tyson vanek :: coldfusion master
 
 
:: summary ::
I have been building ColdFusion applications for 15 years. I am both a Macromedia Certified and BrainBench Master Certified ColdFusion Developer. When it comes to development and leadership in the area of ColdFusion development, it would be a challenge to find anyone with as much experience as I have. In addition to my ColdFusion development accomplishments, I have also managed small and mid-sized web development teams. I also have significant experience leading and mentoring ColdFusion developers.

My work has included:

×  Management of small and mid-sized web development teams
×  Technical Team lead on various complex ColdFusion web applications
×  Implementation of clustered, fault-tolerant production infrastructures
×  Extensive experience with server and application performance tuning
×  Mentoring development teams in the area of ColdFusion development and best practices
×  Development of large, database driven ColdFusion applications
×  Assisting clients in the interview process of potential ColdFusion developers and senior ColdFusion developers
×  Authoring ColdFusion exams and screening exercises to be used by companies screening potential job candidates
×  Wide spread knowledge and expertise of numerous internet technologies

:: technical experience ::

Team Lead / Management Skills

Macromedia ColdFusion (All Versions)

Macromedia Spectra

FuseBox Development Methodology
Microsoft SQL Server
Microsoft Internet Information Server (IIS)
JavaScript
Javascript Frameworks (Prototype, Scriptaculous)
UNIX Operating Systems
Apache Web Server
Adobe Photoshop
CFEclipse IDE

ColdFusion Studio/HomeSite+

Oracle

Adobe Flash

Adobe Dreamweaver

HTML
Cascading Style Sheets (CSS)
Structured Query Language (SQL)
Windows Operating System Administration
Hardware and Software Load Balancing Implementations
10 years
15 years
3 years
4 years
11 years
10 years
8 years
1 year
5 years
4 years
10 years
2 years
8 years
4 years
4 years
2 years
15 years
8 years
11 years
10 years
6 years

:: professional experience ::
Independent Contractor ( 10/2002 - Present )
I am currently operating as an independent contractor with a focus on assisting clients in need of ColdFusion expertise. I am able to work both on site at the client location or remotely from my home office where I am connected via a broadband connection. I assist clients with anything from basic troubleshooting to full life cycle application development. I am open to working directly with clients in need or working through consulting agencies that are looking to outsource projects.


Costco / Wireless Advocates (Consultant) ( 09/2009 - Present )
As one of two consulting Technical Leads, I facilitated the design, development, and implementation of a large-scale e-commerce platform for Costco supporting their cellular phone business. The platform utilizes a simple yet robust ColdFusion MVC application framework of my own design, an extensive SQL Server data warehouse and catalog processing system, as well as a clustered, fault-tolerant production environment. I played a key role in helping the customer to define and prioritize project requirements. This project launched on Monday, March 22, 2010 with great success - currently processing an average of 50 customer orders per day and on track to generate roughly $80,000 in sales during its first 3 weeks.

Technologies: ColdFusion 8, SQL Server 2008, SQL, Windows Server 2008, IIS, Flash, Subversion, HTML, JavaScript, Scriptaculous, Prototype, XML.



Webapper Services, LLC (Consultant) ( 10/2008 - Present )
Functioning in the role of Principal Consultant, I perform many services for Webapper and their customers. In some cases, I function as a Technical Lead or Senior Architect, assisting customers seeking long-term application design and development services. In other cases, I provide laser-focused spot consulting to customers in critical need of high level services - infrastructure analysis, server tuning, application tuning, troubleshooting, code optimization, caching techniques, and database optimization. As a consulting member of Webapper, I've had the pleasure to assist such customers as Cornell University, University of Virginia, Willard Bishop, SiteVision, TargetSafety, Costumes Inc., and more.

Technologies: ColdFusion (all versions), SQL Server (all versions), SQL, Windows Server (all versions), UNIX, IIS, Apache, Network Infrastructure Analysis, Hardware Infrastructure Analysis, Application Performance Tuning.



RemoteSite Technologies ( 10/2001 - 10/2002 )
As a Senior Technologist, my role included client meetings, database design, application architecture, code development, testing and launching into production environment. I was often asked to travel to client sites and assist them with development efforts or troubleshooting. I also delivered Performance Analysis and Tuning engagements in an effort to maximize performance and stability of ColdFusion server implementations.

