About
My quest to help companies maximize their technology investment seems limitless. Working within this vast realm of modern technology provides me with a life's journey that seems as endless as the stars in the night sky. Along my voyage, I have ventured through:
- Software development
- Generative AI
- Wireless RF communications
- Integrated console systems
- Multimedia control systems
- Telecommunications
- Aviation / Avionics
Each venture has fueled my desire to continue learning and growing, both professionally and personally. I look forward to joining a new endeavor and working alongside passionate professionals who explore and adopt cutting edge technologies, who are challenged and inspired to learn and grow in their craft. I am particularly interested in the areas of responsive web and mobile applications.
While my journey so far has been fulfilling and rewarding, new vistas await, new chances to grow. I am excited by the unfolding possibilities. My odyssey continues...
Summary
I am a polished professional technology specialist who loves to build systems that delights his customers and improves the operation. I really enjoy researching and discovering new approaches to solving problems or improving on existing solutions. My previous roles include being a technical lead who has guided a diverse range of corporate information technology initiatives. All of these experiences have broadened and deepened my range of skills in design, development, testing, troubleshooting, training, and documentation.
I am also a life-long learner, always seeking new knowledge and skills across a range of technologies. I frequently return to school, complete online courses, or work on personal projects for additional training. All of my formal degrees have been awarded while I was a working adult.
Background in Software Development
Created several custom database applications to address specific business needs using
the Microsoft .NET Core and framework. Development resources included C#.NET, Visual Basic.NET,
SQL Server, Entity Framework, LINQ, Azure, and PowerShell.
Background in Electronic Communications Systems
Provided complete support for corporate RF communications systems, comprised mostly of
land mobile and airborne radio systems. These systems spanned being strictly analog-based,
a hybrid analog/digital design, to being mostly a digital-based, microprocessor-controlled
architecture. Programmed consoles and adapters for conventional and networked VoIP
communications systems. Designed and configured touch screen control panels and multimedia
devices in United’s Global Operations and Crisis Management Centers. Also supported a
variety of other audio and electronics systems, such as remote telco connections to radio
transceivers, teleconferencing systems, logging recorders, RF barcode scanners, and airport
security equipment.
Background in Operational and Test Environments
Configured, tested, deployed, and maintained the systems listed above in both shop and
field service environments. Complete systems were designed, tested, and installed in
operational environments. Existing systems were supported through troubleshooting, repair,
and replacement at the unit, module, PCB, and component levels. Test equipment used
included service monitors, spectrum analyzers, multimeters, telco network analyzers, and
related bench repair equipment and tools.
Key Accomplishments
- Created a database application to transition tracking of product shipments from paper forms to digital records. The application remained in production for over twenty years, tracking over 50,000 shipments and improving positive tracking by 78%.
- Developed an application to track IT assets being insourced for internal support. The relational database used by the application, containing over 132,000 device records, was created from importing a single text file supplied by the outsource vendor.
- Developed and configured custom touch screen panels for controlling multimedia devices in United Airlines’ global operations and crisis management centers.
- As a Lead Technician for United, provided co-ordination and technical resource for projects refreshing communications systems and assets at over sevety-five operational locations.
