ANDRES MERCEDES SAN ANTONIO, TX  ·  AVAILABLE
Creative & Web Development Director

ANDRESMERCEDES

20+ Years of Global Experience

Bridging creativity and technology — transforming complex ideas into powerful, accessible, and visually compelling award winning digital experiences that align with business goals, elevate brand presence, and generate measurable growth.

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Andres Mercedes
ANDRES MERCEDES — CDWD
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CREATIVE DIRECTION DIGITAL DESIGN FULL-STACK DEV PROBLEM SOLVING UX · UI AI WORKFLOWS UAV OPERATIONS INTERNATIONAL TEAMS ANIMATION BROADCAST TECH CMS · CRM GLOBAL BRANDS ANALYTICS MULTILINGUAL WEB STRATEGY WIREFRAMES DIGITAL DEVELOPMENT MENTORSHIP CREATIVE DIRECTION DIGITAL DESIGN FULL-STACK DEV PROBLEM SOLVING UX · UI AI WORKFLOWS UAV OPERATIONS INTERNATIONAL TEAMS ANIMATION BROADCAST TECH CMS · CRM GLOBAL BRANDS ANALYTICS MULTILINGUAL WEB STRATEGY WIREFRAMES DIGITAL DEVELOPMENT MENTORSHIP
Core Capabilities

Strategic
Leadership

Two decades leading creative and technical teams across time zones — from multimillion-dollar global web portfolios to real-time disaster response operations.

DS

Digital Strategy &
Team Direction

Led cross-functional creative and technical teams across time zones for global brands. Directed multimillion-dollar web portfolios including Vizrt, NDI, Flowics, and USAA — aligning design, development, and marketing to measurable business goals.

FS

Full-Stack Development
& Creative Synergy

Deep technical expertise in HTML, CSS, JS, React, PHP, Python, MySQL, and all major CMS systems — combined with Adobe CC, Figma, 3D, Animation, and Video. Bridges creative storytelling with modern UX/UI and functional performance at scale.

PM

Operations &
Project Management

Expert in budgeting, analytics, SEO, A/B testing, and multi-language website operations in six languages — spanning broadcast, sports, education, government, and corporate sectors globally.

IST

Innovation, AI &
Systems Thinking

Creator of QR logistics platforms, volunteer tracking systems, and real-time UAV/geospatial dashboards for nonprofit disaster response. Known for scalable, data-driven solutions and for elevating the teams around him.

Brands & Organizations Worked With
2006 — 2010 | Express-News
Senior Web/Digital Designer

Rich Media, ActionScript, Channel Marketing

Senior Web Designer at Express-News / MySA.com. Tech/Designer of the Year 2007. Led a full site redesign and CMS migration, and introduced the platform's first Rich Media ad formats.

2008 — 2013 | PM GROUP
LEAD Web & Digital Designer

Ad Agency, Animation, Web, SEO, Social, 3D

Lead Web Designer at The PM Group. Helped win the Spurs Sports & Entertainment account. Built animated Alamodome arena wide content for Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, UTSA and KFC. Online Ad Network Digital Animations for global brands.

2013 — 2015 | USAA
Lead Web & Digital Designer

MAJOR PROJECTS, MOBILE, IMPAIRED ACCESSIBILITY

Design and front-end development of digital experiences for USAA, producing web campaigns, customer-facing content, and accessible interfaces that met rigorous usability standards for military members, veterans, and users with disabilities. Served as Lead Designer for the annual Report to Members program, delivering award-winning communications to millions of members and their families, recognized with the Pride Tribute Award.

2016 — 2025 | VIZRT · NDI · NewTek · Flowics
Director, Global Web Strategy & Development

Global Video-Over-IP Broadcast Tech Leader

Managed worldwide multilingual online digital presence for broadcast products, video-over-IP brands at the forefront of Live Extended Reality technology.

2025 — 2026 | RVF
Vice President, Director of Digital Development & UAV Operations

SAR. UAV. Digital Strategy, Branding & Development

Founded during the Texas 2025 July 4th Flood. Creative direction, digital branding, web development, and technology strategy for the Rampart Vigilance Foundation, building mission-critical platforms supporting disaster relief and search-and-rescue operations. Developed QR-based logistics systems, GPS/CalTopo mapping, Donation Platforms/Campaigns, UAV integration, and real-time operational tools that supported 100+ SAR missions while strengthening community engagement and interagency collaboration.

2025 — 2026 | Backyard Studios
Web Development Director

Creative Full Service Ad Agency

Provided strategic leadership for multidisciplinary teams responsible for custom website development, UX/UI design, branding, and digital marketing initiatives. Drove creative vision, AEO/GEO/SEO, technical execution, and operational efficiency while partnering with clients to deliver exceptional digital experiences that aligned with business goals, elevated brand presence, and generated measurable growth.

