Josh Giese

Current

Founder / Owner at Hold Fast Products
Correspondent at TechZulu
Internet Applications Developer / Lead Developer at ESRI

Founder / Web Czar at notPopular, LLC

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Past

Founding member / Singer / Lyricist at xDEATHSTARx

Education

University of California, Riverside

Recommended

6 people have recommended Josh

Connections

66 connections

Industry

Internet

Websites

Josh Giese’s Summary

Some people may know me as Josh Highland. I'm an internet aficionado and entrepreneur who currently lives in Redlands California. You can follow my online activities at JoshHighland.com

I am an internet applications developer that specializes in building online communities through social media technologies. I love to empower users to connect and contribute with each other. I am passionate about the limitless possibilities that software and the internet offer when combined with an individuals personal passions.

Currently I develop web applications for ESRI, the world leader in GIS technologies. As the lines between web based applications and desktop software continue to blur, the projects I work on have become a mission critical pieces the ESRI product line.

I contribute to TechZulu.com, where I am a correspondent. TechZulu is a website that focuses on technology based companies and events in Southern California, focusing on video interviews with key individuals in the tech world. TechZulu is gaining ground rapidly, and I am proud to help them grow.

I am also the owner and lead developer of notPopular LLC. The goal of notPopular is to connect fans of underground music through social media technologies. Established in 2002, notPopular has become one of the best know resources in the Southern California underground music scene, helping fans connect with bands, and for bands to gain new followers, as well as delivering the latest music news and information.

My latest endeavor is Hold Fast Products LLC. I couldn't find a mens hair pomade that fit my needs, so I decided to create my own premium hair product. In October of 2008, the first batch of Hold Fast Premium water based pomade shipped to customers. The marketing efforts of Hold Fast are primarily conducted through social networks, and HoldFastHair.com

I earned a BS in Computer Science at the University of California Riverside (UCR)

Josh Giese’s Specialties:

*Web application architecture / development
*Online Community development and management
*New Media
*Blogging and Social networking
*User advocacy

Josh Giese’s Experience

Founder / Owner

Hold Fast Products

(Cosmetics industry)

August 2008 — Present (1 year 4 months)

Products development and online sales of high end grooming products including Hold Fast Premium water based pomade
Correspondent

TechZulu

(Information Services industry)

August 2008 — Present (1 year 4 months)

TechZulu is a technology website that brings awareness about technology companies in the Southern California area. Our goal is to report the news about emerging and established technology companies. TechZulu shows technology enthusiasts and investors that Southern California not only has a presence in entertainment, but also a strong presence in technology.
Internet Applications Developer / Lead Developer

ESRI

(Privately Held; 1001-5000 employees; Computer Software industry)

March 2002 — Present (7 years 9 months)

ESRI is the world leader in the field of GIS. I have helped plan and lead development for many of ESRIs public and internal websites.

Projects I have worked on include:
* support.esri.com
* edn.esri.com
* resources.esri.com
* webhelp.esri.com
* beta.esri.com

I have also been active in promoting coding and design standards within the company, along with promoting community-building and implementing social technologies. I have also been involved in the interviewing and training process of new employees
Founder / Web Czar

notPopular, LLC

(Online Media industry)

February 2002 — Present (7 years 10 months)

The goal of notPopular is to connect people through underground forms of music. I have created and developed the following user communities:

notPopular.com (2002) - a social network for independent bands and fans to connect and share through social technologies

MoshZilla.com (2004) - an internet meme thats refuses to die

StraightEdgeInk.com (2005) - a tattoo sharing website for people whi live the "Straight Edge" lifestyle

notPop podcast (2007) - a bi-weekly look into the news surrounding music world, along with playing music from upcoming and forgotten bands. Listeners interact through message boards and a phone hotline

LoudSon.gs (2008) - a places for bands of all sizes to share their lyrics with listeners. In the age of mp3, the album liners need a new home
Founding member / Singer / Lyricist

xDEATHSTARx

(Entertainment industry)

July 2002 — June 2006 (4 years )

As a member of xDEATHSTARx we recorded and released an independent EP ("Beware of the...") and a Full Length album ("The Truimph") through Life Sentence Records. We were also part of several nation wide tours.

I was responsible for the market and promotion of the band