I seem to have a knack for computer technology and communication skills. I have lots of experience inheriting application code bases of different architectures and maintaining and extending them, while working within diverse team environments.
Current exposure: MS SQL Server, Visual C++, Crystal Reports, Report Services (SSRS), C# / ASP.Net
Past experience: Web Programming (ASP, JSP / Java, PHP, CSS, JavaScript, etc), C# / .Net (dotnet), Databases (MySQL, MSSQL, etc), Visual Basic (VB), C, COBOL, SAP (ABAP/4)
Owner, Software Contractor for Mabon Services, Seattle, WA
(10/2006 - Present)
I am the lead developer in-charge of technical proposals and development to solve business needs.
Most of my time is geared towards maintaining and extending a custom C++ / SQL Server application
that is at the heart of operations of my client. I continually work towards finding a balance
between business and technical needs while balancing my client's limited budget and size.
Keeping in mind that it’s hard to summarize your skills in a few short examples, here are some highlights:
- To assist with existing business logic pitfalls, I designed a functional testing system to warn of
possible problems. This has proven extremely helpful for tracking issues that the client doesn’t have
the immediate resources to fix (TSQLUnit + custom db wrapper for scheduling, email, etc)
- I was in charge of planning and redesigning the internal inventory system for use at different
international locations (South Africa, Switzerland, and Russia).
- Other highlights include proposing and implementing a project to sunset the legacy Crystal Reports
infrastructure in favor of one based SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS), and building a backup
database application to provide a secondary SQL-Native backup of mission critical databases.
Software Engineer for Ascent Systems, Pittsburgh, PA
(10/2004 - 10/2006)
Software consultant assigned to various client projects, but I was primarily hired to start
at a newer client where previous consultants were having problems fitting in. I started as
a developer on a small team of 2 and eventually moved up to project lead in charge of 3 floating
consultants. Technologies used were SQL Server, C++, Crystal Reports, ASP, and other various technologies.
There are numerous highlights from this project, but I’d say the proposals that were simple to
implement that made a huge impact were my favorite: I noticed a lot of work being put into a
separate costly legacy MS Access application for tracking material production. I proposed,
designed, and wrote a popular intranet application to replace it (ASP + SQL Server)
Sole Proprietor (2000 - 2006)
Side projects I worked on outside of work, until I rolled all of it under Mabon Services.
2002
the ART car (
www.theARTcar.com)
Designed and developed entire small business website under a tight limited budget.
Integrated PHP, MySQL, and Paypal as the payment gateway. I learned a lot about implementing
a site on a web host. My highlight was working for Camille, a true artist who had a different
set of priorities than an ordinary business person. Payment was a spot in a 2-day BMW
performance driving school.
2003 - 2010
Strategic Valuation Associates (
www.StrategicValuationAssociates.com)
Designed and built a web version of a business valuation tool called CrossCheck, handling all
aspects from purchase to site administration. I also tried to optimized the existing website
for easier maintenance and usability. The project continued for a few years for various projects
involving new features and maintenance.
Software Contractor for RedZone Robotics, Pittsburgh, PA
(6/2004 - 10/2004)
Started as a Software Intern, and eventually became an independent contractor. My main task was to
develop prototype software in C# to control a 500 pound robot performing pipe inspection for area
sewers. I learned a lot about interfacing software with a physical object, as opposed to writing
code for a website. After the initial project, I was brought back to incorporate further engineering
changes made to the robot, including an attachable arm.
I also worked on other prototype software, including work on an edge-trace algorithm in VB which tried
to command a robotic drill to re-drill a sealed hole in a pipe. Finally, I had the reputation of being
a fantastic camera calibrator; I guess I was the only one that paid attention that day.
Software Consultant for Coalfire Systems, Seattle, WA
(1/2003 - 3/2005)
Software consultant assigned to numerous client projects: banking, wireless, and government related.
Most work was done with a mix of web technologies and databases such as ASP, JavaScript, SQL Server,
etc. Highlights include designing and building a social engineering application to assist with
bank security assessments, building some custom reporting tools for clients who needed data out
of complicated legacy systems, and working on various applications to assist with government
compliance. I also turned around a money-losing fixed price project by winning additional
business based on my work with the client.
Software Developer and Support Specialist for GuestWare, Seattle, WA
(2002 - 2003)
Software developer and support specialist for a hotel CRM application. My time was split between supporting
a few VB tools that would data-mine hotel reservation systems for import into the main product (written in
Paradox), and general product support. This was a great example of a bad fit: they needed a more
experienced developer than they originally thought and I was a little too confident that I could
ramp up. I was let go after a year, and it was honestly one the best things that ever happened
to me on a personal and professional level.
Some highlights for me were building a tool that would scan import files for known issues and automatically
fix them. I migrated the existing print and online manuals to a single source under RoboHelp. Finally,
I really enjoy interface design, and I had a few opportunities to suggest changes in the product that
really helped round out some rough edges.
Software Consultant for CSC Consulting, Global SAP Division, 100% Travel Position
(1998 - 2001)
SAP Report and Interface Developer.
This position was a 100% travel position, where I would fly to the client location
every week. Projects included analyzing, updating, and writing reports in ABAP/4, as well as
writing web applications using ABAP/4. I was usually the general problem solver on a project:
including researching broken jobs, liaison for interfaces, and built multiple VBA and web
scripts for exporting data for client purposes.
I like taking classes to keep my skills current and to learn more about things I'm using at work. I also meet other people in my field and learn what they are solving similar problems at their positions.
University of Pittsburgh, 1998
Bachelor of Information Science
University of Washington, 2003
Certificate in Web Database and E-Commerce Programming
* Java Focus: JSP, JSTL, Servlets
University of Washington, 2008
Certificate Program in SQL Server Specialist
* Tools, Development, Administration, Query Optimization
University of Washington, 2012 (presently enrolled)
Certificate Program in .NET Advanced Web Development
Computers and technology, Outdoor activities (Hiking, Running, Snowboarding, etc), Sigma Alpha Mu