Wendell Yamada

• Took ownership of a stalled product with significant technical debt, legal exposure in its business model, and branding that couldn't be trademarked. Rebuilt it from the ground up and am currently leading it toward pilot launch. • Built the company's testing infrastructure from prototype through product launch, using TestCafe and other tools to establish reliable QA processes where none existed. • Contributed directly to the codebase in ReactJS while also managing issue tracking and coordinating priorities across the team. • Consulted on trademarks, intellectual property, and marketing strategy, helping shape how the company positions its products.

Contributed to prototype development using the MERN stack. Helped design an image processing feature for shareable event invites. Pushed for early adoption of RCS messaging.

Co-created a blockchain-based application for fractional real estate ownership. Built the marketplace interface in React and developed smart contracts in Solidity for Ethereum.

Nine-month software engineering program focused on full-stack JavaScript development. This is where I made the formal transition into software.

Relocated from Hawaii to the mainland. Traveled, took photographs, and used the time to plan a career transition into software engineering. Spent the final months learning programming fundamentals before enrolling at Galvanize.

• Started as an interior designer at CS Design Builders. Despite the name, the company operated traditionally where design and construction were fragmented, not integrated. When the business struggled, I partnered to restructure it under a new name using true Design-Build methodology: one team handling design through construction, with open-book pricing and full transparency on timelines and costs. • Managed a portfolio of 24+ projects totaling $6.8M. Adopted BuildTools as an early cloud-based project management and CRM platform. Clients accessed their projects through authenticated iPads, tracking everything from change orders to live job site cameras. Worked closely enough with the BuildTools team that they assigned me a dedicated developer to help shape the product. • Guided clients through design and construction, handling everything from renders and fly-through animations to budgets, timelines, and technical education

Salem’s Hawaii portfolio included seven radio stations across multiple formats, including religious, political, and business programming. I primarily worked with the AM business station, handling brand strategy, IP advisory, and content development, while also managing select accounts across other stations. • Developed local programming from scratch, producing shows ranging from wine (hosted by a Master Sommelier) to personal finance to the talk radio version of “Think Tech Hawaii” with the former director of Hawaii’s public-private tech accelerator. • Built IP expertise through specialized training in trademark and copyright law to guide brand development and long-term IP protection. • Consulted with advertising clients on campaign strategy and performance tracking, developing 15+ websites tied to on-air campaigns. • Maintained near-100% client retention while acquiring accounts from competing stations by delivering strategic brand guidance rather than transactional ad sales. • Informally brought in to help salvage the WideOrbit ad trafficking deployment after implementation decisions created usability problems. Worked nights to restructure the system for clarity, contributing to a pilot later rolled out across Salem’s national network

One of the top-billing field representatives before the company was acquired. Sold and installed the first Clear + RingCentral business account in Hawaii, connecting a chain of art stores across Waikiki with unified telephony, wireless internet, and CRM integration.

Increased sales at the International Marketplace location by 30% over three months through inventory optimization, merchandising improvements, and retraining the sales team. Worked with contractors to install NCR Counterpoint point-of-sale software and configured registers for PCI DSS compliance.

Full-time caregiver for elderly family members.

Represented UH West-Oahu in the office of Senator Clarence Nishihara. Built the Senator's website as the first in Hawaii's legislature intentionally coded to pass WCAG validation, then spearheaded an initiative to bring the remaining legislative sites into ADA compliance.

An internet cafe in Waikiki that also held a liquor license. Maintained a network of 30+ rental computers, provided hands-on tech support to customers, and tended bar. Wrote custom scripts to automate weekly system resets.

An automotive tuning and fabrication shop that also fielded a racing team. Handled technical sales, negotiated protected territory distribution agreements with suppliers and manufacturers, and configured programmable engine management systems on rotary-powered cars.

Managed block programming and an air staff of 10-20 people. Trained 40+ DJs from broadcast licensing through on-air performance. Coordinated events with local and national promoters, including co-promoting Pearl Jam at Andrews Amphitheater with Golden Voice in 1992. Created Hawaii's first openly gay radio talk show by recruiting local journalist Bruce Beaudette and petitioning the university's broadcast authority to grant a non-student exemption. A church advocacy group tried to get me fired. The show became one of our most popular programs.