Mike Rowe, Ph.D.

Education:

  • Ph.D. Computer Science – Machine Learning (minor Statistics), University of North Texas, Dissertation title: A Machine Learning Method Suitable for Dynamic Domains
  • M.B.A. Western Michigan University
  • Ph.D. Physiological Psychology (minor Statistics), University of North Dakota, Dissertation title: Prenatal Zinc Deficiency and Stress
  • M.A. Experimental Psychology, University of North Dakota, Thesis title: Physiological and Behavioral Effects of Prenatal Zinc Deficiency
  • B.A. summa cum laude, Psychology, University of Minnesota, Duluth

Skills:

Experienced Data Scientist, skilled with database, simulations, data modeling and statistical tools, and artificial intelligence and machine learning
Knowledgeable of business organization, practices and participated in six startups
Programming languages: C, C++ C#, Visual Basic, Pascal, LISP, APL, R, Assembler, Fortran, PL/1, and others
Expert software and systems designer using various OO tools
Experienced on many operating system: all Microsoft platforms since DOS 1.0, HP-UX, Solaris, BSD, Linux, VMS, VM, MVS, and others
Experienced with a wide variety of professional software engineering tools: configuration managers, auto-testers, requirements trackers, defect and change management systems, modeling tools, reengineering tools, debuggers, profilers, coverage tools, and others
Experienced managing groups up to 50 engineers
Successful proposal and grant writer
Experienced teaching undergraduate, graduate and industrial courses in Software Engineering, Computer Science and Statistics
Experienced with developing commercial internationalized, multi-language and localizing software

Positions:

Principal Software Engineer – Esterline Control Systems – Avista, Platteville, WI

  • 5/2003 – Present (part-time consultant), 6/2012-Present (full-time)
  • Perform Modeling and Statistical Process Control (SPC) for maintaining CMMI Level 5 certification
  • Develop automated tests for DO 178b avionics equipment certification

Professor Emeritus, Software Engineering and Computer Science – University of Wisconsin-Platteville.

  • 7/2012-Present

Professor, Software Engineering and Computer Science – University of Wisconsin-Platteville

  • 8/2002-5/2012
  • ABET accredited Software Engineering program
  • Teach graduate and undergraduate Software Engineering and Computer Science courses, including: Introduction to Software Engineering, Object Oriented-Analysis and Design, Software Quality, Software Reegineering and Maintenance, Artificial Intelligence, Topics in High Performance Computing, Introduction to Engineering Projects, Introduction to C++ Programming, High Performance Computing, Senior Seminar, and several independent study courses.
  • Member of the Graduate Faculty, supervised 27 Masters Theses
  • Serve on many University, College and Department committees
  • Published or presented 20 conference papers and/or workshops in last 10 years

Program Manager, Texas Development Lab – Westwave Communications, Inc. Richardson, TX

  • 12/1999 – 2/2002
  • Program Manager for the development lab of a startup soft-switch telecommunication company. Reported to the Senior Director of Research and Development. (managed about 50 Engineers)
  • Managed development for several systems/groups, including: AMA (accounting system); redundant high available process management; SS7 Signaling Gateway system; Call Agent (BCSM); Feature Server with many Class 5 switch features; Traffic Statistics and Measurement; and Alarm collection, logging, distribution and notification system. I was also acting manager of the Test Automation group that includes SCM, software builds, lab operations, test tool development and test execution.
  • Helped define a software engineering process for this new company; evaluated, installed and configured systems for Bug Tracking, Document Control, Software Configuration Management; was responsible for divisional recruiting and helped develop an objective process for interviewing candidates; led architecture, document and code reviews; produced the weekly status reports for our division; produced and maintained our division’s development plans and schedules.
  • Served on the corporate HR advisory board that researched, specified, evaluated and selected 401k and insurance plans for Westwave.
  • The startup was dissolved with the sale of its intellectual property to Alcatel
Program Manager, Software Development – USDATA Corporation, Richardson, TX
5/1998 – 12/1999 and 2/1994 – 9/1997 (see Digit Pilot for 9/1997-5/1998)
Software program manager for all phases of development and quality assurance of Factory Link, the Factory Automation Product of the year in 1995 (managed about 35 engineers).
Reported to company’s executive committee, VP Development and Support, VP Marketing, CFO, and VP Sales.
Managed special projects: Evaluated third party components, studied the requirements for vertical markets (Semiconductor and Electronics, Steel Production, Automotive Manufacturing and Assembly, Consumer Goods, and Oil and Gas Production, Transport and Refinement)

