About — Ricky Lee LaPraim

Advisor · Technologist · Writer. I explore how innovation reshapes inner life, relationships, and civic life — and how to build technology that respects dignity and purpose.

Mission

A short statement about purpose

I write essays, give talks, and partner with organizations to help thoughtful leaders design technology that serves human flourishing — not just efficiency. My work centers the question: “What kind of future honors dignity, wisdom, and purpose?”

Work & background

What I build and who I work with

For over a decade I’ve architected technology solutions across healthcare, finance, and public service. I advise organizations on product strategy, privacy-aware architectures, and design practices that prioritize human outcomes. I also publish essays on technology and ethics and speak at conferences about responsible innovation.

Strategic Advisory & Digital Transformation Leadership

Consultant / Digital Transformation Lead — DirSec

DirSec website displayed on a laptop in landscape orientation
DirSec website homepage showcasing services and cybersecurity solutions
DirSec website solutions page showcasing cybersecurity and IT services
DirSec partners page displaying collaborations and affiliations
DirSec website contact page for client inquiries and support

Led the UI/UX design and full-stack website development for DirSec, a cybersecurity and IT solutions provider, resulting in significant growth in traffic, leads, and online visibility.

  • Directed a multidisciplinary team in designing and implementing a responsive WordPress website hosted on WP Engine, ensuring fast load times, robust security, and reliable performance.
  • Oversaw UI/UX improvements to create an intuitive, professional interface aligned with DirSec’s brand and business objectives.
  • Implemented SEO strategies and optimized website architecture, resulting in a 150% increase in site traffic and 100% growth in organic search queries.
  • Developed lead capture and conversion mechanisms, doubling daily sales and increasing average daily leads by 200%.
  • Collaborated with stakeholders to align the digital strategy with business goals, positioning DirSec as a trusted authority in secure IT solutions.

A high-impact leadership project combining UX oversight, technical development, and SEO strategy to elevate DirSec’s digital presence and business outcomes.

Consultant, UI/UX & Full-Stack Development — Kinder Morgan

Oversaw the design, development, and deployment of an internal GIS-based pipeline integrity management platform, coordinating closely with stakeholders and an interdisciplinary team.

  • Directed UI/UX strategy, front-end development (React), and back-end integration (Python, SQL) to build an accessible and visually intuitive GIS platform for pipeline asset monitoring.
  • Translated complex spatial datasets into interactive map layers with multiple viewing modes (road, aerial, dark theme) and measurement tools.
  • Implemented bespoke functionalities for layer styling, filtering, and sorting to support regulatory compliance and risk management.
  • Facilitated cross-functional collaboration between stakeholders, engineering, and design teams to ensure alignment on safety, usability, and operational requirements.
  • Enhanced decision-making by visualizing maintenance requirements, predicting environmental risks, and supporting geographically-informed business strategies.
  • Delivered a scalable internal platform that improved efficiency, reduced operational risk, and standardized pipeline monitoring processes.

A strategic technology initiative combining GIS, data visualization, and full-stack development to modernize internal pipeline integrity management and operational safety.

Consultant, Digital Transformation Lead — Sweet Paris Crêperie & Café

Sweet Paris website visual design displayed on an iPad
Sweet Paris Austin restaurant exterior photographed on location
Passenger viewing Sweet Paris mobile site inside a vehicle
Sweet Paris website desktop view showing featured dishes on the homepage
Sweet Paris desktop website displaying locations page layout
Sweet Paris mobile website menu showing categories and navigation
Sweet Paris mobile site order online interface
Sweet Paris mobile site page highlighting community impact and mission

Oversaw the full digital transformation of Sweet Paris’ brand and franchise websites, managing a multidisciplinary team to enhance UI/UX, e-commerce functionality, and overall online presence, resulting in measurable business growth.

  • Directed the redesign of the main website and franchise portal, ensuring cohesive branding and intuitive user experience across platforms.
  • Guided integration of e-commerce features via ToastTab, Google Reviews, and social media feeds to improve conversions and customer engagement.
  • Implemented analytics tools to monitor visitor behavior, identifying trends such as mobile dominance (86% of traffic) and content engagement to inform marketing and site improvements.
  • Collaborated with internal stakeholders to align digital strategy with business objectives, resulting in increased franchise expansion and enhanced web visibility.
  • Delivered a responsive, modern, and data-driven platform that strengthened the brand’s digital identity and supported business growth.

