Johnna Armstrong

Chief coffee maker, tech. support, bookkeeper, janitor February 2003-present

I work with small and medium businesses and non-profit organizations, building websites, blogs, online shops and assisting with their web presence. I also work on a contract basis with tech teams on larger projects.

Before becoming a freelancer, I worked for what is now Bloomberg BNA (1995-1998) in Washington, DC, managing the electronic publishing production of the company's suite of tax resources, offered initially on CD-ROM and then on the web. I worked as an independent consultant with Patuxent Software from 1999-2002. (In 1998, I took a year off to backpack around the world with my husband. It was totally worth it.)

I believe that organizations should be able to manage their websites themselves if they want to, and provide training and tools to make that possible, as well as assistance for whatever they don't have the time or inclination to tackle themselves. I favor simple and intuitive websites that provide a compelling and informative user experience. To that end, I try to keep pace with the latest standards in website development, usability, responsive web design and accessibility (web standards for people who need or want alternatives in how they access online information), as well as easy-to-use website tools. Working in the exciting, deadline-driven, and often chaotic world of legal publishing convinced me that boring things like planning, organization and breaking projects down into small, manageable steps are the keys to a successful project.

I graduated from the University of Albany (New York) in 1987, and in 1993, I obtained an MBA in International Business from Thunderbird - The American Graduate School of International Management. I have Thunderbird to thank for discovering a passion for computers and technology (who knew?). After doing well in a required computer class, my professor asked me to become her graduate assistant in the computer lab. Later at Bloomberg BNA, my manager and mentor Pam Brophy gave me the opportunity to learn website technology on the job (well before the company was offering web-based subscriptions), and encouraged me to go as far as possible with it.

Shepherdstown is the place I call home. I live here with my husband and disreputable dog. My other great obsessions are books, genealogy, and travel. (The photo at the top is from a recent walking vacation in Italy.) I serve on the board of Historic Shepherdstown & Museum, maintaining the organization's web presence, researching genealogy inquiries and volunteering in the archives.

Lexie

Security detail, wellness coordinator October 2004-present

Lexie is the other half of BTS. I think it's pretty fair to say that I get a lot more respect from UPS and FedEx than I would without her. Also, she forces me to get out of the office a couple of times a day and generally keeps me sane.

Contact Details

Johnna Armstrong
P. O. Box 3238
Shepherdstown, WV 25443

(304) 876-9242
info@biztechsource.com

I work with some great companies and organizations

One of the benefits of working as a freelancer is that I get to work with a lot of smart, creative people at some really terrific companies and organizations. Here are a few I've worked with.