Profession
Applications engineer, technical trainer, curriculum author and/or teacher
Skills
Professional: applications development, needs assessment,
software analysis, contract negotiation, workflow design, desktop publishing,
web site design
Educational: curriculum author, workshop leader, computer
skills trainer, classroom teacher, technical manual writer, technical
reviewer, tutor, youth program developer
Industries: medical, non-profit, educational, information
technology, sales and marketing, toy manufacturing
Technical: Python, xBase (dbase, Visual FoxPro), HTML/CSS,
XML, SQL/RDBMS (MySQL, Postgres, Oracle, SQLlite), ODBC, POV-ray (ray
tracer), Dreamweaver, Camtasia Studio (video editing), JSON, Google App
Engine, Cardiff Teleform (scan forms), Zope, Plone, Django (web frameworks),
Ubuntu (Linux), various POSIX tools, computer assembly and configuration
Work History
1990 to Present: Worked as 4D Solutions, an IT services
and technical training provider, performing tasks for the following clients:
Providence Health & Services (November 1996 to October,
2008 ): Provided IT solutions for Providence’s Regional Heart
Data Services (RHDS). Designed, documented and provided training for
workflows for entering data into the Patient Analysis and Tracking System
(PATS), a third-party commercial off-the-shelf package. Co-led a team
that reconciled, converted and migrated data into the PATS database
from FoxPro, Sybase and r:Base. Designed, coded and maintained the Quinton
Prolog Parser (QUIPP), a data interface written in Visual FoxPro, to
match admissions records with clinical data obtained via ODBC from Oracle-based
catheterization lab workstations. Designed and maintained Cardiff Teleform
optical scan forms, and Microsoft Access scripts for nurses to collect
patient data for loading into PATS. Participated in business meetings
with hospital executives and third-party sales representatives, to provide
technical requirements for hospital research on behalf of RHDS.
Providence Health & Services (April 1994 to April, 1999):
Provided IT services for Providence’s Center for Outcomes Research
and Education (CORE). Collaborated with a heart surgeon on the design
and implementation of a database application, written in FoxPro for
Windows called Cardiac Outcomes Research Information System (CORIS),
for operating room and research staff to enter records from cardiac
surgical procedures and follow-up on long-term surgical outcomes. Worked
with laboratory technicians to develop a similar application for catheterization
labs called Cath Lab Angiograms & Interventions Registry (CLAIR),
and developed a data interface to CLAIR from cath lab equipment workstations
called Quintons. Developed utilities for ad-hoc reporting for corporate
quality assurance, which were later converted to reports in CORIS and
CLAIR. Developed on-line patient questionnaire for the Breast Specialty
Center.
Associated Oregon Industries (February, 2000 to January, 2006):
Provided IT services both on-site and remotely. Redesigned the pre-existing
membership tracking system, a Visual FoxPro application. Integrated
a multi-step process for assessing membership dues into the application.
Meyer Memorial Trust (2007): Worked as a consultant for a non-profit
foundation, performed a needs assessment based on interviews with staff
and their existing software. Provided options for upgrading the core
operational on-line grants submission web framework.
Collaborative Technologies, Free Geek (January, 2004 to November,
2004): Participated in the startup of a foundation-supported consultancy
within Free Geek, a computer recycling and skills training organization,
for the purpose of making more effective use of free and open source
software among nonprofit organizations. Helped design job descriptions,
billing practices and outreach strategies. Participated in a project
to move a Microsoft Access clinical records application to a custom
version of SQL Clinic, a database/web application for psychiatric providers
written in Perl, with a PostgreSQL back end. Designed a workflow that
complied with patient confidentiality standards. Implemented the Windows-to-Linux
data interface and test data generator in Python. Collaborated on PostgesSQL
scripts to modify and populate SQL Clinic tables. Supervised live data
conversion at the client-site.
Design Science Toys, Tivoli, New York (2005): Consulted on-site
and remotely with the owner of an educational toy factory regarding
the design and packaging of Strange Attractors, a geometric construction
kit. Exchanged spreadsheets with the lead designer regarding the dimensions
and color coding of the plastic rods with detachable magnetic cone inserts.
