About
I'm a versatile technology leader with development, design and management experience. Some of my career achievements include:
- Developing enterprise software using Java, JavaScript, database and web server technologies.
- Managing several large-scale software and services projects for major cable companies with internationally distributed development teams and vendors.
- Growing an engineering startup to 50 people developing enhanced television software, including hiring and training managers, software engineers and QA.
- Developing a cable TV set-top box simulator and application development toolkit integrated with Eclipse for Java developers.
- Developing a digital content delivery system for downloadable music.
- Architecting a computer-based training platform built on HTML and JavaScript. I managed a team that delivered over 300 CD-ROM and Internet CBT courses.
Portfolio
Portfolio
Ben Neubauer Jewelry
2015
In this freelance project, I developed a PHP application for Ben Neubauer (jewelry artist). One of his main goals was to have a website with a highly customized look but retain the ability to easily add new products to the site. See the live site here: http://benneubauer.com
Nucleus
2012
SeaChange Nucleus video gateway software is an implementation of the Open Cable RDK (Reference Design Kit) standard for advanced set-top boxes. Nucleus provides a TV-centric framework for HTML5 applications running on advanced set-top boxes.
My team ported the Nucleus stack to an Arris gateway and IP client for VTR Chile. I also managed a team developing an enhanced program guide using HTML5 and Javacript.
Canoe (Camelot)
2011
Camelot was a project for Canoe Ventures that combined EBIF applications on cable TV set-top boxes with HTML applications on mobile devices to provide interactive e-commerce solutions to TV viewers.
DiCE
2010
The Flashlight Digital Cable Emulator (DiCE) is a Linux-based video streamer that enables software developers to build and test interactive TV applications. DiCE delivers MPEG-2 transport streams (both broadcast and on-demand formats) as well as interactive applications and program specific information (PSI) to cable devices via QAM. DiCE provides a web interface to configure streams and applications.
EBIF User Agent
2008
Enhanced Binary Interchange Format (EBIF) is a specification for software applications that provide interactivity on most legacy set-top boxes. EBIF applications can be delivered over an RF stream to any set-top box with an EBIF user agent (similar to a web browser). The user agent renders the EBIF markup into graphics on the end user’s television. The EBIF standard also enables two-way communication between the set-top box and backoffice servers. Flashlight Engineering developed and deployed an EBIF user agent on Motorola set-top boxes for Cox Communications.
Vision Workbench
2005
Vidiom Systems VISION Workbench was an Open Cable Application Platform (OCAP) Java development environment based in Eclipse. It allowed application, operating system, and middleware developers to more efficiently write and debug software for OCAP set-top boxes. It included a set-top box emulator and Eclipse plugins to develop and debug OCAP Java applications in real time. This product was later released as an open source project called tru2way Workbench by CableLabs.
Jam Player (RTrack)
2001
Jam Player was based on Supertracks’ audio streaming technology that delivered music from cached, secure files. This method was a cost-effective way to deliver music over the Internet while providing CD-quality music playback. It also enabled new advertising and promotion models incorporating demographic targeting and detailed tracking. The Supertracks platform was a modular design utilizing a framework architecture based on COM. Component DLLs were created in C++ and user interface components were created in HTML/Javascript. This was deployed by Microsoft, Virgin and EMI in a public beta with Portland radio station Jammin 95.5, and hip-hop website XTuner.
urocketmusic.com
1999
URocket was a partnership between Supertracks, Preview Systems, Intel, NEC/Packard Bell, and EMI Music. Supertracks developed a micro-payment system for music called the Internet Music Card (IMC). These cards were bundled with home music studio PCs by NEC/Packard Bell. Music provided by EMI was sold through the URocket music portal. My team developed the web pages and file delivery software using Microsoft ASP and SQL Server. The music files were encrypted using Intel’s Software Integrity System and license management was provided by Preview Systems ZipLock digital rights management (DRM).
