Who We Are

Jason Summerfield, MSW

Web Strategy & Management

As the principal and founder of Human Service Solutions, Jason works closely with all clients and project team members to develop the overall vision and strategy for each project.

Jason brings a unique combination of skills and experience to HSS as a web development professional with a background in clinical social work and the behavioral sciences. Jason oversees all phases of web development and Internet marketing projects, including information architecture, interface design, content management and search engine optimization (SEO).

Jason works directly with other project team members to ensure that each client's web presence meets unique goals while reinforcing a consistent message and brand identity across media. By combining creative delivery with solid research-based tactics Jason is able to guide clients toward lasting mission-based outcomes.

Mr. Summerfield began his web development career working as a core team member for two of the first nationally successful online retail businesses, later acquired by a Fortune 500 company. Since then, Jason has gone on to help senior management teams for organizations of all types successfully build and market effective websites to meet unique challenges.

Jason earned his MSW from the Boston College Graduate School of Social Work, and completed his BA Phi Beta Kappa with Distinction in Psychology at Boston University.

Michael Hessling

Senior Developer

Michael Hessling has over 20 years of hands-on web coding experience, including complex high-traffic government websites and small business applications. Michael specializes in W3C web standards based coding, utilizing semantic markup for structure, advanced CSS for presentation, unobtrusive DOM scripting for behavior, and WAI guidelines for accessibility.

He manages the backend of many HSS sites as well. Michael specializes in implementation of ExpressionEngine, Drupal, and WordPress: all are robust PHP/MySQL-based content management systems.

Michael holds a BA in Physics from Pomona College, and a Master’s degree in Resource Economics and Policy from Duke University.

William Weaver

Web Development Specialist

With over a decade of experience building custom websites, William is well-accustomed to working with clients of all shapes and sizes to make their experience a success. Specializing in WordPress development, William knows the ins and outs of building WordPress sites from the ground-up, from setup and configuration, to theme customization, plugin management, testing and deployment.

In addition to keeping up with the latest trends and technologies as an ongoing self-learner, William also has a strong academic foundation in the field, with a Bachelor’s degree in Software Development, and an associate’s degree in web development.

Greg Robertson

Branding & Copywriting Specialist

Although best known in the marketing field for his commercial work with major marketers such as Blue Cross Blue Shield, Michelin, PepsiCo, Pizza Hut, and Virgin Megastores, over his nearly 20 years in the business Greg Robertson's writing, concept development, and strategic programs have also frequently been directed toward aiding social causes. For children's advocates, the elderly, animal services, and a range of health concerns, he has developed insightful, empathetic, and strategically creative campaigns that have proven their abilities to gather volunteers, raise funds, and clarify purpose.

For causes designed to change societal attitudes—from promoting tolerance in the face of terrorism to fighting drunk driving, smoking, and child abuse—Greg has a proven ability to grab attention while educating in an intelligent, startling, and even amusing manner that makes people want to remember and repeat the messages.

Having proven his gift for provocative, insightful, and memorable writing with commercial ventures, Greg has also proven that he is more than pleased to apply that gift to the support of important causes.

Nina Rivera

Digital Marketing Specialist

Nina Rivera is a Digital Marketing Strategist that brings a diverse background in marketing, sales, and fundraising. With 8+ years of experience in social media marketing, Google Ads, and many other digital platforms. She’s a self-proclaimed digital marketing nerd when it comes to Facebook ads, Google Ads, and various other paid media platforms.

A Google Certified Partner, Nina has a wealth of experience creating paid ad strategies, conducting keyword research, writing ad copy, and managing campaigns. She has a data-driven approach to campaign optimization, focused on architecting strategies that maximize ROI. She knows the importance of implementing and analyzing A/B and multi-varients testing to scale and produce high-performing campaigns.

Amy Francis, MSIS

Web Design & Project Management

Amy has been involved with website design and development for twenty-five years, before most people even knew what the Internet was. She began her career as a web programmer for the Providence Journal, as well as a developer for the RDW Group, and actively managed a large membership website as Associate Director/Website Coordinator for the Massachusetts Nurses Association, one of the nation's most active labor advocacy membership organizations.

Amy brings this longstanding real-world experience to HSS projects by incorporating modern design trends with practical user experience strategies to engage visitors, while also maintaining a solid content management strategy for site administrators.

Amy's educational background is a balance of creativity and technology - she holds a Bachelors of Art from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and a Master of Science in Information Systems from Northeastern University.

Jared Joven

Interface Development, Accessibility & Usability Specialist

Jared specializes in optimizing the user experience by designing and implementing sites with a focus on information architecture, accessibility, and adherence to industry standards and best coding practices using cascading stylesheets (CSS) and W3C-compliant XHTML.

A talented and innovative web developer, Jared has worked on projects for agencies and institutions such as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA), Harvard University, MIT, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the Department of Labor (DOL), SalesForce, Goodwin Procter, the United Kingdom's Ministry of Justice, and other clients, both national and international.

Sean Dempsey, MBA

Content Management & Web Application Specialist

An accomplished programmer and web development professional, Sean specializes in the development and implementation of content management solutions and custom web applications. Sean has worked hands-on with dozens of New England businesses and non-profits to meet unique challenges with contemporary web technologies including PHP, mySQL, XHTML, CSS, Javascript, and AJAX.

