estates website.
Built my first style guide using Pattern Lab and designed my first SVG icon system.
Went to my first 'An Event Apart' conference in Chicago and met one of my heros, Jeffery Zeldman and Luke Wroblewski.
2013
Won my first W3 award, for an iPhone application I designed for a company convention.
Set up my first front end build system, using Gulp.Js.
Won several more awards for best email design and best website design.
Crossed off an item on my bucket list, when I went to the MGM Grand in Vegas, to see the Floyd Mayweather vs Canelo Alverez fight. Electrifying!
Married my best friend in the entire world, Christine.
2011
Built my first responsive website optimized for large, medium, and small screens.
Got introduced to front end frameworks Bootstrap & Foundation, which ultimately changed my design process by including rapid prototyping before I start the UI.
2008
Opened a digital agency A Visual Identity in Phoenix Arizona, to help small businesses build their online presence.
Designed and developed my first custom Wordpress theme.
2007
Pursued an opportunity in digital marketing with a designer eyewear company, Marcolin USA.
Re-Designed the corporate website and got exposure to a variety of content management systems.
Made my first trip to the Big Apple NYC, to work directly brands Kenneth Cole NY, Roberto Cavalli, Tom Ford, and more.
2005
Got my first job as an email designer for a custom auto accessories company, Street Beat Customs.
2003
Moved from Chicago to Phoenix to pursue my Bachelors degree in Interactive Design / Web Management at UAT. At that time, UAT was one of the only schools in country teaching Web & Interactive Design.
Was introduced to CSS, Javascript and Flash.
2001
Got my associates degree in Computer Networking.
1999
Bought my first book on HTML and built my first website, hosted for free on Lycos.
1995
Convinced my parents to invest in a Leading Edge brand computer running Windows 95. It had a 0486 Intel processor, 20mb of ram and 3.5 and 5.25 dual floppy drives. It was at then I knew, that I found my calling.
1986
Graduated from the Atari 2600 to my first NES. I loved me some Super Mario & Castlevania.
1984
Played my first game of Joust on an Atari 2600.