Daniel A. Kirkdorffer
E-mail: dankirkd at comcast dot net
WWW: http://www.kirkdorffer.com/
(Address and phone number available by request)
- SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS
-
I have 20 years of experience in all facets of application development - from analysis, data and object modeling, programming, and testing, to implementation, documentation, training, and support - with the last 12 of those years predominantly focused on Java and Web based development. I believe I also possess excellent interpersonal, analytical, organizational, managerial, written and technical skills. I am a dedicated and highly motivated employee, and bring to my job a high level of passion, dedication, excellent communication skills and an assiduous attention to detail.
I am interested in challenging opportunities as a dev lead or team member in application development and design positions in the greater Seattle, WA area.
- PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
- CGI (formerly Codesic Consulting),
Kirkland, WA (February 2004 - Present)
Senior Consultant
- Rescued a floundering Web based data query application for a benefits administration company. Assessed the condition of the inherited JSP application (a two month project that was 18 months overdue) and made recommendations regarding the design and implementation. Refactored the entire application in a little more than three weeks to conform to Java conventions and design patterns. Cleaned up and enhanced the code. Added JUnit tests, connection pooling, Ant build processes, error handling, Log4J logging, commented the code and wrote a maintenance guide. Fixed all outstanding issues and assisted in testing and data migration tasks.
- Java Developer providing new customer on-boarding and customizations for a wireless phone purchasing system. Converted a WAP based application to support Arabic. Effort included researching the various unique requirements or issues related to character sets, orientation, formats and calendars. Implemented changes necessary to correctly support localization and internationalization for multiple languages. Assisted in defining the required translations and converting these appropriately to Unicode. Developed the billing Session Bean interface needed to process purchasing requests. Communications with external billing systems were made via SOAP using Axis. Also developed a JSP testing stub to ensure all expected return codes could be exercised. Provided additional ad-hoc assistance with various other applications and shared component updates. Assisted with the version upgrade migration of code as it related to application configurations. Converted configuration property definitions to new XML formats. Modified logic to correctly use the new APIs. Refactored code where appropriate. Provided unit tests. Helped train new support resources on the environments, systems and tools they would need understand to provide Tier 3 support.
- Business analyst and Java developer for a billing collections letter system. Engaged with business units and management to document requirements and specifications, working on high level design and interface agreement documents. Handled a highly charged and political work environment with aplomb to ensure the success of the project. Implemented data objects, JUnit tests and additional code necessary to handle system interface needs that seamlessly integrated with existing processes. Provided guidance and assistance in all phases of testing.
- Lead developer of a Laszlo, Flash-based rich client UI for a Web based content management system. Responsibilities included re-designing the layout of the interface to better meet the needs of the system, and implementing client-side business logic. Significantly improved usability and the user experience through a consistent, clean and functional design.
- Java developer on a project to enhance and further develop a JSP/EJB/DB2 Web based state government agency calendaring application. Responsibilities included modifying and refactoring code to conform with customer guidelines using WebSphere Studio (WSAD 5.1). Was responsible for maintaining the WSAD development environment, keeping WSAD setup documentation up to date, as well as the Ant build scripts. Worked on a number of feature enhancements to JSPs and Servlet helper classes. Provided and prototyped additional screen usability and layout improvements. Helped reduce a large bug backlog. Retrofitted JUnit tests into the code base, and established mock objects and module tests using JUnitEE to run within a WebSphere 5.1 Application Server. Participated in daily Scrum meetings, task burndown and backlog tracking.
- Additional internal training in Ajax, Struts, Hibernate and Sonic ESB and Orchestration Server.
- Versatile Systems, Inc. (formerly VMS),
Seattle/Lynnwood, WA (June 2001 - January 2004)
Senior Software Engineer
- Multi-skilled team member with roles that include full life cycle application development, systems and administrative support, database support, and technical support. Main technical contact and interface with support personnel and business analysts in Canadian and UK offices. Role also includes managing and tracking development project tasks using Microsoft Project, producing technical documentation, and making presentations to upper management.
- Lead developer and instigator with respect to establishing and growing a corporate Intranet, working with the content providers and integrating the Web site with CVS and CruiseControl processes. Also took the lead on the creation of a software development change management processes to handle internal and customer driven software development change requests.
- Java developer for a UK based grocery delivery system, using Palm OS Symbol 1700 series handhelds and WebLogic 6.0 server. Implemented a number of XML interfaces that were transformed using XSLT, and integrated initially with MQ Series Application Messaging Interface (AMI), and then later with Java Message Service (JMS). Provided UNIX/Solaris 8 support, as well as Oracle 8.1.7 database support. Became lead for development on this project, after the software team was significantly downsized, working closely with the company's UK office.
