Christopher Kalika

AngularJS / Javascript Developer

e.

m. 07474 232 559

I'm a Senior, Full-stack Web Developer with a Product Focus

I'm a Senior Web Developer (15+ years) with management experience, lots of startup/entrepreneurship experience, a business degree and a product/quality focus.

I've been working IT since 1998, starting as a junior developer/network admin and working my way up through the ranks. I've held roles in development, dev/ops, architecture and management and I come to new projects with a great deal of experience and a very product-focused view point. The question I always delve to understand is "What is the value proposition of [that feature | the product | the business model | the offering]?" What is this thing supposed to do? Why does someone care enough to pay for/use it? How do we emphasize that and make it more meaningful? If the feature doesn't add to our core value proposition, then is it something we really should be investing our time and effort on?

As an entrepreneur and startup coach, my focus is more often than not on product and value proposition development. I work with Product Owners, Project Managers and Architects to better understand user needs/requirements and how they might best fit with business needs/requirements to make sure that we develop the best product we can, given the constraints.

Fundamentally, I try to bring the most value (in time saved, lessons learned, quality increase, delivering to deadlines, etc.) that I can to the teams and projects I work with.

Work Experience

AngularJS/Ionic Developer @PintBoss (Inebriated Gentlemen)

in London, UK from June 2015 (Ongoing)

Inebriated Gentlemen is a data company focused on drinkers, consumables and pubs. For the last few months, I've been working on PintBoss, a social drinking games platform in which players can get paid to play drinking games.

Javascript / HTML5 / CSS3 / AngularJS / JQuery / Web Components / Polymer / Ionic / Cordova / Phonegap / Java / Objective-C / UI / UX / User Stories / Requirements Gathering / Story Boarding / Wireframing / Socket.io / Redis / MySQL / Node.js / ExpressJS / Kue / Winston / GSAP / CSS3 Animations & Transitions / Gulp / SASS / Bower / SOA / LEAN / Bootstrap / WebFonts / Responsive Design / Semantic HTML

  • Developed an AngularJS, Cordova-based app for iOS and Android
  • Conducted interviews with potential customers to determine requirements
  • Developed the Node.JS + ExpressJS + Redis + MySQL backend
  • Work with designers and product owners to develop the UI/UX
  • Developed and refined the value proposition
  • Setup server infrastructure

AngularJS Developer @IDAC Media
in Glasgow, UK from March 2015 - June 2015

IDAC Media is a development and design company based in Glasgow, Scotland. I helped develop a car finance/cost and specifications comparator system for a Tier 1 company within the automotive industry.

Javascript / HTML5 / CSS3 / UI / UX / User Stories / Requirements Gathering / Story Boarding / Wireframing/ MySQL / Node.js / ExpressJS / Winston / Gulp / SASS / Bower / TypeScript / SOA / TDD / CDD / Capistrano / LEAN / Bootstrap / WebFonts / Responsive Design / Semantic HTML

  • Developed an AngularJS-based car and car finance comparator
  • Conducted interviews with customers to determine requirements
  • Developed the Node.JS + ExpressJS + MySQL backend
  • Work with designers and product owners to develop the UI/UX
  • Worked with product owners to refine the value proposition
  • Setup server infrastructure

eCommerce (Shopify) Developer @Lean Greens

in Newcastle, UK from February 2015 - May 2015

Lean Greens is a "greens superfood" supplement developed and manufactured in the UK. I helped redevelop their entire technology stack and processes, using Shopify, ClickFunnels and ActiveCampaign.

Javascript / HTML5 / CSS3 / UI / UX / User Stories / Requirements Gathering / Story Boarding / Wireframing / Liquid (Templating) / ActiveCampaigns / Zapier / MySQL / PHP / API Integration / Stripe (Payments) / ClickFunnels / Gulp / SASS / Bower / LEAN / XML / SOAP / Bootstrap / WebFonts / Responsive Design / Semantic HTML

  • Redeveloped an existing WooCommerce site using Shopify
  • Worked with the product owners to redefine and optimize the user experience
  • Developed a MySQL/PHP data synchronization mechanism for reporting
  • Setup server infrastructure
  • Worked with product owners to refine the value proposition

Lead Developer @Digital Receipts

in Glasgow, UK from June 2014 – January 2015

Digital Receipts is a data company focused on receipt data capture, use and enrichment. It's a company and offering that I've been developing and continue to do so on an ongoing basis.