Architect of a high performance Statistical Process Control module

Provided Statistical Process Control consulting and training to USDATA customers including: Boeing, Ford, GE, Delphi, EDS, IAM Pet Foods, IBM, HP, Anheuser-Busch, and others.

Adjunct Professor of Computer Science – University of Texas Dallas, Dallas, TX

01/1999-01/2000 (part-time)

  • Taught graduate level classes in the Computer Science and Engineering Department.

Adjunct Professor of Computer Science – CollinCountyCommunity College, Plano, Texas

1/1993-12/1995 (part-time)

Taught undergraduate Software Engineering and Introduction to the UNIX Operation System classes.

Senior Consultant – Analysts International Corporation, Dallas, TX

3/1991-9/1993

  • Completed a long-term consulting contract at IBM. Helped design and develop an intelligent software and hardware configuration system that ensured valid s/w and h/w configurations, produced price proposals, as well as specified system physical environments (power, cooling, footprint and clearances).

Senior Scientist – Merit Technology, Inc. Plano, TX

  • 3/1991-2/1994 Consultant (part-time)
  • 5/1998-3/1991 (full-time)

Clearances

  • Researched and implemented parallel inference engines for SDI (star wars anti-ballistic missile system) applications on massively parallel systems. Classified work supported by Naval Research Labs.
  • Developed Artificial Intelligence and Statistical-based Intelligence Track correlation and data fusion techniques for a graphical intelligence assessment workstation prototype. Classified work supported by a classified customer.
  • Developed embedded inference engine and applications for Spaced-based Generic VHSIC processor. Phase I and II SBIR grants for autonomous space-based vehicles funded by the Air Force Space Command Technology Center.
  • Developed advanced mission planning systems for Autonomous Unmanned Air Vehicles including the first generation Global Hawk. Subcontract from Teledyne Ryan (now Northrop Grumman).
  • Developed mission planning systems for covert fixed and rotary wing aircraft. Classified work funded by a classified customer.
  • Developed expert systems to validate and correlate intelligence reports and information. Classified work funded by a classified customer.
  • Developed force-on-force planning systems for both US and foreign arm forces. Classified work funded by a classified customers.

Director of Research and Development – Digital Pilot Corporation, Dallas, TX

9/1997-5/1998

  • One of founders
  • Contributed to the strategic plan and direction of a startup Web Server and System Architecture Consulting company. Digital Pilot grew 100% during this period.
  • Provided consulting serves to an 18 billion dollar, multi-year DoD development project. Responsibilities included membership on System Architecture committee (representing over 150 engineers), worked on high-level system architecture, analysis and design using Jacobson’s Use Case methods, Rational Unified Method, and UML using Rational Rose.

Member of the Group Technical Staff – Corporate Engineering Labs, Texas Instruments, DallasTX

8/1983-5/1988

Clearances

  • Pioneered real-time Artificial Intelligence based Expert and Statistical Process Control Systems, this included full responsibility, from design to delivery, of several diagnostic and process control expert systems for customers of TI's Industrial Systems Division. Fully external customer funded. Worked directly with VP of Engineering of several Fortune 100 companies.
  • Member of design team for a test equipment data network linking 50+ automated test sets networked to a central cluster of computers for the multi-billion dollar HARM Missile Program.
  • Designed and managed several statistical quality control experiments that uncovered product and factory process inefficiencies.
  • Designed, procured TI IR&D and Navy funding, and lead development of a machine learning based diagnostic system for the HARM missile.

Software Systems Project Administrator – Upjohn Pharmaceuticals, Kalamazoo, MI

1/1981-8/1983

  • Project leader responsible for software development within International, Control, Asset Management and Accounting Divisions, as well as managed the integration of the Corporate Standard Cost and Budget Systems. Served on several corporate wide computing committees.

