Lakewood, Washington, United States
Results-driven software engineer with a passion for innovation and problem-solving. With over 20 years of experience in the industry, I’ve developed expertise in: - Software architecture and development leadership - Front-end and full-stack development (NodeJS, Python/Django, JavaScript/TypeScript, PHP) - AWS infrastructure and backend development (including data pipelines and AI integration) As a seasoned leader, I’ve driven high-impact projects like the successful launch of AI Call Wrap Automation at Octane and the Next Generation Websites migrations project at CDK Global. Additionally, my expertise has been shared through the publication of “Django 3 Web Development Cookbook, Fourth Edition” from Packt Publishing. With a long history of mentoring junior engineers and helping them develop into skilled professionals, I’ve seen multiple mentees successfully promoted, or transition to new roles at other companies.
As a technical leader, drive system architecture and complex Python/NodeJS engineering efforts to enhance productivity and efficiency across domains. Collaborate with stakeholders to identify and refine ideal projects, leveraging expertise in emerging technologies like Generative AI and cloud architecture. Key accomplishments include: - Led the design, implementation, and deployment of automated AI-enabled summarization for Customer Engagement and Collections calls - uses Amazon Chime SDK, Amazon Transcribe, and other AWS services - resulted in an 80% reduction in agent time spent wrapping up calls manually, equivalent to over $1M annual savings
Drive innovative solutions across web applications and data pipelines, serving the Servicing and Operations business segments. Foster collaboration with stakeholders to deliver high-visibility projects, mentor junior engineers, and ensure successful project execution. Key accomplishments include: - Successfully architected and executed an incremental migration from FICO Classic to CCS Flows, enabling operational configuration for change management and increasing account processing efficiency. - Developed a process to codify and manage loan-related configurations using Clojure code through version control, automating the deployment of changes through a GitHub repository and streamlined pull requests.
Design and deliver high-visibility projects utilizing Python/Django, React.js, and cloud architecture, leveraging expertise in REST API, PostMessage communication, and technical design ownership. Foster collaboration with stakeholders to drive innovation and delivery. Key accomplishments include: - Spearheaded a critical loan pre-qualification feature that enabled multi-applicant experiences through direct-to-consumer channels - Developed a versatile Consumer Widget for seamless integration of dealership websites with multiple features, including theme support and asynchronous behavior - Designed and implemented title release automation, streamlining the previously manual process by augmenting pipeline integrations syncing title status between LoanPro, Octane's internal systems, and DealerTrack in real-time
Drive technical excellence across all engineering projects, leveraging expertise in LAMP stack software engineering, Python/Django development with Wagtail, and custom CMS platform development. Foster innovation and collaboration to deliver flexible, extensible, and customizable solutions for multiple end-client companies. Key accomplishments include: - Designed and implemented a proprietary framework in PHP8 that combined elements of Django and the existing Webkey CMS system built for PHP5, resulting in a robust solution capable of drop-in replacement on top of the Webkey CMS database structure
Provide comprehensive web development services, including design, architecture, implementation, hosting, DNS, email management, and ongoing maintenance support to meet the unique needs of each client. Services provided include: - Designing and developing Web standards-based, responsive sites - Enhancing the user experience of applications with AJAX for dynamic content (where applicable) - Planning, designing, and implementing Web applications and dynamic or database-driven content using Python (Django) and PHP scripting, as well as PostgreSQL and MySQL databases - Support hosting, database, network, and applications
Provide technical leadership across multiple teams and offices globally, guiding the overall direction of development within the system. Foster a culture of ongoing learning and innovation, applying research findings and conference insights to evolve engineering processes and practices. Key accomplishments include: - Automated schema.org microdata tagging across multiple websites constructed through the platform, significantly improving search engine results by accurately displaying critical business data Formerly CDK Global, LLC (Digital division sold to Ansira Partners in June 2020, becoming Sincro)
Lead software engineering efforts across a globally-dispersed set of teams, leveraging expertise in Node.js full stack development and web application design. Deliver high-quality solutions that meet business needs. Key accomplishments include: - Led a cross-functional team to design, architect, and deliver a highly customizable website platform for automotive dealerships, supporting approximately 10,000 different sites at its peak - Successfully integrated both inventory and incentives data into the websites platform, showcasing OEM models and dealership inventory and corresponding offers in real-time with advanced asynchronous searching and filtering capabilities
Architect, design and implement Lexus OEM and dealership features on a legacy, Java-based platform high-performance UI features for automotive dealership websites. Foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement. Mentor peer and junior developers through code review and personal interaction. Key accomplishments include: - Redesigned six website layouts with a focus on componentization, allowing for maximum reuse and reduction in maintenance efforts across the layouts. Formerly ADP Dealer Services (Split off as a separate company in 2014, becoming CDK Global, LLC)
Research, plan, develop, write, test, and revise book content for publishing. - "Django 3 Web Development Cookbook, Fourth Edition", Aidas Bendoraitis / Jake Kronika (2020) - "Django 2 Web Development Cookbook, Third Edition", Jake Kronika / Aidas Bendoraitis (2018)
Read and review draft content of books in-progress, providing feedback per my expertise to be incorporated into the final publications. - "Django 3 By Example, Third Edition", Antonio Melé (2020) - "Web Development with Django Cookbook, Second Edition", Aidas Bendoraitas (2016) - "Developing Responsive Web Applications with AJAX and jQuery", Sandeep Kumar Patel (2014) - "jQuery Tools UI Library", Alex Libby (2012) - "jQuery UI 1.8: The User Interface Library for jQuery", Dan Wellman (2011) - "Django JavaScript Integration: AJAX and jQuery", Jonathan Hayward (2011)