Profile

First and foremost, I am a proud father and loving husband for my wonderful family.  My wife, Julie and our four children live in Lake Mills, Wisconsin.  It is unbelievable watching our children grow and learn.  My chest puffs up with pride when I speak of them.  They are the best part of my life.

Secondly, I have been an engineer since I got my first computer when I was ten years old.  It is my second love after my family, of course.  If there is such a thing as destiny then it was fateful that I have become an engineer.  I drive my wife crazy talking about technology.  Of course, if our children love tech as much as their dad then mommy is in trouble :)

I have spent many years working, exploring, making mistakes and learning from them.  In my opinion, it is truly through our mistakes that we gain the most useful experience in life.  I believe that I am open-minded about new technologies but I do not adopt a technology simply because it is new.  I have a considerable amount of experience but there always is so much more to know.  For the last nine years, I have been spending most of my time using .NET technologies.  Microsoft has done their homework when creating the .NET framework.  It is the most cohesive set of development technologies from them to date.

I was on the executive committee of the Wisconsin .NET User Group for 3 years. And was the president of the Madison .NET User Group for two years and I now serve on the Board of Directors, which means that I am involved in the regional and national .NET developer community.  I have been a full-time engineering consultant in the Southern Wisconsin region for over 10 years now.

Below you will find a list of my technology experience and a list of clients & projects I have worked on.  If you are interested in a more formal copy of my resume, give me a call and I can send one out but it will be a watered down version of what you see here.

Cheers,
Travis


Technology Experience

  • C, C++ and C# Progamming Languages
  • User Interface (UI) Design & Development
  • System Architectural Design & Development
  • Business Logic & Infrastructure Development
  • Database Design & Development with SQL Server 2005/2008, Compact Edition, Oracle
  • SQL Server Reporting Services / Analysis Services
  • Multi-threaded / Multi-core development
  • Windows 32-bit / 64-bit Application Development
  • Intranet & Internet Development
  • Mobile Application Design & Development with Win CE - all versions
  • .NET Framework - all versions
  • .NET Compact Framework - all versions
  • ASP.NET Web Applications and Web Services (SOAP)
  • WinForms / GDI+
  • Microsoft Foundation Classes (MFC)
  • Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF) & Silverlight
  • Windows Communication Foundation (WCF)
  • HTML, DHTML, CSS & scripting languages(javascript & VBScript)
  • XML and XML schema Design & Development
  • Voice Recognition & Text-to-Speech
  • 2D/3D Visualization Development (GDI+, OpenGL, & Managed DirectX)
  • Product Development / Rapid Prototyping
  • Embedded System Design & Development
  • Electrical Engineering/Hardware Design

Technology Focus

  • Microsoft Development Studio
    • C++ / C#
    • .NET Framework - all versions
    • .NET Compact Framework - all versions
    • WinForm / GDI+ / MFC
    • WPF / XAML / Silverlight
    • Windows CE, Windows Mobile - all versions
    • ASP.NET / AJAX / javascript
    • COM / ActiveX
    • ADO.NET / LINQ
    • SQL / Transact SQL (T-SQL)
    • Managed DirectX
    • .NET Micro Framework
  • Other
    • C / Microcontroller Development
    • TCP/IP stack
    • HTTP
    • XML / XSD / XSLT
    • SOAP / RPC
    • Secured Sockets Layer (SSL)
    • Image formats - JPG, PNG, BMP
    • Voice recognition
    • Text-to-Speech
    • OpenGL
    • Virtual Earth SDK

Skills Focus

  • Leadership Skills
    • Technology Lead for Development Teams
    • Training and presentations
    • .NET Community Leader
    • Board of Directors for Madison .NET User Group
    • President of Madison .NET User Group for two years
    • Member of Executive Committee for Milwaukee .NET User Group
  • Key Development Skills
    • Application Architecture
    • Database Architecture / Design
    • Client-Server / n-tier Architecture
    • Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC)
    • Automated Unit Testing
    • Bug Tracking & Reporting
    • Usability Design / Acceptance
  • Other
    • Embedded System design
    • Multi-Threaded design
    • Encryption
    • Compression
    • Digital Signing
    • X.509 Certificates