Technologies: ColdFusion, Spectra, MS SQL Server, Oracle, SQL, Windows NT/2000, IIS, Apache, Dreamweaver, ColdFusion Studio, Flash, ClusterCats, SilkPerformer, Visio, ERWin, HTML, JavaScript, DHTML, XML, WDDX, and many others.



duoDesign ( 5/2001 - 10/2001 )
I served as a Technical Lead where my role on projects typically included initial client meetings, database design, application architecture, code development, testing and launching into production environment. In addition, I also served as a mentor and leader to other developers with regards to application design and development best practices.

Technologies: ColdFusion, MS SQL Server, SQL, Windows NT/2000, IIS, ColdFusion Studio, Dreamweaver, Adobe Photoshop, Flash, Visio, ERWin, MS Project, FuseBox, HTML, JavaScript, DHTML, XML, WDDX, and many others.


Macromedia, Inc. (formerly Allaire) ( 6/2000 - 5/2001 )
Serving as a Senior Consultant, my role typically included mentoring and assisting in the design of complex ColdFusion/Spectra applications. In addition, I spent much time interacting with the client in order to ensure that their needs were being met on the project as I led the development team in building the applications.

Technologies: ColdFusion, Spectra, MS SQL Server, Oracle, SQL, Windows NT/2000, UNIX/Solaris/Linux, IIS, iPlanet (Netscape) Web Server, Apache, ClusterCats, SilkPerformer, ColdFusion Studio, Dreamweaver, Adobe Photoshop, Visio, ERWin, MS Project, HTML, JavaScript, DHTML, XML, WDDX, and many others.


Quest Technologies ( 4/2000 - 6/2000 )
In the role of Technical Team lead, I led a development team in building a large Business-to-Business E-commerce business portal. My role included leading a team of developers in the design and development of this application with ColdFusion. I also spent time with the development team establishing development guidelines and best practices to be implemented throughout the development of the application.

Technologies: ColdFusion, Oracle, Windows NT, UNIX, IIS, iPlanet (Netscape) Web Server, ColdFusion Studio, Dreamweaver, Visio, ERWin, HTML, JavaScript, DHTML, and many others.


EDP Contract Services ( 8/1999 - 4/2000 )
I served as a Senior Consultant on assignment at Abbott Laboratories. My role included mentoring other developers with ColdFusion and serving as the technical lead for several large-scale intranet projects utilizing ColdFusion. I also served as a general subject matter expert on ColdFusion development and best practices.

Technologies: ColdFusion, MS SQL Server, SQL, Windows NT, IIS, ColdFusion Studio, Dreamweaver, Adobe Photoshop, Visio, HTML, JavaScript, DHTML, and many others.


Lockheed Martin, IMS (now Neustar) ( 2/1999 - 8/1999 )
Serving as the Manager of Web Services, I provided leadership and direction in designing and implementing a company wide web-based intranet. I managed three other developers facilitating in the development of the intranet, built primarily with ColdFusion.

Technologies: ColdFusion, MS SQL Server, SQL, Windows NT, IIS, ColdFusion Studio, Dreamweaver, Adobe Photoshop, Visio, ERWin, MS Project, Net-It Central Document Management Software, Flash, HTML, JavaScript, DHTML, and many others.


Guidance Solutions ( 4/1998 - 2/1999 )
In the role of Technical Team Lead, I was often in charge of small groups of developers on each web project. ColdFusion development accomplishments included e-commerce applications for clients like Foot Locker, Eastbay and eMind.

Technologies: ColdFusion, MS SQL Server, Oracle, SQL, Windows NT, IIS, ColdFusion Studio, Adobe Photoshop, Visio, ERWin, HTML, JavaScript, and many others.


Smith, Bucklin and Associates, Inc. ( 6/1996 ? 4/1998 )
As a developer in the Electronic Communication Services division, I was responsible for building applications utilizing ColdFusion, MS SQL Server and Oracle. I often met with our internal clients to discuss their needs, gather requirements, create documents and flowcharts, develop prototypes, and build applications upon client approval. I was also specifically tasked with building many small, configurable and reusable ColdFusion packaged applications that could easily be sold over and over to our different clients.

