Full Resume

Work History

Amway (Ada, MI) December 2011 to Present

Global consumer products, health, and cosmetics manufacturing and sales

Sr Software Engineer – June 2021 to Present

Break apart monolith Java in-house ERP API to microservices and event-driven architecture

  • Work in agile team to develop and maintain future-state and legacy Java APIs for in-house ERP system
  • Develop new Springboot APIs in Java 11/17
  • Support legacy Springboot APIs in Java 8
  • Dashboarding using Elastic Search and Grafana
  • Monitoring using Splunk and Dynatrace
  • Event-driven architecture using Kafka

Sr Systems Engineer – April 2019 to June 2021

24×365 support of Devops and Agile business processes, Jenkins CI/CD, Github, Docker, Kubernetes, AWS

  • Automated many repetitive and time-consuming DBA activities, including developer password resets via a Jenkins job, and applying Oracle PSUs via Delphix, saving hundreds of work-hours per year
  • Automated promotion of Jaspersoft reports between environments using Python scripting and Jenkins
  • Automated promotion of database schema changes between environments via JIRA workflow triggers
  • Automated data migration from production servers, to a Delphix PII masking engine and then to lower environments, via Python and Jenkins
  • Work in Agile and Devops cross-functional teams to deliver internally developed ERP software to internal and external customers rapidly and consistently, on EC2, EKS, internal servers, and internal Kubernetes clusters
  • Work with clients, analysts, IT teams, and other stakeholders to design, install, configure, update and administer application environments to match business requirements including high availability and disaster recovery
  • Define system backup and recovery profiles for applications, in alignment with business requirements
  • Participate with analysts and other IT teams for application tuning to meet system performance requirements
  • Support functional testing activities and events
  • Manage or participate in environment refresh activities associated with the application
  • Promote packages, code changes, etc. through all environments

Sr Systems Engineer – April 2018 to April 2019

24×365 support of Devops and Agile business processes, JIRA, Confluence, Jenkins CI/CD, Nexus, Github, Subversion, Docker, Kubernetes, AWS, Flexagon Flex Deploy, Tomcat, Weblogic, Websphere, Powershell, Bash, Oracle Business Intelligence (OBIEE), RSA Identity Management and Governance (IMG), Informatica Data Quality, Informatica Power Center, Tableau, Hybris, vmWare vRealize

  • Automated build of internally developed ERP lower environments on internal VMWare cloud, reducing spin-up time to hours instead of weeks, enabling developers to test code changes and business rules without having to wait for time on shared environments
  • Worked with a Devops team to automate building of Hybris (SAP Commerce Cloud) environments on AWS EKS, significantly reducing costs associated with 3rd party hosting and management
  • Created console which allows startup/shutdown and other routine maintenance of applications via a single-click web console, enabling first-contact teams (Service Desk, IT Ops) to support environments without on-call support technicians having to remote in off-hours, and scheduling of maintenance (shut down apps automatically for maintenance windows)
  • Work in Agile and Devops cross-functional teams to deliver applications to internal customers rapidly and consistently (specifically Magic Bonus lower environments on Private Cloud and Hybris on EKS)
  • Work with clients, analysts, IT teams, and other stakeholders to design, install, configure, update and administer application environments to match business requirements including high availability and disaster recovery
  • Provide clients (IT and functional) with technical software application support, problem resolution and appropriate documentation
  • Define system backup and recovery profiles for applications, in alignment with business requirements
  • Participate with analysts and other IT teams for application tuning to meet system performance requirements
  • Support functional testing activities and events
  • Manage or participate in environment refresh activities associated with the application
  • Create and manage application security policies and standards to maximize security compliance
  • Create, coordinate and schedule maintenance tasks, purges and monitors
  • Promote packages, code changes, etc. through all environments

Middleware Application Administrator – August 2013 to March 2018

24x7x365 support of JIRA, Confluence, Jenkins CI/CD, Nexus, Flexagon Flex Deploy, Github, Subversion, Loftware Print Manager, Oracle Access Manager (OAM), Oracle Business Intelligence (OBIEE), Oracle Enterprise Manager (OEM), Oracle Business Process Analysis (BPA), RSA Identity Management (IMG), Weblogic, Websphere