A strategic leadership project combining UX oversight, e-commerce integration, and performance analytics to drive measurable expansion and engagement.

Consultant, UI/UX & Digital Innovation Lead — Vapor Point

Vapor Point website displayed on a laptop showcasing environmental and emissions control solutions
Vapor Point homepage design showcasing emissions control services and environmental solutions
Vapor Point VaporLock scrubber system used for industrial vapor control and emissions reduction
Vapor Point case studies webpage featuring environmental service project results
Aerial view of Vapor Point operations highlighting industrial vapor control processes
Vapor Point contact page providing company communication and service inquiry options

Led the development and UI/UX redesign of Vapor Point’s website, overseeing a multidisciplinary team and integrating interactive 3D models to showcase the company’s environmental technology portfolio.

  • Directed a 3D-enhanced web experience, collaborating closely with product designers to accurately represent complex technology solutions online.
  • Managed full-stack web development using Node.js, GitHub, Heroku, and Cloudflare to ensure real-time performance, security, and reliability.
  • Integrated Salesforce for lead management and optimized SEO to drive engagement and conversion across the platform.
  • Oversaw design and user experience strategy, creating an interactive, immersive, and visually engaging platform that strengthened brand positioning.
  • Delivered a measurable increase in engagement and lead generation, demonstrating the business impact of innovative digital solutions.

A forward-thinking project combining UI/UX leadership, 3D modeling, and full-stack development to elevate the company’s digital presence and industry leadership.

Consultant, Digital Platform & Web Development — UT Health, Texas

UT Health All for Them website design promoting public health vaccinations and community wellness
UT Health Harris Saves program website focusing on emergency preparedness and health response
UT Health emergency planning overview showcasing operational planning resources
UT Health OEP program website featuring emergency preparedness and training
UT Health Take Care Texas website promoting statewide health initiatives and wellness programs

Led the development of interactive websites for multiple public health initiatives, translating complex healthcare objectives into engaging digital experiences for community outreach and education.

  • Managed full project lifecycle including stakeholder communication, UX/UI design, web development, and coordination with community outreach teams.
  • Developed platforms for campaigns including "Own Every Piece," "Harris SAVES," "All For Them," and "Take Care Texas," targeting preventive health, vaccination awareness, and community wellness.
  • Implemented user-centered design and interactive tools to improve accessibility, engagement, and comprehension of critical health information.
  • Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to ensure content accuracy, campaign goals alignment, and seamless integration with public health initiatives.
  • Enhanced outreach effectiveness by creating digital experiences that increased program participation, awareness, and community engagement.
  • Delivered scalable and maintainable solutions that set a new standard for UT Health’s digital initiatives, strengthening the connection between healthcare providers and urban/inner-city communities.

A high-impact portfolio of projects combining digital strategy, web development, and public health innovation to drive measurable improvements in community health awareness.

Consultant / Digital Platform Lead — John Fontaine, Jr. Charity (JFJC)

JFJC website displayed on a laptop showcasing homepage and site layout
JFJC website homepage highlighting key programs and community resources
JFJC donate page for supporting community programs and initiatives
JFJC about page displaying organizational mission, vision, and team
JFJC events page featuring upcoming community events and programs
JFJC mobile homepage layout showing responsive design on smartphones

Led the UI/UX and website development for JFJC, creating a digital platform to support the BrainAbouts program and expand youth outreach through schools nationwide.

  • Managed a multidisciplinary team to design and implement a WordPress-based website optimized for event management, donations, and curriculum dissemination.
  • Oversaw front-end and back-end development, ensuring a responsive, secure, and scalable platform hosted on WP Engine.
  • Collaborated with nonprofit stakeholders to align digital strategy with program objectives, increasing adoption of the BrainAbouts curriculum across multiple schools.
  • Enhanced online engagement and user experience, enabling efficient program participation and community interaction.
  • Delivered a platform that facilitated growth in donations, expanded program reach, and strengthened the nonprofit’s digital presence.