Senior Software Engineer – Defense Equipment Group, Texas Instruments, Dallas TX

7/1979-1/1981

Clearances

  • Participated in design, specification and implementation of a large scale cluster of IBM mainframes and hybrid computers for engineering computations. A primary task was the migration of systems from TI's Advanced Scientific Supercomputers and other systems.
  • Served as center's assistant manager and managed the user consulting group.

Director of Computing Services – Quatra Marketing Research, Minneapolis, MN

6/1977-5/1979

Directed and assisted in the proposal, design, implementation, analysis, and report generation of marketing and product development research. Major projects included: Product Development/FDA Tracking Database and Analysis System for Kimberly-Clark; Annual National Men's Apparel Market Projection for Hart, Schaffner and Marx Clothing; many site location studies; producing market models for national and international companies; and many small studies for clients including Coors, Holiday Inns, International Multifoods, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Nabisco, Pillsbury, Toro, and others.

Graduate Research and Teaching Assistant – University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND

5/1973-7/1977 Graduate Research Assistant, U.S.D.A. Human Nutrition Laboratory (1/2 time)

  • Performed statistical consulting and programming, and conducted original research on behavioral, physiological, neurological and biochemical effects of various trace element deficiencies.

8/1976-5/1977 Graduate Teaching Assistant – Introductory Statistics (1/4 time)

8/1972-5/1973 Graduate Teaching Assistant – Introductory Psychology (1/2 time)

  • Responsible for several sections of weekly labs and help sessions, and occasionally filled in as the lecturer.

PUBLICATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS:

Hale, C. and Rowe, M., “Advancing Requirements-Based Testing Models to Reduce Defects“, Software Engineering Institute (SEI) 2012 High Maturity Measurement and Analysis Workshop, Washington, D.C., September 2012.

Hale, C. and Rowe, M., “Reducing Defects through Improved Requirements-Based Testing Methods“, Software Engineering Institute (SEI) 2011 High Maturity Measurement and Analysis Workshop, Washington, D.C., September 2011.

Hale, C. and Rowe, M., “Achieving Quality and Performance Using Real-Time Statistical Process Control”, CrossTalk, The Journal of Defense Software Engineering, January 2012.

Rowe, M., “Introducing Software Engineering to General Engineering Students”, ASEE 2011 North Midwest Conference, Duluth, MN, October 2011.

Hasker, R. and Rowe, M., “Optimizing UMLint: Identifying Defects in UML Diagrams”, ASEE Conference, May 2011, Vancouver, B.C., Canada.

Stangel, M., Torgerson, D., Rowe, M., “Playing a Virtual Musical Instrument”, 44rd Annual Midwest Instruction and Computing Symposium, April 2011, St. Scholastic University, Duluth, MN

Rowe, M., Bragg, T., Hale, C., Tigges, R., Kamm, R., and Bechwar, M., “Optimizing Requirements-Based Test Reviews”, 43rd Annual Midwest Instruction and Computing Symposium, April 2010, University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire.

Kelly, M. and Rowe, M., Cost of Quality: A Case Study on Process Improvement Model, at the Second Workshop on CMMI High Maturity Measurement and Analysis sponsored by Software Engineering Institute (SEI), November 2008, Denver, CO.

Clifton J., Hasker, R., and Rowe, M., “World-class Outcomes Assessment on a Shoestring”, 2008 ASEE Annual Conference, June 2008, Pittsburgh, PA.

Rowe, M. C., Farver, E., Bragg, T., Kelley, M., and Hale, C., “Statistical Process Control of Software Processes for Obtaining CMMI Level 5”, 41th Annual Midwest Instruction and Computing Symposium, April 2008, University of Wisconsin, La Crosse.

Rowe, M. and Hasker, R., “The Characterization and Identification of Object-Oriented Model Defects”, 41th Annual Midwest Instruction and Computing Symposium, April 2008, University of Wisconsin, La Crosse.

Hickok, D., and Rowe, M. C., “A Live View of the World”, 41th Annual Midwest Instruction and Computing Symposium, April 2008, University of Wisconsin, La Crosse.

