Two of our favorite things have come together in March: new team members and new awards. Just last week, the Minnesota Business Magazine named Spyder Trap one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For—for the fifth straight year! It’s our culture that makes Spyder Trap a great place to work and it’s our awesome people that make up that culture. That’s why we’d like to showcase three of our newest hires. We’re growing quickly and this is just a few of the new team members that we’ve welcomed to Spyder Trap in 2016. You’ll have to stop by the office to meet the rest of the amazing Spyder Trappers—or check out our current job openings to join the team yourself.
Julie Nelson – Senior Interactive Designer
Where are you coming from?
I live in South Minneapolis with my husband and two kids. I’ve worked in the industry for the past eight years as a UX/UI Designer and most recently worked at Ackmann & Dickenson and The Nerdery.
What’s your role at Spyder Trap?
Senior Interactive Designer. At my core I am a problem solver. I love understanding real world problems and finding ways that I can improve a user’s experience through design.
What brought you to ST?
Creativity and smart people. I heard great things about ST for years and the company has lived up to its reputation. I’m excited to continue to hone my craft and watch the company grow.
What are you hoping to accomplish at ST?
I think the sky’s the limit at ST. I have no doubt that I will learn something new from every individual here and that will allow me to create some fantastic designs.
Where’s your favorite place to hang out in the Twin Cities?
My backyard with family and friends. I love spending time playing with the kids outside, eating great food on our deck, or getting dirty in my garden.
Favorite book, movie, beer/cocktail, or TV show?
My favorite series of books is the Lord of the Rings trilogy and the movies are some of my favorite movies. My favorite cocktail is a gin and tonic with ample amount of fresh limejuice or a nice glass of pinot noir. I just started re-watching the TV show The Wire because it is so good, and one of my all time favorites shows is Alias. I think I was a spy in another lifetime. 
Something cool about yourself?
In sixth grade at my school’s track and field day, I set a school record in the shot-put that was held for over 20 years.
Kate Hanson – PHP Developer
Where are you coming from?
I grew up in central Illinois (Champaign-Urbana), and went to school at Grinnell College in Grinnell, Iowa. I graduated in 2000 with a BA in technical theatre. For the next few years I did a bunch of different jobs. In late 2006 I had an opportunity to work with a small software development company in Saint Paul called Fisdap. I taught myself on the job to be a PHP developer and have worked for the last 10 years on the Fisdap suite of web applications for Paramedic education.
What’s your role at Spyder Trap?
Web Developer
What brought you to ST?
I want to expand my development knowledge by working on multiple newer projects, while maintaining the autonomy and camaraderie that can be found working with a smaller company.
What are you hoping to accomplish at ST?
I want to implement beautiful web designs by writing well-structured, efficient code on the back-end. I hope to have a lot of fun while I’m at it.
Where’s your favorite place to hang out in the Twin Cities?
Woodloch Stable up in Hugo, MN. That’s where my daughters take riding lessons, and where we board our pony.
Favorite book, movie, beer/cocktail, or TV show?
Book: Anansi Boys, by Neil Gaiman
Movie: Children of Men
Drink: Single malt Scotch
Show: Firefly
Something cool about yourself?
I like to knit and bike and spend time up on the North Shore with my family.
Anything else you’d like the Internet public to know?
I am thrilled to be working at Spyder Trap! Everyone here has been welcoming and fantastic. It is a really great team.
Lindsey Graff – Content Strategist
Where are you coming from?
I’m originally from Rice Lake, WI and moved to Minneapolis in 2008 to attend Augsburg College – haven’t left since! I’ve held several jobs in digital marketing on both the agency and client sides. Most recently, I worked as a digital marketing consultant for a small firm in the North Loop.
What’s your role at Spyder Trap?
Content Strategist
What brought you to ST?
I came to Spyder Trap for two reasons: 1) their smart, expert team who I hope to learn from and grow with, and 2) the challenge and excitement of working with such diverse clients on so many different types of projects.
What are you hoping to accomplish at ST?
Other than world domination, my goals at ST are difficult to explain in one sentence, but if I had to, I’d say I’d like to hone my strategic skills in ways that create measurable results for clients.
Where’s your favorite place to hang out in the Twin Cities?
Tracy’s Saloon in Seward – hands down.
Favorite book, movie, beer/cocktail, or TV show?
Parks & Recreation
Something cool about yourself?
I am:
- From Wisconsin, so I love the Packers, Badgers, beer, and cheese
- A crazy cat lady but I also LOVE dogs
- A news and politics junkie