Technologies: ColdFusion, MS SQL Server, SQL, Windows NT, IIS, ColdFusion Studio, Adobe Photoshop, Visio, ERWin, HTML, JavaScript, and many others.


Internet Professionals, Inc. ( 6/1995 ? 6/1996 )
Originally hired to assist in sales, I moved into web development after a few months. I often met with clients to assess their needs. Additionally, I was responsible for building web sites utilizing HTML and graphic design with Photoshop. Towards the end of my time with Internet Professionals, I was first introduced to web and database application development with ColdFusion and Microsoft Access.

Technologies: ColdFusion, MS Access, Windows NT, IIS, Netscape Web Server, ColdFusion Studio, Adobe Photoshop, Visio, HTML, JavaScript, and many others.



:: clients ::

:: certifications & credentials ::

× Macromedia Certified ColdFusion 5.0 Developer
× BrainBench Master Certification - ColdFusion 4.5
×    (5th highest score worldwide)
× BrainBench Master Certification - HTML
× BrainBench Typing Speed and Accuracy Certification
× Author of the BrainBench ColdFusion 5.0 Certification Exam
× Contributing author for Inside ColdFusion MX book
×    (Publish Date: August 15, 2002)

:: education ::
Illinois State University

× Applied Computer Science
× Music Performance / Education

:: references ::
Steve Haas
Director of Business Development
Wireless Advocates, LLC
Ph: 206-428-2309
Em: (available upon request)

Doug Salcedo
Project Manager (Consultant)
Costco / Wireless Advocates
Ph: 206-724-5595
Em: (available upon request)

Patrick Quinn
President & CTO
Webapper Services, LLC
Ph: 970-223-2278
Em: (available upon request)

Kip Bowes
(Former) VP, Worldwide Professional Services
Allaire Corp. / Macromedia, Inc.
Ph: 630-717-6281
Em: (available upon request)

Michael Silverman
Chief Executive Officer
duoDesign
Ph: 312-529-3010
Em: (available upon request)

Fred Salchli
Chief Technical Officer
duoDesign
Ph: 312-529-3008
Em: (available upon request)

Kelly Tetterton
Technical Lead
duoDesign
Ph: 312-529-3014
Em: (available upon request)

:: contact information ::
Tyson Vanek
10494 Aldridge Drive
Huntley, IL 60142
Ph: 773-562-8398
Em: tyson@coldfusionmaster.com
MS Word formatted resume: HERE
Text-only formatted resume: HERE

:: recommendation letters ::

Doug Salcedo
Sr. IT Consultant
Strong-Bridge LLC
(206) 724-5595

April 27, 2010


To Whom It May Concern:

My name is Doug Salcedo and I am a Senior IT Consultant with over 25 years of experience. Since June of 2009, I have been the Program/Project Manager for the design and implementation of a major retail site, www.membershipwireless.com. A major component of the project initiation phase was sourcing and ramping in contract developers to support the design and construction of the site and support systems.

Tyson Vanek was chosen for the lead developer role primarily due to his ecommerce development and ColdFusion performance engineering experience. However, a significant potion of the decision was based on his ability in the interview stage to grasp the architectural design space of both the business and technical of the side of the solution better than any other developer we had encountered. This is an uncommon ability in most developers.

Once engaged, Tyson proved time and again his ability to solution, create prototypes, alter based on need, and then move forward with production code. What was surprising was his turnaround times and high quality of work. In a few words, Tyson "cranks". He is very productive and can accomplish in a few hours what my experience would have said should have taken 1-2 days. In addition, Tyson thinks holistically and anticipates needs through his sense for business logic and user needs. He will continually suggest and add value to the design in excess of the basic need. Usually you trade off work characteristics. With Tyson, you don't have compromises. He fires on all cylinders.

I'm sure this sounds this sounds pretty "beyond the pale", but in my years of experience, Tyson ranks in my "Top 5" designer/developer professionals list.

On a bang-for-the buck basis, Tyson can replace two "standard" CF developers. There is an aspect that can't be measured, though, in how he communicates, collaborates and closes. When I say "closes" I mean that he always finishes what he starts and does on time.

