Project History

Sep 1986 - Nov 1986 Applied for and received Top Secret Security clearance with special compartments from US Air Force.

Sep 1986 - Mar 1987 Quality Assurance work on all Model 204 DBMS systems. Proofread and enforced standards in all source code written by entire team. There were up to 6 programmers working on any one system.

Nov 1986 - Dec 1988 Developed Order-Of-Battle software using Model 204 on an IBM 360 TSO system which was run in the cockpits of fighter aircraft in the European theatre. Attended user meetings

Jan 1987 - Dec 1988 Began involvement in PC-related software. Designed and coded an administrative system for the Group Headquarters to automate routine letter writing and publication updates. This software was written in dBASE III and compiled with Clipper and run on IBM 286 PC’s. Eventually the software was expanded to include scheduling of meetings and multi-user support working over a newly installed LAN.

Mar 1987 - Dec 1988 Became involved with PC training. Along with 3 other teammembers

Apr 1987 - Oct 1988 Involved with a project to take over control of a software package written by an outside consulting firm designed to automate Flight and Squadron administrative functions. The vendor had failed to meet quality standards and was to be terminated and the software completed and maintained in-house. Met with the vendor programmers and with administrative personnel to ensure a smooth transition. The software was written in dBASE III and Foxbase to run on IBM XTs and ATs.

Jun 1987 - Dec 1988 Assisted Civil Engineering with a project to upgrade their filing system from dBASE II to dBASE III compiled with Clipper. During the course of the project, the system was significantly enhanced to take advantage of added capabilities in Clipper. The system was tested, the users trained in its usage and the project completed successfully.

Jan 1989 - Mar 1989 Attended training sessions in IBM 370 systems and Macro Assembler.

Mar 1989 - Jan 1990 Used Macro Assembler to maintain SACDIN communications software. The systems under my direct control included the security module and the communications link to Global Weather Central, Command Center and the AUTODIN system. The software was written, complied and tested on an IBM 370 mainframe and then ported to the on-line system which was based on the CS1 processor. Was on the on-call rotation team responsible for trouble-shooting any system errors. Requirement for this team was the ability to read and understand the system HEX dump.

Jun 1989 - Jul 1993 Involved with the Omaha Clipper Users Group. Have attended many meetings and have been involved with giving various presentations to the group over the years. Primary point-of-contact for integrating archival schemes into Clipper applications.

Mar 1990 - May 1990 Used COBOL II to maintain batch programs used for data file translations for the State of Nebraska CDP. The primary development system was an IBM 370 running MVS with CICS sessions. Worked with SQL calls to DB2 datafiles.

Jun 1990 - Jan 1991 Collected all PC source code company-wide and organized it into a library with full version control. Ended up being the source code librarian for the entire IS department. All procedures and processes were thoroughly documented and all programmers trained in proper access methods.

Sep 1990 - May 1991 Took over an administrative services system for clients that was in the initial stages of planning. After many user meetings, I designed, coded and tested all of the source code for the system. The system was written in dBXL/QS and ran on IBM 286 computers. The users accepted the system as designed.

Oct 1990 - Jan 1991 Assigned to correct errors in and enhance the Home Office Payroll system, which was a 3rd party system heavily modified in-house to meet user needs. There was no system documentation when I took over this system and the urgency of the user needs was extremely high. The system was originally written in BASIC 3.0 and run on 286 systems. The system was upgraded to PowerBASIC and the computers to 486

Oct 1990 - May 1992 Repaired an internal Project Tracking System which had been failing consistently. The system was written in dBXL/QS and was being run on 286 and 386 computers. The direction from management was to make small fixes instead of a complete re-write. This project, although lengthy and difficult, was completed and the system installed for use by the IS department.

Dec 1990 - Aug 1991 NOTE: During the period from Dec 1990 through Aug 1991 I was the only microcomputer programmer on staff at Woodmen Accident and Life Company.

Jan 1991 - Jun 1991 Recovered dBXL/QS data files lost by the Pension department due to a network failure. As part of this project, the system was modified to prevent the problem from reoccurring.