Javascript / HTML5 / CSS3 / AngularJS / JQuery / JQuery Mobile / UI / UX / User Stories / Requirements Gathering / Story Boarding / Wireframing / MySQL / Node.js / Redis / ExpressJS / Winston / Kue / STM32 (Microcontroller) / Bluetooth / NFC / Various Payment Technologies / Agile / Scrum / SOA / TDD / LEAN / CDD / Capistrano / WebFonts / Responsive Design

  • Lead a team of 8 (SCRUM-based, Agile environment)
  • Developed an AngularJS-based interface for receipt management and use
  • Conducted interviews with customers to determine requirements
  • Developed the Node.JS + ExpressJS + MySQL + Redis backend
  • Setup server infrastructure
  • Developed and refined the value proposition

User Experience Architect @ Caledonian-MacBrayne Ferries

in Gourock, Scotland from March 2014 - June 2014

Caledonian MacBrayne Ferries (CalMac) is the ferry company that services the islands off the west coast of Scotland. I helped them work through and develop the user experience of their new ticketing experience (online and offline).

Javascript / HTML5 / CSS3 / AJAX / JQuery / Business Optix / Business Process Documentation (BPMN) / UI / UX / User Stories / Requirements Gathering / Storyboarding / ERD / Wireframing / Agile / Balsamiq / SOA

  • Developed customer personas
  • Conducted interviews to develop user needs analysis
  • Built wireframes for new website/application for mobile, tablet and desktop users
  • Documented user journeys and business processes
  • Analyzed gathered data for trends and insight
  • Helped in requirements gathering and ITT development
  • Developed prototype of website / web app using Javascript, CSS3 and HTML5

Co-Founder and Lead Developer @ Learning Bird Inc.

in Montreal, Canada from March 2011 - December 2013

Learning Bird is a data company focused on the K-12 education market in North America. I headed up the technical aspects of the company and oversaw (read: coded and managed) the development process of our products.

Javascript / HTML5 / CSS3 / ETL Processing / Scalable Development / AJAX / JQuery / Node.js / Redis / Solr / Socket.io / Knockout.js / Handlebars / Git / Resque / Casper.js / Phantom.js / SASS / Selenium / Paypal / Zuora / Gumby (CSS Framework) / Bootstrap / WebFonts / Responsive Design / iOS / Android / UI / UX / User Stories / Requirements Gathering / Storyboarding / Balsamiq / SOA/ XML / SOAP

  • Lead the development team (SCRUM-based, Agile environment)
  • Focused on front-end development and design
  • Used Gumby.js, Bootstrap (Customized) and Handlebars
  • Developed mobile web app with Knockout.js
  • Developed HTML5-based interface for use with electronic whiteboards (Smartboards)
  • Gathered feedback from end-users to influence development of user stories
  • Developed unique workflows for teachers, students, parents and school administrators
  • Storyboarded and developed the User Interface / User Experience
  • Worked with Graphic Designers to develop final renderings
  • Coded the UI (HTML5/CSS3/Javascript) of the main application
  • Developed iOS- and Android-friendly versions of the application

Lead Developer@ Beyond The Rack

in Montreal, Canada from October 2009 - December 2010

Beyond The Rack is one of the largest eCommerce companies in Canada with over 10M users. During my time there, we went from 200k users to 5M users and were serving 2M unique visitors a day. I was heavily involved in optimizing the user experience to improve conversions, both within the application and from emails, social media, etc.

Javascript / HTML / CSS / ETL Processing / Scalable Development / AJAX / JQuery / Redis / Memcache / Subversion / NetSuite (and Embedded Javascript) / RabbitMQ / Selenium / ChickenFoot / Optimal Payments / Canada Post / Emarsys / JIRA / iOS / Android / SCRUM / Agile / UI / UX / User Stories / Requirements Gathering / Storyboarding/ XML / SOAP

  • Lead the development team (SCRUM-based, Agile environment)
  • Optimized front-end site and system load times
  • Profiled database usage and caching (huge part of user experience) to understand where bottlenecks were occurring
  • Documented business processes user stories for third party systems integration
  • Wrote code to integrate customer service into website usage (live chat, etc.)
  • Worked with marketing team on email distribution, means of optimizing and tracking KPIs, reducing bounce and increasing open rates, etc. (This included data logging through Javascript to profile users.)
  • Oversaw the development of our first mobile applications and architected the supporting infrastructure / interfaces
  • Coding and optimizing of the UI to increase sales

UI/UX Architect & Lead Developer @ Timbec Media

in Montreal, Canada from May 2009 - October 2009

Timbec Media develops touch screen kiosks that are placed in airports, shopping malls and casinos across North America. I was brought in to develop the next generation of their solution for use specifically within shopping centres as a tool for advertising, wayfinding and providing an interactive means for collecting user data. It had to be aesthetically sensitive, effective in communicating the message and easy to use for all ages. Also, it had to be bilingual and easily updatable with content from a remote location.

