On Information Technology, Development, and Service Delivery

When it comes to technology and people, there are people that need to use technology and understand it, and those that rely on technology and have better things to think about. In the area of technical support and development, the key areas I have focused on in my career, this statement is essential to understand. There is a push, a necessary push, to automate problem resolution and service delivery for the end-user. This is essential in cost reduction, but this is not always an option, especially when a hands-on hardware related solution is required. I have the vision and experience to see the needs of both the need to cut costs and the need to keep people who are making the money, running the company, functional and productive. After all, without those people, you wouldn't need I.T.

Where I am Now

I have been with Lafarge North America since Monday, September 28th, 2009 when I began a new adventure as a Senior Operations Analyst, a role that featured some internal development of automated installation tools and the support-centric Intranet site. While I enjoyed this role and I have moved into a new position (April, 2011) as Technical Analyst, Software Delivery and while this position offers promise of working with new technologies I am unsure as to how this role fits into my career path. While this position is evolving and I am hopeful that my role will be satisfying and rewarding as I look for new ways to contribute on a day-to-day basis. As of May 18th, 2012 I will be looking for work outside Lafarge North America and my services are no longer required. I will be available to start a new role June 4th, 2012, after a much needed vacation.

Where I Have Been

I am proud to have worked for TLC Vision for 3 years as a PHP/MySQL developer. The experience gave me excellent depth on developing business systems in PHP and MySQL along with opportunities to leverage my skills in JavaScript, CSS, and Flash. While I am looking for something new, I would like to let those who visit that my skills in development can be applied to many roles, as has been proven in my roles at Toyota Canada, Molson Breweries, Paramount Trading and Microsoft Canada. I am most interested in positions that feature development, either ASP or PHP, but feel that my expertise in Desktop Support and Implementation Services should not be overlooked. If you need someone who can keep your people working, with minimal downtime, call on me. 

I am a Jack of IT. I have a wide range of skills and I'm very eager to help people with technical issues. I am familiar with networking, server management, and keeping costs down. My scope of experience will benefit your team. 

What I most desire as my role, my career, is to serve an organisation by delivering excellent support of technology through an innovative and persistent desire to help people work well with technology. I have experience, tenacity, and a genuine interest in helping others. I excel at technical problem solving and making things that do not mesh, mesh. My favourite (technical) things include cool SQL Queries, great user interface presentation, and efficient processes.

What I Do

I automate solutions, taking a process that is time-consuming and wrapping it up in a manner that eliminates the opportunity for errors, creates accountability, and reduces risks. I help people work better, smarter, and with less waste. Some of this work is through scripting in any of several languages to accomplish the task, and some of the work is the documentation of the process so that others understand it. My documentation is tuned to the audience, readable and understandable to a technical individual as much as an end-user. My experience with web development offers my employer a ready-made solution for developing and understanding Intranet and Internet solutions, and my familiarity with business systems (SQL, E-Mail, and File Servers) offers my employer a well-rounded, and skilled individual who is eager to make the people who make the money his number one priority.

Where Do I Want To Be?

Ideally, I would like to work in Kitchener-Waterloo, Guelph, Georgetown, Brampton, or Malton, in reality I'm not as concerned about the city or geography, as I am about the company and how I can be of service to that company. I live to work, enjoying the challenges and demands of the role I am in. I truly enjoy a challenge and while the balance between family and work is important I am committed to success and my family understands this. I enjoy the work involved, the problem solving and, frankly, working with peers and end-users alike. I am not pursuing a management role at this time, but would consider a role in a smaller company where I can ensure the employees have a reliable I.T. infrastructure.