The Media 1 Interactive Team

The award-winning Media 1 team is a skilled group of professionals with a wide range of instructional design and online development abilities. Tools change, but basic skills and talents never go out of date. Media 1 recognizes this and has built a team of people with solid core competencies—professionals who have weathered multiple software and technology changes, and who will continue to serve you long after today's tools become yesterday's news.

Chris Frederick Willis - CEO
Chris is CEO of Media 1, a West Michigan consultancy that helps large corporations prosper through engaging and effective learning and performance solutions. Chris is passionate about melding the best practices of technical communication, instructional design, and performance support to shape a sensible learning methodology for the real world. She has led dozens of award-winning corporate learning projects from conception to delivery, and speaks and writes about e-learning topics. She holds a B.S. Degree in Arts & Media from Grand Valley State University. Chris has been a finalist in the West Michigan Women of Influence (2006) and Top Women Owned Businesses (2007). Her company, Media 1, was honored as the 2006 Small Business of the Year by the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce, has been recognized as one of the Michigan 50 Companies to Watch (2007), and is a finalist for the second year in a row for the Employer of the Year award in the 4th annual Stevie Awards for Women in Business.
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Harrison Withers - Vice President of Operations
Harrison ensures that the Media 1 content and production teams work together as one. Harrison directs project production, usability, quality assurance, and accessibility, all while keeping the project budget and schedule on track. He recently spearheaded an internal end-to-end process improvement initiative. Prior to joining Media 1, Harrison worked as eLearning Director for the Domino's Pizza restaurant franchise, where he established a seven-year history of developing and implementing award-winning online learning programs and curricula. A specialist in technology-based learning techniques, Harrison is an often-requested speaker at eLearning conferences and seminars. He holds a B.S. Degree in Scientific and Technical Communication from Michigan Technological University. Harrison was recently named as one of Grand Rapids Business Journal's "40 Under 40" business leaders.

Administrative Team

Bruce Duff - Controller
Bruce Duff comes to Media 1 as an experienced Controller and Certified Public Accountant with an extensive background (over ten years) in manufacturing, construction and service industries. Bruce’s financial and operational background have given him a foundation in analytical problem solving and leadership skills that allow him to offer effective business solutions in the areas of accounting systems, cost controls, budgeting and forecasting, and cash flow management.

Penny Maki - Administrative Assistant
Besides handling our general office, insurance, accounts payable, and HR related business needs, Penny keeps one ear open at all times to make sure the right information gets to the right team member to meet client needs. Penny is more often than not the first professional voice you hear when you call the Media 1 office. Never hesitate to tell her what you need; she’ll make sure to do all she can to see it gets done. Prior to joining Media 1, Penny served as an Executive Administrative Assistant. She has also volunteered regularly to coordinate major Neighborhood events for the Girl Scouts of America.

Audra Troccko - Business Development
Prior to joining Media 1, Audra spent eight years in sales in the technology industry, followed by a marketing position with a security and communications firm. Audra's combination of technical sales and marketing experience bring a valuable blend of knowledge and skill to the Media 1 team and clients. Audra has a bachelor's degree in Economics and Art Theory and Practice from Northwestern University.

Content Team

Sandy Balkema, Ph.D. - Instructional Designer
Media 1 has engaged Dr. Sandra Balkema as an Instructional Design Consultant. "Dr. Sandy" earned her Ph.D. in English and Education from the University of Michigan and is an award-winning teacher, writer, and editor. She completed her Qualifying Examinations in Rhetoric and Composition; Sociolinguistics; English Pedagogy; and Curriculum and Instruction. Her dissertation was on the subject of "The Composing Activities of Computer Literate Writers." As part of the requirements of her yearlong Sabbatical from her role as Program Coordinator for the Technical Communication Department of Ferris State University, Sandy assisted Media 1 in the development of design documents for courseware, presentations, and interactive exercises, and has moved into an ongoing consultative role throughout the instructional and information design phases of Media 1 e-learning projects.

Jill Bornemeier- Technical/Instructional Writer
Jill joined the Media 1 team in February 2006 after more than 10 years' experience in technical writing. Prior to joining Media 1, she wrote and created web-based user documentation for Avail Networks' hardware and software products. She also wrote content and designed the layout for product marketing materials, along with maintaining the corporate web site. Jill earned her Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Eastern Michigan University in Business Computers.

Scott Byers - Content Director
Scott came to Media 1 with nearly 15 years' experience in print and Internet publishing and has successfully designed, scripted, and directed multiple award-winning e-learning projects as Media 1 Interactive Content Director. Prior to joining the Media 1 team, he did a stint in software QA and was the editor for the consumer information wing of an e-commerce venture in outdoor equipment sales. An accomplished writer and editor, Scott blends these talents with skills in project management, instructional writing, usability testing, graphics, and page layout. He earned a B.A. in History from Western Michigan University.

John D. Chapin – Instructional and Information Designer
John brings more than 12 years of business communications, instructional design, and consulting experience to Media 1, having worked in entrepreneurial firms to develop customized solutions to solve client communication, performance, and management issues. In recent years, John led a variety of strategic consulting projects for clients such as Hitachi Medical Systems, where he designed MRI systems documentation and training programs; Westinghouse, where he created classroom materials for a career development and outplacement training program; and Siemens Westinghouse Power Corporation, where his analysis guided the training required to transition the HR and Payroll Departments to a new software application. He has led a series of logistics opportunity assessments for the transportation departments of major steel producers, and created franchising manuals for the hospitality industry. John is a graduate of Calvin College, where he earned a BA in English, Art, and Secondary Education, with additional course work from Stanford University and Carnegie Mellon University.