Hickok, D., Rowe, M., “Fighting Piracy: A Framework For Media Fingerprinting”, 40thAnnual Midwest Instruction and Computing Symposium, April 2007.

Berhorn A., Rowe, M., “An Introduction to the Development of Web Applications using Ruby on Rails with Ajax”, 40thAnnual Midwest Instruction and Computing Symposium, April 2007.

Potthast, S., Rowe, M., “An Analysis of Approaches for Asynchronous Communication in Web Applications”, 40thAnnual Midwest Instruction and Computing Symposium, April 2007.

Altmannsberger, A., Bühler, F., Rowe, M., “A Rational Unified Process (RUP) Plug-in To Support Requirements Quality Assurance”, 39th Annual Midwest Instruction and Computing Symposium, April 2006, Iowa Wesleyan College, Mt. Pleasant, IA.

Lesniak, D. R., Hickok, D., Whisler, K., and Rowe, M. C., “Target Discrimination and Neutralization as a Departmental Legacy Project”, 39th Annual Midwest Instruction and Computing Symposium, April 2006, Iowa Wesleyan College, Mt. Pleasant, IA.

Nykl, S., Riese, K., Runde, J. and Rowe, M., “GPS Controlled Vehicle”, 39th Annual Midwest Instruction and Computing Symposium, April 2006, Iowa Wesleyan College, Mt. Pleasant, IA..

Lesniak, D. R., Hickok, D., Whisler, K., and Rowe, M. C., “An Autonomous Paper Airplane Defense System”, 38th Annual Midwest Instruction and Computing Symposium, April 2005, University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire.

Hickok, D., Lesniak, D. R., and Rowe, M., “File Type Detection Technology”, 38th Annual Midwest Instruction and Computing Symposium, April 2005, University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire.

Rowe, M., “A short lab exercise of Test Driven Development (TDD)”, 38th Annual Midwest Instruction and Computing Symposium, April 2005, University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire.

Rowe, M., “Student Submitted Quiz Questions as Method to Increase Understanding of Material and Initiate Studying”, 37th Annual Midwest Instruction and Computing Symposium, April 2004, University of Minnesota, Morris.

Rowe, M.,A Machine Learning Method Suitable for Dynamic Domains, Ph.D. dissertation, University of North Texas, 1996.

Labhart, J., and Rowe, M.,“Autonomous Satellite Control by Expert Systems running on the Advanced Space-Based GVSC (Generic VHSIC Space Computer)”, IEEE National Aerospace and Electronics Conference (NAECON), May 1992, Dayton.

Matney, S., Rowe, M., Labhart, J., and Bechtel, R.J.,“Project PIPER: Inference on the Butterfly Parallel Computer”, Naval Research Laboratory Technical Report, 1991, Washington, D.C.

Rowe, M., Labhart, J., Bechtel, R.J., and Matney, S.,“Forward Chaining Parallel Inference”, IEEE Symposium on Parallel and Distributed Processing, December 1990, Dallas.

Labhart, J., Rowe, M., Bechtel, R.J., and Matney, S.,“Forward Chaining Parallel Inference”, IEEE NAECON, May 1990, Dayton.

Matney, S., Rowe, M., Labhart, J., and Bechtel, R.J.,“'PIPER A Parallel Inference Engine”, SDIO (Strategic Defense Initiative Office), 5th Parallel Programming Conference, October 1989, L.A.

Labhart, J., Rowe, M., Jesson, J.R., Bechtel, R.J., and Matney, S.,“PIPER: A Parallel Inference Engine for the Butterfly Multi-computer”, A.I. in Aeronautical Applications Conference, October, 1989, Monterey, Ca.

Rowe, M.C., Kelly, L., and Bechtel, R.J.,“'An N-Space Distance Model of Data Fusion” (unclassified), Tri-Service Data Fusion Symposium (classified), May, 1989, Laurel, Maryland.

Matney, S., Rowe, M., Jesson, J.R., Labhart, J., and Bechtel, R.J.,“Preliminary results for the PIPER Project: A Parallel Inference Engine for the Butterfly Multi-computer”, IEEE Symposium on Parallel and Distributed Processing, May 1989, Dallas.