Feb 1991 - Mar 1991 An in-house cafeteria cash register program written in dBXL/QS began failing and I was assigned to correct the errors. As with the payroll system, there was no documentation. This system integrated tightly with the payroll system and with external hardware such as bar code scanners, etc. The system was in constant usage with very high visibility. The project was completed successfully and on time.

Mar 1991 - Mar 1992 Became involved with an independent project with a formerassociate to write equipment maintenance tracking software for local businesses. UsedEasyCASE and FoxPro to design and develop the system. The project was completed onschedule and the system released to selected customers.

Mar 1991 - Jul 1993 Involved with an internal group studying ADW and other CASEtools for implementation into the development process at Woodmen. Attended trainingseminars and group discussions of the products with the assignment to determine the impactto existing PC-based systems.

Apr 1991 - Jun 1991 The Commissions Payable system, another BASIC 3.0 system, began to fail because of a user misunderstanding of the proper system usage. Again there was a lack of documentation and I was tasked with making the process less complicated and more documented. The project was completed on time.

May 1991 - Aug 1991 The Accounting department ran a General Fund check writingsystem and needed to upgrade the software to handle new printer hardware. The system waswritten in dBXL/QS and ran on a 286 computer. There were other desired changes that Iincorporated into the project. All changes and upgrades were completed on time and to theuser’s specifications.

Jun 1991 - Nov 1992 Involved with Production Control Methodology Development group composed of programmers, analysts and managers in the IS department. As a team, we discussed the need for programming and documentation standards, more accurate job titles and descriptions, project time estimation procedures an tracking, user communication and the creation of a Departmental Standards and Procedures manual which would keep all of this information. We designed the document and rolled it out as a paper manual with the intent to upload it to the network as an "on-line" document.

Jul 1991 - Jul 1993 Involved with the Lincoln chapter of the InformationEngineering Users Group. Regularly attended meetings and gave presentations about CASEtool technology and corporate implementation strategies.

Aug 1991 - Jan 1992 Tasked with providing the Group department with needed user documentation. While working on the documentation, the system documentation was also enhanced, based on the lessons learned with the problems already mentioned with the payroll and cash register systems.

Sep 1991 - Jan 1992 Integrated accounting information from a client pay-out and the general fund check writing systems. The systems were stand-alone, so network functionality had to be built into both. The project was completed on time.

Oct 1991 - Dec 1991 The Project Tracking System, because of the previously mentioned method of maintenance, began failing because of memory limitations on older computers. The system was modified to more efficiently use memory. This was a stopgap measure that didn

Nov 1991 - Mar 1992 A Marketing department system needed to be rewritten because of general inefficiencies and some odd data loss problems. Worked with another programmer to meet with the users, redesign the system, re-code it, test the new system and present it to the users. The functionality was greatly enhanced and the users were impressed as the project was completed on-time.

Dec 1991 - Jun 1992 Enhanced the Project Tracking System to provide the users with ad-hoc reports and additional printer support and record handling functions. Went through the entire system and updated logic where appropriate and stabilized the multi-user functionality. Basically did everything short of a total rewrite, which management still refused to allow.

Jan 1992 - Feb 1992 Worked on a problem with the Accounting department concerning magnetic-media filing of W2 forms. This problem was due to changes in the format which were not handled correctly because of a lack of user knowledge and communication. The changes were made within an extremely strict schedule and the project was completed before the Federal deadline.

Mar 1992 - Aug 1992 Worked with another programmer on a Group department proposal system to solve some problems in the calculation speed of the system. The original system was written in dBXL/QS and was dissected to determine the slow-down. The problem turned out to be inherent to dBXL so the system was converted to Arago (a new version of theproduct) with

May 1992 - Jun 1992 Converted a system written by another programmer in Clarion to dBXL/QS. This involved a large conversion effort to maintain the data during the cut-over from the old system to the new one. Added new system functions, larger file handling limits as well as multi-user functionality.

