Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Timeline
Generic

Merl St James

Chicago,IL

Overview

39
39
years of professional experience

Work History

Senior Producer & Engineer

Moody Radio
Chicago, IL
03.2022 - Current
  • Radio production of Bold Steps Weekend program and the Bold Steps Minute program
  • Oversee the content curation of the Spanish program called Pasos Audaces
  • Write compelling copy for each respective product
  • Live on-air audio engineering for Saturday programs Living By Faith and Ed Stetzer Live
  • Backup live on-air audio engineering for network programming
  • Create and publish compelling digital media for Bold Steps
  • Determine best practices for video sessions i.e. lighting, camera angles
  • Storyboard and bring to life the Bold Stories series
  • Increase brand awareness through marketing effort
  • Create visual content to communicate messaging
  • Construct custom graphic backdrops and figurines to assist in video production
  • Communicate effectively with co-workers, management, clients, and others
  • Learn and teach others to apply EOS for the betterment of Moody Radio

Professional Musician/DJ

Self Employed
Chicago, IL
01.1989 - Current

Toured/Performed live in Europe and United States from 2010 to 2015.

  • Collaborated with other musicians to plan rehearsals and performances
  • Traveled, sometimes great distances, to perform at venues and rehearsed to prepare for performances
  • Played guitar for a variety of religious services
  • Commissioned to collaborate with or remix other artists' music
  • Released music with Rush Hour records(Amsterdam), Skylax Records(France), and other record labels in Europe

Reentry Case Manager

Salvation Army Pathway Forward
Chicago, Illinois
12.2014 - 02.2022
  • Assessed each resident's transitional needs
  • Presented talks in transitional skills classes to promote organizational mission and programs
  • Identified appropriate solutions to minimize issues and quickly solve resident problems
  • Assigned thought-provoking projects to find creative solutions to life issues
  • Mentored and assisted residents to establish professional relationships
  • Engaged residents in lectures by encouraging sharing of opinions and group interactions

Production Artist

Ravenswood Studio Inc.
Chicago, Illinois
01.2002 - 01.2011
  • Completed multiple painting jobs per deadlines, including museum, theatre sets and trade show exhibits
  • Collaborated closely with Project Managers and carpenters/welders on projects to stay on task.
  • Collaborated with Art Director and other team members to meet strict project completion deadlines
  • Operated compressors, airless and HVLP equipment with caution to avoid injuries and maintain tools

Lead Graphic Designer

The Printed Word
Evanston, Illinois
01.2000 - 01.2002
  • Submitted design ideas to plan projects with customers and managers
  • Generated digital image files for use in digital and traditional printing
  • Formatted designs and media for print and web applications
  • Leveraged proficiency in Adobe InDesign, Photoshop, Pagemaker, Quarkexpress and Illustrator to design email blasts, catalogs, posters and other promotional materials
  • Selected colors and themes while adding functionality to create new design
  • Worked with customers to present mockups and collect information for adjustments

Production Artist

Ronsely Inc.
Chicago, IL
01.1991 - 01.2000
  • Produced production art for major sporting events, weddings and theater
  • Lead teams on out-of-town projects including Superbowls and NBA All Star Weekends

Floor Clerk/Copy Center Clerk/Conf Room Services

Winston & Strawn
Chicago, IL
07.1985 - 01.1991
  • Formerly named Merwyn Sanders and was employed in three different positions, including: Floor Clerk; Copy Center Clerk; Conference Room Services during various times from 1985 to the 1990's

Education

Master of Arts - Global Ministry Design

Moody Bible Institute
Chicago
05.2021

Bachelor of Arts - Pastoral Ministry

Moody Bible Institute
Chicago, IL
05.2019

Some College (No Degree) - Painting & Drawing/Design

The School of The Art Institute of Chicago
Chicago, IL

Skills

  • Studied project management methods and tools
  • Strong organization and leadership skills
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills
  • Problem-solving skills
  • Excellent at implementing the latest technology to improve work performance and output
  • Team support and assistance
  • Problem and conflict resolution
  • Video editing
  • Sound and music production, and engineering
  • Experience touring in Europe and the USA
  • Typing
  • Proficient in Windows and Mac

Timeline

Senior Producer & Engineer

Moody Radio
03.2022 - Current

Reentry Case Manager

Salvation Army Pathway Forward
12.2014 - 02.2022

Production Artist

Ravenswood Studio Inc.
01.2002 - 01.2011

Lead Graphic Designer

The Printed Word
01.2000 - 01.2002

Production Artist

Ronsely Inc.
01.1991 - 01.2000

Professional Musician/DJ

Self Employed
01.1989 - Current

Floor Clerk/Copy Center Clerk/Conf Room Services

Winston & Strawn
07.1985 - 01.1991

Master of Arts - Global Ministry Design

Moody Bible Institute

Bachelor of Arts - Pastoral Ministry

Moody Bible Institute

Some College (No Degree) - Painting & Drawing/Design

The School of The Art Institute of Chicago
Merl St James