Tested successive factory prototypes for quality and usability. Developed
a custom Python library of spatial geometry programs for outputting
Scene Description Language to POV-Ray, a free and open source ray tracer.
Collaborated with the instruction booklet author and lead marketer to
supply high definition color renderings of the product in various stages
of assembly, for use in the instruction booklet and on the commercial
packaging.
Flextegrity LLC (2006 to present): Consulted with the inventor
of a patented modular building system regarding web framework options.
Developed technical ray tracings of the product for the company web
site using an in-house Python library and outputting Scene Description
Language to POV-Ray, an open source commercial grade ray tracer. Researched
technical literature and US patent office documents, wrote curriculum
materials providing historical context for flextegrity against the backdrop
of related patented inventions such as tensegrity and the octet-truss.
Foundation for Accountability (February, 1997 – May, 2000):
Provided IT services for analysts studying the long term effectiveness
of various health care treatments in relation to company health plan
coverage options. Designed and coded a Visual FoxPro application for
importing inpatient and outpatient case records and matching them to
International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health
Problems, a lookup table of diagnostic categories (ICD-9). Wrote a data
interface to SPSS, a commercial off-the-shelf statistical analysis application.
Installed, tested and trained personnel.
Ecotrust (June 1993 – September, 1997): Designed and implemented
a fundraising and member tracking application for a major environmental
non-profit in dBase. Developed criteria-based filtering for targeted
mailings using the mail merge features of WordPerfect. Upgraded the
application from dBase to networked FoxPro on Windows and Mac, with
added login security and contact management features, such as user tickler
files and fields for note taking.
Multnomah County: Aging Services Division (May, 1995 to May,
1996): Provided on site consulting services and back office programming
to a county agency tasked with matching senior citizens with assisted
living facilities. Designed and implemented an electronic worksheet
for calculating family payments based on pre-existing county forms,
using dBase IV (compiled runtime). Implemented numerous filtered and
sorted reports based on staff requirements.
Institute for Science, Engineering and Public Policy (September
1993 to April 2001): Provided IT services. Merged records from multiple
electronic mail lists in a wide variety of formats into the ISEPP database
(dBase). Performed data audits and cleanup.
Mondotronics (1995): Wrote educational materials explaining
buckyball geometry to purchasers of a plastic assembly kit. This same
booklet was later used by DaMert for its glow in the dark version (Space
Ball).
Sisters of the Road (May, 1994): Diagnosed and upgraded a pre-existing
point of sale application used in a nonprofit soup kitchen to tally
client choices and anonymous demographic information of a statistical
nature. Recovered corrupted data tables. Revised summary reports. Tested
improvements on site.
Transportation Reaching People (May, 1993 – August, 1999):
Designed and implemented a driver dispatching and trip tallying application
for Clackamas County in dBase. Pioneered an algorithm for ranking candidate
drivers by proximity to a rider based on respective zip code areas.
Worked closely with County managers to satisfy Tri-Met reporting requirements
regarding trip counts, late cancels, no shows, in order to recover costs
from cigarette tax revenues and to compensate volunteer drivers for
mileage on their personal vehicles. Trained dispatchers in program operation.
Customized the Clackamas County program to serve Volunteer Transportation,
a counterpart nonprofit agency within Multnomah County.
Northwest Regional China Council (March 1993 – May 1995):
Designed and coded a membership tracking application written in FoxPro
for a nonprofit agency fostering business relationships with the Peoples
Republic of China. Developed targeted mailing and reporting capabilities
based on member-selected discussion group interests, event guest book
records, phoned information requests. Upgraded the back end mail merge
solution from MultiMate to WordPerfect.
Urban League of Portland (December, 1993 - May, 1996): Designed
and implemented a client tracking application used by counselors in
employment and youth programs within a nonprofit direct service agency.