Jun 1992 - Jul 1992 Wrote a utility in

Jul 1992 - Aug 1992 Added additional printer functionality to an agent training system used by the Agency department. The project was completed ahead of schedule.

Jul 1992 - Dec 1992 Added the capability to handle 1099 forms to a system in the Group department. Project was completed on time and exceeded the user requirements.

Aug 1992 - Feb 1993 Performed a complete system rewrite of the Cash Register system in dBXL/QS. Maintained the original system performance but significantly enhanced the speed and network functionality. Added new functions for IS and administration personnel that allowed IS to access raw data files and administration to edit employee information both remotely.

Sep 1992 - Nov 1992 Wrote a conversion utility in

Oct 1992 - Dec 1992 Attempted to enhance the printing speed on an older dBXL/QS system. The slow-down was inherent to dBXL, but I was able to tweak the configuration of the computer and the system for more speed. The user was satisfied and there were no adverse side effects from the changes.

Oct 1992 - Mar 1993 Adapted all in-house software to run on and be aware of Novell Netware. Some systems required significant modifications because of hard coding and I worked closely with the Network Administrator to solve all problems. The project was completed successfully, even though it wasn

Feb 1993 - May 1993 Created a User

Apr 1993 - May 1993 Worked with the Administration Department to purchase and install new Bar-Coding software to replace existing systems which were beginning to fail. Assisted in purchasing the equipment and integrated it into the existing Cash Register Billing System and hardware with no problems. Also integrated the new information into the User

Apr 1993 - Jun 1993 Worked with the Pension Department to evaluate a new Case Management software package being considered for purchase. Upon inspection, the product revealed itself to have subtle problems and possible incompatibilities with existing data. The vendor was pushed to fix the problems and the project put on hold until year-end.

May 1993 - Jun 1993 Evaluated a product named MicroMan II as a replacement for the Project Tracking System and the Service Request System which were both in-house systems that duplicated effort both for the programmers and the administrative staff. The information in both systems needed to be integrated into the MicroMan data files. This was accomplished with QuickSilver and

Jun 1993 Assisted another programmer with a MICR laser printertransition effort for a system similar in nature to the General Fund accounting project mentioned earlier.

Jul 1993 - Sep 1993 Worked in FoxPro to maintain the Redland Insurance Company System, a comprehensive insurance tracking system used by the Redland Group. The original system had been written in Foxbase and my task was to gradually update the code and normalize the database structure.

Jul 1993 - Dec 1995 Started serious involvement with FoxPro products and tools related to the product line. Began compiling a personal library of functions and procedures for inclusion in future projects. Interest and time spent peaked in 1995, and decreased steadily after that, as my job responsibilities didn't include FoxPro

Jan 1994 - Hired by Gateway 2000 in North Sioux City, South Dakota.

Jan 1994 - Designed and published the 1993 Sales Analysis report for General Sales and Major Accounts. The information on these reports was used as the basis for the Annual Sales Meeting for Gateway 2000.

Jan 1994 - Mar 1994 Planned, designed and constructed a marketing database for the Marketing Department to contain integrated information from customers, sales and external sources. The project was put on hold by the Information Services Department due to other higher priority projects.

Feb 1994 - May 1994 Designed, developed, tested, installed and maintained a utility for use by marketing clerks to maintain Call Management System data. The utility provided an interface for merging phone statistics with sales information. It was put into use by a small group of users.

Feb 1994 - Mar 1995 Closely involved as liaison between the Marketing Department and the Dun and Bradstreet Company concerning adding demographic information to the current customer data on file for Gateway 2000.

Apr 1994 - Jun 1994 Worked with the Major Accounts sales group to develop complex queries and programs to analyze customer purchase histories to predict buying trends. The users were able to learn a lot from the information, but it became apparent that a database similar to the marketing database discussed earlier was needed.

Apr 1994 - Dec 1994 Designed and developed a database to track phone routing information for marketing analysts. The database allowed logical groupings of nodes in the phone system. It was never fully implemented because of other priorities.