- Team technical lead for a bookseller route management and inventory tracking system, targeting Pocket PC Symbol 8100 handhelds and a WebLogic 6.1/UNIX/Oracle based server. Led and managed an outsourced project to develop a Java based messaging interface framework using JMS with SonicMQ, Castor XML and XML Schema. Responsibilities included technical risk analysis, the development and review of functional specifications, systems architecture and deployment analysis and support. Role also included designing the data model using ERWin, as well as leading the database development effort with contracted DBA support personnel, and developing test data using XSL transforms. Produced RFP and RFQ documents for additional outsourced aspects of the development project. Worked closely with business analysts to ensure functional requirements considered technical realities and possibilities. Also assisted in writing functional specifications.
- Java developer for a pilot product ordering/scanning system for opticians, using Palm OS Symbol 1550 handhelds and a JBoss/Linux/Oracle based server. Designed and implemented the handheld GUI using kAWT and KJava with IBM J9/Visual Age Micro Edition (VAME). Role also required investigating JBed.
- eNom, Inc.,
Redmond, WA (May 2001 - June 2001)
Independent Java Contractor
- Developed Java interfaces to the EPP (Extensible Provisioning Protocol) Registry/Registrar Toolkit API (a SourceForge project) for handling .INFO domain name registration. Work required passing Afilias registrar acceptance certification on eNom's behalf and for at least one of their resellers.
- The API was developed following a Command pattern structure, with interactions from either command line or Servlets. The short-term contract also involved documenting these interfaces for use by non-Java software developers.
- Cantametrix, Inc.,
Bellevue, WA (April 2001 - May 2001)
Senior Software Engineer
- Provided Java development expertise on server-side processes. Work included the investigation, recommendation, and implementation of J2EE compatible technologies, such as Java Message Service (JMS) and Java Remote Method Invocation (RMI). Also provided technical assistance with IBM WebSphere Application Server.
- Was responsible for server-side logging requirements. Implemented and investigated solutions that used JMS, using SwiftMQ. Tested various logging architectures and scenarios, and presented recommendations for the next generation of the system.
- Collaborated in knowledge sharing activities, both managerial and technical, including book studies, and brown bag technical presentations and discussions.
- WebVision, Inc. (formerly Syllogistics LLC),
Redmond, WA (June 1998 - March 2001)
Senior Consultant
- Provided Java development expertise for a variety of Web based projects for the NACN group at AT&T Wireless (now Cingular), a leading wireless telecommunications services company.
- Designed and developed all aspects of a three-tier Intranet application supporting a $4 million business. System included a sophisticated and highly user friendly HTML/JavaScript client-side interface, with server-side Java Servlets and JavaServer Pages (JSP) technology, using IBM's WebSphere Application Server and Netscape Enterprise Server, and JDBC/SQL to access an Informix database.
- Led the rollout of the client's new corporate Web site. Activities included implementing a new design and layout, working with business managers to update and organize content and services, and integrating and enhancing old systems and forms to work with the new site in a consistent manner.
- Created new Java/JSP Web interfaces to facilitate interaction with existing administration systems, involving Informix, Majordomo and LDAP, to manage contacts and access to various systems and mailing lists.
- Assisted a team in developing a three-tier Internet system with Java Applet client-side user interfaces, communicating via JDBC/SQL and Java Servlets to an Oracle database.
- Provided ongoing application development leadership, created development support tools, documented systems and processes, and established development guidelines for use by future Web application developers.
- Zeal, Inc.,
Northbrook, IL (October 1996 - May 1998)
Sr. Technical Consultant
- Senior Java developer/analyst consulting at SRDS, a leading advertising resources company. Headed GUI/AWT development as leader of a team creating several large business applications/applets in Java for use over the Internet. Java 1.0.2 development using Visual Café 1.x for GUI design. Accessed Oracle database tables via CGI processes, and made the Java applet available to end users by means of Marimba's Castanet.
- Responsible for organizing Java class files developed for several projects into structured Java packages, and facilitated the reuse and maintenance of these classes through Microsoft's Visual Source Safe version control tool. Investigated and resolved cross platform issues and differences between browsers and browser versions on Windows 95 and Apple Macintosh operating systems.
- Site Manager overseeing other Zeal consultants and issues related to all client projects the consultants were involved in. Responsibilities also included interfacing with various managerial levels, monitoring the completion of project tasks, organizing problem resolution initiatives, and assuring knowledge transfer to the client.
