Richard Brent Wilson's Resume
Dedicated, knowledgeable, and detail-oriented Webmaster and Entrepreneur with 20-years of experience in creating content and social websites while growing them into market leaders and disrupters.
Work Experience
Owner, BamaPolitics.com
BamaPolitics.com is a leading resource for voters in Alabama. As Founder, CEO and sole employee I am responsible for the full stack of development, growth and monetization of Bama Politics.
Linux System Administration
Installed, configured, and maintained services such as DNS, NFS, Nginx, Samba, SSH, RPM, YUM, PHP, MariaDB, Redis, and Memcached utilizing the Centmin Mod LEMP stack. Secured the server using Cloudflare Zero Trust, closing all ports on the server and only allowing access via Cloudflare through the Cloudflared daemon. Optimized Nginx, PHP, and MariaDB for high performance with Cloudflare caching services. The server handles over 60,000+ unique visitors during peak traffic days.
Back-end Development
Using WordPress as a base, developed and expanded WordPress plugins to provide unique and needed features using PHP and JavaScript. Bama Politics's WordPress install handles over 60,000+ pages providing information on Alabama elections, elected officials and candidates, localities and legislation.
Front-end Development
Designed a custom theme from scratch, using the Bootstrap 5 CSS framework for a different look from traditional WordPress websites. Theme is designed for the specific needs of Bama Politics providing the ability to deliver a light weight and SEO friendly visual experience to visitors.
Monetization & Analytics
Work with Google Adsense and private advertisers to deliver optimal advertisements for all parties; Advertisers, visitors and myself. Utilize Google Analytics to track performance of website and to monitor data for improvements to SEO.
Content Creation
Take advantage of public and private APIs to create and update content that will be valuable to visitors of the website. Continues to work with elected officials, candidates and activists to provide an avenue to get their message out to visitors through our Opinion Editorals.
Freelancer
Takes on client work related to Linux System Administration, WordPress and XenForo.
Linux System Administration
Help clients setup, secure, optimize and maintain their Linux servers.
WordPress
Helps clients setup, secure, optimize, expand and maintain their WordPress powered web properties.
XenForo
Helps clients setup, secure, optimize, expand and maintain their XenForo online communities.
Chief Operating Officer, Group Net, LLC
Group Net, LLC owned and operated large online communities built on the XenForo community platform. As Chief Operating Officer for Group Net, LLC, I was responsible for the full stack of development, growth and monetization of our web properties. Group Net, LLC utilized the XenForo forum software to provide visitors a place to discuss their interests and hobbies.
Tier 1-3 Technical Support, Social Knowledge, LLC
Tiered Technical Support Leader
Served as a Tier 1, 2 and 3 Technical Support Representative, helping visitors and members resolve wide ranging issues on Social Knowledge websites consisting of 100,000+ visitors and members a month.
Owner, MustangEvolution.com
Founded MustangEvolution.com, an online community for Ford Mustang enthusiasts, one of the largest Ford Mustang online communities in the world.
CEO at 17-years-old
Discovered a strong interest in online communities as a Junior in High School. Turned my interest in computers and Ford Mustangs into a online community for people who wanted to network with other Ford Mustang owners locally and around the world.
Disrupter & Leader
Grew Mustang Evolution from zero users to tens of thousands of members, creating a vibrant online community for visitors to network and find help modifying and fixing their Ford Mustangs. Expanded from a simple online forum into a full CMS, managing credentialed automotive journalists covering the Ford Motor Company.
Sold
Negotiated the sale of 50 percent of Mustang Evolution to Social Knowledge, LLC, a leading social media company. Worked with Social Knowledge to continue to grow Mustang Evolution and other Social Knowledge properties. Negotiated the sale of the remaining 50 percent of Mustang Evolution in April of 2012.
Customer Service Representative, Domino's Pizza
Customer Service
Worked as a customer service representative, taking orders, handling issues with food orders and other tasks needed in a food service environment.
Education
Attended Calhoun Community College and Athens State University. Left school to work full time on Mustangevolution.com.