May 1994 - Jul 1994 Developed queries to provide customer purchase history information to the marketing survey teams. This was very similar to the information provided to sales, but different enough to require a new set of queries.

Jun 1994 - Sep 1994 Worked with Ernst & Young analysts and programmers on various projects associated with the design of a sales order entry database (GCI), including screen design, database design, system performance and data integrity issues.

Jun 1994 - Dec 1994 Represented the Marketing Department to the GCI User

Sep 1994 - Dec 1994 Worked with MIS and E&Y to identify, classify, prioritize and fix existing errors in the AS/400 legacy databases prior to the conversion to the new GCI system. Developed utilities to scan large volumes of data for errors and print reports of data quality. Worked with data entry teams to manually correct many of the errors.

Oct 1994 - Dec 1994 Involved in the initial phases of planning a revised Marketing Database that would cover a broad range of marketing, sales and management needs. The initial database development would be out-sourced, then taken in-house over time.

Nov 1994 - Jul 1995 Assisted the Accounting department with an audit of the accounts receivable group. The audit was performed by an outside agency, and my primary responsibility was to ensure rapid, secure transmission of the data from the AS/400 system to their PC-based database. The audit was completed on-time, then follow-up audits were performed over the next several months.

Dec 1994 Began exposure to the S-Designor data modeling product, from SDP, a French vendor. E&Y was using S-Designor to model the GCI database, and I assumed responsibility for that model.

Jan 1995 - Feb 1995 Attended Sybase training including performance and tuning, basic and intermediate database design and maintenance and SQL Server administration.

Feb 1995 - Attended DCI conference on Data Warehousing to make contact with various EIS and DSS product vendors and to evaluate the possibility of Gateway 2000 installing a data warehouse at some time.

Mar 1995 - Jun 1995 Participated in designing and documenting the Sybase DBA role including system shutdown and startup, backup and restore and security procedures and database object naming conventions. Provided a link between the logical model issues to the physical database structure to ensure consistency.

Mar 1995 - Oct 1995 Overhauled the data model for the GCI project (a customer interface system) to standardize the documentation and complete missing elements. Worked with developers, analysts and business liaisons to ensure that the information was accurate.

Mar 1995 - Sep 1996 Took on responsibility of primary database designer for Gateway 2000. Primary contact for all major database-related projects and author of all corporate data models using S-Designor as the primary tool.

Apr 1995 - Jun 1995 Created operational procedure to gather MCI phone statistics from on-line MCI sources, process the data into aggregated information, and post the information to a Sybase database for access by ODBC tools. The process included a FoxPro component, which I designed and developed. The process was implemented and the users satisfied with the results.

Apr 1995 - Aug 1995 Created and maintained a database for GCI training. Because of scheduling needs, the database was set up to be refreshed automatically 3 or 4 times a day, depending on the day. There were many lessons learned (first chance to get a lot of users online at one time), and the production GCI database was altered as a result.

Apr 1995 - Sep 1995 Rolled out GCI database to users. Participated in a major effort to convert legacy data into the new GCI database without losing any data quality or user time.

May 1995 - Sep 1995 Took over responsibility for the data model and associated definitions for a vendor-supplied product that manages technical support customer calls and interactions. This system integrated tightly with the GCI system.

May 1995 - Nov 1995 Created a separate data model from the GCI model to logically split out the return/replacement functionality in a more economical manor. The completeness and robustness of the design impressed the business analysts.

Jun 1995 - Nov 1995 Split out another logical segment of the GCI data model to handle shipped configurations more economically. The improvement in the system performance was marked.

Jul 1995 - Aug 1995 Conducted training sessions for all developers and analysts at Gateway 2000 on S-Designor. The current copies of all models were made available to all persons via network server. Classroom surveys indicated that the students were generally impressed with the class. Immediately after the first class, demand for a second and third class were revealed.

Jul 1995 - Dec 1995 Involved with evaluating vendors for a marketing database project. The system was to be initially owned by the vendor, then moved in-house permanently. Helped determine requirement specifications and attended vendor meetings. The project was put on hold due to pressures from the production environments.

