If you believe in coincidence, then a great one occurred in the late summer months of 2009.  The MPRA wanted to improve its website and, while surfing the web, up-and-coming web developer Joe Shelton landed right in the middle of it. The two forces collided to produce a dynamic new site with interactive components and advanced capabilities that are sure to keep the growing MPRA membership connected and engaged for years to come.  

Shelton, a 26-year-old entrepreneur, had been searching for nearby businesses that could benefit from his burgeoning web development business when he stumbled upon www.mpraonline.org.  Despite his age, Shelton was already an accomplished web developer who had created scores of professional websites, resulting in a portfolio to be envied by techie competitors twice his age.  His trained eye beheld an MPRA site full of untapped potential.  

“When I saw the old MPRA site, my mind was flooded.  I just kept thinking how great this function or that function would be... I imagined how much more connected members would feel if they had a site that kept driving them back with news updates, photos, and more interactive options,” Shelton recalled. 

In addition, his inner entrepreneur saw a tremendous opportunity for his Iberia, Missouri-based business to connect with a reputable, nationally recognized organization. 

Armed with nothing but a laptop computer and a barrel of ideas as ammunition, Shelton made his approach.  The right time, the right ideas, the right personalities came together that day.  Shortly thereafter, he set to work. 

“The Executive Director and President of the Board are always around for one on one time.  You don’t usually have that with the larger organizations,” said Shelton.  He says the MPRA and its leadership are the type of client he likes best – organized, hands-on, and passionate about their organization and its mission. 

“When you have a group this committed and passionate, it can’t help but translate to a great website,” Shelton continued.  “The MPRA Facebook fan page has close to 3,000 members.  Now those members can visit www.mpraonline.org, catch up on recent news and events, view photos, and then click through to the MPRA Facebook page directly from www.mpraonline.org.”   

Shelton says this is only the beginning; there are many more features to be unveiled in the coming months.  Among them, a new store featuring hundreds of items, with special pricing and coupons available only online.  Another added feature as of February 1 is the online magazine.  Shelton expects subscription to the publication will increase because of this.

“For anyone under the impression that the magazine is just a newsletter, they will be able to see firsthand what a quality publication and great resource it is.” 

Shelton prizes the MPRA site as one of his three best.  That’s saying a lot, considering he designed his first professional site more than a decade ago.  At age 14, Shelton was hired to design a website for Premier Bank, based in Columbia and Jefferson City while still attending middle school in Eldon, Missouri. The site is still in use today.

“I can venture to say I have been designing websites for as long as they could be designed and made.  I remember first getting internet.  It was dial-up and charged by the minute.”  Shelton paused and then chuckled while saying, “Mom never gave me an allowance again.”  

Over the years, Shelton’s skill set and client list have grown exponentially alongside the ever increasing array of web technology.  He has crafted sites for a wide range of clients from chiropractors to car dealers, retail store owners to race car drivers.   With each project, he brings his unique perspective and his genuine interest in the person or people behind the pages. Through this approach, Shelton’s ZoomMo Digital Solutions (www.zoommo.com) is sure to grow and thrive alongside MPRA for many years to come.

“It is a great day to be a part of...MPRA. Today we have grown to over 7,000 members worldwide,” remarked Executive Director Rick Harne January 3 on Facebook.  “Please check out our new and improved website at www.mpraonline.org for updated news and information. A special thanks goes out to Mr. Joe Shelton at ZOOMMO Digital Solutions as he takes us through the 21st century.”