Current Projects and Learning
My interests have been moving toward cyber security in the past several years which seems to be a great compliment to IT support due to the rising need for security in every facet of technology. In 2023, I earned my CompTIA Security+ certification. To extend my knowledge, I am currently studying for the CompTIA CySA+ exam.
In the past several years I have completed the following training and more:
- Security Blue Team – Blue Team Junior Analyst Pathway Bundle
- PCEP – Certified Entry-Level Python Programmer
- IBM SkillsBuild – Getting Started with Threat Intelligence and Hunting
- IBM SkillsBuild – Enterprise Security in Practice
Detailed Work Experience
Soleo Health
Clinical Application Specialist (2022 – Present)
As a Clinical Application Specialist, my goal is to assist users with any clinical related applications such as CPR+, Citus, Alayacare, and more. My duties allow for more focus on clinical related issues and technologies while also helping with general technical issues and working closely with technicians focusing on general IT issues.
Another vital part of my duties is to create user accounts for the various Clinical Applications and deactivating accounts when employees are separated.
ViaPath/Global Tel*Link
Applications Engineer (2020 – 2022)
As an Applications Engineer, I was part of a group that watched over hundreds of servers and application to ensure smooth running of company processes. This job function is similar to a NOC (Network Operations Center) position but instead on focusing attention on just networking issues, our focus was on applications, servers, networking equipment, and more.
Approximately half way through my time at ViaPath, my responsibilities shifted to performing application installs, configuring and installing web services, and setting up data processing flows to handle client data both incoming and outgoing.
HPC Specialty Pharmacy
Senior IT Support Engineer (2012 – 2020)
I started at HPC as the first IT hire in company history with approximately 30 employees. Over the next 4 years as the company grew, I continued running the department as we hired a helpdesk technician at our distribution center in Memphis, TN.
During that time, I acted as a SME (Subject Matter Expert) on all things technical to the executive staff, sourced computer equipment, completed a major file server upgrade, wrote reports, and configured pharmacy software (CPR+). Utilizing a Python script, the time required to verify employee status through OIG and GSA was reduced by 95% (from three hours to a little over five minutes – See OIG/GSA check for more details)
As the company grew, I transitioned to focus more on desktop support as a new IT Director was brought in to oversee extensive custom software development in the works. The team grew to include two developers and a QA software analyst.
From the start, my focus was mostly on helping people with the various bits of technology required to do their job. In that regard, I also created and presented various training sessions over the years in-person, via live video, recorded video, and plain old text.
Mobile ATA
Krav Maga Instructor (2014 – 2018)
My journey to Krav Maga instructor began by joining Mobile ATA as a member/student with a desire to learn and get in shape. I attended fitness kickboxing and Krav Maga self defense classes. Within the first year I began instructing infrequently and was eventually hired as an instructor. During my time as an instructor, I taught multiple weekly classes in Krav Maga self defense techniques and general fitness as well as participated in sales (member signups), member retention, IT support, and curriculum development.
Sanders Engineering & Analytical Service, Inc
LabVIEW Developer / System Administrator (2010 – 2012)
My job was to continue development on several pieces of custom environmental testing software written in LabVIEW. a graphical programming language that looks similar to electrical circuits. Here is an example:
Input would be received by various monitors through sensors and fed into a DAQ (Data Acquisition device) then into LabView where it would be analyzed.
I also helped with on-site environmental testing, supported the company server, worked on the cluster server that performed data analysis, and tracked vehicle maintenance. To help with that task, I created a custom web app using PHP, MySQL, and Javascript (see Autominder for more details)
Callis Communications, Inc
VoIP Administrator (2009)
During my time at Callis Communication, my focus was on solving customer problems that included general IT, telecommunications, computer issues, network connectivity, and VoIP hardware and configuration.
I also documented many company processes and designs while designing call flows, automated call trees, working with the Broadsoft M6 VoIP softswitch.