2015 — Present | Lancealot Creative
Founder - Freelance Multimedia Professional

DIGITAL DIRECTION, FULL STACK DEVELOPMENT, ANIMATION, AND CREATIVE STRATEGY

20+ years experience building for global brands, nonprofits, agency and broadcast technology leaders. Founded on the belief that strategy, design, and code should never be siloed, Lancealot delivers end-to-end digital work: from wireframes and UX to animation, AI integration, and beyond.

2006
PRESENT
Portfolio

Latest Works

— Websites & Digital Experiences
Through the Lens

Photography

Field Operations

Disaster Response

4th of July 2025 — Guadalupe River valley floods. In the field across Kerrville, Hunt, Comfort, and Ingram, Texas.

RELIEF EFFORTS: SAR, personal item recovery, bone recognition, GPS coordination, team comms, paint tagging, debris search, UAV operations, community town halls and animal rescue. Built QR logistics and volunteer tracking systems for the full network.

EOD MILITARYEOCSONAR ADRNTEAM TEXAS K9STORMY WEATHER UNITED CAJUN NAVYAMERICAN COREKERRVILLE PETS ALIVEFREEMAN AND FRITTSSEARCH AND SUPPORT SAN ANTONIO
0SAR MISSIONS
0GPS OPS MARKERS
0PARTNER AGENCIES
PBS DOCUMENTARY
The Story: JULY 4TH FLOODS & HEALING
What People Say

Colleague
Perspectives

Strong member of my team and one that I would lean heavily on. He consistently showed professionalism, creativity, and has a great mix of technical skills and creative thinking.

Dre would always find solutions and was dependable under pressure. He’s collaborative, positive, and made a real impact on our projects through the years. I’d recommend him to any team without hesitation.

STEVEN PAULSEN
Head of Marketing — Vizrt & NewTek

I’ve had the pleasure of working with Andres for over six years. Even though we’re oceans apart - me in Europe, him in the US, working with him feels like there are no barriers at all.

He managed countless projects across a huge, ever-changing website packed with products and solutions. He’s incredibly flexible, proactive, and relentless about finding solutions that work - and work well.

On top of being insanely talented and hardworking, he’s just a joy to work with - smart and diligent but laid-back, driven yet easy-going, and genuinely a great person. That kind of mix is rare and makes all the difference, especially when things get hectic.

I wholeheartedly recommend Dre for absolutely anything - no question about it. You’ll get great results and have fun along the way. If you want someone who’ll get the job done, no matter how big or small the project, and do it with a smile (and probably a joke or two), Dre is your guy.

VEDRANA LEGOVIC
Digital Marketing Lead — Vizrt

Dre has worked for several years at The PM Group in the area of digital design as part of our creative team. He’s an excellent programmer as well as designer.

He is an unique in that he understands the ins and outs of all the technical aspects of the digital world, and can also create beautiful animation and design work.

The agency relied on his expertise in the areas of digital design, website development, and social media. He has a strong work ethic and has never missed a deadline.

FRAN YANITY
President / COO — The PM Group

He is unique in that he is equally talented in both the creative and technical areas of digital design. His work has that "wow" factor that surpasses expectations. He has never missed a deadline.

MARION DEWALL
SVP Creative Services — The PM Group

Andres is not only a talented, advanced web designer but he can handle any client situation with the utmost professionalism and tact. I highly recommend him and his excellent work ethic.

AMANDA SILVA
UX Designer — USAA
CREATIVE DIRECTION DIGITAL DESIGN FULL-STACK DEV PROBLEM SOLVING UX · UI AI WORKFLOWS UAV OPERATIONS INTERNATIONAL TEAMS ANIMATION BROADCAST TECH CMS · CRM GLOBAL BRANDS ANALYTICS MULTILINGUAL WEB STRATEGY WIREFRAMES DIGITAL DEVELOPMENT MENTORSHIP CREATIVE DIRECTION DIGITAL DESIGN FULL-STACK DEV PROBLEM SOLVING UX · UI AI WORKFLOWS UAV OPERATIONS INTERNATIONAL TEAMS ANIMATION BROADCAST TECH CMS · CRM GLOBAL BRANDS ANALYTICS MULTILINGUAL WEB STRATEGY WIREFRAMES DIGITAL DEVELOPMENT MENTORSHIP
Toolkit

Technical Arsenal

Two decades of deep, cross-disciplinary expertise — from pixel-perfect design to scalable production systems to real-world field operations.

Latest Certifications
Open AI ChatGPT — Custom GPTs
Change Management Foundations
Coaching Skills for Leaders — LinkedIn
Project Management — NASBA
Languages & Frameworks
  • HTML / CSS / JavaScript
  • React / Next.js
  • PHP / Python
  • MySQL / XML
  • Markdown / Jekyll
  • ActionScript
Design & Creative
  • Adobe Creative Suite
  • Figma / UX · UI
  • 3D Studio Max
  • After Effects / Motion
  • Premiere / Video Edit
  • Lottie / Parallax
Platforms & Ops
  • WordPress / WP VIP
  • SiteCore / Drupal
  • Marketo / Pardot
  • Google Analytics
  • UAV / CalTopo / GPS
  • WCAG Accessibility
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