Developed a time logging and reporting system for counselors to keep
track of their activities using standardized codes. Developed administrative,
billing, and mail label reports for a variety of printers.
Oregon Food Bank (April, 1993 – May 21, 1998): Provided
consulting and programming services over the complete life cycle of
an inventory management and resource allocation solution, written in
dBase, a commercial off-the-shelf programming language and relational
database product. Implemented the core distribution algorithm, based
on demographic criteria, that generated pick lists for local food banks
across the state, and communicated phoned-in selections to the central
warehouse for delivery. Maintained comprehensive records of donated
products, including pack size, refrigeration requirements, current quantities,
along with detailed donor information (private companies, US Department
of Agriculture, food drives etc.). Received reporting requirements from
the finance department, and food allocation coordinators. Customized
a separate version of the application for a branch food bank.
Vision Northwest (April, 1993 – April, 1998): Implemented
and maintained a membership tracking application (in dBase) compatible
with off-the-shelf screen magnification software (Zoom Text). Implemented
a voice activated phone tree for vision impaired adults (Vision Voice,
a commercial of-the-shelf product). Provided staff with a step-by-step
manual and training for updating voice recordings. Designed a fundraising
application in dBase for selling and tallying raffle tickets. Upgraded
Vision Voice hardware and software.
United Methodists (1990 – 1993) Collaborated with a UMC
benefactor on a state of the art summer camp registration program in
dBase, a fully relational commercial data base language, which later
evolved into Microsoft Visual FoxPro.
2006 to present: Saturday Academy (Portland,
Oregon): Served as a classroom teacher, co-teacher and curriculum writer.
Developed curriculum for Hillsboro Police Department in open source tools,
culture and ethics, team taught at West Precinct. Designed and implemented
several courses in Python, computer graphics and open source software
for high school aged students, used computer labs at Oregon Graduate Institute
and Portland State University. Provided detailed on-line write-ups of
lesson plans and classroom activities as a contribution to other teachers
exploring similar material. Attended police sponsored presentations on
computer forensics and cyber-crime prevention.
1985 to 1990: Center for Urban Education (CUE):
Provided custom programming, training, and ongoing technical assistance
to a wide variety of social service organizations and government agencies.
Developed and led multiple retraining classes for eligible older workers
in Apple and PC office applications (word processing, spreadsheet, database
and desktop publishing) under contract with the Portland Private Industry
Council. Visited job candidates at worksites for follow-up tutoring in
employer applications during a federally-subsidized six week probationary
period. Automated bilingual government forms as macro-driven WordPerfect
documents and trained office personnel in their use under contract with
the State of Oregon. Presented informational seminars to executive directors,
other staff, regarding the various categories of software most relevant
to nonprofit agencies. Contracted with the Medical Data Research Corporation
for clinical data reports written in FORTRAN.
1983 to 1984: McGraw-Hill, New York City: Evaluated
computer literacy teaching materials geared for pre-college students,
with emphasis on the BASIC and Logo programming languages. Assessed educational
software submitted from around the country for possible republication
under the McGraw-Hill name. Authored exercises and example programs for
computer literacy textbooks. Researched and authored a multi-page time
line, with pictures, on the history of computing. Worked with peers on
literature surveys to come up with criteria for scoring educational software.
1983: Americans for Civic Participation, Washington
DC: Assisted with a nation-wide voter registration campaign from a back
office location, with a focus on low income and historically disenfranchised
citizens. Contracted with data entry services to transcribe voter registration
cards into a mainframe computer for sorting and printing mail labels.
Helped organize multiple express mailings of Get Out the Vote literature
to affiliated field offices in selected zip code areas in multiple states.
Participated in a voter registration drive in Camden, New Jersey. Performed
clerical tasks such as answering letters from voters using a portable
Zorba computer running WordStar on CP/M.