A strategic project combining UI/UX leadership, web development, and digital engagement to drive measurable impact for youth-focused educational initiatives.

Consultant / Digital Platform Lead — Remember The Fallen (Nonprofit)

Remember the Fallen website displayed on a laptop showcasing homepage layout
Remember the Fallen website hero section highlighting the mission and purpose
Remember the Fallen website donate page for supporting veterans and memorial projects
Remember the Fallen Ride to Surprise event showcased on website with participant imagery
Remember the Fallen mobile homepage layout showing responsive design on smartphones
Remember the Fallen branded jacket showcasing commemorative merchandise

Led the UI/UX design and website development for Remember The Fallen, a nonprofit supporting families of fallen first responders, creating a secure, accessible, and donor-focused online platform.

  • Directed a multidisciplinary team to redesign the nonprofit’s website on WordPress, ensuring scalability, flexibility, and an intuitive user experience.
  • Implemented secure donation processing through Stripe and optimized site performance with WP Engine hosting and Cloudflare CDN for fast load times and DDoS protection.
  • Enhanced search engine visibility and integrated a merchandise shop to expand fundraising capabilities and online engagement.
  • Oversaw front-end and back-end development workflows, aligning technical strategy with organizational goals to maximize donations and community reach.
  • Delivered a responsive and user-centric platform that strengthened donor engagement, improved operational efficiency, and amplified the organization’s mission-driven impact.

A strategic leadership project combining web development oversight, UI/UX direction, and secure payment integration to enhance fundraising and honor the legacy of first responders.

Consultant / Digital Platform Lead — Lead ‘n Glass (Glass Manufacturer & Supplier)

LeadnGlass website displayed on a laptop showing full desktop layout
LeadnGlass website homepage showcasing main navigation and featured products
LeadnGlass e-commerce product page displaying individual product details
LeadnGlass mobile homepage layout showing responsive design on smartphones
LeadnGlass user account page showing login and profile management
LeadnGlass contact page providing customer support and inquiry options
LeadnGlass gallery page showcasing products and installations
LeadnGlass e-commerce shop category page displaying product categories

Oversaw the UI/UX design and website development for Lead ‘n Glass, enhancing their e-commerce capabilities and overall digital presence while collaborating closely with company stakeholders.

  • Led a multidisciplinary team to redesign the website using WordPress and WooCommerce, creating a scalable, intuitive, and visually engaging online store.
  • Directed front-end and back-end development efforts, ensuring seamless integration of product catalogs, secure payment gateways, and inventory management features.
  • Collaborated with stakeholders to align digital strategy with business objectives, contributing to increased online sales and operational efficiency.
  • Implemented a responsive, user-friendly interface that optimized the shopping experience across devices and improved customer engagement.
  • Delivered a robust digital platform that supported business growth, ultimately aiding the company in securing financing for a new facility.

A high-impact digital transformation project combining e-commerce strategy, UI/UX leadership, and web development to modernize and expand the company’s online presence.

Consultant, Machine Learning & Platform Development — University of Houston, Chemistry Department

Designed and developed MatLearn, a web-based machine learning platform to assist chemists in predicting new chemical compounds and guiding solid-state synthesis.

  • Developed interactive predictive tools using Flask, Python, scikit-learn, and Matplotlib to model binary and ternary chemical systems, enabling rapid exploration of material properties.
  • Built a responsive front-end with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript for intuitive user interaction and visualization of chemical formation predictions.
  • Hosted and maintained the platform on AWS for scalable access and reliable performance, streamlining experimental workflows for researchers.
  • Applied machine learning models to generate real-time diagrams with predictive markers and confidence indicators, assisting chemists in identifying optimal compound compositions.
  • Simplified complex data analysis, allowing researchers to focus on promising materials, reduce trial-and-error, and accelerate discovery.
  • Collaborated closely with chemists and departmental stakeholders to translate research objectives into functional, user-friendly platform capabilities.