Technical Skills
- Technologies: Wireless RF, land mobile radio (LMR), integrated console systems, telecommunications, multimedia conference centers, VoIP, avionics, aviation
- Databases: Microsoft SQL Server Express, Microsoft Access, Oracle
- Languages: Microsoft .NET Framework using C#, VB, WPF, ASP.NET MVC Core; SQL, LINQ, PL/SQL, PowerShell, VBA
- Web: HTML, CSS, JavaScript, JQuery, Bootstrap
- Tools: Microsoft Visual Studio, Entity Framework ORM, SQL Server Management Studio, Oracle SQL Developer, Visio, Project
- Generative AI: GitHub Copilot, OpenAI, ChatGPT
- ERP: SAP R/3, Microsoft Dynamics
Licenses and Certifications
- Licenses: FCC General RadioTelephone Operator
- Certificates: IBM Generative AI for Software Developers Certificate; Microsoft Copilot for Software Development Certificate; FAA Aviation Maintenance Technician, Airframe and Powerplant; FAA Commercial Pilot with Instrument Rating; Dante Certification Levels 1, 2, 3, Domain Manager; Shure Integrated Systems Certification Levels 1, 2, Wireless Workbench 6; SDVoE Alliance Academy Design Partner Certification; Microsoft Office Specialist (MOUS) Certificate, Master-Level
Experience
dotnetmurf Consulting
Skokie, Illinois
2019-present
A personal initiative to continue updating my software development skills and experience by developing projects through contract engagement, completing an array of online tutorials, and working on personal projects using modern frameworks and tools. Current topics being explored include using generative AI in the Microsoft .NET full-stack development environment and digital A/V technologies.
JP Morgan Chase & Co.
Chicago, Illinois
2021-2022
$3665.743B global banking, investment and financial services company headquartered in New York City.
Associate Software Engineer (contracted through TEKSystems); 2021-2022
- Created a set of automation tools for working with MS SQLServer databases over remote sessions. These tools read the related records from source databases and create SQL CRUD scripts (jobs). These scripts are then executed remotely to deploy the jobs to target databases in other environments. These tools offer a GUI that uses WPF. Development resources include PowerShell ISE, SQLServer Management Studio, and Microsoft Visual Studio.
- Provided testing and troubleshooting support for a web-based productivity tracking application that used a C# Windows service and an Oracle database. This work was primarily performed in Oracle SQL Developer and Microsoft Visual Studio.
- This role was performed on a fully remote basis.
United Airlines
Chicago, Illinois
1978-2018
$43B global airline and aviation services company operating over 4,900 flights a day to 362 airports over six continents.
Lead Technician – Airport / Ground Communications
(with application development responsibilities) 2003-2018
Technician – Airport / Ground Communications
(with application development responsibilities) 1988-2003
- Successfully executed software development life cycle processes for several applications. Gathered user requirements, developed code, created user interfaces, ran manual tests, and confirmed acceptance of each version. Development was done in Microsoft Visual Studio, SQL Server Management Studio, and Access using ASP.NET, VB.NET, C#, and VBA. These applications performed asset management, purchasing, inventory, manpower scheduling, training, systems documentation, and shipping/receiving functions.
- Designed and configured touch screen control panels and multimedia devices in United’s Global Operations and Crisis Management Centers
- Programmed consoles and adapters for conventional and networked integrated communications systems.
- Directed and collaborated with team technicians in supporting a variety of technology systems through project and maintenance activities, including airborne and land mobile radio, RF barcode scanning, and airport security systems.
- Led technical training sessions for management, technicians, and end users.
- Authored technical documentation and user manuals in print and online formats.
- Communicated across all organizational levels regarding supported systems and equipment.
Line Aircraft Maintenance Technician (A&P Mechanic) 1988
Line Avionics Maintenance Technician (R&E Mechanic) 1984-1988
- Performed line station maintenance of aircraft systems and components, specializing in flight management, navigational, communications, and electrical systems.
- Accomplished periodic aircraft service checks.
- Performed other general maintenance work as assigned.
- Prepared documents and records associated with the duties listed above.
Ramp Serviceman 1978-1984
- Performed line station processing of baggage, cargo, mail, and fueling.
- Included a layoff from September 1981 to September 1983.
Bell Telephone Laboratories
Naperville, Illinois
1983
An industrial research and scientific development company formerly owned by the Bell Telephone System.
Technical Associate
- Performed research and development assignments related to the 3B20 Unix workstation release project.
American Airlines
Chicago, Illinois
1977
$45B global airline and aviation services company operating over 6,700 flights a day to 350 airports over six continents.
Special Services Representative
- Assisted passengers requiring special services during travel.
