Founded UpwardBit Ventures to provide expert consulting in technology, innovation, and enterprise development & architecture. Partnered with companies across industries, from startups to Fortune 500 enterprises, delivering tailored solutions in software development, enterprise architecture, and cloud migrations.• Technical Program Management & Consulting: Senior consultant and Technical Program Manager for the U.S. Department of Defense through Moonshot Labs. Led the development of innovative GEOINT architectures and systems, working on key programs and initiatives to drive mission success.• Cloud Migrations & Enterprise Architecture: Designed and implemented cloud migration strategies for large-scale enterprises, optimizing infrastructure and enabling scalable, secure operations. Provided enterprise architecture solutions that aligned technical capabilities with business goals, ensuring seamless digital transformation.• Software Development & Product Management: Led full-cycle software development projects (Java, Perl, Python, Node.js, React), from concept to deployment, across various industries. Managed cross-functional teams, utilizing Agile methodologies to deliver high-quality, on-time results.

As a freelance technology consultant with Gigster, I’ve worked with both startups and large enterprises, taking on roles that span technical leadership, architecture, development, and DevOps, with a strong focus on cloud migrations.• Harley-Davidson Project: Led the technical architecture and implementation of a cloud-native solution for Harley-Davidson, overseeing the migration of legacy systems to AWS. Developed and deployed containerized microservices using Docker and Kubernetes, enhancing scalability and performance.• Backend Development: Leveraged Java and Spring to build robust backend systems and admin/ops tools, ensuring high availability and performance. Designed and implemented APIs, integrating with third-party services and optimizing for scalability.• Cloud Migrations & DevOps: Spearheaded cloud migration projects, leveraging AWS and Azure to modernize client infrastructures. Implemented CI/CD pipelines, automated testing, and deployment strategies to streamline development processes and ensure continuous delivery.• Ideation Workshops & Training: Conducted business training and ideation workshops, helping startups with Business Model Canvas and providing technical and architectural vision. Led training seminars on AI/ML and CI/CD best practices, equipping teams with the knowledge to implement modern development and deployment strategies.• Technical Leadership: Provided architectural guidance and hands-on development for complex projects, mentoring engineering teams and ensuring alignment with client business goals. Specialized in bridging the gap between development and operations, fostering a culture of collaboration and efficiency.

Founded ActiveOS, a cloud-based platform that aggregates and analyzes health and fitness data from wearables and geolocation sensors, providing insights for individuals, teams, and enterprises.• Architected and Developed the Platform: Led the design and implementation of a scalable SaaS solution, integrating data from various wearable devices (e.g., Fitbit, Garmin, Hexoskin) through a custom plugin framework and SDK.• Innovative Projects: Directed high-impact projects like Porsche’s “Art of the Thrill” campaign, where ActiveOS processed biometric data in real-time, visualized on an interactive dashboard for marketing events.• Research Collaborations: Partnered with academic institutions to develop solutions like MindStream, which streamed and analyzed real-time EEG data for neuroscience research.• Technical Leadership: Managed the entire technical stack, from backend systems (Java, Spring) to frontend dashboards driving the company’s evolution from open-source beginnings to a commercial product.

I’m a digital artist currently residing in Southern California (Irvine, CA). Using my passion for nature and technology, my paintings focus on traditional landscapes (inspired by Impressionism and Tonalism). These creations are primarily born in the digital world and are transformed into high-quality pieces of art in the real-world (canvas, acrylic & wood prints of various sizes).Exhibitions2021 - Group Exhibition, August-October 2021 Artist Showcase Laguna Art Gallery, Laguna Beach, CAProfessional Experience• Create a variety of fine art pieces for public showcase, online & gallery exhibitions• Creating artwork since 2016, with a focus on digital art exclusively since 2020 – in that time I have produced over 500 pieces of unique artPortfolioWebsitehttps://ericblueart.comInstagram / Portfoliohttps://www.instagram.com/ericblueart/2022 Art Showcase Videohttps://youtu.be/0svuCn5BohA

