Tom Benway
Digital Strategy • Web Development • Branding & Design • SEO
/Whois
What I'm all about.
Founder of VectorDefector • 25+ years in digital • 500+ projects
Digital strategist, designer, and developer with experience building websites, brands, and digital experiences for businesses of all sizes.
I combine creative design, technical development, and marketing strategy to create solutions that not only look great but maximize performance. From custom websites and web applications to branding, SEO, and digital marketing systems, I help organizations turn ideas into effective digital platforms.
Throughout my career, I have built hundreds of digital projects for startups, local businesses, growing organizations, and enterprise-level companies. My experience spans design, development, project leadership, consulting and technical strategy across a wide range of industries.
I operate on one simple principle: make it work and look great. The best digital solutions balance creativity, usability and performance without unnecessary complexity.
Notable Clientele:
Amazon.com, AT&T, Bestop for Jeep, CBS Radio, Center for Food Safety, Chipotle, Colorado Medicaid, Entercom Media, Fox Broadcasting, GE: Industrial, David Allen: GTD, Lincoln Financial, Marijuana Business Daily/MJBizCon, Mountain High Suckers, Miss World, NBA, NHL, PGA, Sensi Magazine, StrainWise Dispensaries, Virgin Records and Weed for Warriors Project.
/Expertise
Digital Marketing Skillz.
01
Website & Interactive Design
Using years of expertise, projects I design and build are made with the intention of fusing function with style: website design that is the peak of professional plus function that is built to last, expand and evolve gracefully.
02
Website & E-Commerce Development
More than ever, the design, user experience and flow of your online ordering process needs to be on point. I have experience, know-how, and data toolsets necessary for online purchasing on your website that maximize return.
03
Graphic Design
My expertise is in: hand-crafted logos, print & apparel, and website designs. I have created assets aimed at making recognizable and memorable brands for literally hundreds of companies from start-ups to industry giants.
04
Logo/Brand Creation & Illustration
With 20 years of experience as an illustrator and graphic designer, I can guide you in the process of establishing a marketing presence that truly expresses your company’s essential vibe.
05
Custom WordPress Development
From design to build, I have created 100s of campaigns, themes, plugins and virtual experiences using the World's most popular CMS software: Wordpress.
06
Agile Digital Marketing
A technologist my entire life, I maintain Agile Scrum Master discipline in every project I create and fine-tune my deliverables, teams and tech stacks to maximize security and performance.
/Skillsets
Jack of digital trades.
10k+
UI / UX (HTML/CSS/JS)
10k+
Graphic Design / Illustration
10k+
Web Dev (JS/PHP/SQL)
7.5k
E-Commerce & Sales
6.5k
WordPress (Custom)
5k
SEO / Ads / IT Generalist
4k
Photography & Videography
2k
AI, NFT & Blockchain
*values indicate hours of experience
/Experience
I've been at this for a while.
Owned Ventures
Jan 2001 – Present
VectorDefector
Founder & Creative Director
Denver, Colorado
Founded VectorDefector as a digital design and development studio focused on custom websites, branding and emerging web technologies. Over 25 years, I have led hundreds of projects spanning web development, SEO, e-commerce, digital marketing and interactive experiences for businesses across a wide range of industries.
Dec 2014 – Present
Colorado 420 Websites
Founder & Creative Director
Denver, Colorado
Established Colorado 420 Websites to provide specialized branding, web development and digital marketing services for cannabis, hemp and ancillary businesses. The company combines digital expertise with industry knowledge to help businesses navigate a rapidly evolving and highly competitive market.
Jul 2025 – Present
NextGig Websites
Founder & Creative Director
Denver, Colorado
Created NEXTGig Sites to provide custom websites and digital solutions for bands, musicians and entertainers. The platform combines web development, branding, streaming integrations and SEO foundations to help artists build a stronger online presence.