Matney, S., Rowe, M., Jesson, J.R., Labhart, J., and Bechtel, R.J.,“PIPER Project: The Design of a Parallel Inference Engine for the Butterfly Multi-computer”, AISIG SDIO (Strategic Defense Initiative Office) Technology Transfer Conference, March 1989, Washington, DC.

Rowe, M., Williams, K., Bechtel, R.J., and Coleman, B., “Shared Memory Evaluation Task: Integrated Testbed Systems Integration Program”, Technical Report for United States Air Force AFWAL / AAAS, Prime Contract: F33615-87-D-1452(TRW) and Subcontract: DB26382Z8A(Merit Technology), March, 1989.

Rowe, M. and Veitch, A., “ET-v2: An Artificial Intelligence Assist in Troubleshooting”, Invited Paper Proceedings of ATE-EAST Conference, June, 1987, Boston.

Rowe, M., “How Can A.I. Help S.M.T. and C.A.D.”, Invited Panel Member ATE-WEST, January 1987, L.A.

Rowe, M.,“A.I. For A.T.E. Environments on PC-Class Machines”, Invited Presentation/Workshop and Chair of Session, ATE-WEST, January, 1987, L.A.

Rowe, M., Veitch, A., Keener, R., and Lantz, R.B., “Artificial Intelligence in Automated Test Equipment Using a Machine Learning Approach: ET”, Invited Paper: Proceedings of ATE-WEST Conference, January, 1987, L.A.

Rowe, M.,“Electronic Test Forum: Artificial Intelligence, What Can You Do With It?”, Invited Panel Member ATE-Silicon Valley, October 1986, Santa Clara.

Rowe, M., Veitch, A., Keener, R., and Lantz, R.B.,“Artificial Intelligence in Automated Test Equipment Using a Machine Learning Approach: ET”, Invited Paper: Proceedings of ATE-Silicon Valley Conference, October, 1986, Santa Clara.

Rowe, M., AAAI-86: AI in Manufacturing Workshop, One of 35 People Accepted to Participate, AAAI-86, August 1986, Philadelphia.

Rowe, M.,“Electronic Test Forum: Artificial Intelligence, What Can You Do With It?”, Invited Panel Member ATE-East, June 1986, Boston.

Rowe, M., Veitch, A., Keener, R., and Lantz, R.B.,“Artificial Intelligence in Automated Test Equipment Using a Machine Learning Approach: ET”, Proceedings of ATE-East Conference, June 1986, Boston.

Rowe, M., Veitch, A., Keener, R., and Lantz, R.B., “An Adaptive Learning Diagnostic System For Complex Domains: ET”,Texas Instrument's Engineering Journal, February, 1986.

Rowe, M., Keener, R., Veitch, A., and Lantz, R.B.,“ET: Expert Technician / Experience Trapper”, Proceedings of the IEEE Second International Conference of Artificial Intelligence Applications, December 1985, Miami.

Rowe, M.,“Industrial AI Applications: ET and the CHOKE CHECKER”, Presented at Texas Instruments' Worldwide Manufacturing Technology Symposium, Dallas, Texas, September 24-25, 1985.

Rowe, M., Sveinsson, J.C., Benavides, J.A., Crozier, L., Hemphill, D., Hozie, J., Lantz, R.B., and St. Martin, A.,“A Texas Instruments' Test Equipment Network for Data Collection, Consolidation and Analysis”, Proceedings of the International SPSS Software Users Exchange (ISSUE), 1984 Chicago.

Rowe, M. and Stoneburner, D.F.,“An APL Solution to Prime Number Generation Using a Modified Eratosthenes Sieve Method”,BYTE May 1983. Describes a solution which was faster than all but assembler solutions (over one hundred) January 1983 BYTE. Also in The Journal Of Analytical Chemistry, June 1983 and in various APL newsletters.

Rowe, M. and Ellinger, R.S.,“A General Discussion of Networking Concepts and Equipment with Emphasis on Today's Communications Problems”, Presented at The Western Michigan Computer Conference, 1982, Kalamazoo, Michigan.