Barry Hess

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PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Scrawlers.com -- Co-Founder (October 2006 - Present)

Scrawlers.com is a database-backed web service written in Ruby on Rails. The site seeks to become a dynamic online writing community. Wholly responsible for all technical aspects of the implementation of this site, from the Ruby on Rails code to design work.

Iridesco.com -- Contract Developer (March 2007 - Present)

Provide Rails programming expertise on three separate client projects. Main support contact for a major International web site that uses a custom CMS. Sole programmer for a new Radiant-based web site.

Civilwarlady.com -- Designer (March 2000 - Present)

Designed layout and incorporated content. Developed simply with HTML, this site quickly became the benchmark in professionalism in the Civil War Re-enactment industry.

Federated Insurance -- Java Language Specialist (June 2000 - January 2007)

Served as application developer resource for n-tier design, eFramework development, and object-oriented programming. Enhanced proprietary eFramework as needed. Managed project to select a rapid application development tool used to create small departmental applications. Worked with system architects to implement application integration solutions using Web Service generation and WSDL consumption. Researched performance gains achieved when moving from unique to generic user ID's in a pooled DB2 connection environment. Key resource in implementation of home grown Java application build and deployment utilities.

Arrowband.com -- Creator/Designer (August 1997 - April 2001)

Designed layout and incorporated content. Mostly developed with HTML and also used some forms for navigation. This site is no longer in operation.

Bay Technology Group -- Web Developer (May 1998 - May 2000)

As employee number three, worked on page layout and creation of several corporate web sites, including the company's home page. Adobe Photoshop and Allaire HomeSite were the tools used to create HTML pages making use of Java Script and Server-Side Includes for code reuse. Being one of the first employees of this company, I also learned the importance of documentation.

Augustana College -- NT Lab Administrator (May 1999 - May 2000)

Due to inexperience in the field of networking and network administration, I sought out this job for the learning opportunities it provided. I learned a lot about setting up network accounts and troubleshooting PC's and servers.

Minnesota Life -- Programmer/Analyst Intern (Jun 1999 - Aug 1999)

Entered into the Information Services world and received some exposure to larger IS shops. I recognized the idea of sharing responsibilities in order to complete a final project. My primary responsibility was developing a Visual Basic GUI for management of an Object Data Store.

QUALIFICATIONS AND TECHNICAL EXPERTISE

Communication

Outstanding written communicator, thrives on communication

Teamwork

Provides insightful feedback, excellent team player, reliable and trustworthy peer, superb interpersonal skills, leads by example

Motivation

Known to take initiative, persistent with challenging situations, raises questions, committed to completing tasks the right way

Languages

Ruby, XHTML, CSS, Java, JavaScript, Ant, Visual Basic, C, C++

API's and Frameworks

Ruby on Rails, Struts-like Java framework, Web Services, Log4j, JSP, Servlets, JNDI, J2EE

Concepts

Test-driven development, OOD (UML, Design Patterns), SOA, Software Life Cycle, Unit and System Testing, n-tier design, agile development processes

Software

Radiant (including writing extensions), TextMate, Subversion, Capistrano, MySQL, CocoaMySQL, Adobe Photoshop, EasyEclipse, Rational Application Developer, MKS Source Integrity Enterprise, Macromedia Dreamweaver, Visual Basic 6

Systems

OS X, Microsoft Windows, Ubuntu Linux GUI and server

Hardware

Mac, PC (building, configuration, and networking)

EDUCATION

Augustana College -- B.A. in Computer Science, Minor in Mathematics (1996 - 2000)

Graduated Cum Laude, landing on Dean's list in each semester. Active in Symphonic Band and Brass Choir, holding vice-president position on the band officer board for one year.