Enterprising, motivated and dedicated IT professional with 20 years successful experience implementing hardware and software design, installation, administration and configuration. Proven analytic and problem-solving skills with a keen ability to assess needs, define requirements, develop value-added solutions, and execute technical resolutions that streamline and improve operating efficiencies. Successful in both team-based and self-managed projects requiring focus and commitment.

Key Skills

Professional Experience

COMPX DURISLIDE Byron Center, MI 05/1996 – 03/2011

IT System Administrator 05/1999 – 03/18/2011

• Researched, purchased, developed and implemented hardware and software solutions for new and existing departments. Coordinated and completed multiple simultaneous projects with teams and alone. Administered Microsoft Exchange email server with multiple user interfaces, which facilitated company communication.
• Successfully created and constructed virtual environment with supporting hardware to the expedite migration of company systems from physical to virtual servers. This enhanced speed, stability and productivity for all users by 400%.
• Installed and programmed new 60 station hybrid telephone system, throughout facility, without service interruption. This resulted in savings of $7K per year, and secured a 3 year ROI.
• Created and implemented multi-site disaster recovery procedures with system backup and off-site storage, which provided swift rebound. Designed and built new network intrusion detection system to monitor traffic and guard against internal breaches and external attacks. This enhanced security and mitigated threats.
• Competently designed, assembled and implemented new data collection hardware and software solutions for manufacturing, which included touch screen and bar-code scan input with on-demand labeling. This resulted in efficient, effective tracking of inventory and personnel.
• Expertly managed and maintained ERP system, which included migration into updated Progress-based database management system. This resulted in enhanced productivity and improved departmental integration.
• Implemented major LAN infrastructure upgrade, which doubled system size to 150 nodes and included installment of wireless access for the factory floor.
• Managed multiple environments for engineering department. Coordinated software integration, migrations and updates for ProEngineer, IntraLink, Wildfire and AutoCAD. Maintained supporting client and server hardware. This expedited and facilitated efficient design standards through production processes.
• Standardized policies, manuals, website and training process for all system users. Developed and implemented ISO9000 document control procedures which improved quality control and enhanced productivity. Collaborated with departmental managers and all users to ensure superior personnel training results.
• Designed documentation and instituted Sarbanes Oxley procedures for system compliance, exceeding document control requirements.

Quality Technician 01/1997 – 05/1999

• Systemized continuous improvement initiatives. Assisted with problem resolutions, prepared test reports and maintained customer feedback.
• Promoted to IT system administrator within 17 months.

Machine Operator 05/1996 – 01/1997

• Produced products efficiently with minimal waste. Maintained quality control to specifications.
• Promoted to quality technician within 7 months.

BARMAN SELECT TEMP SERVICES Grandville, MI 12/1994 – 05/1996

Machine Operator

• Assembled products and product lines efficiently and precisely. Promoted to group leader for temporary employees.
• Operated plastic injection mold presses while ensuring quality processes were maintained. Promoted to direct hire by client company.

LAKEPARK INDUSTRIES OF INDIANA Shipshewana, IN 05/1992 – 07/1994

Machine Operator and Setup

• Performed safe, efficient setup and operation of resistance welders and press machinery ranging from 80 to 1000 tons, which contributed to profitable company production.
• Reliably maintained and inspected product for quality. This resulted in reduced scrap. Trained in QS9000 documentation and procedures.

ARA FOOD SERVICE Allendale, MI 09/1991 – 12/1994

General Food Service

• Successfully interacted with customers and coworkers to promote efficient operation of cafeteria.

Software Proficiency

Education

GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY, Allendale, MI

Seeking Bachelor of Science degree, senior level undergraduate

Engineering Major, manufacturing emphasis 1991 – 1994

Computer Science Major, programming emphasis 1994 – Present

Download as a MS Word document (DOC)

Download as an Adobe Reader document (PDF)

Help a skeptical TV show get made

Regular readers^* may remember that a couple of years ago I was involved in a pilot for a skeptical investigation TV pilot called “The Skeptologists”. The other cast members were Michael Shermer, Kiki Sanford, Brian Dunning, Steve Novella, Mark Edward, and Yau Man Chan.