Javascript / HTML / CSS / Scalable Development / AJAX / JQuery / Subversion / Flex / Flash / iOS / Agile / Waterfall / UI / UX / User Stories / Requirements Gathering / Storyboarding/ XML / SOAP

  • Lead the development team (Waterfall & Agile Environments)
  • Worked with key stakeholders to develop user stories for kiosk interface
  • Prototyped kiosk interface using HTML/CSS/Javascript before involving third party to develop Flash/Flex-based interface
  • Integrated a Flash/Flex-based UI with Javascript to run on the kiosks
  • Explored integrating iOS / mobile devices with the touch screen kiosks

Senior Developer @ Various Companies

in Various Cities in Australia from March 2008 - December 2008

I spent 2008 living and working in Australia. I worked as a trainer (programming), developer (for a major video game), project manager and infrastructure architect.

PHP / MySQL / C++ / Javascript / HTML / CSS / Bash Scripting / Java / Scalable Development / AJAX / JQuery / Subversion / Perforce / Paypal / Agile / SCRUM / Waterfall / UI / UX / User Stories / Requirements Gathering / Storyboarding/ XML / SOAP

  • Developed online user community for a video game company (UX/UI, Coding)
  • Developed Java-to-Javascript interfaces for custom video codec and player
  • Integrated custom digital rights management for same
  • Consulted on development methodologies and code optimization

Web Developer @ Dawson College

in Montreal, Canada from September 2001 - December 2007

Dawson College is Montreal's largest English Language college. I worked on a wide variety of projects including the first attempt at an eLearning platform, a web-based inventory management system and a centralized authentication system using Novell's NDS.

PHP / MySQL / System Administration / Bash Scripting / Javascript / HTML / CSS / Database Architecture / Scaling / Query Optimization / AJAX / JQuery / MS Project / Oracle / Drupal / DEC Alpha / COBOL / Java / Cognos Powerhouse / Cognos QTP / Perl / Novell / LDAP / Active Directory / Canon MEAP / Fiery (Print Server) / Ghostscript / MS SQL / Postgres / ODBC / Windows CE / Waterfall / UI / UX / User Stories / Requirements Gathering / Storyboarding/ XML / SOAP

  • Completely developed in-house systems to manage print and photocopy accounting
  • Worked with stakeholders to develop processes (both business and software) by which students and faculty could check their account balances or refill their account.
  • Worked with stakeholders to develop online registration process for eLearning initiative. Interface has to be easy to use for all types of users, allow the searching and registration in courses and provide students with a customized schedule.
  • Developed work order management system for facilities management
  • Developed inventory management system for 100K items
  • Worked on customized PDF generation from web applications

Web Developer @ Xaxix Internet Solutions

in Montreal, Canada from April 1999 - June 2001

Xaxix Internet Solutions was my first foray into entrepreneurship. We built a number of projects around the time of the .com boom but after the bubble burst, found it difficult to continue. Well before user stories were a thing, we worked on patterns of usage to figure out how users were likely to use the system and then developed based on that.

Perl / HTML / CSS / Javascript / Bash Scripting

  • Worked with clients to establish patterns of usage (workflows)
  • Developed websites and web-based technologies for a variety of clients
  • Developed database-driven content management systems
  • Developed extensive webmail client in Perl

Education

2012 - Bachelors of Commerce(Entrepreneurial Management)

from Royal Roads University in Victoria, Canada

In 2010, after leaving Beyond The Rack, I decided to return to university to complete a degree in something that I was passionate about: entrepreneurship. At the same time, I co-founded Learning Bird, a Canadian education technology company. I completed my degree in June 2012, winning the Eric C. Douglass Entrepreneurship Award.

  • Won the Eric C. Douglass Entrepreneurship Award