SUMMARY
PROFESSIONAL PROFILE
- Experienced programmer/analyst able to research and solve problems alone or with team.
- Able to handle emergencies on production support.
- Conscientious and dedicated. Always looking for ways to do things better and cheaper.
- Willing and able to train others and document programs and procedures.
TECHNICAL SKILLS
- Languages: BAL, COBOL II, APS, Micro Focus COBOL, clists, JCL, DL/I, SQL, C, C++, Java, VB 6.0, VB.NET, ASP.NET, JavaScript, Perl, PHP, XML, HTML
- Databases: IMS DB, DB2, Oracle, Access, MySQL, SQL Server
- Communication: SNDM, CICS, APPC/LU6.2, MQSeries, FTP, TCP/IP, EDI
- File Organization: BPAM, GSAM, QSAM, VSAM, IAM
- Software: TSO/SPF, IDCAMS, SDSF, SYNCSORT, File-AID, InterTest, XPEDITER, Endevor, Visio, Lotus Notes, ClearCase MS Office, Dreamweaver MX, Illustrator, Photoshop
- Operating Systems: OS/390, DOS, Windows 3.1/95/98/NT/2000/XP, Mac OS X, Unix, Linux
EXPERIENCE
HCSC, Chicago IL (2007 - present)
- Provided production support.
- Created training materials including 600+ page manual.
- Enhanced programs (E.g. allowed upfront credits that supported staff reductions).
AwardVision, Chicago IL (2006 - 2007)
- Designed tables and coded program to save email data in tables.
- Programmed and maintained E-Commerce storefronts.
- Created application and tables to edit and report problems.
MakeCor, Oak Brook IL (2005)
- Programmed credit scoring modules.
Prairie State College, Chicago Heights IL (2003-2006)
- Helped students and staff learn and use software and languages.
- Online and in-person tutor. Taught second semester classes of Access and Excel.
- Removed adware, malware and spyware from PCs and fixed PC and printer problems.
- Reported problems, answered questions and helped users.
CCC Information Services, Chicago IL (1996-2001)
- Coded, tested, documented, and provided production support to Global Data Store/Quality Advisor Appraiser Review (QAAR) system. It created more useful QAAR reports and new revenue of $25 million over two years.
- Identified, coded, and tested Y2K changes, and helped others to do the same through walkthroughs and research. We had very few Y2K problems.
- Performed 24/7 production support.
- Mentored and trained others on systems and technical matters via verbal, written, and PowerPoint presentations. This created shorter coding times, fewer bugs, and greater communal knowledge.
- Supported revenue projects by helping clients establish connections, program, and test.
- Designed Allstate invoices/remittances for electronic funds transfer to repair shops.
IBS Conversions, Oak Brook IL (1995)
Sapphire Technologies, Chicago IL (1994)
TAC Worldwide, Oak Brook IL (1993-1994)
- Changed Honeywell Bull Cobol/IDS2 programs to IBM Cobol II/DB2/CICS.
- Wrote CICS LU6.2 programs for Canadian credit card transactions.
Sears, Hoffmann Estates IL (1980-1993)
- Enhanced on-line promotional buying system to enable buyers to mark down $200 million of old merchandise in five months.
- Analyzed, verified, and solved 60 client requests in one month.
- Converted system to use DB2 tables instead of sequential files. Reorganized data into more logical units. Eliminated complex code. Coded, tested, and simplified maintenance.
- Coded test-driver program that speeded up testing 90% by allowing testers to bypass test system.
- Converted system to use IMS database instead of sequential files. Designed, wrote, reorganized, and simplified programs.
- Led three-person team that increased customer satisfaction and buyer profitability by automatically adjusting for lost sales caused by out-of-stock items. Each 1% reduction in lost sales increased sales by $5 million per year.
- Expanded and unified functions for several systems, saving over $60 million per year.
- Provided 24/7 support for production systems, enabling clients to get daily, weekly, and monthly reports on time. This let buyers, merchandisers, and management place orders, plan promotions, and devise strategies for over $1 billion of merchandise.
CERTIFICATES AND EDUCATION
- I-Net+, Master CIW Designer, A+, College Bowl state champion and All-Star
- BA Economics, University of Illinois, Urbana IL
- AAS Computer Science, Moraine Valley Community College, Palos Heights IL
- Toastmasters: Secretary, Treasurer, Competent Toastmasters
College Bowl
For more info see College Bowl. Below are two articles from the Chicago Heights Star newspaper and Prairie State College website, my winner's check, and a letter from my college President.
Prairie State College’s College Bowl team again beat out Joliet Junior College and Moraine Valley Community College to take first place in the recent Spring South Suburban Regional College Bowl tournament.
“It’s a good test of your general knowledge: chemistry, math, physics and current events,” Wong said. “We work well together as a team. Our strengths complement each other.”
The victory, coupled with a victory at the fall 2003 regional tournament, means PSC now advances to the state competition in East Peoria, Ill., on April 23, according to Linda Dethloff, professor of English at PSC and College Bowl team coach.
Prairie State College’s College Bowl team has captured its first-ever first-place victory in a recent state College Bowl competition.
Also, two PSC College Bowl team members—captain Alfred Wong of Matteson and Elizabeth Weihert of Park Forest—made the five-member All-Star team for their high scores in the tournament, according to Linda Dethloff, professor of English at PSC and College Bowl team coach. Weihert scored a total of 170 points in the competition, making her the top scorer in the event. Wong tied for second with 160 points.
Competing in “Jeopardy”-style quizzes, students tested their knowledge in subjects such as science, current events, fine arts and history in the tournament, which was held April 23 at Illinois Central College in East Peoria. “The Prairie State team put forth a remarkable team effort to capture the first-place win. They demonstrated incredible skill, collaboration and persistence,” Dethloff said.
In addition to Wong and Weihert, PSC’s College Bowl team consists of Brian Diachenko of Homewood, Rachel Martin of Richton Park, and Corrie Sharp, of Dyer, Ind., who was unable to attend the state competition but has helped the team win two regional tournaments earlier this school year.
At the state competition, the team scored a total of 680 points, beating Elgin Community College, Eastern Frontier Community College, Illinois Central College, Oakton Community College, and John Logan Community College. The team will be honored by the National College Bowl Association at a ceremony in Chicago in June. Each will receive a certificate of recognition and a check for $300, Dethloff said.
The team had previously won two regional tournaments to advance to the state competition.
“It’s really an incredible honor and accomplishment. Of all the community colleges in Illinois that participate, we came out on top,” Dethloff said.
Hobbies
I belong to Windy City Wargamers. We're based in the Chicagoland area, but have members across the U.S. We play all kinds of strategy games. I'm the moderator of our low-volume email group.
