Thom Craver

With nearly 20 years in HTML and Web experience, very few people have the unique perspectives on making the Web work for business than Thom. He has been using  hypertext  since 1992 and has written HTML since 1993. He has systems administration skills in UNIX/Linux servers, including various Web servers, email and DNS. Because of this, he knows the best ways of optimizing Web servers for speed and can also devise low-cost business solutions for integrating internal and outsourced Web, email and internal file services. His programming  skills include several computer languages, with an emphasis on PHP, the language by which many Web services run.  He is a noted search engine optimization expert and a self-proclaimed “marketing guy in a geek’s body.”

Currently, I am the Web and Database Specialist for the Saunders College of Business at Rochester Institute of Technology. I administer the email servers, database systems, all Web sites, and assist students with the development and maintenance of student-run Web sites at the Saunders College. I determine and evaluate Web publishing and database management system needs across the College’s populations of students, faculty and staff. I also manage one full-time student employee.

I also tutor NTID students enrolled in business studies and occasionally guest lecture on search engine marketing in Saunders College marketing and E-business classes.

I  founded and operated  the Web site development and marketing firm, New York Web Works for eight years. In 2004, I led a merger with Corporate Communications, Inc. After the transition, I led Corporate Communications’ initiatives for clients in the areas of search-engine marketing, encompassing organic search engine optimization (SEO), pay-per-click (PPC), and site performance monitoring.

I founded Crocodile Rock Entertainment, a mobile DJ service in 2003.  More than a music service, I brought a new style of corporate team building with a offering a fun and unique game show-style trivia game. Within months, a branded image was built where people were asking about that “song name DJ company with the lizard.” No one said brand recognition has to be precise.

I have authored or co-authored 14 computer software instructional manuals published by Rochester-based Technical Learning Resources, Computer Confidence Incorporated and California-based SVI Training Products.  I am currently developing a business textbook for search engine marketing. Currently, I’m working on a textbook for search marketing classes.

Additionally I write articles for SearchEngineWatch.com and ComputerLink Magazine.

I am a proud husband and father of two wonderful children.

With a passion for soccer, I coach my son’s U-8 Chili Soccer team and was host for the Rochester Rhinos pro soccer club’s pre-game and post-game radio programs for multiple seasons in the early 2000′s. I was also the Rhinos’ webmaster from 1997-2001 and communications director for The Safari fan club.