RESUME
Information Technology Generalist and Seasoned IT Veteran
Email: rrbruening@yahoo.com
This
is a detailed resume and outlines key positions and responsibilities that I have
held as well as where I think I would fit into today’s IT environment. I listed
the important projects that I worked on for each employer in reverse
chronological order. My goal here is to
accurately but concisely document the types of projects, nature of
applications, and technologies used. Years of experience is actual (if not
understated) based on proportion of time spent actually using the technology at
various employers, not the time that the icon sat on my desktop.
Platform Experience
PowerBuilder
4 years
Microsoft
SQL Server 3 years
Sybase
1 year, Informix 6 months
Oracle
1 year
FOCUS
4 years
COBOL
6 years CICS 2 years
REXX
2 year
Unix
1 year
Visual
Basic 1 Year
Other: Access, Excel, Word, Front Page, Publisher
My Strengths and
Weaknesses
My
strengths and weaknesses make me best suited towards working as an IT
generalist with roles as a software integration specialist, software support
analyst, implementation specialist, programmer/analyst, or customer liaison. I
can read, review and follow most code to determine underlying problems, points of
change, or database interfaces. My
background with databases is strong and I have worked extensively with various
versions of Microsoft SQL server from the initial offering thru SQL Server 2000,
as well as Sybase, Oracle, Access and Informix. SQL Coding, Transact, DTS,
Stored Procedures, Triggers, backup and recovery planning and testing are all
in my toolbox. My experience in application development includes Mainframe and
Client Server Development and some simple Web Development. These experiences
can be best utilized to analyze and understand existing systems, recommend
design changes to address changing business needs, define customer identified system
deficiencies, recommend methods to improve efficiencies, and program
enhancements. My use of desktop tools such as the Microsoft Office Suite
provide me with insight into integration of user based tools with existing
systems to allow customer groups to satisfy their specialized needs without
changes to underlying corporate systems. I have worked on large scale solo projects, as
well as assuming leadership roles on large projects. My experience includes rolling out major
system revisions as well as large scale, mission critical, software package
implementations. I have initiated and championed major technological changes
within a number of organizations and worked successfully to bring those
recommendations to fruition. I am not
averse to taking such risks. I bring maturity, judgment, and experience to the table both in dealing
with technology and the people that are affected by technology. Re-entry into the field as a developer would
be best served by working with existing applications systems and
designing/programming system enhancements and upgrades.
Position Goals
.
My
ideal position would be working with customers and technology staff as in IT
Generalist to identify and resolve problems and focus on customer deliverables.
Goals should include a high level of service, top notch quality control,
effective utilization of existing tools, application integration and system
implementation. The job role should be
primarily focused on working with customers, management, and technology staff
in their usage of existing systems, and improving and enhancing such systems. Jobs
that fit in this category would include customer support analyst, software
implementation specialist, software trainer, customer liaison, programmer/analyst,
system administration and support, or technology management. I will
only apply to those positions that I feel that I am well qualified for, and
will only accept a position that I feel comfortable with. This includes the employers understanding of
my capabilities and anticipated ‘ramp-up’ time.
.
Education
MBA
1991;
BS
1984;
Business
Administration / Computer Applications and Systems Option
Professional Experience
Real Estate Agent
Sales
and Marketing 3/2003
- Present
After
a few rocky years and bad experience accepting positions that my gut told me to
stay away from, I decided to try something new that I had dreamed about for
some time.
Working
with sellers and buyers to maximize the selling price of homes, negotiate
contracts, make certain that all legal requirements were satisfied, perform
market analysis’, evaluate investment properties, and all the other fun stuff associated with
the profession.
To
support my Real Estate activities, I had to learn/sharpen my skills in PC based
applications including MS Word, Excel, Access, Publisher and Front Page to
manage my business. Typical tasks
include mail merge, importing data from various sources into Access Databases, creating
publications, and using appropriate tools best suited for desired output.
Software
Design Development 9/2001
- 12/2002
Application
Software and Database Design using Oracle Database and Oracle Designer 2000.