KnowledgeTRACK
1998
KnowledgeTRACK is a computer based training product designed to run in a web browser or from CD-ROM. Courses were created by Mastering Computers on MCSE Certification topics. Additional courses were created for MacMillan New Riders Publishing and PLATINUM technology. My team developed a cutting-edge training engine in HTML/JavaScript, along with content creation tools in C++ and Visual Basic.
Mastering Computers CBT
1997
Mastering Computers worked with NETg to create a library of over 300 CBT products for Information Technology professionals. My team created a CD-ROM based playback engine for these products using C++. In-house development tools were also created to quickly create custom training material including graphics and audio.
ErgoKnowledge
1996
The ErgoKnowledge CD-ROM training product teaches good ergonomic practices to anyone who sits at a computer all day. It was programmed in Macromedia Authorware and was one of several award-winning training products from Graphic Media. This CBT included video and interactive exercises.
EpicCare Training
1995
In 1995 Kaiser Permanente was automating their entire patient medical record system and Doctor’s office processes with a product called EpicCare. Graphic Media was chosen to create a computer based training product to help doctors and nurses learn this electronic system for the first time. The CBT was programmed in Macromedia Authorware and featured video taken at Kaiser offices. The product also used audio to convey all instructional material. In addition to multimedia elements, courses used simulations of the software being taught.
Experience
Avum, Inc.
Systems Engineer
Agoura Hills, California
2015-present
Systems engineer developing business processes and enterprise architecture software as a Department of Defense contractor.
Responsibilities include:
- Designing and developing back-end processes and applications including database strategies
- Creating business intelligence dashboards and reports
- Documenting systems architectures and processes
Technologies include:
- Oracle, PostgreSQL, and other SQL databases
- Java, Spring Framework, REST, SOAP and other web service technologies
- Tableau and other business intelligence software
SeaChange International
Director of Engineering
Portland, Oregon
2012-2015
Site Manager for SeaChange International Oregon office. Responsibilities included:
- Managing day-to-day operations of Portland office: facilities, maintenance, IT services, budgets and expenses
- Managing employees: hiring, reviewing, project staffing, mentoring and development
Project Manager of multiple concurrent projects for major cable companies. Clients included Comcast, Cox, Charter, Verizon, Netgear, VTR Chile. Responsibilities included:
- Defining project plans and schedules
- Developing relationships with clients and partners
- Setting client expectations, accessing risks, and tracking progress
- Tracking project hours and client billing
- Creating proposals and statements of work
Flashlight Engineering
Director of Engineering
Portland, Oregon
2007-2012
Program Manager for set-top box middleware and application development projects using OCAP and EBIF on Motorola and Cisco legacy platforms as well as advanced set-top boxes. Staff reporting to me included 5 managers, 30 software and QA engineers, technical writers and IT staff. Major clients included Comcast, Cox, Rovi, CableLabs, and Canoe. Technologies included C/C++, Java, HTML, JavaScript, MPEG and other video technologies.
Vidiom Systems
Engineering Manager
Portland, Oregon
2002-2007
Manager and technical lead for Cable TV middleware development projects. Software development of Windows set-top box simulator and Java IDE tools for OCAP application developers. Technologies included C/C++, COM, DirectX, and Java.
Supertracks
Lead Software Engineer
Portland, Oregon
1999-2001
Technical Lead for e-commerce development, peer-to-peer and other digital media distribution, streaming, and caching technologies for audio and video. Technologies included C++, COM, ASP, HTML, XML and SQLServer.
Company was acquired by Centerspan Communications.
Graphic Media
Software Engineer & Manager
Portland, Oregon
1995-1999
Manager of software engineering and web development teams creating computer-based training and web-based educational products using C++, ASP, HTML, Javascipt, and SQLServer. Windows programming using Visual Basic. Multimedia programming using Macromedia Director and Authorware.
Company changed ownership 5 times: Eagle River Interactive, Mastering Computers, PLATINUM technology, and Computer Associates.