Derrick DedmonHouston, TX · onegoodcoder.com · linkedin.com/in/derrickdedmon

Creative leadership

Developing people. Leading creative work.

25+ years in design, marketing, and web development. I help designers and developers grow, guide creative work, and bring hands-on craft and AI workflow experience to the teams I lead.

How I Lead View My Work
Derrick Dedmon

How I Lead

My most important work is helping people grow. I’m a creative leader who has also done the work: designing brands, building websites, and connecting creative decisions to marketing goals. That experience shapes how I guide graphic artists and web developers, especially those building their careers.

Develop designers

I’ve helped early-career graphic artists grow from beginners into advanced designers who now own their own companies or work at agencies.

Grow developers

I’ve mentored web developers from WordPress freelancing into full-stack MERN development and agentic AI workflows. They now hold senior-level roles at churches and other organizations.

Connect direction to craft

I bring design, development, and marketing together. Hands-on experience helps me set a clear direction, understand the work, and guide a team from an idea to a finished experience.

Bring AI into the workflow

I understand how to use AI as part of creative and development workflows. I’m building on that practice with the design judgment, technical experience, and attention to people that guide my work.

References from designers and developers I’ve mentored are available on request.

Selected Work

Selected web projects from my work in design, development, and creative direction.

Woodlands Church website screenshot Woodlands Church Design & development The Woodlands United Methodist Church website screenshot TWUMC Redesign leadership & development Woodlands Music website screenshot Woodlands Music Design & development Kerry Shook Ministries website screenshot Kerry Shook Ministries Web development The Woodlands Methodist School website screenshot Woodlands Methodist School Design & development Evolve Money website screenshot Evolve Money Design & development

Professional Experience

A career built on creative craft, with experience leading studios, developers, and communications teams.

2023 – Present
The Woodlands, TX

Director of CommunicationsCurrent

The Woodlands Methodist Church
Leadership Areas

Consulting, Project Management, Web Development, App Development, Database, Social Media

I lead teams and set direction for digital communications and brand expression at a large, multi-campus congregation.

  • Align people, priorities, and daily creative operations around the church’s mission and communication goals.
  • Guide the website ecosystem, Rock RMS database, and social media presence.
  • Support the team in delivering consistent, high-quality work for members, guests, and the wider community.
2018 – 2023
The Woodlands, TX

Web Development Manager

The Woodlands Methodist Church
Leadership Areas

Consulting, Project Management, Web Development, App Development, Social Media

I led a team of developers and content contributors responsible for the church’s digital experience.

  • Defined UX and visual quality standards for primary and secondary websites built with Rock RMS and LAVA.
  • Coordinated requirements and delivery timelines across ministries.
  • Translated organizational needs into clear, usable, and reliable online experiences that supported communication and ministry goals.
2014 – 2018
The Woodlands, TX

Senior Web Developer

Woodlands Church / Kerry Shook Ministries
Leadership Areas

Consulting, Project Management, Web Development, App Development

At Woodlands Church and Kerry Shook Ministries, I played a key role in shaping the organization’s digital presence by designing and developing custom WordPress themes and plugins, along with PHP- and JavaScript-based applications. I collaborated closely with ministry leaders and creative teams to define requirements, test solutions, and ensure that our websites effectively supported content, outreach, and engagement. This experience strengthened my ability to bridge technical work with broader communication objectives and laid important groundwork for my later leadership roles.

2008 – 2014
Houston, TX

Creative Director

Iconix Marketing
Leadership Areas

Consulting, Project Management, Web Development, Graphic Design, Ad Design, Marketing

As Creative Director at Iconix Marketing, I led a multidisciplinary studio providing branding, web, and marketing solutions for small businesses.

  • Guided clients through positioning, identity, and brand-story decisions.
  • Directed concept development and design across websites, campaigns, logos, and print collateral.
  • Managed creative workflows and client relationships, connecting strategy, design, and execution.
2006 – 2008
Houston, TX

Senior Art Director

AlphaGraphics
Leadership Areas

Web Development, Graphic Design, Ad Design, Marketing

At AlphaGraphics, I served as a Senior Art Director responsible for developing visual concepts and brand materials across print and digital projects.

More about this role at AlphaGraphics

I worked closely with creative and brand leads to translate client goals into cohesive visual strategies and campaigns. The role demanded strong multitasking and communication as I managed multiple projects at once while maintaining quality, meeting deadlines, and ensuring that every piece supported the client’s overall message and brand.

2001 – 2006
Humble, TX

Senior Graphic Designer

Minuteman Press
Leadership Areas

Consulting, Graphic Design, Ad Design, Marketing

As a Senior Graphic Designer at Minuteman Press, I created marketing and promotional materials for a broad range of clients, helping translate business needs into strong visual communication across print and early digital formats.

More about this role at Minuteman Press

I collaborated with account and brand leads to ensure each project aligned with the client’s objectives and visual identity. Working in a fast-paced production environment, I learned to manage several projects simultaneously while keeping design standards high and deadlines on track.

