Joe Blakemore

Collaboration & Operations Technology Leader

About Me

...
A lifelong passion for electronics set me on a path through nearly every dimension of technology—shaping my instinct for systems thinking, fueling a drive to lead and mentor, and leaving me with a rare perspective that bridges deep technical expertise with a genuine understanding of how people experience the technology around them.

I lead NBBJ's Digital Operations teams —overseeing Collaboration, Delivery, and Services—translating technology strategy into seamless, secure day-to-day experiences for the firm's people, projects, and clients.

Experience Highlights

Senior Associate | Operations Manager

Operations Studio, Digital
nbbj

I joined NBBJ as an AV Specialist and quickly rose to AV Engineer after leading a firm-wide video conferencing transformation that brought design, engineering, system programming, UI/UX, and integration fully in-house—establishing consistency and dramatically improving reliability across our offices, including the technology buildout of new offices in San Francisco, Boston, and New York, with the New York office later featured in Time magazine as a defining model for the future of hybrid work.

Building on that foundation, I launched NBBJ's Collaboration Team, expanding my team’s scope beyond AV to encompass hybrid collaboration platforms, and the full ecosystem of tools the firm uses to communicate internally, share files and information, and engage with clients.

This team serves as a connective layer across the Digital teams—bridging cross-scope initiatives, aligning platform ecosystems, and partnering with studios and other Operations teams to ensure technology strategies are cohesive and user-centered.

The Collaboration Team's impact on adoption, experience, and cross-functional alignment brought me to my current role as Digital’s Operations Manager, leading three specialized teams—Collaboration, Delivery, and Services—setting operational standards, championing service excellence and security, and ensuring reliable technology experiences across all NBBJ studios and projects.

Classroom Technology Manager

Instructional Development
University of California, Santa Barbara

I oversaw the design, installation, maintenance, support, and documentation of A/V systems across the University of California, Santa Barbara campus, focusing primarily on the 96 general assignment classrooms. In addition to my main function, I also offered technical consulting, electronic repair, and A/V design and installations for departmental spaces.

As the Classroom Technology Manager, I project-managed over 100 unique A/V systems ranging from simple TV installations to more advanced multi-screen matrixed systems that incorporates: touch screen control, scheduled event automation, and remote access and monitoring.

I was originally hired as Classroom Services Technician in April of 2009 and was reclassified twice during my employment. In September of 2009 I was promoted to Sr. Classroom Services Technician and in May of 2013 I moved into a managerial position.

Achievements in this role include the deployment of computer lectern systems to all 96 general assignment classrooms, launching a server based A/V resource management software system allowing help desk technicians to remotely monitor and control classroom technologies, and implementing formal help desk training for level 1 technical support staff.

Information Technology Consultant & Contractor

As an Independent IT Contractor, I was hired to complete a wide range of technical projects ranging from simple home theater installations, computer repair, and running network lines to more advanced server migrations, VoIP transitions, and back-end web development.

Operations Coordinator

T-Street Management, Inc

My primary responsibilities as an Operations Coordinator included creating and maintaining an operations manual, maintaining an active inventory of video games, consoles, and accessories for resale in Play N Trade franchised locations, overseeing the shipping and receiving department for T-Street Management, Inc., train staff and entrepreneurs on the technical side of operating a video game resale location, and providing level 2 support for franchised store computer networks, video game tournaments, and point of sale systems.

Accomplishments in this position included developing an algorithm to automate price changes for used video games merchandise, transitioning inventory management from spreadsheet format to a database system, and developing a tiered support system to help under-performing locations evaluate their current methods, suggest changes, and develop new marketing strategies.

Truss Designer

Structural Wood Systems

Owner, Operater, technician

Cheap Geeks Computer Services

Intern - Electronics Technician

T-Pad Telemetry Receiving Station
Naval Air Weapons Station, China Lake

Education Highlights

NBBJ Digital

Digital Leadership Academy

Crestron Technical Institute

DCT-C Design Certification Track - Commercial
Crestron + Shure
Flex for Zoom Room Solutions (CTI-FZ)
DM Certified Designer– 4K (DMC-D-4K)
Flex for Microsoft Teams Room Solutions (CTI-FT)
Network Solutions - Design (CNS-D)
Intermediate System Programming (CTI-P201)
Fusion Installation and Configuration
Fundamentals Commercial (CTI-CFC)
Core Track- August 2020
Technician Fundamentals (CTI-CTF)
Foundations of Crestron Programming (CTI-P101)

Shure Incorporated

Shure Integrated Systems Level 1
Shure Integrated Systems Level 2

Santa Barbara City College

Technical Writing Skills Award

Extron Institute

Extron Control Professional
Audio & Video Technologies for Higher Education

Cerro Coso Community College

Associate in Arts, General Education

Cisco Academy

Cisco Certified Network Associate Semester 1-4

certifications

Crestron

DCT-C Design Certification Tracks
Crestron Certified Audio Technician
DMC-D-4K Certification
NVX-N Certification

Audinate

Dante Certification Level 3

Awards

NBBJ Digital

Collaborator of the Year - Fiscal Year 2026

University of California, Santa Barbara

Citation of Excellence Award - UCSB Staff Assembly

Cerro Coso Community College

Outstanding Achievement in the Subject Area of Computer Science
Computer Information Systems Student of the Year

Naval Air Weapons Station, China Lake

Certificate of Achievement - Naval Air Weapons Station Program
Certificate of Appreciation - Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division