Des Moines, Iowa · Let's get to work
Justin Cateron
I've been writing code since 2003, back when tables were a layout strategy. Since then I've built e-commerce platforms, content sites, internal tools, and integrations of every shape and size. Today I lead web development at Kreg Tool, where I manage the team, still write plenty of code, and drive our work in AI and web automation.
- Now
- Web Development Manager, Kreg Tool Company (opens in a new tab)
- Before
- CMRignite, Flying Hippo, Meyocks, Midwest Basement Systems
- Stack
- JavaScript, React, Next, LAMP, LEMP, Node, MySQL, Postgres
Selected work
All projects
Where I’ve
worked
2024 – now
Web Development Manager · Kreg Tool Company
A hands-on Web Development Manager who leads Kreg's e-commerce and web platforms; serves as the technical lead for its AI and web automation efforts.
2022 – 2024
Director of Web Development · CMRignite
Led a team on redesigns for the National WIC Association, EBSA and APHIS. Built a migration script for 1,000+ pages and a marketing materials portal.
2021 – 2022
Director of Webservices · Flying Hippo
Led cross-functional digital teams and projects while modernizing development workflows with CI/CD, reusable WordPress packages, and automated API-driven systems.
2016 – 2021
Digital Manager / Lead Developer · Meyocks
Led development of custom digital solutions and websites, translating strategy into execution while improving client efficiency by up to 90% and managing a team of developers.
2014 – 2016
Dev Ops / Lead Developer · Midwest Basement Systems
Launched Stowify, a SaaS app on Adobe Sign and Twilio, which raised customer response rates by 300%.
2013 – 2014
Web Developer · Slash Web Studios
Developed and managed 70+ custom websites and web applications using full-stack technologies, APIs, project scoping, and client-focused delivery.
Recent work
A look at some of the websites and digital experiences I’ve helped build, improve, and maintain in recent years.
- 01Kreg Toolkregtool.com (opens in a new tab)
- 02Learn Kreg Toollearn.kregtool.com (opens in a new tab)
- 03Blue Stream Poolsblue-stream-pools.com (opens in a new tab)
- 04Goodman Law, P.C.golawpc.com (opens in a new tab)
- 05MasterDowelmasterdowel.com (opens in a new tab)
- 06Hawkeye VanGinkel Lawn & Snowhawkeyevanginkel.com (opens in a new tab)
- 07Flying Hippoflyinghippo.com (opens in a new tab)
- 08APHISaphis.usda.gov (opens in a new tab)
Writing
All posts- Jul 2026Building an Admin Instead of Editing the DatabaseThe first version of the admin did one thing. It showed me the documents the website agent knew about. That turned out to be enough to change how I worked.
- Jul 2026At Some Point, You Need More Than a Chat WindowFor months, the website agent's whole control panel was a chat window, a terminal and a lot of SQL. By July, that wasn't enough. I needed a way to see what I'd built.
- Jun 2026The Day I Realized AI Could Mix Two Correct Answers Into One Wrong AnswerEvery detail in the answer was true. The answer was still wrong, because it took a step from one project plan and a measurement from another.