Jim C. Gadrow

Cincinnati/Dayton, OH

Qualifications / Skills

-Key technologies: PHP, MySQL/MariaDB (with Replication), (X)HTML, XML, Apache, CSS, JS, jQuery, Ajax, Drupal, WordPress, CakePHP, MVC, PHPUnit, Soap, REST,HAProxy, SVN, Git, Jira, Mantis, AWS, Cloudfront, Amazon S3, Laravel, Bash scripts, Batch scripts, Composer, JSON API, Vagrant, VirtualBox, VMWare Workstation, VueJS

-Linux (sysvsystemd)/ Windows systems

-Critical Thinking / Problem Solving

-Multi-Tasking and Organization

-DevOps, Development, Design, and Management experience.

-Experienced with projects ranging in size from Investment and Venture Capital Start-Ups to Highly Available Enterprise-Class

-SCRUM experience.

Present Position(s)

-Software Specialist at LeanCor, LLC. since Aug. 31, 2015

-Founder at Caliginousoft since Aug. 2006.

PreviousPositions(s)

-Acting Director of Technology at Apostrophe Apps from Jun. 2014 to Jul. 2015.

-Senior Developer at Apostrophe Apps from Jan. 2014 to May 2014.

-Web Developer at Bonnier Corporation from 2010 to 2014.

-Part-Time PHP Contractor at Sekuworks from 2011 to 2013.

-Lead Software Developer at Oxiem Marketing Technologies from 2009 to 2010.

-Web Developer at ST Media Group International from 2008 to 2009.

-Design Editor at Lawriter, LLC from 2007 to 2008.

Awards / Certifications

-Certified PHP5 Engineer (June 2009), link to Zend yellow pages entry:

-Employee Excellence Award (August 2008) at ST Media Group International

Completed Tasks

-LeanCor, LLC

  • Replaced an old tool used by the company which was built by a non-developer. This tool was implemented using CakePHP 2 with an eye towards porting it to Laravel 5.1 in the near future.
  • Migrated all of the company’s code repositories from SVN to Git. Also created automated deployment scripts (Batch and Scheduled Tasks as they are currently utilizing Windows for their hosting, I also created Bash scripts to be used with Cron after they finish migrating to Linux). In addition, I educated the development team on a proper Git workflow, instructed them how to work with .gitattributes and filters, and showed them how to utilize hook scripts to verify their work locally prior to committing to the shared origin. (Git hook scripts created allowed for php syntax validation, PHPUnit testing, and ensuring that all commits pointed to at least one issue in Jira).
  • Assisted IT administrators, director, and other developers in critical decision-making (new technologies, corporate policies, new development architecture).
  • Led research and transition process for teams to utilize story points for estimation.
  • Updated legacy tools to utilize database sessions in CakePHP 2 (previously used “default” PHP sessions which wereproblematic for the redundant server instance upon fail-over).
  • Wrote a training document for other developers to perform deployments in a secure way. Additionally wrote a quiz to assess whether or not a developer was ready to serve in the “Gatekeeper” role.
  • Setup and utilized Satis for non-public-facing PHP composer packages.
  • Performed “emergency” development tasks when necessary.
  • Wrote unit and integration tests using PHPUnit. Additionally generated code coverage reports to ensure that all code was executed by at least one test.
  • Wrote “test traits” to allow for rapid creation of testing functionality for known reuse scenarios.
  • Added composer support to legacy systems (CakePHP 2 tools).
  • Utilized gettext extension for all string outputs so that localization would be possible in the future.
  • Worked in a “local-remote” capacity and maintained high quality and output standards. Actual remote work time was equal to 70% or greater.
  • Edited documentation of known failure states so that developers who had been on the team longest (and, thus, tended to need to field more questions) would have less disruptions to their standard work.
  • Created API servers utilizing JSON API for the data transmission format.
  • Created an OAuth 2 server to consolidate our authentication and authorization workflows for all tools.
  • Took over Jira administration when business analyst was on vacation.
  • Supported existing projects as well as developing new “Greenfield” projects.
  • Led adoptance of remote work policies and a continuous meeting to improve our ability to work remotely.
  • Developed a system to allow for code packages to support multiple PHP versions. Primarily this is because our code was split between PHP 5.6 and PHP7. We wanted to utilize the more secure hinting of PHP7 but we needed a way for the same codebase to have a PHP 5.6 implementation that wouldn’t break when deployed to an older tool.
  • Advised the business analyst with administration of Jira (especially workflows).
  • Worked with CakePHP 2, and Laravel 5.1 through 5.4.
  • Performed peer review as needed to support the project lead when overflow occurred.

