I ensure that Metova has the people, processes, and tools required for the successful execution of software engineering efforts.

In 2012 I outlined tools, libraries, third-party services, and other architectural and infrastructure decisions for our adoption of the Ruby on Rails framework. These standards for our web development stack amplified our development team’s ability to build excellent web applications, which led to web development making up roughly 25% of our development work in 2013 and 40% in 2014.In 2013, I worked to refocus the lead developer team from targeting project success to targeting employee success, resulting in consistent improvements in developer abilities. This organizational change and associated metrics enabled the company to predict average developer performance on completing batches of work, thereby better understanding risk when generating fixed price proposals.In 2014, my team moved quality assurance from a mostly manual human process to an automated process of functional testing. Working with the Director of Technology, we identified testing frameworks and tools to run functional tests on devices and simulators. This allowed developers to closely mimic the behaviors of human quality assurance testers through functional tests. Removing the responsibility buffer of quality assurance made developers directly accountable for delivering quality applications to their customers. This fully automated regression testing model has resulted in significantly fewer reported defects and a heightened focus on delivering quality publishable applications.Additionally, I oversaw and implemented quality-of-life improvements for the development team. This included moving all critical infrastructure to a managed cloud hosting environment, implementing monitoring and reporting services, improving internal tools, and automating rote development tasks. The aforementioned changes, my public recognition of those who exceed expectations, and my team’s capability to promote autonomy, mastery, and purpose in team members have resulted in an exceptional employee retention rate.

As the company’s technology leader and manager of the development team, I continually improved the people, process, and tools which make Metova such a successful professional services company.I made unit testing mandatory, promoting a test-driven development process and giving developers the tools they needed to build confidence in the stability of their mobile and web applications. Tests were ran against new code changes in a continuous integration environment which would notify developers of test failures. This process change resulted in less reported defects and a significant decrease in the amount of time spent implementing new features.I initiated Metova’s first proactive recruiting efforts, exploring new avenues for finding and hiring exceptional software developers. These efforts enabled us to increase from 15 to 30 developers while increasing the selectivity of our hiring process.I worked with the rest of the company’s management team to establish a team-based sales approach. During this time, I regularly consulted with new customers on mobile platform options, third-party services, and application feasibility, gathered requirements, and created proposals based upon customers’ technology needs. The team-based sales approach resulted in a 100% increase in revenue from new sales in 2012.

In addition to continuing with mobile and web application development, I was responsible for performing research and development, leading project teams, specifying and planning development work, and providing technology advice to current and future customers.I performed confidential research for several customers in areas such as discovery of mobile security exploits, development of proof-of-concept applications, cross-application analytics, data collection and aggregation, competitive market research, and real-time multimedia playback synchronization across devices.My software development work also included custom plugin development and other customizations to Atlassian products such as JIRA and Confluence. I single-handedly built a customized version of JIRA -- branched from its original code line -- to regularly synchronize data between other issue tracking systems and perform authentication and authorization functions that exceeded the standard capabilities of JIRA and its plugin system. These customizations included integrations with Microsoft Active Directory, Salesforce, TechExcel DevTrack, MKS Integrity, Oracle Database 11g, and non-standard OAuth service providers.Further, I was a team lead for multiple project teams and acted as a mentor to other team leaders. This involved training new developers, teaching development best practices, and ensuring that developers had the assistance and attention needed to help them succeed in delivering quality mobile products.

I worked on software development projects for some of Metova’s largest customers, including Research In Motion (BlackBerry), Barnes & Noble, Dropbox, Flexillis (Lookout), and the Associated Press. My development efforts ranged from building web services to maintaining business-critical infrastructure to developing Android and BlackBerry applications.My Java web development efforts included mobile application licensing and log reporting services, mobile device provisioning, and mobile application automatic update services. I also developed libraries to make use of these services in BlackBerry and Android applications.I designed and developed REST web services, transaction reports, and Android and BlackBerry libraries for a mobile in-app payment system that allowed one-time credit card purchases and recurring subscription payments. I later collaborated on software design with another developer who implemented additional payment methods such as premium SMS. This payment system was implemented in mobile applications which reached millions of subscribers.I also created a peer-to-peer real-time text communication platform for the deaf and hard-of-hearing. My efforts to overcome the constraints of unreliable cellular networks while sending a real-time stream of text between mobile devices resulted in a patent (US 8280954). I built the Java web services for device discovery, contact management, and session initiation while concurrently developing the BlackBerry application.Other mobile development efforts I undertook during this time include a streaming multimedia BlackBerry application, Android and BlackBerry applications for utility companies (including a white-label build strategy to share code between company brands), and Android applications for social networks and news agencies.

I consulted with several small businesses, shaping their online strategies, designing and developing websites, and offering long-term support. As part of this work, I developed a proprietary content management system using PHP and MySQL, and made custom plugins for osCommerce online stores. The end result was an easily maintainable online presence and a new source of revenue for client companies.Under contract for Tennessee Technological University’s Honors Program, I developed and maintained a web-based scholarship work program management system using PHP and MySQL. This system replaced paper forms students were required to fill out as documentation of work they performed for departments and faculty. This data was automatically reconciled against each student’s unique work requirements, enabling the program administrator to identify unfulfilled work requirements at a glance.

As the sole programmer on staff, I was responsible for the development of web-based mobile and desktop applications for the accounting, sales, and operations teams and reported directly to the Vice President of Technology. I developed QuickBooks and SugarCRM integrations for existing in-house applications, simplifying administrative work across departments. I also developed new web-based applications to work on major Windows desktop web browsers and Symbol PocketBrowser for Windows CE and Windows Mobile devices.I created a web-based in-line vehicle sequencing (ILVS) system using the Symfony PHP framework and MySQL. This system was responsible for outlining efficient ordering of parts to be shipped to an automotive assembly line. The receiving factory could then unload parts from a shipment, knowing the parts are already optimally ordered for feeding into their assembly line. The system accepted and produced EDI-compliant ship notice manifests to ensure all parts are properly tracked.I also created a mobile web-based lean inventory management system to manage ordering and delivery of perishable goods for one of the largest food distributors in the state. This system used the Symfony PHP framework and Symbol PocketBrowser JavaScript APIs to track inventory movement and perform regular inventory counts. Warehouse workers used hand-held Motorola devices with built-in barcode scanners running Windows Mobile.