Education
Oakton Community College
Des Plaines, Illinois
2014-2015
Professional Certificate in Digital ERP Using SAP
- Graduated as a Presidential Scholar with High Honors, GPA of 4.0; May 2015
- Phi Theta Kappa National Honor Society; May 2015
Additional Coursework
- Classes in Creative Writing 1994-1995
- Classes in .NET Programming and Web Development 2003-2004
Roosevelt University
Chicago, Illinois
2005-2006
Bachelor in General Studies in Computer Science
- Graduated with Honors, GPA of 4.0; May 2006
- Franklin Honor Society; May 2006
College of DuPage
Glen Ellyn, Illinois
1981-1983
Associate in Applied Sciences in Electronics Technology
- Graduated with High Honors, GPA of 3.9; June 1983
- Phi Theta Kappa National Honor Society, May 1983
Morton College
Cicero, Illinois
1976-1988
General Education Courses for Transfer
Certificates
IBM
IBM Generative AI for Software Developers Certificate
Issued: June 2025
Expiration: n/a
Microsoft
Microsoft Copilot for Software Development Certificate
Issued: May 2025
Expiration: n/a
Microsoft Office Specialist (MOUS) Certificate, Master-Level (Office XP)
Tested Applications: Access, Excel, Outlook, Powerpoint, Word
Issued: February 2005
Expiration: n/a
Audinate
Dante Certification Level 1
Issued: February 2020
Expiration: n/a
Dante Certification Level 2
Issued: February 2020
Expiration: n/a
Dante Certification Level 3
Issued: March 2020
Expiration: n/a
Dante Domain Manager Certification
Issued: June 2020
Expiration: n/a
Federal Aviation Administration
Aviation Maintenance Technician Certificate - Airframe and Powerplant
Issued: July 1987
Expiration: n/a
Commercial Pilot Certificate with Instrument Rating
Issued: September 1990
Expiration: n/a
Federal Communications Commission
General Radiotelephone License
Issued: December 1983
Expiration: n/a
Shure Incorporated
Shure Integrated Systems Certification Level 1
Issued: April 2020
Expiration: April 2022
Shure Integrated Systems Certification Level 2
Issued: June 2020
Expiration: June 2022
Shure Wireless Workbench 6 Certification
Issued: June 2020
Expiration: June 2022
SDVoE Alliance Academy (SDVoE: System Defined Video over Ethernet)
Design Partner Certification
Issued: January 2021
Expiration: n/a
The University of Wisconsin-Madison
Basic Telephony and Digital Switching
Issued: July 1998
Expiration: n/a
Projects
The SkyCommCoreMVC web application is being developed as a demonstration project. It is presently in the initial stages of development. The project represents a corporate intranet web application for SkyComm, a fictional company that sells or leases intergated communication systems to fixed base operators at global airport locations. The application tracks corporate resources and monitors key performance indicators. The project is currently hosted as a Microsoft Azure web application.