-Caliginousoft, LLC

  • Communicate with clients regarding projects
  • Coordinate with customer to refine project requirements
  • Self-manage projects to meet client specifications
  • Keep accurate records for statistical analysis
  • Manage business financial records as well as client billing
  • Development of client applications using a variety of web components:
  • PHP
  • MySQL
  • Apache
  • (X)HTML
  • XML Technologies (XML / XSL(T) / XPath / etc.)
  • JavaScript / jQuery / Ajax
  • CSS

-Apostrophe Apps

  • Implemented a custom API using an MVC approach with PHP 5.4.
  • Utilized Git for source control.
  • Created unit tests utilizing PHPUnit.
  • Managed company’s private GitHub repos.
  • Worked with GD library for image manipulation including alpha masking.
  • Worked with the PayPal and CafePress APIs to accomplish product goals.
  • Worked with other development staff to get a minimum viable product as quickly as possible.
  • Replaced supervisor when he departed the company.
  • Administered CentOS web server hosted by Softlayer.
  • Worked with an inherited, customWordPressplugin and template to accomplish project goals.
  • Made improvements to the inherited WordPressplugin and template.
  • Presented technical cost and performance analysis to executive management when needed.
  • Presented technical options to executive management when appropriate. Kept executive management informed when making technical decisions to best support the product.
  • Managed off-site development resources working on all aspects of the product.
  • Sought out and reviewed potential new team additions.
  • Interviewed and negotiated pay for new team additions.
  • Terminated team positions when necessary.
  • Helped prioritize tasks for continued product development.
  • Created development and testing processes.
  • Administered Jira with custom workflows to match development and testing processes.
  • Created XML Schemas for integrating with partner systems.
  • Oversaw day-to-day needs of product operations.
  • Created automated bash scripts for automation of repetitive tasks or to improve quality of life.
  • Setup infrastructure for a Highly Available web server network using HAProxywith co-location and redundant failover devices.
  • Setups AWS (CloudFront and S3) for CDN services for serving static web assets.

-Bonnier Corporation

  • Trusted to continuously maintain the company's multi-million earning sites (PopSci, Field and Stream, Outdoor Life, Saveur).
  • Worked on a team with 2 other developers to implement a contracted million-dollar site in only a few weeks' time:
  • Developed custom modules for Drupal CMS
  • Worked remotely from home and maintained high-quality service
  • Worked with Windows and Linux environments
  • Implemented functional components matching provided mock-ups with needs of the themeing department in mind.
  • Utilized SVN and Git to efficiently work with a team of other developers and ease code deployments.
  • Optimized existing code and SQL queries.
  • Worked to import existing data / rework functional components for site redesigns or version migrations.

-Sekuworks

  • Worked with CakePHP to maintain and update client’s existing software.
  • Helped with generation of materials to create a baseline for the exection of developers duties.
  • Worked remotely from home and maintained high-quality service on a PT basis.
  • Worked with Windows environments.
  • Utilized SVN to efficiently work with a team of other developers.
  • Optimized existing code and SQL queries.

-Oxiem Marketing Technologies

  • Developed custom modules for Drupal CMS
  • Used CSS to create functional design templates
  • Optimized SQL database structure and queries
  • Worked Windows and Linux environments
  • Created training presentations for developers
  • Created development standards for developers
  • Reviewed code produced by other developers
  • Assisted in reviewing qualifications of potential 3rd party contractors
  • Edited graphics in GIMP and Photoshop
  • Was consulted for hosting options and deployment strategies
  • Worked to introduce client to a professional development environment

-ST Media Group International

  • Developed PHP modules for Drupal CMS
  • Created automated PHP scripts to assist in various processes
  • Used CSS to create functional design templates
  • Developed a SOAP client to retrieve data from remote .NET server
  • Optimized SQL queries for custom components
  • Optimized SQL database structure
  • Worked locally in a Windows environment
  • Worked remotely in a Linux environment
  • Managed conversion of recently converted websites
  • Assisted in reviewing qualifications of potential 3rd party contractors
  • Assisted marketing team with Flash development
  • Edited graphics in GIMP and Photoshop

-Lawriter, LLC

  • Edited graphics in Photoshop
  • Developed custom PHP CMS
  • Created design templates meeting W3C standards with XHTML and CSS
  • Achieved WCAG Level-A standards with design templates
  • Worked locally in a Windows environment
  • Worked remotely in an Linux environment
  • Self-managed projects with regular reports to supervisor
  • Assisted Design department in developing Flash components
  • Optimized SQL database structure and queries

Website Listing

-Caliginousoft

  • Nothing to indicate here as my work for Caliginousoft is largely in support of previous employers or projects that are not publicly available.

-Apostrophe Apps

-Bonnier Corporation

  • Notable Sites worked on (complete list is over 50 sites):

-Sekuworks

  • The URL for my work is not publicly available. It was for a system usable only to customers who had paid for their service.

-Oxiem Marketing Technologies

  • (replaced by a different version now)

-ST Media Group

  • (replaced by a different version now)
  • (replaced by a different version now)
  • (folded into another brand and replaced now)

-Lawriter, LLC

  • (now defunct, company was acquired by competitor)