- ComEd (an Exelon Corporation Company), Chicago, IL (July 1988 - October 1996)
Senior Analyst
- Senior Analyst on the AM/FM Geographical Information System (GIS).
Project consisted of the design and development of a 2-D low-voltage
electrical distribution map,
covering the company's service territory, using Smallworld and Object
Oriented Programming (OOP) in Magik. Supplied system and application
administration in both a UNIX SUN/HP and Windows NT environment. Other
responsibilities included data conversion and tracking with the aid of
MS/Access programs, and NT installations and configuration.
- Senior Analyst on the WSI Weather roll out and deployment project.
Part of an emergency reaction force to make newly acquired, incoming
weather bulletins and images available to key company sites. Assessed
technical requirements and set up feeder processes to remote LANs.
Assured successful deployment of data and desktop viewing tools.
Analyzed maintenance and support needs and drafted procedures and
recommendations.
- Created "Intranet" Web pages for disseminating router network
information within the company via HTML and Netscape. Wrote CGI scripts
and created image maps, to provide direct data access to Sybase tables
from the Web pages. Assisted other developers, on an ongoing basis, by
providing HTML and scripting development expertise.
- Senior Analyst on the Router Management project. Designed, built
and integrated applications and procedures to better manage the
maintenance of the company's router network. Wrote UNIX Shell Scripts
and ISQL to gather network information from Sybase tables. Developed a
MS/Access application to facilitate the maintenance of network diagrams
being created in netViz, a network-diagramming tool. Assisted in
upgrading the Computer Resource Asset Management application with
additional functionality using Powerbuilder.
- Led a pilot project to demonstrate the feasibility of developing
CICS/DB2 applications using the IEF CASE tool. Led and supervised a 3-year
expanded application development project team of IEF developers to
create an all-purpose equipment configuration management IEF
application. Participated in full life cycle development, from data
modeling to construction.
- Enhanced the Nuclear Tracking System, the company's largest on-line
mainframe SAS-based application, used to track action items and
commitments by nuclear site Regulatory Assurance departments.
Enhancements included a multi-user SAS/FSP edit environment with
SAS/SHARE, data entry validation, and pop-up selection lists using SAS
Screen Control Language (SCL). Incorporated SAS-to-ISPF edit calls and
created an on-line field glossary feature. Reduced edit processing up
to 90%. Developed a cc:Mail notification messaging interface, and
established a flexible, timesaving, ad hoc data change program.
- Provided support for various on-line mainframe SAS based
applications. Work included maintenance of CLIST/ISPF Dialog menu flows,
various SAS reports and batch JCL processes. Provided end users with
timely training and quality troubleshooting assistance. Participated in
user group meetings. Developed and updated user documentation. Managed
2-3 coworkers within the General Station Support area.
- SOFTWARE/HARDWARE
- Multi-tiered Java (Servlets, JSP, JDBC, JMS, EJB, RMI, AWT, Applets, J2EE/Java EE, J2SE/Java SE, J2ME/Java ME) and XML Development (XML, DTDs, XML Schema, XSL and XSLT, Xpath, Castor), Laszlo, Struts, Hibernate, Ant, JUnit, JUnitEE, CruiseControl, JavaScript, HTML, Dynamic HTML, CSS, CGI, Ajax, Shell scripts, Perl, SQL, Various Relational Databases (Oracle, Informix, Sybase, DB2, MySQL), ERWin, Together J, UML, Eclipse, WebSphere Studio Application Studio (WSAD 5.1), Visual Café, SQL Server Reporting Services (MSRS), MS Access, Visual Basic, SAS, Netscape, MS Internet Explorer, Apache, Tomcat, BEA WebLogic Application Server, IBM WebSphere Application Server, JBoss, Netscape Enterprise Server, Sonic ESB, SonicMQ, SwiftMQ, IBM MQ Series, Visual Source Safe, CVS, Subversion, ClearCase/ClearQuest, Perforce, Windows, DOS, UNIX, SUN Solaris, Linux, TSO, MS Office, MS Project.
- EDUCATION
- Purdue University, West
Lafayette, IN (August 1984 - May 1988)
B.Sc. in Computer Science and Math
OTHER QUALIFICATIONS
- Have designed, organized, created and maintained various Web sites, including:
- The Official King Crimson Web Site (no longer active)
- Discipline Global Mobile (first site)
- Elephant Talk
- Reviewed a couple of the first books on JavaServer Pages:
- Created a well regarded Visual Café Tips site, and participate in Java Internet newsgroups, mailing lists, and frequently attend the annual JavaOne conference, as well as local user and smaller discussion groups.
- Hold American and British citizenship.
- Speak French.
This resume is also available in Microsoft Word format.