I am a Senior Cloud Solutions Architect driven by solving difficult business problems using modern technologies. I've been working in Higher Education for two decades finding new ways to leverage technology so institutions can focus on improving student success/outcomes.
I provide clients with technical expertise and guidance, as well as hands-on backend systems engineering (platform, site-reliability, security, DevOps, database, software).
My recent professional focus has centered on reverse engineering and modernizing backend systems, emphasizing the integration of cloud, container, and security technologies. I've been assisting organizations in the design, engineering, and operation of these modern systems.
I've led several successful modernization projects on Amazon Web Services (AWS), Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI), and On-Premises environments. My projects typically include at least a few items from this list:
I was a software engineer for the first decade of my career, and built many applications using various programming languages and frameworks.
My years in Software Engineering equipped me with a valuable skill set and mindset that enhance my ability to bridge the gap between development and operations. This bridge helps me create more effective software delivery solutions.
I have spent several years as a DBA/System Administrator, responsible for the implementation, integration, modernization, and maintenance of several large ERP systems. These systems included several large databases (Oracle, MS-SQL, MySQL), middleware servers (IIS, tomcat, WebLogic), and backend infrastructure (Linux, Windows Servers, Load Balancers, Networking, DNS, SSL) to support applications deployed on-premises and cloud environments.
During my tenure as a DBA/System Administrator I managed several large-scale production systems, and developed a depth of experience with troubleshooting and performance tuning. I gained a capacity for managing heavy workloads and resolving problems in high pressure situations.
I have a deep appreciation for cloud-native technologies and 12-factor principles.
These principles provide guidance on the development of loosely coupled systems. Loosely coupled systems are efficient, resilient, and maintainable. They lend themselves to robust automation, which enables engineers to implement changes frequently and predictably while minimizing operational inefficiencies and technical debt.
“Improving daily work is even more important than doing daily work.” – Gene Kim
If you are going to write it down, you might as well write it in code.
If it's in code, it better be in git.
If it's in git, you might as well automate the deployment of that code.