Application Focus

  • Microsoft Applications
    • Visual Studio.NET 2008 / 2005 / 2003
    • SQL Server 2008 / 2005 / Compact Edition
    • SQL Server Reporting Services
    • SQL Server Analysis Services
    • Internet Information Server ( IIS 7, 6, 5 )
    • Team Foundation Server / Visual SourceSafe
    • Embedded Visual Tools
    • Win CE Platform Builder
    • Office 2007 / 2003
  • Other
    • VMWare Workstation
    • Microsoft Virtual PC
    • Wireshark
    • SysInternals Suite
    • Microchip MPLAB
    • AVS Media
    • Paint .NET

Microsoft Code7Contest Winner

Tech used: C#, Windows 7, Multi-touch, Microcontroller, GPS, Location, Homegroup, Windows Mobile

Duration: Sep 2009 - Nov 2009

My Microsoft Code7Contest entry, Win 7 in my Truck, placed in the top three in North America. I own a '09 Toyota Tundra. I put a laptop mount in the truck and attached my HP Touchsmart tx2 tablet. I use it as a platform to capture sensors and location information as I'm driving. In addition to sensors and video attached to the laptop, I also access the OBD II port on my vehicle to capture the data that my truck computers/sensors are generating. Other features of the app was to read documents using TTS to me as I'm driving and synchronize with my HomeGroup. I also used voice recognition to have the app quiz me. Biggest issue there was getting accurate recognition in a noisy vehicle with a desktop mic.

You can find my video entry at : Win 7 in my Truck


Madison .NET User Group

Tech used: C++, C#, WPF, Silverlight, Virtualization, Windows Mobile, SQL Server, WCF, Multi-threading, ASP.NET, Windows Services

Duration: Sep 2006 - Present

I was the founding member for the Madison .NET User Group. I served as the president for two years in which time I dealt with sponsors, organized meetings, found speakers, managed prizes, answered member questions, and gave presentations. I passed the president role to Lance Larsen and took a leadership position on the board of directors. I continue to stay very active in the technology community.


Jobs2Web

Tech used: SQL Server 2008, Analysis Services (SSAS), Reporting Services (SSRS), Integration Services (SSIS)

Duration: Aug 2009 - Present

Jobs2Web has created a Web 2.0 recruitment marketing platform to help employers build their talent community and attract the highest quality candiates. I am currently working with them using SQL Server 2008 Analysis Services and Reporting Services to extend their existing client offerings.


Covance Inc.

Tech used: C#, ASP.NET, SAS, Oracle, Workflow, WCF, Multi-threading, Windows Services, Client/Server n-tier Enterprise Application

Duration: Jan 2008 - Aug 2009

Covance Inc. provides comprehensive drug research services to most, if not all, of the major pharmaceutical companies.  As a member of the team, my role was a .NET tech lead for an enterprise web application for early stage studies.  This is an internal application that brings together large volumes of study data for analysis and reporting.  I have been fortunate to work with such a talented and nice group of individuals.


Olivia Greets

Tech used: C#, WPF, Silverlight, .NET Desktop Application, VOIP, SIP, Multi-threading, ASP.NET, WCF, SQL Server

Duration: Jan 2008 - Jun 2008

Olivia Greets is a company that provides virtual receptionist services to clients.  I was a member of the team that built the original software infrastructure for the virtual receptionist system.  I was in charge of creating the client facing application called the Visitor View.  We used Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF) for the application.  We also used VOIP and SIP technologies for our communications backbone.  This was a challenging and rewarding project to work on.  I was fortunate to have the opportunity to work on an exciting new product and get to use the latest .NET technologies.


Big Hammer / Edgenet

Tech used: C#, ASP.NET, SQL Server 2005, Multi-threading, WCF, SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS), SQL Server Analysis Services (SSAS), Client/Server n-tier Enterprise Application

Duration: Aug 2006 - Nov 2007

I worked on an analytics system and I developed an online advertising & targeted marketing enterprise application called the Advertising Registry.  I was privileged to work along side, without a doubt, the best SQL Server DBAs in the business.  I learned so much from working with this high caliber team.


Microsoft - Advanced Strategy Group

Tech used: C#, Windows CE, .NET Compact Framework, GDI+, Multi-threading, Windows Mobile

Duration: Mar 2006 - Sep 2006

I worked on a team in the Microsoft Advanced Strategy Group on a Windows CE educational game system.  The product was designed for children.  It was an interactive, adaptive interface with animation, audio and video using touch input to help children learn. 


