About
About Frank Smith III
I'm a Fullstack Academy graduate, full-stack developer, and Field Operations Specialist working in water treatment. I was born in Brooklyn and now live in Bergen County, New Jersey, where I bring practical systems thinking into software projects.
I publish my professional work under Frank Smith III. Some platforms may shorten the name to Frank Smith, but this portfolio, my developer resume, GitHub, and LinkedIn all point to the same New Jersey professional profile.
Frank Smith III - Official Introduction Video
Watch how I am building as a New Jersey software developer while staying grounded in community and consistent work. I also created a first-person video about my professional journey into software development and field operations. A shorter video, Field Operations to Full-Stack Development, gives recruiters and collaborators a quick view of how I connect practical field work with software reliability.
Identity & Mission
I was born in Brooklyn and now live in Bergen County, New Jersey. My work as a field operations specialist at a water treatment facility keeps me close to real systems where safety and reliability matter. That carries into how I build software: I try to keep things clear, useful, and dependable.
My experience as an entrepreneur taught me to focus on outcomes, communicate clearly, and keep moving when a problem gets frustrating. New Jersey keeps me grounded, and being close to New York keeps me ambitious.
Graduating from Fullstack Academy and building hands-on projects made me stronger in JavaScript, accessibility, and performance. I also bring lessons from past jiu-jitsu and boxing into how I work: stay calm, adjust fast, and keep showing up.
Recruiters can review a concise version of my skills, experience, education, and selected projects on my developer resume site. This portfolio remains the detailed source for project case studies, technical writing, and my broader professional story.
I care about relationships as much as technical work. Whether I am learning with peers, contributing to a project, or sharing updates online, I want people to know I show up, listen, and take responsibility for the outcome.
I am also developing an advocacy website for Isaac Wright Jr. with his knowledge and approval, focused on presenting advocacy work and public initiatives in a clear and accessible format. Read about the Isaac Wright Jr. project.
- I value direct communication and honest feedback.
- Field operations taught me to respect real systems and details.
- Entrepreneurship taught me to care about outcomes, not just ideas.
- Martial arts taught me to stay consistent when things get hard.
- Builds community ties in New Jersey while collaborating with remote teams nationwide.
My background in jiu-jitsu, boxing, hiking, caving, and OCR racing taught me consistency. I bring that same approach to JavaScript, HTML, CSS, and building clean, reliable web experiences.
What drives me
- Clear communication and straightforward problem solving
- Grit from Brooklyn roots and focus from life in Mahwah
- Lessons from martial arts and endurance work
- Getting better as a fullstack developer
Outside the workday
Preparation, judgment, and balance
Snowboarding and time on the water reinforce the same practical habits I value professionally: prepare properly, respect the environment, and stay aware of changing conditions.
Discipline & Background
- Past jiu-jitsu and boxing experience
- Hiking and caving for endurance and focus
- OCR racing to test strength and pacing
- Balancing focused build blocks with review and iteration
Photo stories that show the journey
Explore photo stories from leadership moments, Spartan races, jiu-jitsu, and the work that shaped how I think.
Why fullstack
I learned the full stack so I can understand how products come together end to end - front-end structure, back-end data, and everything in between. That perspective lets me stay adaptable as I grow.