A high-impact project combining AI, data visualization, and web development to innovate research in material chemistry and computational compound prediction.

Consultant, Project Lead — SESCO Cement

SESCO website homepage displayed on a laptop showing main navigation and layout
SESCO website featured projects section screenshot highlighting completed projects
SESCO Advantage webpage screenshot showing company benefits and services
SESCO Cement website displayed on a laptop showcasing products and solutions

Oversaw the end-to-end digital transformation of SESCO Cement’s website, managing a multidisciplinary team to deliver an interactive, user-focused platform that reflects the company’s leadership in sourcing, manufacturing, and distribution.

  • Directed the team responsible for UI/UX, front-end development, and website architecture to modernize and enhance SESCO’s online presence.
  • Guided the implementation of interactive features and tools, including a GIS-enabled 'Find a Dealer' feature, improving user experience and accessibility.
  • Ensured product showcasing, project history, and e-commerce SEO were optimized while maintaining a minimalistic and professional design aesthetic.
  • Coordinated with internal stakeholders to align the digital platform with brand strategy, content accuracy, and business objectives.
  • Delivered a scalable and engaging web platform that strengthened SESCO’s digital identity and highlighted their innovation in the cement industry.

A strategic leadership initiative combining project management, digital oversight, and cross-functional coordination to elevate SESCO Cement’s online presence.

Consultant, Digital Transformation Lead — Westbrook Energy Group

Westbrook Manufacturing mobile homepage design displaying responsive industrial manufacturing website
Westbrook Manufacturing products webpage showcasing industrial parts and product lines
Federal Flange manufacturing website showcasing industrial flange products and engineering services

Led the end-to-end digital transformation of Westbrook Energy Group’s web presence, including three separate company websites, overseeing UI/UX design, development, and strategy.

  • Directed a multidisciplinary team in the development of Westbrook Manufacturing, Federal Flange, and related subsidiary websites, ensuring consistent branding and user-friendly design.
  • Oversaw front-end and back-end development using Node.js, Heroku, Cloudflare, and GitHub for scalable, secure, and performant websites.
  • Enhanced user experience through intuitive navigation, interactive product catalogs, and streamlined request-for-quote systems, improving engagement and conversion rates.
  • Implemented analytics to measure digital impact, achieving a +220% increase in daily impressions for Federal Flange post-launch.
  • Worked closely with executives to align digital initiatives with business objectives, strengthening market position and supporting a successful company acquisition.

A high-impact project demonstrating leadership in digital transformation, full-stack web strategy, and UX innovation across a complex industrial enterprise.

Consultant, VR Experience Lead — Apollo 11 50th Anniversary (NASA / JSC Federal Credit Union)

NASA VR development by LaPraim team in Houston for Apollo project
Apollo booth floor plan for NASA event showcasing VR experiences

Developed and led the creation of a high-impact virtual reality experience celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing, showcased at Space Center Houston.

  • Conceived the full creative direction for the VR experience, including user perspective, environment layout, and interactive flow.
  • Led development using Unity, collaborating with stakeholders at JSC Federal Credit Union to align technical execution with brand goals.
  • Designed the physical booth layout and managed all VR hardware integration, calibration, and event-day operations.
  • Experience attracted overwhelming attendance; expanded from one to two VR headsets due to demand, with lines extending through the venue.
  • Achieved significant community engagement with over 1,100+ participants and an estimated 80,000+ social media impressions.
  • Supported measurable business growth for the sponsor: +5.2% equity and +4.2% deposit growth (per 2019 Annual Report).
  • Delivered an immersive lunar landing simulation that placed participants on the Moon’s surface, viewing the Apollo rover and Earth at accurate scale.

A high-visibility project that combined creative direction, VR development oversight, technical deployment, and experiential design to deliver a standout activation tied to NASA’s legacy.

Consultant / Mobile App Development Lead — Hope & Healing Center Institute (HHCI)

HHCI Mental Health Gateway mobile app interface for accessing mental health resources
HHCI mobile app referral network screen on iPhone displaying provider connections
HHCI mobile app resources screen on iPhone showing mental health support content
HHCI mobile app screen showing Disorder 1 information on iPhone
HHCI mobile app screen showing Disorder 2 information on iPhone

Led the UI/UX design and mobile app development for Gateway to Hope, a faith-based mental health education platform, creating an intuitive, accessible resource for trainees, teachers, and affiliates.