Capital Returns Inc. - Print and Return Services / EDI Data Services

Tech used: C#, .NET Desktop Applications, Multi-threading, Windows Services, SQL Server

Duration: Jan 2006 - May 2006

I designed and developed a label processing system for Capital Returns Inc., a pharmaceutical returns company based in Milwaukee. The requirements for the system were to process customer requests, print UPS ARS labels and transmit EDI shipping data to UPS Print & Return Services. The system has an ASP.NET web application user interface, multiple Windows services, SQL Server data store, dedicated label printers, and an AS2 Business-to-Business Server for EDI transmission. The system is required to manage a minimum of 250,000 ARS labels per year.


Promega - DNA Plexor Primer Tool

Tech used: C#, ASP.NET, Multi-threading, Windows Services, Client/Server n-tier Enterprise Application

Duration: Sep 2005 - Jan 2006

I designed and developed an ASP.NET web application for Promega, a life sciences company based in Madison, for DNA sequence analysis. The application is a value-added service designed for life science researchers who need to determine the best products to be used for their DNA experiments.


Johnson Controls Inc. - Metasys System

Tech used: C++, C#, Windows CE, .NET Compact Framework, ASP.NET, Multi-threading, Windows Services, Client/Server n-tier Enterprise Application

Duration: Jan 2003 - Aug 2005

I worked on two types of industrial controllers running Windows CE 4.2 and Windows XP Embedded. Partnered with Microsoft to port a large Web Service application (175 WebMethods) from the .NET Full Framework to the .NET Compact Framework (CE.NET). I’ve collaborated directly with the Windows CE Product Team at Microsoft during our development. Main development phases involved extending base class library of .NETcf (175 types, 1750 methods), creating a managed ASMX web service server for CE.NET, and the actual port of the application logic (75K+ lines of code). Worked around 175 porting issues across 35 namespaces due to limitations of the .NET Compact Framework.

For this project, I developed a full ASP.NET web server running on the Compact Framework. The latest news I received from people I worked with at the company was that as of the February 13th, 2009, over 30,000 units have been sold to customers and are currently running the original ASP.NET web server I wrote.


Modine Manufacturing - Curve Fitting Analysis Software

Tech used: C++

Duration: Nov 2002 - Jan 2003

I developed a curve fitting application based on thermal data collected in their engine testing facilities.  The application generates a complex polynomial that is used for analysis, documentation and reporting.


Quest Technologies - Real Time Audio Analyzer : Sound Pro and Quest Suite II

Tech used: C++, C#, Windows CE, .NET Desktop Application, Multi-threading, ActiveX Controls, WinForms, MFC, HTML, Windows Services, Windows Mobile

Duration: Feb 2000 - Nov 2002

I worked with a development team on a handheld Real Time Analyzer running Windows CE 3.0. Designed and implemented user interface controls for handheld meter. ActiveX controls were created using eMbedded Visual Tools. The controls were displayed in a web browser using HTML and Javascript.

We also created a data display tool for the desktop using C# and the .NET Framework. Environmental noise data was analyzed and formatted for the end user to generate charts and legal documents.


Electronic Theatre Controls - Wireless RFU, Express LPC and Expression Moving Light Controls

Tech used: C++, Multi-threading, MFC, Microcontrollers, Embedded Systems, Windows Services, Windows CE

Duration: Apr 1994 - Feb 2000

I worked at ETC for 5.5 years and in that time I was project lead for a wireless handheld remote device for interfacing and controlling the lighting control network. The handheld device was running Windows CE 3.0. The software was an MFC application developed using eMbedded Visual Tools.

Responsible for the hardware design and development of the Expression Moving Lights Control Module which added moving light hardware to existing product line for controlling robotics lights.

Lead Design Engineer responsible for the Express Lighting Playback Controller, a rack-mounted computer for controlling lights in a themed environment such as Rain Forest Café and Disney Parks.

Developed diagnostic software for the Expression / Express lighting consoles running on the Intel i960 processor. The software was used in manufacturing to validate the hardware before it was shipped to the customer.