The web application project can be viewed here
The code repository for the project can be viewed here
A video demonstration of the project can be viewed here
Courses
Audinate
- Dante Certification Training Course - Level 1
- Dante Certification Training Course - Level 2
- Dante Certification Training Course - Level 3
- Dante Domain Manager Certification Training Course
College of DuPage
- AC Circuits (ELECT TECH 103)
- Advanced Applied Electronics (ELECT TECH 202)
- Applied Electronics (ELECT TECH 201)
- Basic Electronics (ELECT TECH 101)
- Calculus for Electronics (ELECT TECH 210)
- Calculus/Analytical Geometry (MATH 231)
- College Algebra (MATH 130)
- Communications Electronics (ELECT TECH 153)
- Composition (ENGLISH 102)
- DC Circuits (ELECT TECH 102)
- Digital Electronics (ELECT TECH 230)
- General Physics I (PHYSICS 151)
- General Physics II (PHYSICS 152)
- Instrumentation and Measurement (ELECT TECH 220)
- Introduction to Data Processing (DATA PROC 100)
- Materials and Fabrication (ELECT TECH 130)
- Semiconductor Electronics I (ELECT TECH 151)
- Semiconductor Electronics II (ELECT TECH 152)
- Trigonometry (MATH 132)
Pluralsight
- Accessing SQL Server Databases from Windows PowerShell
- Automation with Windows PowerShell Scripts
- Beginning PowerShell Scripting for Developers
- Building Advanced Windows PowerShell Functions and Modules
- Building Windows PowerShell GUIs in WPF for Free
- C#: Using and Handling Exceptions (Interactive)
- Design Patterns Overview
- Fundamentals of Building .NET Desktop Applications
- Getting Started with Git
- Git Fundamentals
- Handling Errors in T-SQL
- How Git Works
- Microsoft Azure Cloud Concepts
- Microsoft Azure Developer: Implement Azure Functions
- Microsoft Azure Developer: Introduction to the AZ-204 Exam
- PowerShell: Getting Started
- Reporting with Windows PowerShell HTML and Enhanced HTML
- SQL Server: Transact-SQL Basic Data Retrieval
- What Every Developer Should Know About SQL Server Performance
- Windows PowerShell and Regular Expressions
- Windows PowerShell Remoting Fundamentals
- Working with CSV Data in Windows PowerShell
- Working with Data in PowerShell
- Working with XML Data in Windows PowerShell
LinkedIn Learning (formerly Lynda.com)
- Android App Development Quick Start
- Android Development Essential Training: Your First App with Kotlin
- Android Phone and Tablet Essential Training
- Android Tips and Tricks
- Angular2 for .NET Developers
- ASP.NET Core Series
- ASP.NET Essential Training (2013)
- ASP.NET MVC Series
- Async Programming in C#
- AWS for Developers: Deploying Your Application to the Cloud
- AWS for Developers: DynamoDB
- Azure Development Essential Training: 1 Azure Roadmap and Key Features
- Azure Development Essential Training: 2 Working with Data
- Bootstrap 4 Essential Training
- Building a Web Application on Microsoft Azure
- Building an Ubuntu Home Server
- Building and Securing RESTful APIs in ASP.NET Core
- Building Applications with Angular, ASP.NET Core, and Entity Framework Core
- Building Single-Page Applications Using ASP.NET Core JavaScriptServices
- C# & .NET: Programming
- C# Design Patterns: Part 1
- C# Test Driven Development
- C#: Delegates, Events and Lambdas
- C#: Interfaces and Generics
- Choosing a Cloud Platform for Developers: AWS, Azure, and GCP
- Creating Your First Android App with Kotlin
- CSS Essential Training Series
- Deploying ASP.NET Core Applications
- Developing UWP Apps Series
- DevOps Foundations: Lean and Agile
- Focus on Your Skills
- Get Ready for Your Coding Interview
- HTML & CSS: Creating Forms
- HTML Essential Training (2017)
- Insights on Software Quality Engineering
- Introduction to AWS for Non-Engineers: 1 Cloud Concepts
- Introduction to Xamarin.Forms
- JavaScript Essential Training
- JavaScript: Functions
- jQuery Essential Training
- Learning .NET Programming
- Learning Amazon Web Services (AWS) for Developers
- Learning Android Security
- Learning ASP.NET Core MVC
- Learning C#
- Learning C# Algorithms
- Learning Cloud Computing: Core Concepts
- Learning Entity Framework 6.1.3
- Learning Entity Framework Core
- Learning Git and GitHub
- Learning Responsive Web Design in the Browser
- Learning Ubuntu Desktop Linux (2014)
- Learning VirtualBox (2017)
