Introduction

Skill Tree
My focus is web application development and system administration.

Below is my current resumé. Be sure to check out the projects section to see some of the work referenced here.

Use the contact link at the bottom of any page to contact me with questions or comments.

Skills - The things I've learned through experience and education

Design Develop Manage

I can design visual elements and interfaces appropriate to a particular project's needs. I then build the interface using any combination of:

  • Ajax
  • Flash/Shockwave
  • Photoshop/Illustrator
  • CSS, XHTML, JavaScript

My development skills provide a strong data driven back-end to any application. I primarily use:

  • PHP/Coldfusion
  • SQL (SQL Server, MySQL and PostgreSQL) Database Design
  • XML Design and Integration
  • MVC and OO Frameworks

I also run my own servers and have been a system administrator. I have strong knowledge of the following:

  • Freebsd/Linux/Unix general maintenance
  • Postfix/Other Mail servers
  • Apache 1.3 and 2
  • Distributed Networking/Load Balancing technologies
  • Windows/Mac/Unix desktop support

Experience/Education - Where I learned many skills

Private Consultant July 2000 - Present
Schoolspring.com, ABS Technologies, Freelance West Barnet, Vermont
Designed and implemented a database driven web system with XML and RDBMS data sources. Primary programmer and database developer for www.scholspring.com. Regular consultant for ABS Technologies consulting firm.
 
Web Consultant December 1999 - June 2000
Auctionwatch.com San Bruno, California
Using PHP and MySQL, developed an internal inventory tracking system for all servers, network cards, laptops and other hardware in the company.
 
Unix System Administrator May 1999 - November 1999
CIS at Stanford University Stanford, California
Responsible for Unix system administration, system backup, and backup retrieval.
 
Technical Support June 1997 - January 1999
Depository Trust Company New York, New York
Supported end users in the world's largest stock depository, installing, trouble-shooting and repairing any hardware or software problems associated with PC's on the network.

B.A. in Electronic Media and the Arts August 1997 - May 2001
Simon's Rock College of Bard Great Barrington, Massachusetts
I received my BA in May of 2001.
Thesis Topic: An examination of the social and technological implications of the Internet.

Objectives - Where I want to go from here

My interest in technology started very early in life. Some of my earliest memories are of watching my father create various tools in CPM on the Osborne (I still have it! We got it in 1981). I was programming basic on my Tandy Radioshack tv based computer long before I could write. This interest in technology stuck with me throughout my life. Eventually I found myself in college at sixteen with extraordinary technical skills. I was already working my first professional job as a desktop support specialist for DTC (now DTCC).

As I progressed through my professional and educational life I developed a strong interest in networking. Any kind of information exchange became a topic of interest. My senior thesis focused on the historical, societal and technological impacts of the internet on our world. By this time I was already doing advanced web development for clients part-time in php and mysql. I was also administering my own servers for clients and personal work. To this day, I maintain at least one freebsd server for development and hosting needs.

I picked up more clients and gained extensive experience in nearly every kind of networking and internet technology. My career path as a web developer became plain as day. I have continually strived to be an industry professional in any networking technology. One of the reasons I joined SchoolSpring is I had the opportunity to work on a large scale project using technologies I have not done much development in. I had done all of it before, but not in MSSQL Server and Coldfusion.

My interest in IT networking services and theory has made me a very capable IT generalist. I've shown a knack for seeing the big picture and identifying future problems before the design cycle is over. At SchoolSpring I became more involved in deciding what the best way to achieve the business goals are instead of just following specifications. I participate in design meetings and work closely with Clark to develop the best solution.

Where has all this lead me?

In the short term I see myself continuing to expand my skill set as a web developer and integration specialist. I want to continue to develop advanced applications and keep my skills sharp while adding new languages and technologies to my already extensive knowledge base. I will also likely expand my professional development beyond the web on my own time. I've been working on a Mac application programmed in Objective-C with Xcode. Parts of it rely on XML data exchange and web services.

In the long term I want to move myself toward an IT Management/Director position. My broad range of skills and experiences make me a strong candidate for defining the overall direction of IT for a business. I understand how all these technologies relate to each other and how best to deploy them efficiently to meet business goals.

I also have a few personal projects I work on from time to time. I intend on launching them publicly as services. I'll often talk about these at length when requested.

References - People who will verify my knowledge

Clark:
My primary contact at SchoolSpring.com. I've worked with him for two+ years developing version 2 of their web application. Contact him with any questions about my technical skill.

Jim and Susan:
The two of them manage and own SchoolSpring. They will inform you of my skills from a management perspective.

David:
He is the CEO of ABS Technologies. David and I have worked together to provide database driven web solutions to small businesses across the country.

Contact numbers and other information is available upon request.