Nov 2025 – Present
NextPlate Websites
Founder & Creative Director
Denver, Colorado
Built NextPlate Sites to create specialized website solutions for restaurants, bars and hospitality businesses. The platform focuses on custom design, online ordering, reservations and digital marketing tools built around the unique needs of these brands.
Notable Consulting Engagements
Apr 2022 – Nov 2023
GLIDE Design
Technical Lead (Consulting)
Austin, Texas
Provided technical leadership and development guidance for a digital agency focused on custom websites and digital experiences. Helped improve development processes, UI/UX standards, SEO practices and technology decisions to support higher-quality client projects.
May 2021 – Feb 2022
EightyTwenty Agency
Senior Web Developer (Consulting)
Denver, Colorado
Provided senior development support for an agency serving automotive and enterprise-level brands. Led website development, platform improvements, headless e-commerce initiatives and technical projects for organizations generating significant online revenue.
Feb 2020 – Apr 2021
MJBiz Daily / MJBizCon
Web Development Lead
Lakewood, Colorado
Led web development initiatives for one of the most established media and data organizations in the cannabis industry. Managed website improvements, security and privacy initiatives, development processes and major redesign projects while helping improve technical infrastructure and support high-traffic digital platforms.
Jun 2015 – Aug 2017
Cheeky Monkey™
Director of Media Development
Anchorage, Alaska
Helped build an early-stage retail startup by leading digital strategy, brand development and technology initiatives. Created the company's brand identity, website, technical infrastructure, marketing foundation and investor-facing materials.
Notable Professional Experience
Jan 2006 – Jul 2008
Liquid Compass
Director of Product Development
Denver, Colorado
Led product development for a digital media technology company providing streaming and multimedia solutions for major media organizations. Managed development teams, technology decisions, custom CMS platforms and interactive media products for organizations including HBO, CBS Radio, Clear Channel and Entercom.
Jan 2005 –Jan 2006
Akamai Technologies
Graphic Designer / Web Developer
Glendale, Colorado
Developed interactive media applications and data-driven digital experiences for enterprise clients and major brands. Combined design, front-end development and multimedia production to create custom media players and digital platforms for organizations including NBA, NHL, PGA, Fox Broadcasting and Amazon.
Jan 2004 – Jan 2005
High Impact Litigation
Graphic Designer / Multimedia Developer
Highlands Ranch, Colorado
Created multimedia presentations, visual communications and digital experiences for attorneys, legal teams and corporate clients. Managed design projects involving graphics, video production, interactive materials and courtroom presentation systems.
Jan 2002 – Jan 2004
Production Room
Partner / Project Manager / Lead Developer
Denver, Colorado
Co-founded Production Room while attending college, building a digital production company focused on web development, multimedia and interactive projects. Managed client relationships, project workflows, developers and designers while delivering custom digital experiences for businesses.
/Education
From way back when.
2001 – 2004
Art Institute of Colorado
Bachelors of Multimedia Design (BA)
Denver, Colorado
Multimedia Program: Combination of Graphic Design, Computer Science & IT tech. Student Advisor / Staff Assistant.
/Clients&Employers
You may have heard of them.
/Achievements
Notable accomplishments.
Adobe, Agile & GDPR Certified
Experienced and certified in the top industry standard tools and methodologies for management, design, development and privacy protection policies.
Executive Level Expertise
A serial entrepreneur and consultant in numerous industries; I have the knowledge, resources and tech stack to fine-tune your process, or to launch your start-up into success ASAP.
Web3 and Blockchain Guru
NFTs, ETH / Polygon, contracts, and more? Yes, please! My latest experience has focused on Solidity contracts, blockchain apps, AI-based methodologies, and 3D metaverse integrations.
/Interests
I do other stuff, too.
Outdoors
Living in Colorado enables me to indulge in my love of hiking, camping and fishing.
Video Games
I am an avid completionist of RPGs, MMOs and open-world action/adventure.
Cooking
Barbeque, tacos, pasta: bring it on! I like to hand-make most of my meals at home.
/My Brands
Same quality, different markets.