Eventually, as you may know, I was offered to host a TV show pilot on The Discovery Channel, so I had to give The Skeptologists my regrets. At that point they did two good things: they replaced me with my dear friend Dr. Pamela Gay, and changed the name of the show to The Edge.

At this point, they are trying to get the show to air on PBS. This is where, perhaps, you come in. A grant came in rather quickly and unexpectedly, and to get it they need endorsements. They’re looking for skeptical groups, teachers, and other people involved in education to write a brief letter of support for the show.

Head over to Brian Dunning’s page about this and see how you can help. The grant has to be submitted Tuesday, so sooner is better. It won’t take but a few minutes of your time, but could be invaluable to help get an actual reality show on the air.

Get Critical Thinking on PBS.

Teachers: Help Us Get Critical Thinking onto PBS

As many of you know, for some time I’ve been part of a team trying to get a TV show called The Skeptologists onto the air. Currently we are writing a grant to put a much-improved version of this show onto PBS. The working title is The Edge. There is more information about the show available on the web site.

One of the grants we’re applying for came up unexpectedly fast, and so this may seem a little half-baked, but we have AN IMMEDIATE NEED (before the end of November) for letters of support from educators. PLEASE, if you’d like to see this show on PBS, and benefit from all the supporting educational materials which would be part of the package, email the following (feel free to modify it if you like) to Dr. Pamela Gay at starstryder [at] gmail.com and also to Brian Dunning at brian [at] skeptoid.com. THANKS!!

Dear Dr Gay and Mr Dunning,

I eagerly look forward to the production of “The Edge” and plan to use this show to teach critical thinking, the process of science and other incorporated national standards in my [insert grade level] classroom. The material this show will produce fills a content gap that I currently fill [using my own content / using non-standards aligned blogs and podcasts such as NAME HERE / SOMETHING ELSE]. This content will make my job easier, and I feel it will excite and engage my students.

Sincerely,
NAME
SCHOOL
EMAIL

Science/Skeptic Clubs, Bloggers, etc.: Help Us Get Critical Thinking onto PBS

We also need similar letters of support from ANYONE who runs a campus science or critical thinking group, any kind of local club or organization dedicated to critical thinking, even a Skeptics in the Pub meetup group. Any science bloggers, critical thinking bloggers, podcasters, etc. are also invited.

We cannot get too many of these!!! Please email the following (feel free to modify it if you like) to Dr. Pamela Gay at starstryder [at] gmail.com and also to Brian Dunning at brian [at] skeptoid.com. THANKS!!

Dear Dr Gay and Mr Dunning,

I am an organizer of the [CITY, STATE] [NAME OF ORGANIZATION], and we host [Monthly / weekly] events such as [EVENT NAME] designed to engage people in critical thinking. We typically have XX participants. We eagerly look forward to the production of “The Edge” and plan to use it to create talking points for our sessions. In addition to using the content from this show in our events, we will also link to the show on our [website / blog / podcast], which is viewed by XX people a month.

Sincerely,
NAME
ORGANIZATION
EMAIL

To build this particular loopback connector you will need one (1) spare Category 5e (cat5) cable.

1. Cut 4 or 5 inches of the end off a network cable, keeping the connector intact.
2. Cut away two inches of the main sheath covering the eight wires. (Be careful not to cut the wires inside.)
3. Cut the sheath on Orange-White (2) and Green (6) and twist them together. Tape this pair. (Soldering is optional and preferred)
4. Cut the sheath on Green-White (3) and Orange (1) and twist them together. Tape this pair as well. (Soldering is optional and preferred)
5. Leave the other four wires alone. (Optionally tape these down to prevent cross talk*)
6. Tape the end down to make it look presentable.
7. Plug RJ-45 plug into your Network Card.

*For a Gigabit Ethernet Loopback you will also need to connect the other four wires as follows:

1. Cut the sheath on Blue-White and Brown-White and twist them together. Tape this pair. (Soldering is optional and preferred)
2. Cut the sheath on Blue and Brown and twist them together. Tape this pair as well. (Soldering is optional and preferred)

Updated April 19, 2011 – Added Gigabit Loopback Information.