Full Biography

Overview

Norman H. Strassner is a pioneering software engineer and entrepreneur whose career spans over three decades, bridging the worlds of video production and software development. He is best known as the inventor of Strassner Editing Systems, a revolutionary PC-based video editing platform that democratized access to professional editing technology in the late 1980s.

 

Early Career and Video Editing (1980s)

Norman began his professional career as a video editor in Hollywood, working on high-profile productions including:

  • Entertainment Tonight
  • Real People
  • Productions for Paramount Pictures, CBS, NBC, and Smith-Hemion

His hands-on experience as both an off-line and on-line video tape editor gave him intimate knowledge of the editing workflow and the limitations of existing technology. This practical expertise would prove crucial in his later innovations.

 

Innovation and Entrepreneurship (1988-1995)

Strassner Editing Systems

In 1988, while working as an editor in Los Angeles, California, Norman invented Strassner Editing Systems (SES), a groundbreaking PC-based linear "CMX style" keyboard video editing controller. What made his system revolutionary was its departure from expensive, proprietary hardware.

Key Innovations:

  • First major editing system written for standard PCs rather than RT-11 industrial computers
  • Dramatically reduced costs compared to competitors like CMX and Grass Valley
  • Utilized Videomedia's V-LANs distributed system for controlling VTRs, switchers, and effects devices
  • Made professional editing technology accessible to smaller production companies

Notable Productions: Strassner Editing Systems were used to edit many popular television shows and motion pictures, including:

  • MTV's "Real World"
  • The Muppets and the first Muppet Movie
  • Numerous other television productions

Programming Background: Norman initially developed a computer program for PCs that managed edit decision lists (EDLs), which evolved into a full editing controller system. Remarkably, he accomplished this without formal computer science training, teaching himself programming to solve practical problems in his editing work.

Business Success: In 1995, Norman sold Strassner Editing Systems to Videomedia, Inc., a San Jose-based company that manufactured the V-LAN hardware his system utilized.

 

Education

University of Colorado, Boulder

  • Bachelor of Arts, cum laude (GPA: 3.8)
  • Major: Psychology
  • Minor: Communications
  • Military Service: United States Army National Guard (honorably discharged)

 

Transition to Software Engineering (2015-Present)

After his success with Strassner Editing Systems, Norman successfully transitioned into professional software development, demonstrating remarkable adaptability and continuous learning.

Aljex Software (January 2015 - September 2016)

Position: Programmer/Designer

  • Developed custom SAAS systems and trucking logistics software
  • Built backend REST API integrations in Python and PHP for major clients including Pepsico and NFI
  • Designed new applications including worldwide real-time container tracking systems
  • Technologies: JavaScript, jQuery, HTML, CSS, PHP, Python

Sequence Logic (September 2016 - April 2018)

Position: Senior Programmer/UI/UX

  • Designed complex web applications for secure document processing
  • Developed HTML5 graphics solutions for OCR data verification
  • Created software APIs and front-end interfaces
  • Worked in AGILE environment
  • Technologies: JavaScript, jQuery, AJAX, JSP, HTML, CSS, PHP

Capitalize Network (April 2018 - August 2019)

Position: UX/UI Designer/Developer

  • Built multiple complex web applications for secure document processing
  • Utilized Aurelia framework with Node.js backend
  • Managed code across PC, Mac, and Linux environments
  • Technologies: Aurelia, Node.js, JavaScript, jQuery

Strassner Media, LLC (August 2019 - April 2020)

Position: Owner, UI/UX Consultant and Full Stack Programmer

  • Founded consulting company providing guidance to mid-sized corporations
  • Designed and implemented websites using Drupal CMS (Versions 7, 8, and 9)
  • Created web applications using SPA frameworks
  • Developed backend software APIs

Quarter, Inc. (April 2020 - October 2021)

Position: UI/UX Specialist and Website Designer

  • Worked with "Tenants-in-common" joint ownership platform
  • Designed secure web applications for personal financial data management
  • Developed corporate website and mobile application
  • Implemented data security procedures

Ace Info Solutions (October 2021 - February 2022)

Position: UI/UX Consultant (Contracted to USDA)

