We’re using this month’s Employee Spotlight to introduce you to Jackie Smith! Jackie works on our Product Development team helping to develop all of our new products! She recently helped create the website for our parent company, Trader Interactive. Let’s hear about her experiences!

Tell me a little bit about yourself.

When I was 3 years old, the Navy brought my family to Virginia Beach, and I have pretty much stayed in the area ever since. I graduated from James Madison University in Harrisonburg where I studied Graphic Design and Industrial Design. After that, I worked as a Marketing Graphic Designer for a local popcorn company, and a Freelance Designer for some restaurants in downtown Norfolk. Eventually, I found my passion for Web Design and Development and joined the CWS family. I enjoy listening to podcasts and audiobooks, watching scary movies, and hanging out with my old, adopted Jack Russell/Beagle mix, Princess.

How long have you been with CWS and what is your current role?

I’ve been with Commercial Web Services for just over 2 years, and am currently a UI (user-interface) Engineer on the CWS product development team.

What is one piece of advice you want dealers to know?

Our job on the development team is to build the best product and experience for YOU. The most effective way to do that is using your feedback. What do you like about your current experience using our tools? What would you like to see change? What features do you dream about? Now is the time to tell us! Reach out to your CAM and share your thoughts.

What has been your greatest accomplishment at CWS so far?

I have to pick two things here – one for each team I’ve been on. When I was on the Graphics team, I was a big part of the initiative to make our dealer websites responsive. It was a long, tough process involving a lot of trial and error and iterations, but we finally got there. Now all of the websites we create are responsive.

My greatest accomplishment while on the development team has probably been the facelifts I did for the new platform and showroom/inventory features. I got to work with the marketing team along with our product owner and a few others to establish a cohesive look that represents our business, and to create a user-friendly experience.

What is your favorite thing about working at CWS?

My favorite thing about CWS is that everyone constantly seeks more knowledge. From learning about the latest social media trends to new web design and coding techniques, our team truly makes an effort to develop new skills and to become experts at the things they already know. It creates a good inspirational vibe around the office.

Tell us a little bit about working on the Trader Interactive Design.

The Trader Interactive website was a really cool project. I had an insider view on the beginnings of a company creating its new identity, and I got to be a part of defining and conveying it. I worked with other designers and marketing professionals across Trader Interactive, and it was a great collaborative experience. Plus I got to find out the secret new company name before it was officially released – pretty cool!

We love seeing how our team has and continues to grow with amazing employees like Jackie! Thank you so much for all that you do, Jackie! Your dedication to excellence inspires us all and we can’t wait to see what else you accomplish at CWS!