Sean is a graduate of the University of Vermont, where he received a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Information Systems as well as a minor in Computer Science. He also holds a Masters Degree in Business Administration from the University of New Hampshire.

Edward Emmanuel

Search Engine Optimization Specialist

An experienced search engine optimization professional, Edward Emmanuel has over eleven years of SEO experience with clientele ranging from small businesses to national organizations and major brands, including ESPN, A&E Television and Planned Parenthood Federation of America.

Ed’s primary area of specialty is organic keyword-based SEO, with a range of sub-specialties including key term research, position reporting, web analytics, strategic SEO analysis, linking campaigns, conversion goals, on-page optimization, social media, local search, image and video optimization, digital asset optimization, and mobile search.

Ed is involved in all phases of SEO campaigns, from discovery and competitor analysis to baseline reporting, on-page optimization and position reporting, and has a strong history of producing measurable results for HSS Clients.

Julie Ralston

Senior Designer

Julie specializes in producing unique, brand-centric designs that combine aesthetic appeal with messaging strategy and usability. Her focus on wellness, both personally and professionally, gives Julie special insight when working with clients in the healthcare field and caring professions that want to effectively translate their mission to the web.

With nearly a decade of experience Julie is able to lead clients through the entire website development process and bring together all of the key elements for a successful project - from information architecture, to page layout, mockups, asset selection/development, site construction, content formatting, and successful deployment.

Jesse DaCosta

Search Engine Optimization & Analytics Specialist

Jesse is a dynamic, highly trained SEO and Internet Marketing Consultant with over 15 years of professional experience working in both in-house and agency settings. Have a demonstrated a successful track record as a lead SEO on complex campaigns, Jesse is able to produce high quality results that increase visibility and brand awareness, and drive organic search engine traffic and revenue growth; he also excels at strategic consulting and has a successful track record applying comprehensive search strategies across a range of B2B and B2C businesses, including Fortune 500 companies such as CVS, Aetna, and Staples, along with a range of associations and nonprofit organizations.

Jesse is experienced managing a diverse portfolio of websites across industries, including eCommerce, lead generation, and informational; by industry, and by stages of their life cycle, including new, existing and full redesigns.

Ti Kawamoto

Multimedia Specialist

Ti is a senior-level multimedia designer with a diverse skill set that encompasses video production, animation, custom graphics and creative direction that ranges from script development to brand strategy. If you want to communicate your message in a creative, engaging format, Ti is the man that can make it happen.

Josh Eanes

Email Development Specialist

Josh is a unique breed of developer who operates in the highly specialized world of HTML email production. He excels at design, coding, testing, and implementation of email across a range of platforms.

Whether you have your own design that you’ve created in-house, or need a custom email template created for you, Josh will make sure that your emails are coded to perform reliably no matter who is reading them or what device they’re on.

Rochelle Santos

Social Media Program Manager

A marketing and social media professional, Rochelle Santos has over 9 years of experience in planning and executing social media campaigns in established and emerging Social Channels. From day-to-day content strategies and organic fan acquisition initiatives to turnkey campaigns and large-scale sweepstakes executions, Rochelle has proven success with a range of organizations - from small businesses to Fortune 500 companies such as Staples Inc.

From a preliminary social audit to quarterly reporting, Rochelle walks a client through a path to social success. Whether the need is for a daily content strategy, to grow social following, or execute large-scale seasonal campaigns, Rochelle follows best practices to make actionable recommendations to improve the social presence for businesses in any industry. Rochelle's primary channel knowledge is with Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Pinterest, Instagram, and Linked In, as well as new and emerging channels.

Alex Feigenbaum

Search Engine Marketing Specialist

Alex is a Google AdWords-certified specialist and Google Partner with experience managing digital campaigns across a number of industries. Alex oversees the setup, deployment and management of Google AdWords campaigns, including bid management, keyword research, industry analysis, and conversion goal optimization.

Alex specializes in bidding strategies that are designed to be efficient and results-driven, with an eye on ROI optimization. She emphasizes ongoing analytics and reporting in her work to ensure that campaigns continue to perform at a high level, and to collect data that can be leveraged in campaign optimization over time for long-term, scalable strategies.

Kihwa Kang

Web Designer & Web Development Specialist

Kihwa is a web designer with a flair for blending creative aesthetics with contemporary best practices for usability and accessibility. She is also well-adept at creating goal-oriented interfaces that achieve results while reinforcing a strategic brand identity.

Ms. Kang has worked on projects for a diverse clientele, including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA), the Department of Labor (DOL), Lycos, Inc., University of Vermont, as well as private business clients. Her experience in a variety of complementary areas enables her to play key roles in projects throughout the web development process – from conception to design and deployment.

Kihwa holds a B.S. in Business Administration at the University of Vermont.

Ben Mahala

Database and Programming Specialist

Ben Mahala has been working as a web developer and programmer for over 7 years and has worked on projects ranging from large corporate websites to specialty business applications.

Ben has extensive experience with industry standard .Net programming, as well as Ruby on Rails, Perl, and Java. Experienced with several leading database platforms including Oracle, SQL Server, and MySQL, Ben is able to employ flexible solutions to meet unique client technology needs.

Ben graduated from Carnegie Mellon University with a BS in Information and Decision Science, with additional education in project management, software development, and computer science.