  • Designed and created Oracle Enterprise Manager 12c environment using Maximum Availability Architecture. Allowing high availability and instant disaster recovery of database management tools. (RPO/RTO of minutes)
  • Designed, developed, and maintained team SharePoint site. Adapted script to take information from SharePoint calendar and update an external on-call website (SharePoint, PowerShell, SQL Server)
  • Work with clients, analysts, IT teams, and other stakeholders to design, install, configure, update and administer application environments to match business requirements including high availability and disaster recovery
  • Provide clients (IT and functional) with technical software application support, problem resolution and appropriate documentation
  • Define system backup and recovery profiles for applications, in alignment with business requirements
  • Participate with analysts and other IT teams for application tuning to meet system performance requirements
  • Support functional testing activities and events
  • Manage or participate in environment refresh activities associated with the application
  • Create and manage application security policies and standards to maximize security compliance
  • Create, coordinate and schedule maintenance tasks, purges and monitors
  • Promote packages, code changes, etc. through all environments

Application Administrator – January 2013 to August 2013
System Support Specialist – December 2011 to December 2012

24x7x365 support of BMC Remedy, CA Clarity PPM, and Business Objects

  • BMC Remedy Certified Administrator
  • Enhanced the team SharePoint site by developing a performance review activity tracker
  • Manage Remedy security and configuration
  • Develop and support customizations and integrations in Remedy
  • Develop custom reports in BMC Business Analytics for Remedy, for Incident/Problem/Change Management tickets and their surrounding metrics
  • Work with clients, analysts, IT teams, and other stakeholders to design, install, configure, update and administer application environments to match business requirements including high availability and disaster recovery
  • Provide clients (IT and functional) with technical software application support, problem resolution and appropriate documentation
  • Define system backup and recovery profiles for applications, in alignment with business requirements
  • Participate with analysts and other IT teams for application tuning to meet system performance requirements
  • Support functional testing activities and events
  • Manage or participate in environment refresh activities associated with the application
  • Create and manage application security policies and standards to maximize security compliance
  • Create, coordinate and schedule maintenance tasks, purges and monitors
  • Promote packages, code changes, etc. through all environments

Spectrum Health via Teksystems (Grand Rapids, MI) September 2010 to May 2011

Statewide healthcare provider

Project Manager

  • Coordinated migration of 1600 computers, 100+ applications, and 500 GB of user data to Spectrum Health’s environment and standards
  • Ensured zero data loss and minimal business interruption with limited resources
  • Developed and maintained deployment documentation
  • Provided smooth transition for users migrating to new environment
  • Maintained compliance with license counts

Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago (Chicago, IL) May 2005 to September 2009

$92 billion wholesale mortgage bank

Manager of Client Technology – October 2008 to September 2009

Owned the entire desktop computing experience for all users

  • Designed and built new server-based-computing environment, available both internally and external to the corporate network
  • Reduced environment of 1,200 loosely managed workstations to a well-managed environment of 250 thin clients, 50 workstations, and 15 servers
  • Integrated over 200 applications into a single desktop experience
  • Uptime of server-based-computing environment exceeded 99.9% availability
  • Managed and worked side-by-side with a team of 2 high-level technicians
  • Designed, created, and supported new virtual desktop environment (Citrix XenApp, Citrix XenServer, and Wyse terminals)
  • Kept 1200 workstations in compliance with MS patch standards (Shavlik, Altiris)
  • Created and maintained hardware-independent Windows workstation image (Altiris)
  • Repackaged applications to conform to company standards and to be available for remote installation (Altiris, Wise)

Manager of Common Services – January 2008 to October 2008
Supervisor of Common Services – February 2007 to December 2007

Owned all software common to all users company-wide

  • Uptime of all systems exceeded 99.9% availability every month
  • Developed new reporting package to gather raw data and analyze trends in all customer support metrics for the IT department (SQL Server, MS Access, MS Excel)
  • Managed and worked side-by-side with a team of 3 technicians across various disciplines
  • Maintained internet, intranet (Sharepoint), and extranet
  • Maintained messaging infrastructure (Exchange, IM, and smartphones)
  • Maintained all desktop Windows images and software packages (Altaris, Wise)
  • Maintained remote access environment (Citrix)
  • Maintained all printers (HP) and print services
  • Maintained enterprise applications (iManage DMS, Helpstar, Project Server)
  • High-level support for financial tools written in Excel and Access

Helpdesk Supervisor –March 2006 to January 2007

Created a new, centralized Service Desk team

  • Exceeded all SLAs set for my team every month
  • Created policies and procedures for new Service Desk team
  • In addition to the duties listed for Sr. PC/LAN Analyst listed below…
  • Managed and worked side-by-side with a team of 2 Service Desk technicians
  • Maintained and reported on SLAs for Service Desk responsiveness

Sr. PC/LAN Analyst – January 2006 to March 2006
PC/LAN Analyst – May 2005 to December 2005

