
TechCrunch Intern
Bellingham, Washington Area

TechCrunch Intern
Bellingham, Washington Area
My internal wiring naturally analyzes the connection between end goals and user experience.
Passionate about:
1) People--connecting them
2) Efficiency--both micro (GTD, 43 Folders) and macro (Lean Manufacturing)
3) Technology
4) Economic Game Theory & Market Signaling
5) Art--making my basketball teammates look good
Life goals:
-Start 5 businesses
-Have 10 kids
-Give away $1 million
-Run 100 miles in 24 hours
-Present at TED
I know less tech than most hard-core geeks, and less business than most hard-core entrepreneurs. So I try to speak business around the geeks, and speak geek around the entrepreneurs.
Reach out: jeff@jeffwidman.com
(I don't accept connections from people I don't know. Instead, e-mail me with a brief bio, question, or project I might find interesting.)
Online branding, Lean Manufacturing, Economic Game Theory, Keyboard Shortcuts, Evaluating crazy ideas, New media communication (blogging, podcasting, websites)
(Privately Held; 1-10 employees; Internet industry)
October 2008 — Present (2 months)
Yes--I work at TechCrunch...
Yes--I like creative marketing...
Yes--I really wish I could help you...
Yes--I do read/respond to all personal e-mail...
...but...
No--Pitching me won't get you onto TechCrunch.
(Sorry)
(Public Company; 51-200 employees; Aviation & Aerospace industry)
February 2008 — October 2008 (9 months)
Part-time internship at a small aerospace manufacturer.
Witnessed first-hand a turn-around attempt that included a CEO change. Learned the importance of co-worker attitudes.
Completed various projects for the Director of Operations, the Director of Quality, and the Supply Chain manager to:
-Increase on time deliveries.
-Outsource regulatory paperwork to our suppliers
-Contact vendors for realistic product lead times
-Plan several improvement projects required by Honeywell
-Become an Excel keyboard ninja
(Privately Held; 1-10 employees; Internet industry)
August 2008 — August 2008 (1 month)
When I wanted to learn about internet startups, TechStars.org was an obvious option. It's one of the most well-known and highly respected tech-startup incubators around.
David Cohen graciously agreed to let me spend a month at TechStars. By listening at meetings, watching the teams prep for investor day, and asking questions, I learned that a) I click with the startup lifestyle, and b) I have a lot more to learn.
(Was I a patient learner, or a learner of patience?)
(Marketing and Advertising industry)
May 2008 — August 2008 (4 months)
Worked under Seth Godin (along with a few other college students--all fantastically brilliant!) on marketing strategy and execution for several of his projects.
(Marketing and Advertising industry)
January 2007 — April 2008 (1 year 4 months)
I accidentally fell into a consulting project with a local company... Basically I re-wrote the strategic vision for their online marketing.
Turns out they loved the result, and I loved doing it!
(Business Supplies and Equipment industry)
July 2007 — September 2007 (3 months)
Co-founded Process Improvement Team (PIT Crew)
• Generated over 20 significant shop improvements
• Lean improvements (and a lot of hard work) contributed to six new production records
• Increased the efficiency of the central manufacturing line by 12%
Designed custom stacking jigs
• Increased the efficiency of two processes by 1 hour each per day
(Non-Profit; 201-500 employees; Religious Institutions industry)
September 2006 — June 2007 (10 months)
Worked 65+ hour weeks in a people-focused organization on the university campus
• Mentored students in 1-on-1 and small group settings for 25 hours a week
• Co-planned and led a team of students on a week long service trip
http://www.ccfministry.com/internship/
BA, Economics, 2004 — 2008
I was drawn to economics because it's a useful way to model reality:
1) Look at the world
2) Create a simple model with far less distractions
3) Find new relationships within the model
4) Plug them back into reality to see if they hold true
BS, Manufacturing & Supply Chain Management, 2004 — 2008
Top-notch program incorporating classes from engineering, business, science, operations, and two summer internships.
Great cadre of students and faculty!
Check out the website: http://www.cbe.wwu.edu/mm/
AA, Graduated with Honors, from the Honors Program, 2002 — 2004
APICS - The Association for Operations Management, WWU Manufacturing Advisory Board, WWU Guest Speakers, Box T Ranch, Kiros, Seth Godin's Virtual Internship, Campus Christian Fellowship
Former National Merit Scholarship Finalist
1st place--Pacific Northwest APICS Student Paper Competition (Title: "Microsoft Xbox and the Reverse Logistics Process")