1998 – 2001
Humble, TX

Graphic Designer

Houston Community Newspapers and Media Group
Leadership Areas

Consulting, Graphic Design, Marketing

In this role, I developed print advertising concepts and executed campaigns for local and regional advertisers.

More about this role at Houston Community Newspapers and Media Group

I worked directly with clients and internal stakeholders to understand goals, present layout options, and refine creative based on feedback. The work sharpened my skills in audience-focused communication, concept development, and client collaboration, and helped build the foundation for my later roles in brand and marketing leadership.

1998 – 2000
Vicksburg, MS

Graphic Designer

The Vicksburg Post
Leadership Areas

Consulting, Graphic Design, Marketing

At The Vicksburg Post, I worked on newspaper layout, front-page design, and advertising for both large retailers and local businesses.

More about this role at The Vicksburg Post

I refined and organized editorial page layouts and crafted ads that balanced storytelling, hierarchy, and visual impact. This early experience taught me the discipline, speed, and design fundamentals that have continued to influence my approach to branding, digital communication, and creative leadership throughout my career.

Academic Background

Bachelor of Arts in Marketing
Minor in Project Management
The University of Arizona Global Campus

My studies combined marketing strategy, audience insight, and digital communication with formal training in project planning, execution, and stakeholder management. That foundation continues to shape my work as a creative and communications leader by helping me connect brand thinking, team alignment, and practical execution.

Skills & Capabilities

People & Creative Leadership

People Development Designer Mentorship Developer Mentorship Creative Direction Team Leadership Creative Strategy Project Management Brand Management Budget Management Vendor Relations

Design & Creative

Web Design Graphic Design Art Direction UI/UX Design Typography Print Design Adobe Creative Suite Photoshop Illustrator InDesign Video Production

Marketing & Communications

Digital Marketing Content Strategy Social Media Strategy Email Marketing Content Marketing Public Relations Campaign Management Analytics & Reporting

Web Development

HTML5 CSS3 JavaScript PHP WordPress React Node.js Express.js MongoDB Responsive Design Web Accessibility SEO Google Analytics

AI & Workflow Tools

AI in Creative Workflows AI-Assisted Development Agentic AI Workflows Claude Code Cursor VS Code Git & GitHub Command Line Build Tools

Church Technology

Rock RMS Content Channels Church Website Development Database Administration Finance Integration Backend Implementation ChMS Platforms

Featured Publications

My work has been recognized across leading church technology and design publications.

The Best Church Websites of 2022

My Codeless Website2022

Top 100 Best Church Websites of 2022

Reach Right Studios2021

30 Beautiful Church Website Designs

Vandelay Design2020

Top 100 Best Church Websites of 2020

Reach Right Studios2019

Best Church Websites 2019

Vandelay Design2019

Top 100 Church Websites of 2018

Reach Right Studios2018

Church Websites — 70 Most Inspiring of 2017 (opens in a new tab)

ShareFaith Magazine2017

18 Beautiful Easter Church Websites

Tech Church2017

8 Of The Best Church Websites This Easter (opens in a new tab)

Steve Fogg2017

40 Beautiful Church Website Designs

Vandelay Design2016

Church Websites — 70 Most Inspiring of 2016

Share Faith2016

11 Of The Best Church Websites

Steve Fogg2016

Let’s Talk Creative Leadership

I’m interested in Creative Director opportunities where I can develop people, guide the work, and bring design, technology, and marketing together.

Connect on LinkedIn

Woodlands Church

My contribution: Design & development

Complete website design and development for Woodlands Church, featuring custom WordPress theme development, live streaming integration, online giving platform, and responsive design optimized for all devices. The site serves as the primary digital presence for the congregation, handling event registrations, sermon archives, and community engagement.

WordPress Custom Theme PHP Live Streaming Responsive Design

The Woodlands United Methodist Church

My contribution: Redesign leadership & development

Led the redesign and development of the TWUMC website as part of a WordPress multisite network. Implemented comprehensive SEO strategy, responsive layouts, and integrated event management. The site serves 500K+ annual visitors with optimized performance and accessibility.

WordPress Multisite SEO Responsive Design Event Management

Woodlands Music

My contribution: Design & development

Designed and built the Woodlands Music website featuring event listings, media integration, and dynamic content management. The site showcases the music ministry's programs, performances, and community outreach with an engaging, media-rich experience.

WordPress Events Media Integration Custom Design

Kerry Shook Ministries

My contribution: Web development

Developed the Kerry Shook Ministries website with integrated video content, eCommerce functionality for resource distribution, and a content management system for sermons and devotionals. The platform supports the ministry's digital outreach and resource sharing.

WordPress Video Integration eCommerce CMS

The Woodlands Methodist School

My contribution: Design & development

Created the school's website with an integrated enrollment system, parent resources portal, and dynamic academic program pages. The design emphasizes approachability and trust while providing easy access to admissions information and school events.

WordPress Enrollment System Custom Design Responsive

Evolve Money

My contribution: Design & development

Designed and developed the Evolve Money website, a financial services platform with a clean, trustworthy design language. Features responsive layouts, clear information architecture, and conversion-optimized user flows for the financial sector.

WordPress Financial Responsive Design UX Optimization