The purpose of this page is to basically fill in the blanks around the formal information that appears in my resume.

After high school, I worked at a number of insignificant jobs before coming to American Export Lines (then the third largest ocean freight carrier in the world), as a clerk in late 1973.  Within a year I'd been promoted to management, and was in charge of container operations at Pier-11 in Brooklyn.  There, I became involved with computers, participating in the definition of the first EDI specifications.  As the company's inland freight systems was automated, I became more heavily involved in systems analysis.

In 1983, I decided to pursue my interest in computers, and enrolled full time at Fitchburg State College, majoring in Computer Science and Mathematics, with a strong minor in Physics.  I graduated Summa Cum Laude in 1987.

While still in school, I went to work part time for Digital Equipment Corporation, as a contract security officer.  After a year or so, I was hired as a permanent part-time employee, and promoted to lead-officer.  Upon graduation, I was hired by Digital's Advanced Semiconductor Development Facility in Hudson Massachusetts, as a Senior Software Engineer, while simultaneously pursuing my Masters degree at Worcester Polytechnic Institute.  The job involved developing software in 'C', running on the company's microvax systems, to measure quantum effects in the ultra thin film transistors being used in their next-generation CPUs.  My background in mathematics and physics, coupled with my degree in computer science, made me a particularly good fit for the position.  The majority of my time was spent developing the DEC Alpha chip, then the fastest microprocessor in the world.  At dec, I became interested in formal development methodologies, and was a member of the company's CASE Steering Committee.  Over the years I was promoted several times, ultimately achieving the position of Senior Software Development Manager.  In addition to my architectural and development roles, I also managed the lab's local area vax cluster, thus learning about network and system administration.

In 1992, while visiting my parents in Pennsylvania, I noticed a software engineering position listed in the Scranton Paper.  Motivated by a desire to be closer to my family, I applied, and was hired by Glenbrook Software, Ltd, in Scranton.  Although I had never worked with the AS/400 before, I picked up the environment quickly, and was soon promoted to Project Manager (while continuing to function as a technical contributor.  I also helped the company adopt a formal development methodology, dramatically increasing productivity and improving quality.

When the company failed in 1995, I was immediately hired by AT&T Solutions, in Vienna, Virginia, based, primarily, on my prior work in full-lifecycle development methodologies.  'Solutions was a start-up company within the AT&T organization, intended to compete with the 'Big 6' consulting firms.  As such, this was another environment in which I had the opportunity to fill a number of roles.  Although I was primarily involved in authoring the company's engagement methodology (specialized to handle some of the world's largest development projects, I also had occasion to design and implement software components, consult to clients, manage projects, and administer our test domain.  Finally, I led AT&T Solutions to achieve CMM Level III in an unprecedented 18-months.  Sadly, AT&T was never able to really get 'Solutions off the ground.

In 1997, I was contacted by a former colleague, Doctor Gerald Rudolph, who, a year earlier, had formed a small consulting firm in Columbia, South Carolina, called Clarity Development, Inc.  I accepted his offer to join the firm.  My work at Clarity included a two year engagement at HealthMagic, Inc., a client involved in developing a cutting-edge web-based home health system.  Other major clients included Taylor Manufacturing Software, Inc., Experity, Inc., and Fleet Bank.  Work was done in MS Visual Basic, C++, ASP, SQL Server, and related technologies.  I also built Clarity's internal technology infrastructure, worked on proposal development, and wrote Clarity's methodology: Acumen.  Associated with the methodology, I created a methodology deployment and web-based workflow system called KnowledgePIPE™. This product was developed, in part, with funding provided by a $100k SBIR (Small Business Innovative Research) grant, for which I authored the application.

I returned to Pennsylvania in 2001, primarily due to illness in my family, and contracted for 18 months to Infinity Technology Group, Inc., where I was primarily involved in developing MS Access applications for Kuhns Bros. Log Homes.  At Infinity I also functioned as a DBA, authored a defined development methodology, and became involved in working with the Microsoft Great Plains accounting package.  In 2002, I was trained and certified as a Microsoft Great Plains Dexterity Engineer, as well as obtaining certification in MS SQL Server 2000.  I also gained experience in Microsoft Dot.Net technology by building several internal applications.

In 2004 I went to Knovel Corporation as Manager of Quality Control, where my primary focus was on attaining ISO-9000 certification for the company. This effort was funded by a New York State Education Grant which provided $100k, for which I was responsible (wrote [and rewrote!] the application[s], administered the disbursement, handled the reporting requirements, etc.) I left in spring of 2005 when I was accepted into the Ph.D. program at Binghamton University. Financial issues, however, have forced me to postpone completion of this program for the time being.