Who am I?
I’m passionate about software development. I learn fast. I analyze fast. I can tell you why I’m right. I’m not afraid to tell you when I don’t know.
Rolling through the 10th year of my professional programming career, I would put myself solidly in the “journeyman” phase. I am confident, opinionated, and vocal. But I’m aware of my limitations and the bounds of my skills and experience. I know when to say I don’t know, and when to shut up. I have made peace with the fact that in the software world, the things that I know are “right” today may be wrong next month, and laughable next year.
I call myself a "lazy programmer" because I value language expressiveness that keeps code short and sweet, and I'd rather use a quality library or tool that does what I need already than hack it together myself just to be clever. The software world is full of technology and tools written by smarter people than myself; it’s arrogant, naive, and just plain inefficient not to take advantage of them. I have a lot of RAM in my head, but it’s just a cache, and it pages out to Google.
What do I want?
When it comes to employment, I like to work with a team. I like to be humbled by my colleagues. A team I can’t learn anything from is a team not worth working with. I value trust, respect, honesty and reflection. Money is nice, but what motivates me is a company whose employees and teams are self-aware, reflective, and passionate about building the right thing and building it well.
I’m comfortable and experienced on the Microsoft stack, particularly with .NET, in client-server or batch apps. The world is moving to the web, to data services, to mobile, and to other stacks. I have only passing experience in those realms, but I am ready and able to learn and do new things. Web, Ruby, Android, NoSQL, continuous integration, and Linux top my hit list, and if you’re willing to ramp up a newb I can promise I won’t stay one for long.
Before I go on
Now that we’re introduced, you may want to know the gritty details. I’m about to roll through those, but first let me tell you that if you like what you see here, you can contact me about employment, consulting, or contract opportunities at cammerman@gmail.com. Relocation isn’t in my 5 year plan, but anything’s possible.
My Sordid Past
Skills & Experience
- C# and VB.NET development of user interfaces, libraries, and batch processing applications (4 years)
- C++ design and development of batch applications and COM DLL components (3 years)
- C++ and VB design and development of user interfaces and ATL/Server web applications (1-2 years)
- Oracle database design and PL/SQL development (3 years)
- MS SQL Server database design and T-SQL development (3 years)
- Data warehouse design and implementation (3 years)
- Excellent written and oral communication and interpersonal skills
- Able to rapidly learn, adapt, and provide value with new knowledge and technologies
Apps, Tools, Processes, Etc.(in order of decreasing familiarity)
- Moq, Autofac, xUnit
- VMWare, MS Office, HTML, Javascript, VBScript
- Unit testing, Agile principles
- ASP.NET 2.0, CSS, JQuery
- Document imaging, Hyland OnBase
Security MicroImaging (Milwaukee, WI)
Product Development Manager, June 2010 - Present
ECM Services Engineer, May 2008 - June 2010
- Responsible for design and tactical planning surrounding product efforts.
- Developed a lightweight, configurable .NET Windows Forms application to pre-process PDF and TIFF document images for archival. With one week of effort replaced existing application with a stronger and more flexible solution that continues to process large numbers of documents on a daily basis 2 years later, largely untouched.
- Developed a .NET Windows Forms application for lightweight and ad hoc desktop image capture, supporting multiple acquisition modes and archival modes provided via isolated and secure plug-ins.
- Worked to maintain and enhance a document management solution for order entry processes at closed-door long term care pharmacies.
- Coordinated regular developer meetings to foster communication, knowledge sharing, and cooperation among the developers.
- Served as a trusted advocate of good programming and design practices.
Three Rivers Technologies (La Crosse, WI)
Software Development Consultant, June 2004 – April 2008
- Developed C# .NET console applications for alert management in an automated data warehousing system.
- Performed C# maintenance and feature development on a commercial Windows application for image management.
- Developed a nationally-accessed ASP.NET web interface for tracking service opportunities on over 100,000 pieces of equipment.
- Served as primary developer and technical lead on a Data Warehouse team handling up to 50,000 transactions nightly and a history of over 40 million transactions.
- Designed database schemas and developed processing logic in PL/SQL and SQL for data warehousing on an Oracle platform.
- After joining the team with no prior Oracle or data warehousing experience, quickly earned a reputation as the resident expert on PL/SQL and SQL development, data warehouse design and implementation concerns, and the workings of the system itself.
- Recognized for communication skills and dedication to customer satisfaction when working with clients.
Direct Supply, Inc. (Milwaukee, WI)
Intern Software Developer, October 2000 - February 2004
- Designed and implemented a software project cataloging system that tracked nearly 1,000 in-house projects. Developed all aspects of the system, including table and query design, automated load processes, COM data access components, and a web interface.
- Architected automated processes in a new software system to support a large business initiative to open a new revenue stream.
- Designed and developed automated processes and COM components in both C++ and VB.
- Developed user interfaces in C++ and VB, and web applications in C++.
- Designed table schemas and developed associated T-SQL scripts for MS SQL Server.
What’s on my diploma?
May 2004 - Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering
Milwaukee School of Engineering (Milwaukee, WI)
Major GPA 3.51 out of 4.0
Can anyone corroborate this?
References are available upon request, for viable prospects.
Chris Ammerman