AT&T
Manager Network Services (1999 – 2008)
I provided field technical support over 125 technicians with laptops including general software issues, hardware issues, interfacing with hardware vendors, etc. During that time, I created a local web page for each computer that provided contact information for each crew and would allow the technicians to send text messages to coworker pagers.
After transitioning from an outside technical support role to an inside circuit design, I utilized Visual Basic and SQL to automate and digitize a daily report. This reduced the time required to complete the report from over three hours per day to around thirty minutes while improving accuracy, readability and timeliness. Previously, the report was mostly hand written updates that were copied from the previous day and then manually faxed to approximately fifteen locations.
Transitioning from the inside circuit design role to an outside supervisor role, I managed a crew of six technicians that installed UNE (Unbundled Network Elements) and ADSL lines. When those type lines became more wide-spread, I transitioned to a crew of approximately twelve technicians with responsibilities including ADSL, cable repair, installation, and maintenance of POTS lines.
Recent Projects
VFD Forms
Local volunteer fire departments have reporting and data analysis needs. While there are many software packages and systems available to fire departments, many are costly and have many more functions than are necessary or desired.
VFD Forms provides a customized report database that helps with the analysis of run data, volunteer activity, and more and is built using MySQL, PHP, Javascript, jQuery, and Bootstrap.
Tracking DB
Have you ever reflected over the past year and wondered what you accomplished? Maybe you were trying to remember the last time you went to a movie with friends or your family. Without records, it’s hard to keep track of the events of life and it’s those events that make up life.
Tracking DB is a custom database built using PHP, MySQL, Javascript, jQuery, Bootstrap, and other technologies and frameworks that help the user remember the important things in life; the good, the not so good, and the informational (neutral). It also helps track goals and opportunities, assists with reviews and more.
got Hemophilia?
This simple, two page site was custom built from a marketing mockup showing the desktop version of the front page. It’s responsive and works well on a variety of devices. There is also a form to request a t-shirt.
Sales reps would hand out t-shirt shaped cards to prospective patients with a code. Patients will visit the site, enter their information and code, and request a free t-shirt. It’s a great lead generation technique.
Python Programming
To expand my knowledge, I wanted to learn Python programming. To provide some practical experience, I used Python to automate several tasks:
OIG/GSA check
For many medical based companies, employees must be check every month against the Office of Inspector General (OIG) and the General Services Administration (GSA) lists to see if they are restricted from working in the medical field. To run either check, you need to visit the site, type in the employee’s name, and click the search button.
If the name is found, there will be an exception and further research is necessary. If there are no results, you move on to the next name, after printing the screen for documentation (save a tree, use a PDF). With a few names, this is a short process but it gets repetitive and tedious as the list of employees grows. Luckily, Python can help automate those tasks. Learn more automating the OIG/GSA checks using Python here.
Locked user accounts
Many systems have automated processes to handle user accounts, passwords, and access. When those systems don’t, you can still use Python to make things easier. You can setup a scheduled task and use Python to check a user database for linked accounts and if any are found, to email you the names. Learn more about using Python to check for locked out users here.
Autominder
Autominder is a custom built web application created using PHP, MySQL, and AJAX that is running on a local XAMPP server. This application tracks and monitors vehicle maintenance for a fleet of 5 vehicles and 4 trailers. It can handle many more than that but is simple enough for home use. Here are some screen shots:
Autominder has the following functionality:
- Ability to monitor maintenance tasks on a mileage or date cycle
- Predictive mileage capability to identify tasks that are happening soon depending on the current useage
- Ability to omit tasks for certain vehicles
- When printed, the service ticket page prints extra fields for entering notes, mileage, date, etc
- To aid in multiple tasks performed at the same time, there is an arrow that, when clicked, enters the last mileage entered, saving keystrokes
- When entering maintenance tasks, mileage is required, resulting in a popup window when not filled out
- Total cost reporting is available, compete with a dynamically generated pie chart
Summary
I hope this has given you a look into my skills and current projects. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me via email or phone. Have a great day