Joe Bowers
is a smart, professional and experienced software
developer.
joerbowers [ at ] gmail [ dot ] com |
210 Tall Oaks Drive, Knoxville, TN |
(828) 318-2444
Briefly
- I have a proven track record of conceiving, implementing, adapting, and
maintaining technical solutions to business problems over the last
10 years.
- I have created value with a very broad range of platforms and
technologies.
- Development Platforms: JavaScript, ActionScript 3.0, Python, Ruby, PHP, Perl, Java, R
- Administration Platforms: Apache, Subversion, Linux
- Database Management Systems: MySQL, Oracle, SQLite and MS SQL Server platforms
The World Wide Web
- Shipped server-side web applications in Python, Ruby, Java,
Perl, PHP
- Shipped intelligible, documented, Object-Oriented JavaScript for
client side interactive web applications and complex analytics
- Shipped ActionScript 3.0, including rich GUI, network behavior,
and video streaming, in concert with graphic and motion
designers
- Shipped custom network client systems in Python, Lingo, Java, and C for
rich user interface and for systems applications
- Shipped REST agents and services for monitoring, queuing,
consuming third party services in Ruby, Perl, PHP, and Visual Basic .NET
- Shipped MVC style web applications in Ruby on Rails, Python Twisted Web/Nevow, Code
Igniter, Joomla MVC, Java Servlet Model 2
- Fluent, constant use of HTML, CSS, faithful to designer vision, for multiple browsers
- Administered Apache/Linux web servers and database servers
Problem Domains
- Design and Media: technical leadership of design centered
teams, automated video production in Ruby, "Pixel Perfect"
development of web sites in HTML, JavaScript, ActionScript 3.0
- Data Analysis and Business Modeling: developed automated
processes in SQL, the R programming language for multi-million dollar PPC
marketing programs
- Process Automation: shipped automated television show
editing pipeline in Ruby
- Custom Network Clients, Servers, and Agents: HTTP server
development with the Python/Twisted framework, HTTP rich client
development in Java, Python, and C, HTTP agents for
web services in Ruby, PHP, and Perl.
- Integration with Legacy Systems: integrated legacy C and
C++ systems with PHP and Perl, created intelligible user reporting
applications and documented, maintainable and well encapsulated
service interfaces from undocumented and abandoned database schema
and file formats with Ruby and JavaScript.
Software Architecture and Process
- Consistent Application of Engineering Best Practices:
internal expert on OOP practices at Jewelry Television, introduced
and administered automated deployment and source control practices
for design and creative teams.
- Leverage Existing Technical Assets: increased the
lifespan of legacy physical security machines and networks through
integration with new technologies rather than replacement.
- Lightweight Development Style: typical project initial
time-to-market of one to six months, introduced and guided web
development clients through iterative, high customer involvement
technical development process with weekly deliverables.
- Complete Software Life Cycle Experience:, from proposal,
requirements and specification to the maintenance and end of life of
legacy systems
- Technology Forward: led adoption of Rails, R, jQuery in
team settings.
Organizational
- Takes Initiative: an "evenings and weekends" traffic and
sales analytics project at Jewelry Television evolved into an
automated advertising market tool that saved the company over $1
million/year in on-line advertising costs.
- Team Player: Worked on large teams, mid-sized teams, small teams and
alone
- Strong Communicator: worked closely and directly with
outside and internal clients, internal and third party technical and
business partners, presented on technical topics to professional
software developer audiences
CHRONOLOGY
Technical Director/Lead Developer, Internet
10/2008 - Present: HELO Online/DenTek Oral Care - Knoxville, TN
Directed technology at HELO Online, and Internet
development and marketing company. Managed small junior technical
staff and contractors. Directly managed operations of scale e-commerce
web site, instituted source control, automated testing and deployment
practices for web projects. Worked directly with clients and staff
specifying and estimating projects. Designed analytical models for
marketing strategy, and associated software, in SQL and the R
statistics toolkit.
In May 2009, HELO Online was absorbed into it's parent
company, DenTek Oral Care, where I now work as lead technologist for
Internet projects. Duties include development and architecture of the
DenTek E-Commerce system, integration of a variety of third party
services and proprietary software systems with the DenTek ERP and MRP
infrastructure, and the development of decision support tools and
reporting systems.