My open-source work spans a wide range of tech areas, from home automation and IoT to the Quantified Self movement and the latest in GenAI and LLMs. I've tackled projects across these domains, combining innovation with practical solutions. Whether it's integrating AI into everyday tools, building systems to enhance personal well-being, or exploring large language models, my work reflects deep curiosity and a hands-on approach.I've worked with various programming languages—Java, Python, Perl, React, and Node.js—to get the job done. Each project has been an opportunity to experiment, learn, and contribute something meaningful to the developer community, showcasing the versatility and impact of my work.• Worked on a personal multi-year project exploring PKM (personal knowledge management) and building my own Memex using Semantic MediaWiki and a number of custom built system on top. See - http://eric-blue.com/my-projects/personal-memex/• Developed early "unofficial" Perl library for FitBit - sleep, calorie, steps, distance, etc. Co-authored updated version and released to CPAN (WebService::Fitbit)• Developed official Perl library for MyZeo - sleep data• Developed Java MindStream product and backported BrainWave Visualizer to support Neurosky devices for downloading and visualizing brainwave data in realtime • Developed "unofficial" Perl API to control Belkin WeMo switches for home automation. Integrated with Twilio and Siri for SMS and voice support. Released to CPAN (WebService::Belkin::WeMo)Perl CPAN Author http://search.cpan.org/~ericblue/See Github - https://github.com/ericblueFeatured Open Source Projects: https://about.ericblue.com/#opensource

Co-organized the Los Angeles Quantified Self Meetup, a community focused on self-tracking, biometrics, personal genomics, life-logging, and self-experimentation. Contributed to the global Quantified Self movement by organizing events, speaking at international conferences, and leading breakout sessions.Conference Speaking Engagements:• October 2013 - San Francisco: "What's Up with Where?" - Discussed the challenges and tools in location-aware services as everything becomes geocoded.• May 2014 - Amsterdam: "Virtual Reality + QS: Ourselves, Virtually" - Explored the intersection of VR and Quantified Self, including biometric data visualization using Oculus Rift.• July 2014 - San Francisco: "Best Practices in QS APIs" - Led a session on developing and integrating APIs for Quantified Self tools Link.

After providing stability and growth in previous roles, this newly created roles' primary focus was on filling gaps by providing "big picture" cross-functional architectural input across departments, ensuring technical innovation, and building a new team focused on emerging technologies and experimental projects.• Provided architectural guidance on entry into Big Data space - a multi-TB customer and location-based services application providing network and location quality metrics for improved customer experience (migrating from XML/MySQL/Oracle to JSON/MongoDB )• Developed prototype and preliminary algorithms for proximity searching, bulk forward and reverse geocoding, and location clustering• Provided architectural input on enhanced network design and segmentation, along with organization all department activities related to network and system security scanning and discovery for PCI* Provided hands-on security auditing and vulnerability detection for ongoing PCI work (Auditing with Qualys, Splunk NMap, etc.)* Interim Director of Systems and Network Engineering department (6 months - while new dept. lead was being interviewed and position filled).* Patent Co-Author - System, method and apparatus for dynamic wireless network discovery - US 8,831,660 (Awarded Sep 2014)

As Engineering Director for the Systems Development group I was responsible for managing a team of 10+ software engineers in support of Boingo's core back-end and customer-facing systems (RADIUS, Mediation, Client & Partner web services, Internal tools, Customer provisioning, and Location Based Services). The team's primary technical stack was Linux / Java / Tomcat / Spring / Oracle / MySQL, along with supporting legacy systems using Apache and Perl. • Responsible for hiring, mentoring, team building and providing technical leadership on architecture, development best practices, design and code reviews, and test automation• Created SQI (software quality improvement) initiative for improving overall software quality by better unit testing (JUnit), ensuring 80+% code coverage on new projects, and introducing continuous integration and build automation• Spearheaded organization-wide initiative to create a more formalized & documented SDLC process for use by Boingo's Business, Product Development, and Engineering departments • Worked closely with product development, operations, business development, marketing, and professional services groups to ensure clear requirements and delivered results• Project managed a large number of internal and cross-functional initiatives - 3rd party partner integrations, software development, and system engineering/security-focused projects• Extensive experience with PCI DSS - Lead PCI POC responsible for cross-functional coordination of vulnerability resolution, software/system patching, interfacing with credit card payment providers and all self assessment activities

• Provided architectural guidance for key projects across Boingo's engineering groups (systems, client, and billing)• Primarily focused on building next generation mobile configuration and provisioning platform• Technical lead on integrating a recent Boingo acquisition - CCG (Concourse): RADIUS, mobile signup/selfcare, and performance & scalability planning