Deb Woudenberg - Instructional Design Consultant
Deb Woudenberg, Instructional Design Consultant, joined Media 1 in May 2007 after more than 15 years' experience in corporate training and consulting at leading global corporations such as Haworth, Inc. and Ford Motor Company. Deb's strong suit is improving organizational performance through tangible results. She has successfully developed and administered multi-cultural training programs, streamlined processes through performance analysis, and consistently delivered value-added instructional solutions for her clients. Her instructional design skills have garnered professional accolades including the Chairman's Award for Quality Improvement from Haworth, Inc.

In 1993 Deb was a Training Supervisor for Ford Motor Company, providing performance improvement solutions for their Glass Division. From 1991 to 1993 she worked as a consultant in training development for clients in health care and automotive manufacturing, providing comprehensive team leader and supervisory training as well as developing a pilot program for company-wide training after conducting intensive job analyses and company profiles.

Deb received her master's degree from University of Michigan, Rackham School of Graduate Studies with a focus on Adult Education and Corporate Training. She received the Distinguished Leadership Award from the Training Dynamics and Leadership Program.

Deb began her career in art education, receiving her B.S. from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania before doing graduate work in Counseling, Fine Arts and Education. She taught at both public and private institutions and authored two books in the field.

She currently lives in Grand Haven, Michigan.

L. Michael Wykes - Instructional and Performance Design
Mike has been a successful leader, consultant, and practitioner of instructional design and human performance development for more than 15 years. He has led and successfully completed numerous interventions that have contributed directly to significant improvement in organizations in the manufacturing, healthcare, government, education, and service arenas. Prior to joining Media 1, Mike assisted the Federal Emergency Management Authority (FEMA) in Florida enhance its critical processes in preparation for the 2006-2007 hurricane season.

Mike has designed learning initiatives for both online and other delivery methods as well as on-the-job improvement tools for sales, human resources, call center, software, executive and line leadership, and technical positions in software and manufacturing.

Mike has authored chapters in nationally published books relating to training and performance improvement including the best-selling ASTD text Moving from Training to Performance and several college level textbooks. He has been a regular conference presenter at the International Society for Performance Improvement (ISPI), American Society for Training and Development (ASTD), American Society for Quality (ASQ) as well as a key presenter for groups such as the New York State Trainer's Association.

Production Team

Jim Barnes - Multimedia Developer
James joined Media 1 after working with us as a freelancer, bringing with him more than ten years’ experience in creative and technical design and animation for print, broadcast, the Web, and CD-ROM. Jim excels in the areas of graphic design, web multimedia development and design, two- and three-dimensional modeling and animation, and audio/video composition, editing, and effects. Jim has received two Telly Awards for excellence in broadcast animation. A self-taught artist and developer, Jim’s hobby is refining and mastering the tools of his trade. He often assumes the Art Director role on Media 1 projects that require an exciting, yet clean and professional, look and feel.

Jenni Kossack - Multimedia Developer
Jenni is gifted in animated storytelling; she has a strong background in drawing, painting, and cartooning, with four years of professional experience designing logos, characters, and comics for several companies. She has done multimedia design work including web development, illustrating, claymation, and storyboards, and has produced, directed, and edited film and video. At Media 1, Jenni has developed skills in technical animation, and puts her storytelling background to work in making technical concepts easy to understand by a non-technical audience. She holds a BS degree from Grand Valley State University with a major in film/video and animation.

Brad Pennington - Multimedia Developer
Brad has attended Kendall College of Art & Design and is currently pursuing a degree in Multimedia Communications Technology. His management background of over 15 years has given him excellent organizational abilities, which he has translated into his role as Media 1’s Flash animation team leader and mentor. Brad is a talented Flash programmer and animator, Macromedia Authorware programmer, and graphic artist. His other multimedia and programming skills include Macromedia Director, Macromedia Dreamweaver, UltraDev, Adobe Photoshop, Corel Photo Paint, AutoCAD, Visual Basic, and Midisoft Recording Studio.

Aaron Schaut - Multimedia Developer
Aaron received his Bachelor’s degree in visual communication from Kendall College of Art and Design. He joined Media 1 in 2006 with several years of experience in broadcasting, animation, and print design for local television stations. He is proficient in most multimedia applications and is our in-house photographer as well as videographer.

Aaron is also a musician and regularly performs with his band in and around the Grand Rapids area.

Robert Willis - Sr. Multimedia Developer
Robert is the Lectora, Authorware and LMS communication expert of the Media 1 team, as well as the main audio and custom music resource. He has completed certified training in multimedia authoring, Authorware Knowledge Object design, and ODBC database linking using Macromedia Authorware. He has successfully developed dozens of award-winning Authorware CBT and WBT projects for Media 1, and has programmed code models for beginning Authorware developers. He is skilled in MIDI music and sound production for professional audio and multimedia applications. Robert served as technical lead for a team of six Authorware developers on a large CBT project for a NASA software package, and led a large-scale CBT-to-WBT client courseware conversion effort. He recently completed a project optimizing dozens of legacy CD-ROM titles for web delivery and connecting them to a client's new LMS. He is also experienced in HTML and Win Help. Robert holds a B.S. Degree in Music Education from Grand Valley State University.