Developer
5/2008 - 10/2008: DMGx.com - Knoxville, TN
Development of web systems in ActionScript 3.0 and
PHP, together with a team of seven.
Projects included full featured dynamic streaming video player in
ActionScript 3.0, integration of PHP social networking platform for a
major national media brand, Development of Adobe AIR media player
application for delivery on custom hardware.
Worked closely with design staff and clients, estimated accurately,
shipped on time and under budget.
Web Developer/E-Commerce Analyst
7/2006 - 5/2008: Jewelry Television - Knoxville, TN
AJAX-heavy web development for a top 500 Internet
retailer, including integration with third party analytics tools and
advertising platforms and legacy back-end systems.
Conceived, developed and implemented a technical market model,
integrating third party analytics tools, the R statistical language,
and Microsoft Excel, that increased the return on investment of a
multi-million dollar paid search campaign from 350% to 1100%, while
also increasing total sales volume and top line
Produced shipping, stable systems in Perl, Python, Ruby, and
JavaScript together with a team of seven developers.
Editor/Software Developer
1/2006 - 6/2006: BClip Productions - Asheville, NC
Development of a digital television show production
pipeline, including business processes, data collection, and Ruby
software.
Over six months, designed and implemented automation that
reduced time in production of a television show by a factor of
sixteen.
Built media asset management and process analysis tools using Ruby
on Rails. Instituted source control practices using Subversion.
Student, Multimedia Arts and Sciences
08/2002 - 12/2005: University of North Carolina at Asheville - Asheville, NC
B.A. awarded with distinction.
Java MIDlet and OpenGL networked suite of media
applications selected for inclusion as part of rhizome.org's on-line
gallery space. Developed Flash/Actionscript/Python application
selected for participation in "Project Oikos", a collaboration between
UNCA and the Microsoft Corporation. Generative video project selected
for NC Public Television's "North Carolina Visions" film series.
Technical Director
05/2003 - 12/2004: Seventy-Two DPI, LLC - Asheville, NC
Specification, estimates of time and cost, design,
coding, testing, and maintenance of long running custom web
systems. Also responsible for Apache/UNIX and IIS/Windows web server
administration.
Provided technical process support to digital designers including
the design and implementation of a system of source control, site
staging and testing, and web site deployment practices. Taught
designers to use and love source control.
Software Consultant
05/2002 - 08/2002: UNC Chapel Hill - Chapel Hill, NC
Contributed to help.unc.edu, a Java Servlet/XSLT content and knowledge
management application, using Cocoon.
Programmer
12/2000 - 05/2002: Canopy Systems, Inc. - Chapel Hill, NC
Worked with a team of 10 engineers building Canopy, a large scale
Java application service for hospitals. Contributed to the team,
learned from the team, collaborated with the team. Particular
contributions were to pre-"Ajax" rich web interface, contributing a
strong understanding of HTTP/HTML/WWW protocols and technologies.
Web Applications Contractor
7/2000 - 11/2000
Continued working with security management consulting, consulted in
Perl CGI and PHP development. Worked on writing, illustration, and
publishing of an independent comic book.
Software Architect/Developer
12/1999 - 6/2000: Security Management Consulting, Inc. - Raleigh, NC
Integrated Perl CGI and PHP systems with legacy C/C++ physical
security applications and networked systems. Brought old code, old
hardware, and old data to the web.
Student, Computer Science and Mathematics
1996 - 1999: Virginia Tech - Blacksburg, VA
Student jobs included Perl CGI development for managing multiple
Solaris/Apache web servers, Java Swing development for automated
testing of electrical engine components, and implementing a macro
processor for a Verilog and VHDL simulator using Perl/XS.
Student, Creative Writing and Mathematics
1994 - 1996: St. Andrews Presbyterian College - Laurenburg, NC
Creative writing, Honors scholarship recipient. Lived in Cuenca,
Ecuador for three months.
/etc
- I have a degree in digital media, and I've won some awards for
interactive art, video and digital media design.
- I'm interested in data mining, statistics, functional
programming, and open hardware.
- I play the accordion. Poorly.