This
experience allowed me to gain significant understanding of Oracle Data Base
Security and the underlying system tables used to manage product. Applications primarily generated with Oracle
Designer with some modifications using Oracle Forms. Other tools included Toad and some work with
SQL Server for software package implementation.
LumberIQ
A Division of
Software
Design, Development and Marketing 5/2000-7/2001
Hired
to help create and manage software startup company and bring product offering
to market. While I had other opportunities, the idea of bringing a new product
to market was too exiting to refuse.
Unfortunately, the product was not ready for market as advertised and
even though great strides were made, the company owner decided to give up on
the idea and remain focused on his core business.
Provide
mentoring and training in proper Powerbuilder development techniques. Evaluate
current status of application system and recommend required changes. Design and
program product enhancements using PowerBuilder 7 and SQL Server 2000 to
improve user interface, add new features, fix existing software bugs and create
a more stable and robust product.
Created
method for integrating Microsoft HTML Help into PowerBuilder application. Used
Microsoft FrontPage, HTMLHelp, and Visual Basic to create seamless interface
between PowerBuilder application and on-line help file so that additions and
changes to compiled help files can be integrated without changes to core application.
Integrated
Microsoft Active-X controls using Visual Basic as a test bed and PowerBuilder user
objects for final deployment within the LumberIQ application. This allowed standard
MS Windows user interfaces to be used for common application functions.
Designed
and developed interfaces between the LumberIQ product and third party
accounting packages.
Designed
and developed software enhancement/bug tracking system using PowerBuilder and
SQL server.
Performed
product marketing activities including sales presentations, written proposals,
contract development and negotiation. Made
first large sale of LumberIQ product.
Provided
product installation services including database installation and
configuration, client side software configuration, initial user training,
problem analysis and software changes. Modified tables, developed triggers,
stored procedures and defaults. Used Microsoft Data Transformation Services (DTS)
to create custom data download applications for customers.
Self Employed
Real
Estate Projects 10/98
– 10-99
Metro/King County
Transit
Information
Systems Analyst II 5/98
- 10/98
Functioned
as Database Administrator for two Informix Online Databases running under UNIX.
Evaluated current processes and procedures to recommend changes. Repaired and
tested backup/recovery procedures. Created new UNIX C Shell scripts and SQL procedures
to enhance or replace existing processes and correct problem areas. Modified
nightly Cron procedures to ensure timely processing and correct major
deficiencies.
Reviewed
Visual Basic application code to determine problem areas, performance
bottlenecks, enhancement feasibility, and recommended code changes. Participate
in meetings to persuade management of the need to address specific problem
areas and recommend solutions.
Manpower Technical,
Contract with EDS
Contractor
1/98-5/98
Modify
PowerBuilder software and Sybase stored procedures within existing application
systems. Provide mentoring in PowerBuilder techniques and tools. Develop
software release/update application interfacing PowerBuilder with Installshield
to automate installation of new product releases and removal of prior software
releases.
Independent Contractor
Software
Development 1/97-6/97
Performed
database and application software revisions for Prodata Systems Inc. Created
programs and procedures to facilitate auditing and validation of information
received from various regional bell operating companies. Trained staff in usage
of auditing tools to help ensure continued successful operation of telephone
billing system applications.
Systems
Analyst 9/96-1/97
In
1996, after many years with Prodata, and the company being up for sale, I
seized the opportunity for more stable employment. Unfortunately a minor auto accident shortly
after starting and subsequent chiropractic treatment forced me to take time
away from full time work to enable my recovery.
Migrate
PowerBuilder applications from various versions to current release v5.
Create
deployment standards for proper Sybase and PowerBuilder client configuration.
Enhanced
and repaired existing PowerBuilder applications.
Create
stored procedures for data presentation to client application.
Undertook
creation of development standards for PowerBuilder applications to inform existing
staff in best practices for using PowerBuilder and to embrace key aspects of
object oriented development.
Modified
mainframe COBOL applications as requested.
Prodata Systems Inc.