In this role I was Boingo's sole lead systems developer / contributor, along with providing mentoring and management for a team of 5 software engineers. My core development competencies during this time were Java/Spring(70%), Perl (20%), and C(10%).• Developed Boingo's original operational web-based tools and related systems for carrier and location management• Provided architectural guidance, design input, and development on all Boingo systems - RADIUS, Mediation, Client & Partner web services, Internal tools, Customer Signup/Selfcare• Initially responsible for all of Boingo's Wi-Fi carrier (partner) integrations - created technical integration specifications and coordinated integrations for customer and partner roaming• Spearheaded early adoption of Java/Spring and ORM to develop an enterprise solution for centralizing all business logic and code in a middleware stack - moved away from legacy relational DB details to more business-oriented development and rule management• Lead tech contributor and architect on developing Boingo's next generation mobile configuration and provisioning platform - location, authentication method, and profile delivery• Tech lead and evangelist on a multi-year project to bring Boingo's Hot Spot in a Box to market. Architected, prototyped, and documented a reference implementation of Boingo's embedded solution (C + Linux) for allowing customers to purchase a low cost Wi-Fi accesspoint and instantly integrate with Boingo with a click of a button. Coordinated with device manufacturers like Cisco/Linksys and OEM/ODMs like Cybertan, Gemtek, and Jungo.

Senior software engineer (C/Perl/Unix) focusing on the newly formed Authentication Integration initiative - creating a new unified authentication and provisioning system for OneMain, Mindspring, and Earthlink.• Lead architect and developer of a custom backend for OpenLDAP (back-OCI) that interfaced with an Oracle 8 database. This prototype backend resulted in significant gains in performance over the standard BerkleyDB distribution, and ultimately was the basis for the system that Earthlink is still using today.[Earthlink purchased OneMain.com]

In this role I was Onemain's sole tech lead for the authentication and customer provisioning system based on LDAP. This was a dual role focusing on both system administration and development (C, Perl)• Successfully completed 26 integrations of legacy ISPs as LDAP team lead. These integrations involved migrating a total of 700,000+ customers into OneMain’s authentication system over a period of 6 months. • Managed 10 Sun E220s/A1000’s at our main data center, along with 25+ Sun UEIIs located across the US.• Responsible for administering iPlanet Directory Server 4.1x (7.5 million user records) on these systems, along with managing replication agreements, data loading, and statistic generation with MRTG. • Developed a suite of applications to assist in data loading, as well as web-based tools to automate authentication system management.[Onemain.com purchased Penncom]

Monitored network integrity and security, maintaining over 50+ routers (78 Class C networks - Cisco 2500 - 7206VXR series routers), 20+ Sun/Digital/Linux servers, and network topology documentation and design (OSPF / BGP). Lead developer in migrating the ISPs entire authentication scheme (POP / IMAP / FTP / RADIUS) to LDAP. Administered iPlanet Directory Server 4.x for a customer base of 40,000 users. Other responsibilities included the management of 4 other system administrators, along with management and tracking for numerous projects.

• Started a company to introduce new software to the market. This software, LucidChat, was one of the original web-based chat products to offer realtime streaming using early pre-"AJAX" techniques without requiring Java or ActiveX.• Branched out into consulting focusing on system, network (LAN/WAN), and software development services for local businesses along with major ISPs on the east coast• Managed a team of 5 developers providing web-based services for a local hosting company serving local businesses including major television, radio stations, and politicians• Lead developer of multiple modules / applications which allowed the integration of POP3, and FTP with an LDAP server. The LDAP FTP server was one of the first known services of this kind when it was introduced in Jan. 98. These applications provided alternative authentication mechanisms other than standard Unix /etc/password entries.• Lead developer of an LDAP-based account-provisioning server for JavaNet/RCN, a national ISP. This application interfaced with an IEAK compatible signup server, which allowed automatic signup of new users, and an existing 4D database for ISP billing. Customeraccounts could be added, deleted, or modified in both LDAP and NIS+. User base consisted of 80,000+ users.

Similar responsibilities from previous company (Third Wave). Custom developed a suite of Perl and C applications for a Microsoft IEAK deployed CD for customer provisioning and account maintenance.[Helicon Online purchased Third Wave Development]

Responsible for system programming (C, Perl) and maintenance, managing a user base of over 6,000 customers, monitoring and managing a total of 16 Class C networks (Cisco, 3COM/USR, Livingston Portmaster) spanning over 10 cities. Managed DNS, POP, WEB, and RADIUS servers.

Provided software and hardware support/service calls and built computers for local customers and businesses in the Western Pennsylvania region