  • Evaluated decade-old USDA APHIS field applications
  • Conducted stakeholder interviews
  • Provided comprehensive UX analysis and recommendations
  • Assessed web-based and mobile-based IPHIS software

Tactis, LLC (September 2022 - July 2023)

Position: UI/UX Designer/Developer (Contracted to Peraton)

  • Designed software for United States Air Force and United States Space Force
  • Built applications for classified and unclassified satellite vehicle anomaly reporting
  • Promoted RAD (Rapid Application Development)
  • Technologies: Vue 3, Nuxt, Tailwind CSS, Node.js, Jest, Vitest

Strassner Media, LLC (August 2023 - March 2024)

Position: Owner and UI/UX Consultant

  • Developed websites for businesses and individuals
  • Conducted user research and designed intuitive interfaces
  • Created graphics for print and digital media

ASRCFederal (March 2024 - April 2025)

Position: Senior Software Engineer, UI/UX (Contracted to Raytheon)

  • Collaborated with data scientists and hydrologists on data visualization solutions
  • Led team of UI programmers
  • Designed complete web application for Office of Water Prediction/NOAA from scratch
  • Created wireframes using Figma
  • Technologies: Nuxt/Vue, Tailwind CSS, Python/Django, Docker, Kubernetes, CI/CD pipelines

 

Technical Expertise

Norman has developed extensive proficiency across a wide range of modern technologies and frameworks:

Frontend: Vue/Nuxt, React, Angular, Aurelia, HTML5, CSS3, JavaScript/ES6, TypeScript, jQuery
Backend: Node.js, Python, PHP, Django, C++, C#
Databases: MySQL, SQL, MongoDB
Frameworks & Tools: Tailwind CSS, Bootstrap, Material Design, Webpack
DevOps: Docker, Kubernetes, CI/CD Pipelines, Git, Bitbucket, GitLab
CMS: Drupal (Versions 7, 8, 9), Headless CMS
APIs: REST APIs, GraphQL, RESTful APIs
Testing: Jest, Vitest, Postman
Design: Figma, Balsamiq, Adobe Creative Cloud
Project Management: JIRA, Confluence, AGILE methodologies
Accessibility: WCAG Guidelines, Section 508 compliance
Cloud: AWS environments
Operating Systems: Linux, Windows, macOS

 

Professional Approach

Norman is known for:

  • Creating artistically pleasant, practical solutions to difficult problems
  • Ensuring web accessibility and compliance with WCAG and Section 508 requirements
  • Working effectively in AGILE workflows
  • Providing mentoring to team members
  • Properly utilizing artificial intelligence tools to enhance design and development
  • Leading teams and promoting rapid application development

 

Personal Interests

  • Musician (Guitar, Upright Bass)
  • Motion Graphics
  • Videographics
  • Documentary filmmaking (including projects on the Lodz Ghetto and Indian Boarding Schools)

 

Contact Information

Location: Erie, Colorado
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/strassner
Portfolio: stunninguis.com/portfolio
GitHub: github.com/Flashbackvideoman
Wikipedia: Strassner Editing Systems

 

Professional Endorsements

Shevy Greene, CEO: "Thank you for everything you've brought to the program over the past year. Your creativity, dedication, and thoughtful approach to UX have had a real and lasting impact on the ngenCERF application. The clean design and intuitive experience reflect your vision, and you're leaving behind a solid, maintainable UI foundation that will continue to benefit the team long after your departure."

Melanie Moss, Product Manager: "Just wanted to say a big thanks for all the effort and dedication you brought to the NGWPC Program. You've played a key role, and the application you and the team built is something we're all really proud of."

Ravi Veeramachaneni, Project Director: "It was absolute pleasure working with you. You've been the anchor in shaping up the UI from ground zero. Thank you for all your support and efforts over a year."

 

Legacy

Norman H. Strassner's career exemplifies the power of combining domain expertise with technological innovation. His journey from video editor to software engineer demonstrates remarkable adaptability and continuous learning. His invention of Strassner Editing Systems in 1988 helped democratize professional video editing technology, making it accessible to a broader range of content creators. Today, he continues to apply his unique blend of creative vision and technical expertise to solve complex problems in software development, with a particular focus on creating intuitive, accessible, and aesthetically pleasing user experiences.