Senior
Systems Analyst 3/92-8/96
After
finishing my MBA in
Responsible
for Telephone Billing System written in COBOL, CICS, VSAM. Redesigned existing
file structures and applications to satisfy current and future client
requirements, improve performance, and facilitate growth in transaction volume.
Created
parameter driven reporting systems to audit customer data and facilitate
software testing. Integrated numerous third party data sources into existing
database structures. Developed audit procedures and reports.
Initiated
membership in Microsoft Solution Provider Program to provide company with
access to the most recent products, tools and documentation.
Initiated
move towards Client Server applications with integration to mainframe for
back-end transaction processing. Designed, configured and implemented MS SQL
Server Database running on NT Server.
Developed Client side application using PowerBuilder. Had full
responsibility for database design and implemention including processes to synchronize
SQL Server Database with Mainframe VSAM data structures. Designed and created Tables,
Views, Stored Procedures, Triggers and Rules. Created and tested backup and
recovery procedures. Designed and developed GUI using PowerBuilder 3.0/4.0
Developed
automated Mainframe to PC data synchronization application. Multiple
technologies and tools were used including COBOL, REXX, SQL Server, PowerBuilder, and
Attachmate Tools for PowerBuilder. System provided for unattended movement of
data between IBM Mainframe and SQL Server Database running under Windows NT. I
was proud of this one as they said it couldn’t be done!
Provided
leadership and guidance to other developers in strategic projects required to
satisfy current and future customer requirements. Worked to ensure appropriate
testing had been performed and that data integrity was maintained. Provided training to junior programmers in
programming and testing techniques.
City Of
Programmer
/ Analyst I, II 5/87-6/91
Lead
developer for large scale data conversion from FOCUS database to AS/400.
Created applications to normalize existing data to meet rules/requirements of
relational database on AS/400. Developed verification routines to cross
reference existing data and create exception reports for post-conversion data
entry. Performed strategic planning, and group presentations, client training
and review of data conversion plans. This was a tough project as I had to define a
methodology that would allow for error correction from old database and ensure
that all information was accounted for and verified in the conversion
process. There were no textbook answers
on how to do this.
Assigned
as Principal Analyst to support the Utility Billing Application. This was one of the City’s most crucial
application systems with significant revenue impact and over 100,000 customers
for Water, Sewer and Garbage Services and this assignment was indeed an honor
and a reflection of my high level of competency and ability to achieve results.
In
my role as primary support person, I created/rewrote numerous application
components, championed database optimization techniques and helped to improve a
system with significant performance problems and bring response time to
acceptable levels. .
Performed
ground up design/development of Solid Waste Work Order / Complaint Tracking and
Resolution system to replace paper system. Worked extensively with client users
and managers to identify goals and objectives. Had full responsibility for
system analysis and design, database design, on-line application development,
report development, system implementation, customer training and
post-implementation enhancements. The system tightly interfaced with customer
data from the finance department’s Utility Billing System. .
Programmer
/ System Administrator 5/84-5/87
Fresh
out of college, with degree in hand, this was a great opportunity and provided
lots of opportunity to wear many hats by being given full responsibility for
all IT related functions with a multi-location retail/wholesale distributor.
Responsibilities
included: applications and system software, hardware, and technical support to company
user base. With the company president just down the hall, I was able to sit for
hours and plan and discuss potential changes and corporate direction for
improving the information technology capabilities and how they could help to
improve the bottom line performance of the company.
Custom
software applications were written in COBOL to perform Point of Sale, Batch
Order
Entry,
Accounts Receivable, Inventory management, and Sales Analysis.
Installed
and configured purchased software applications for Accounts Payable, Payroll
and General ledger to replace aging system. Provided user training and support,
determined best practices, established backup and recovery procedures.
Performed
all computer related administrative and technical support duties including OS
upgrades, purchasing and installation of peripheral devices and computer
supplies, user training and support.
Performed
software search and product evaluations to acquire packaged solution to replace
existing custom applications and migrate to Unix Based System. Worked closely with company president to
review pros and cons of various alternatives and arrive at final solution.