  • Supported 350+ users and 300+ approved applications, including many in-house applications
  • Troubleshot and supported Windows OS, workstation hardware, and connectivity issues
  • Responsible for all aspects of imaging, deploying, and supporting workstations and printers
  • Created, maintained, supported, and pushed software installation packages (Altiris, Wise)
  • Developed and maintained procedures, scripts, and contact lists for team

GCI Systems (St Paul, MN) November 2004 to May 2005

Technology lifecycle management outsourcing and consulting company

Altiris Systems Engineer, Desktop Engineer

  • Installed, administrated, and supported all solutions of Altiris
  • Windows packaging and patching using (Wise)
  • Standardized Windows desktop OS images for multiple hardware configurations
  • Installed and troubleshot all versions of Windows and Windows Server TCP/IP networks

Motorola via Teksystems (Schaumburg, IL) 2004

Global telecommunications company

Workstation Migration Project

Refreshed laptops and desktops that came off of lease

US Navy via Teksystems (Great Lakes Naval Base, IL) 2003

The largest internal computer network in the world

Deployment Team Lead

  • Created deployment tracking database and reporting system, automating 4 hours of work daily
  • Created scripting to push software to multiple computers automatically
  • Managed and worked side-by-side with a team of 18 technicians
  • Provided excellent customer service to Navy and Marine Corps personnel and civilian contractors
  • Replaced all legacy computers on the base with 3600 new desktops, laptops, embarkables, and PDAs
  • Migrated data from old workstations to new workstations
  • Daily reporting to EDS and Dell
  • Trained new technicians and wrote deployment documentation
  • Desktop support as needed between deployments

Discover Card via Geneva Technical Services (Riverwoods, IL) 2002-2003

Financial services company

Desktop Support Level 2

Desk-side support of all hardware, Windows, printing, and networking issues

  • Created VB scripts to automatically fix common problems
  • Created and maintained department intranet site
  • Created custom tools to help the team perform their jobs more efficiently
  • Supported 2200+ users and 900+ applications with providing excellent customer service
  • Sole support for branch location with 350+ users for several months
  • Assisted technology research team with evaluating hardware and software
  • Trained and created documentation for end users and coworkers

Workstation Migration Project

Team migrated over 2000 workstations

  • Assisted in creation of automated migration scripts

INX International Ink via Kelly Services (Elk Grove Village, IL) 2001

Largest ink manufacturer for food product packaging

Service Desk

  • Designed backup tape tracking software
  • First point of contact for IT support company-wide
  • Refreshed laptops
  • Invoicing

Enesco via Kelly Services (Itasca, IL) 1999

Global gift and home decor manufacturer

International Logistics Coordinator

Coordinated air, land, and sea shipments from Asia, Europe and Mexico to the US and Europe

  • Designed container tracking software

EMJ Metals via Kelly Services (Schaumburg, IL) 1998

Fortune-500 subsidiary metals sales and service

Inventory Control

Performed cycle counts and inventory adjustments for $8 Billion metals warehouse

Famous Footwear (Elmhurst, IL and Lombard, IL) 1997-1998

Nationwide retail footwear and accessories

Assistant Manager

Retail sales and management

T-Shirts Plus (Bloomingdale, IL) 1990-1997

Retail apparel

Assistant Manager

Retail sales and management, Purchasing, Custom computer graphics (logos, pamphlets, flyers, etc)

Education

International MBA, IT Management
Southern New Hampshire University
March 2019

GPA: 3.94

Bachelor of Science, Computer Science (Programming)
Western Illinois University
December 2001

Volunteering

  • Grand Rapids Symphony (2012, 2017, 2018, 2019) – Usher
  • Special Olympics Track and Field (2015, 2016) – Walking competition officiant
  • Adopt a Family (2012-2015) – Charitable gift-giving
  • Boxers-R-Us Rescue (2010 – 2013) – Dog fostering, rehabilitation, training, transportation, etc
  • DA Blodgett St. John’s Home (2012, 2013) – Exterior painting/staining
  • Grade school pen pal program (2012, 2013) – Mentored a grade school student
  • Special Olympics Basketball (2012) – Coordinate participants in the Skills Competition
  • Adopt-A-Highway (2012) – Cleaning
  • Easter Seals Walk (2012) – Fundraising and awareness
  • Habitat for Humanity (2006, 2008) – Built sheds, remodeled homes, and other light construction work

Hobbies and Avocations

  • Father to an amazing daughter
  • Boxer dog lover
  • Operating my small farm
  • Woodworking
  • Volleyball
  • Adventure racing
  • Kayaking
  • Boardgame and tabletop RPG enthusiast