- Learning Visual Studio Code
- Learning Windows 10 Universal App and Cross-Platform Development
- LINQ with C# Essential Training
- Linux Foundation Cert Prep: Essential Commands (Ubuntu)
- Linux: Package Managers and Repositories
- Linux: System Maintenance
- Making Sense of the CSS Box Model
- Mastering Xamarin.Forms Development Series
- Microsoft Azure for Developers
- Microsoft Dynamics CRM: Customer Service
- Microsoft XAML Series
- Migrating Access Databases to SQL Server
- Nail Your C# Developer Interview
- Node.js Essential Training (2017)
- Programming Foundations: Algorithms
- Programming Foundations: Design Patterns
- Programming Foundations: Fundamentals (2011)
- SQL Essential Training (2018)
- SQL Server 2008 Essential Training
- SQL Server: Triggers Stored Procedures and Functions
- SQL Tips, Tricks, & Techniques
- Tech Soft Skills: Effective Technical Communication
- Troubleshooting Your Network with Wireshark
- UX Design for Developers
- UX Design: 1 Overview
- UX Foundations: Multidevice Design
- Visual Studio Essential Training Series
- Visual Studio Step-by-Step
Microsoft (MVA / Learning)
- C# Fundamentals [Seven-hour course]
- Introduction to Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 R3 CU8
- Javascript Fundamentals [Six-hour course]
- Transportation Management in Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 R3
- Warehouse Management in Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 R3
Morton College
- 3-D Fundamentals (ART 102)
- Art History - World (ART 126)
- Business Law and Contracts BUS 230)
- Elementary German II (GER 102)
- Intermediate Algebra (MAT 101)
- Introduction to Business (BUS 111)
- Modern Western Civilization (HIS 104)
- Office Procedures (SEC 214)
- Physical Fitness (PEC 171)
- Principles of Economics I (ECO 101)
- Reading Improvement (ENG 150)
- Technical Communications (ENG 107)
- Technical Math I (MAT 125)
- Technical Math II (MAT 126)
- Weight Training (PEM 172)
Oakton Community College
- Advanced Topics in Visual Basic.NET (CIS 213)
- Advanced Web Page Development (WWW 171)
- Creative Writing I (EGL 201)
- Creative Writing II (EGL 202)
- Information Systems for Business (CIS 201)
- Introduction to ERP Systems (CIS 249)
- Introduction to Visual Basic.NET (CIS 113)
- Managing Information Systems (CIS 203)
- System Configuration Using SAP (CIS 261)
- Visual Basic.NET Programming for Files and Databases (CIS 210)
Roosevelt University
- Computer Science II (CST 250)
- Introduction to Organizational Communications (OLED 320)
- Methods of Critical Reasoning (BGS 302)
- Object Oriented Programming with Visual Studio.NET (CST 343)
- Programming Languages (CST 372)
- Seminar in Social Sciences (BGS 390)
- Senior Thesis (BGS 399)
- Software Engineering I (CST 370)
- Software Project Management (CST 327)
Shure Incorporated
- Audio Basics for Meetings and Conferences
- Best Practices for Merging AV and IT Systems
- Conference Room Design Basics
- Integrated Systems Portfolio Overview
- Networking for AV Professionals - Part 1
- Networking for AV Professionals - Part 2
- Selecting the Right Integrated System for the Right Application
- Shure Master Class: Wireless Best Practices and Techniques
- Wireless Basics
- Wireless Workbench 6 Certification Training Course
SDVoE Alliance Academy (SDVoE: System Defined Video over Ethernet)
- Design Partner Certification Training Course
United Airlines (Professional Development)
- 6750 Integrated Communications Console System Maintenance (Baker Audio/Telecom)
- Conventional Centracom Console Maintenance (Motorola)
- Linescan Xray Systems Maintenance (Astrophysics Research)
- Mini-CONTEX Telephone Conference Bridge Maintenance (Compunetix)
- Mini-CONTEX Telephone Conference Bridge Operator (Compunetix)
- MOTOTRBO DMR Training (Motorola)
- Portable LMR Maintenance (Bendix/King)
- RDI7000 Remote Dialup Interface Maintenance (Baker Audio/Telecom)
- Trunked Centracom Console Maintenance (Motorola)
- Trunked Central Controller Maintenance (Motorola)
- Vega VoIP Console System (Bosch/Telex)
The University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Basic Telephony and Digital Switching Course
Yamaha
- Networking Fundamentals for Professional Audio Training Course