1981 to 1983 St. Dominic Academy, Jersey City,
NJ: Served as full time faculty member, teaching high school mathematics,
geometry through calculus, in an ethnically diverse private Catholic academy
for young women. Taught a freshman survey course in world history, and
team-taught an honors elective for seniors entitled What Does It Mean
to Be Human? based on original peer-authored lesson plans and selected
readings. Developed and practiced effective classroom management techniques
with expert coaching from Dominican nuns. Prepared lesson plans, tests
and quizzes, graded assignments, attended faculty planning meetings and
parent-teacher conferences. Helped place students in top colleges and
universities.
1979 to 1980 Princeton Pub: serve behind bar,
wine and beer, cleanup duties.
Education
1981 St. Peter's College, Jersey City: graduate level
courses in education
1976 to 1980 Princeton University, Class of 1980 (BA
/ Philosophy. Thesis: Some Thoughts on the Philosophy of Ludwig Wittgenstein,
Richard Rorty an advisor), APL in free time, other computer courses
1971 to 1976 International School, Manila, Philippines
Pre 1970 Southeast High, Bradenton, Florida; Overseas
School of Rome, Italy; Junior English School, Rome, Italy; Markham Elementary,
Portland, Oregon
Speaking Engagements
2008: Election night IEEE lecture on the mathematics
of Buckminster Fuller, opening for The History and Mystery of the
Universe, a play by D.W. Jacobs at Portland Center Stage
OSCON (O’Reilly Open Source Conference):
2005: Portland, Oregon: Ways
Geeks are Making Waves
2007: Portland, Oregon: Programming
for Everybody
OS Bridge:
2009: Portland, Oregon: Python
for Teachers
Pycon USA:
2006: Washington DC: open space on hypertoons
2008: Chicago: Your
Pythonic Math Class of the Future, a discussion of digital mathematics
2009: Chicago: Python
for Teachers (and Teachers of Teachers), a three hour workshop
on the digital mathematics curriculum, recorded for Blip TV
EuroPython:
2005: Gothenberg, Sweden: Pythonic Mathematics
2007: Vilnius, Lithuania: Connecting the Dots,
paper and presentation
GIS in Action:
2005 Portland, Oregon: Advanced Python workshops
for Arc-GIS users (an commercial off-the-shelf geographical information
system application by ESRI, a principal sponsor)
2009 Vancouver, Washington: The State of Python Nation
2004: LinuxFest, Bellingham, Washington: Python
in the Classroom
Technical Reviews and Acknowledgments
J. Baldwin. Bucky Works: Buckminster Fuller's Ideas
for Today (John Wiley and Sons, 1996)
Charles Severance. Using Google App Engine (O’Reilly, 2009)
Deitel, Liperi, Wierdermann, Python: How to Program (Prentice
Hall, 2002)
Community Service
Python Software Foundation: Voting member since 2009. PSF organizes
conferences, protects trademarks, provides infrastructure for the further
development of the Python computer language.
Institute for Science Engineering and Public Policy: Board member
since 2009. ISEPP organizes the prestigious Science and Technology lecture
series.
American Friends Service Committee: Edited and wrote for Asia-Pacific
Issues News. Clerked the Latin-America Asia-Pacific Program (LAAP).
Participated in developing youth focused programs, including a community
access TV show (Voz Juvenile) and a leadership training program
(United Voices). Received two Certificates of Appreciation for
outstanding volunteer services.
Buckminster Fuller Institute: Collaborated with Fuller associate
Kiyoshi Kuromiya (Critical Path) on registering the bfi.org domain and
served as BFI’s first web master. Attended first International Conference
on Buckminsterfullerene on behalf of BFI. Assisted in the founding of
the Synergetics Collaborative (SNEC) in October, 2001 (Washington, DC).
Royal Kingdom of Bhutan: Provided training for government workers
in the national computer center in Thimphu. Developed a nation-wide telex
billing system in dBase for the Royal Insurance Company of Bhutan (RICB).
Internship
Student work-study opportunity cleaning metal-working machines around
Tokamak fusion reactor prototype, Forrestal Campus, Princeton University
Professional Awards
Synergetics Explorer Award (cash and trophy), presented by Jamie
Snyder, president of Buckminster Fuller Institute (cash prize)
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