  • Directed a multidisciplinary team to design and implement a cross-platform mobile application for iOS and Android, integrating key educational materials including videos, quizzes, and PDFs.
  • Oversaw integration with Quickbase and LearnDash API, enabling seamless access to referral networks and course content without disrupting existing workflows.
  • Developed a responsive, user-friendly interface that facilitated navigation, engagement, and real-time access to mental health training resources.
  • Collaborated closely with internal stakeholders and subject-matter experts to align app functionality with organizational goals and user needs.
  • Delivered a secure, scalable, and feature-rich platform supporting ongoing education, community engagement, and operational efficiency.

A strategic leadership project combining mobile development, UI/UX oversight, and workflow integration to enhance access to mental health education and resources.

Led the creation of an AI-powered national recruiting platform to solve a critical shortage of skilled automotive technicians across 200+ franchise locations.

  • Developed one of the earliest (2019) AI-enhanced recruiting sites in the automotive services industry, integrating IBM Watson for intelligent job matching and real-time applicant guidance.
  • Designed the full user experience, site architecture, and content flow to align with Christian Brothers Automotive’s culture of honesty, integrity, and community service.
  • Leveraged Smart Recruiter APIs to build a dynamic job search engine with city-level indexing, ensuring mechanic job listings ranked prominently in search engines.
  • Deployed a highly scalable solution across franchise locations, reducing hiring times and improving candidate quality metrics.
  • Enhanced the company’s national digital presence, significantly improving talent acquisition and operational growth.

A forward-looking project combining AI, digital strategy, and UX leadership to address nationwide recruitment challenges in the automotive industry.

Consultant, Digital Strategy & UX — Huntin’ & Fishin’ Club

Directed UI/UX design, website redevelopment, and digital engagement strategy for a high-end membership club, enhancing brand positioning and member experience.

  • Oversaw redesign of membership portal with member-first experience, incorporating event calendars, content feeds, and private club communication tools.
  • Developed responsive design across desktop, tablet, and mobile, improving accessibility and engagement for members.
  • Implemented analytics tracking and reporting to monitor engagement, retention, and content performance.
  • Collaborated with internal teams and external vendors to align platform features with club goals, events, and marketing strategy.
  • Delivered a modern, user-focused digital experience, strengthening member engagement and supporting club expansion.

A strategic project combining UX leadership, digital strategy, and web development to elevate membership engagement and brand presence.

Consultant, Web & Platform Development — VIPinsiders

Led the redesign of VIPinsiders’ platform and website, improving content accessibility, UX, and lead generation for exclusive membership programs.

  • Directed front-end and back-end development, creating responsive and secure web infrastructure using modern web technologies.
  • Enhanced content presentation, membership registration flows, and SEO strategy, improving site visibility and conversion rates.
  • Implemented analytics and reporting features to track membership signups, engagement metrics, and user behavior patterns.
  • Collaborated with marketing and operations teams to ensure the platform aligned with business objectives and member expectations.

A digital transformation project combining UX strategy, platform development, and analytics integration to improve membership engagement and growth.

Consultant, Full-Stack Web Development — PrinGroup

PRIN Group mobile website view showing responsive design and homepage layout
PRIN Group real estate listing tool for property search and management
PRIN Group property listings webpage showing available real estate properties

Managed the full-stack redesign of PrinGroup’s corporate and e-commerce websites, enhancing functionality, SEO performance, and digital user experience.

  • Directed a team to implement responsive web design, e-commerce integration, and custom CMS solutions.
  • Improved lead capture and product showcase, increasing conversion rates and online inquiries.
  • Optimized SEO strategy to drive organic search traffic and enhance brand visibility.
  • Delivered a scalable, user-friendly, and secure web platform aligned with corporate objectives.

A comprehensive digital project combining full-stack development, UX strategy, and SEO optimization for measurable business impact.