Derek Marchese

Experience

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  Food and Beverage

  Nov 2014 - Mar 2024

  Culinary Career

  Graduated Summa Cum Laude from Johson and Wales University, opening doors to internships in McCarthy, AK, and a memorable study abroad experience in Florence, Italy.Kicked off my culinary journey at Ai Fiori, a Michelin-starred restaurant in NYC, working under the renowned Chef Michael White.Achieved my first management position as Sous Chef at the iconic Fontainebleau Hotel in Miami Beach, known for its Rat Pack history and Miami elegance.Joined the opening team of the world's first guitar-shaped hotel, the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, FL. Played a pivotal role in establishing restaurants like Cipresso, Abiaka, and Council Oak.Overcame countless challenges as part of the management team responsible for opening multiple restaurants and a hotel. From conducting hundreds of interviews to training staff in various makeshift locations, it was a rewarding journey culminating in a triumphant grand opening.Successfully transitioned into the banquets department as the Senior Sous Chef at Fontainebleau. Spearheaded three large mass production kitchens, serving the entire resort and 107,000 sq ft of event space, contributing to a remarkable $65 million annual banquet business. Show less

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  PARENTS AGAINST BULLYING

  Sept 2023 - Feb 2024

  Freelance Full Stack Software Engineer

  Successfully redesigned the organization's website, leveraging SEO techniques for enhanced online visibility and user experience. resulting in a 40% daily traffic increase.Utilized JavaScript and integrated Stripe for seamless online transactions, leading to a 30% increase in donation contributions.Initiated a comprehensive revamp of the donation system, introducing multiple touchpoints for donations through strategically placing buttons, pop-ups, and features, and achieved 100% stakeholder satisfaction. Designed an online store for Parents Against Bullying merchandise, offering over 50 items in the inventory.Leveraged Stripe to implement a shopping cart and checkout system, enabling online sales for the first time and projecting monthly merchandise sales valued up to $3,000. Show less

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  DataKind

  Oct 2023 - Oct 2023

  DataKind Software Engineer Volunteer

  Developed an interactive data visualization application using Python and Dash framework, empowering nonprofits to visually present food security data, leading to increased funding allocations.Empowered Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida to secure increased funding for underserved communities by providing compelling data visualizations and actionable insights.

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  University of Florida

  Mar 2024 - now

  Web Developer

  Engineered the backend for the Domain Analysis Tool using Express, JavaScript, and MySQL, streamlining workflows, accelerating project turnaround, and enhancing stakeholder satisfaction.Administered content management systems including WordPress MultiSite and Terminal 4, supporting a user base of over 850 and ensuring high operational efficiency.Collaborated with departments across the university and partnered with web designers to update and manage their websites, achieving a 100% customer satisfaction rate.Enforced AAA Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) compliance across managed websites, improving inclusivity and meeting regulatory standards.Developed custom content types, page layouts, and Gutenberg blocks with semantic HTML and maintainable JavaScript and PHP, optimizing site performance and usability.Mentored junior developers and interns by providing comprehensive training on systems and workflows, resulting in a more independent and capable team. Show less