Aug 1995 - Sep 1995 Attended ISO 9000 author training classes and became the point of contact for all ISO documentation for the database group. Also involved with creating a number of process documents in ISO format.

Sep 1995 - The GCI project was pulled out of production because of client design issues. The database design was deemed sound so development was started on new client software.

Oct 1995 - Feb 1996 Worked with the Marketing Department to gather information from a massive marketing campaign involving newspaper, magazine, radio and television adds in selected areas nation-wide. The information was gathered, summarized and delivered on time.

Mar 1996 - May 1996 Designed, created and populated the GCI training database to user specifications. Worked with users to ensure that the database supported necessary training scripts.

Apr 1996 - Aug 1996 Primary contact for all GCI training database issues and questions. Provide 15-minute response to user problems related to database errors.

Apr 1996 - Aug 1996 Primary contact for existing and new issues as backup for supervisor while he manages the final phases of GCI implementation. Also collecting, consolidating and publishing the weekly group status report to upper management.

Sep 1996 - Hired by IBP, inc. in Dakota City, Nebraksa.

Sep 1996 - Oct 1997 Created a single, comprehensive data model of all IBP DB2/MVS databases; including all related IMS and VSAM files and segments. This was the first data model at IBP in 14 years.

May 1997 - Jan 1998 Worked with another PowerDesigner user to create the MetaWeb product. MetaWeb is a web-based tool to allow users to browse the PowerDesigner data dictionary on-line.

Jun 1997 - Invited to attend a User Consortium organized by the Sybase PowerDesigner development group. Provided feedback and future direction for the PowerDesigner suite of tools.

Jan 1998 - Invited into join the TeamPS (TeamPowersoft) group at Sybase. This team is a group of highly competent volunteers that assists Sybase tech support on the Internet Newsgroups.

Jan 1998 - Sep 1999 Heading team to create a Data Warehouse at IBP. The initial project is a small pilot with Kill sheet data (tracks incoming cattle). Responsible for creating training material and conducting training sessions with others from IT and throughout the company.

May 1998 - Nov 2000 Rewriting and redesigning MetaWeb into MetaSite, taking advantage of the newest version of Sybases' PowerDynamo, which will allow MetaSite to become a data dictionary maintenance and tracking tool.

Jun 1998 - Promoted to Database Design Manager. Starting with a staff of Database Analysts, we are continuing to document the enterprise data model and establish database standards and procedures. My duties are not nearly as project-based as they had been.

Aug 1998 - Invited to attend the 1998 Powersoft Conference in Los Angeles as a member of TeamPS. We volunteered to assist Sybase personnel at the conference.

Feb 1999 - Attended Data Warehouse Institute seminar in Anaheim, California.

Mar 1999 - Attended the TeamPS team meeting in Boston. The meeting is a forum for Sybase executives to meet with and get feedback from team members.

May 1999 - TeamPS (Team Powersoft) has officially changed its name to TeamSybase in a continuing effort to consolidate the Powersoft name with Sybase. The focus of the group and my responsibilities in the group have not changed.

Aug 1999 - Invited to attend the 1999 Sybase TechWave Conference in Orlando, Florida as a member of TeamSybase. Again, team members assisted Sybase employees by staffing the tech support area and by giving presentations.

Mar 2000 - Attended the TeamSybase team meeting in Boston.

Aug 2000 - Attended the 2000 Sybase TechWave Conference in Orlando, Florida as a member of TeamSybase. Again, team members assisted Sybase employees by staffing the tech support area and by giving presentations.

Sep 2000 - Feb 2001 Assisted in the design of a Corporate Information Database, storing information about subsidiaries and complex ownership details for the Legal department.

Mar 2001 - Attended the annual DAMA Symposium and METADATA Conference in Anaheim, California.

Mar 2001 - Attended the TeamSybase team meeting in Boston.

Apr 2001 - Attended the DAMA International Symposium in Anaheim, California as a member-at-large.

Apr 2001 - Dec 2001 Overhaul of MetaSite web interface to improve administrative capabilities and provide user requested functionality. Added on-line data dictionary with mapping back to models and data steward information.

Jun 2001 - Oct 2001 Heavily involved in PowerDesigner V9 beta program.

Aug 2001 - Attended the 2001 Sybase TechWave Conference. Was invited by Sybase to present sessions on extending PowerDesigner for use in large enterprises.

Mar 2002 - Participated on the founding committee and first board for the DAMA-Iowa chapter as VP of Internet Operations, managing the chapter's Internet presence.

Mar 2002 - Mar 2004 Performed on the DAMA-Iowa board in the position of Vice President of Internet Operations. Created and maintained the chapter Internet presense. Developed dynamic content and published all required chapter documents to the site.

Apr 2002 - Attended the TeamSybase team meeting in Boston.

Apr 2002 - Attended the DAMA International Symposium in San Antonio, Texas as a board member representing the DAMA-Iowa chapter.

Aug 2002 - Attended the 2002 Sybase TechWave Conference. Was invited by Sybase to present sessions on PowerDesigner.

Sep 2002 - Initiated corporate user identification review with the goal of creating a new user management system.

Oct 2002 - Dec 2002 Involved with Tyson/IBP merger procedures.

Jan 2003 - Terminated employment at Tyson Foods.

Mar 2003 - Apr 2003 Consulted with Regency Recruiting to manage network systems and diagnose PC issues.

Apr 2003 - Attended the TeamSybase team meeting in Boston.

May 2003 - Started working for John Deere Credit in Johnston, Iowa, as a Data Analyst on a team of 10 DAs.

Jun 2003 - Jun 2004 Gathered data requirements, reviewed, and created documentation as part of the Canadian Privacy project. The intention of this project is to ensure that JDC operated within the parameters specified by the newly passed Canadian Privacy law.

Jul 2003 - Started working on Marketing Campaign Management projects.

Aug 2003 - Attended the 2003 Sybase TechWave Conference. Again was invited to present sessions about PowerDesigner.

Feb 2004 - Assigned to credit risk assessment and customer credit scoring project.

May 2004 - Attended the 2004 DAMA International Symposium in Los Angeles, CA. Conducted the PowerDesigner Special Interest Group.

May 2004 - Started on Decision Engine Audit project to track versions of Risk Management models in the software.

Jun 2004 - Assumed role as the primary DA for Risk Management and Marketing projects.

Jun 2004 - Started working on Marketing Sales Lead management project, replacing Foxpro and Access databases with a single integrated Oracle database.

Jul 2004 - Completed a number of Decision Engine related projects.

Jul 2004 - Feb 2005 Worked on the Campaign Brief project to capture additional information about marketing campaigns that is currently in Word documents.

Aug 2004 - Attended the 2004 Sybase TechWave Conference. Taught morning PowerDesigner data modeling classes. Assisted in XML class, demonstrating XML modeling within the PowerDesigner tool.

Sep 2004 - Completed Marketing Campaign Manager WIP project, providing an automated interface between JDC and outside AD agencies. Rolling out to various agencies in a prototype mode.

Jan 2005 - Started on JDRP (John Deere Risk Protection) project, incorporating a stand-alone accounting and insurance management software package into existing JDC systems.

May 2006 - Gathering data requirements and creating data models for the new JDC Wind Energy project. Wind Energy is a new area for the company, and very little data exists at this time, so developing standards early is critical.

May 2006 - Gathering data requirements and creating data models for the Customer Value Indicator (CVI) project. The CVI is a Marketing idea to group customers into broad groups based on a farily sophisticated process. The project is to automate this process and improve the quality and speed of getting this value.

Jul 2006 - Moved into the Marketing Department at John Deere Credit. My new duties are a bit loosely defined, but:

• Responsible for Camapaign Management software efforts
• Responsible for CRM research as a Subject Matter Expert
• Liasion to IT on most Marketing related projects

Feb 2007 Attended the SAP CRM conference in Orlando, Florida, representing the JDC Marketing department in my role to research CRM tools and technology vendors.