I would engage Tyson again on any CF based project I would manage, as it would be like putting money in the bank, both figuratively and literally.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at (206) 724-5595.


Doug Salcedo
Sr. IT Consultant
Strong-Bridge LLC
 


Kenyon D. Bowes
839 Mobile Court
Naperville, IL 60540
(630) 717-6281

December 15, 2002


Dear Sir or Madam:

The purpose of this letter is to provide my unconditional recommendation of Tyson Vanek and give you some insight into his contributions as part of my organizations at Allaire Corp. and Macromedia, Inc. During this period I was VP, Worldwide Professional Services for these organizations.

Tyson worked in the Professional Services organization at Allaire Corp. and Macromedia, Inc. as a Senior Consultant. As a Senior Consultant, Tyson?s role was to travel to customer sites, often under stressful and unplanned conditions, to assist customers in successfully implementing our technology products. This role required our Consultants to not only provide a strong technical solution, but also to demonstrate well developed Customer Service and Communication skills. Tyson excelled in this role.

Tyson is a hard-working self-starter who invariably understood the goals of our organization and delivered top-notch services to our customers. Tyson is a resourceful, creative, and solution-oriented person who was frequently able to come up with new and innovative approaches to his assigned projects. He functioned well as a team leader when required, and also worked effectively as a team member under the direction of organization management. On the interpersonal side, Tyson has superior written and verbal communication skills. He got along extremely well with colleagues, as well as management.

In closing, as detailed above, based on my experience working with him, I can unreservedly recommend Tyson Vanek to you. If you would like further elaboration, feel free to call me at (630) 717-6281.

Sincerely,



Kenyon D. Bowes
(Former) VP, Worldwide Professional Services
Allaire Corp. / Macromedia, Inc.
 

October 12, 2002


To Whom It May Concern:

I am writing this letter of recommendation on behalf of Tyson Vanek, a member of our consulting services team at Allaire (later Macromedia). Tyson worked as a Senior Consultant on the team for approximately one year.

During his technical screen which I conducted, Tyson impressed me with his solid knowledge of ColdFusion, databases, Windows NT, and Internet technologies. His strong communication skills, candor, professionalism, and overall interest in Allaire as a company made him an ideal fit for our team.

As a Senior Consultant, Tyson was tasked with learning all of our packaged Allaire ColdFusion and Allaire Spectra service offerings which he did successfully. Tyson worked with several of our clients throughout North America, and spent a considerable amount of time with one of our marquee accounts, the Chicago Mercantile Exchange.

Tyson was a team player assisting and mentoring others where possible. It was not unusual for me to hear from Tyson's colleagues complimenting him on his willingness to help and on his overall technical skill level. Overall, he demonstrated outstanding technical acumen and consultant savvy with our clients.

Tyson should be strongly considered for any type of consulting, lead architect, or project management position dealing with Allaire (now Macromedia) products and related technologies. If I can provide further information, please feel free to contact me at 513-484-7586.

Sincerely,



Grant I. Szabo
(Former) Director, Worldwide Professional Services (Jan 2000 - Nov 2001)
Allaire Corp. / Macromedia, Inc.
 

duoDesign
180 North Wacker
Suite 001
Chicago, IL 60606
312.529.3008

September 28, 2001


Dear Sir or Madam:

I am writing to recommend Tyson Vanek. Tyson reported to me at duoDesign, a web development firm, in the position of Technical Lead. Tyson's responsibilities included, but were not restricted to, requirements gathering, database design, site architecture, implementation, testing and deployment. In addition, Tyson managed junior developers on the projects he worked on. Over the course of several months he worked on a number of projects and in all cases the work was of excellent quality and was delivered on time.

Tyson is an expert at web development. He understands the limitations and strengths of Internet architecture and builds applications that leverage this knowledge. His skills in ColdFusion programming are the best I have ever encountered. Once again, Tyson understands the weaknesses and strengths of the application server and development environment and is able to take advantage of the strengths while compensating for the weaknesses. He was also a great mentor to the rest of our staff with respect to knowledge transfer.

Tyson is great to work with. His demeanor is fun and he communicates well with co-workers and clients alike. I can recommend Tyson without reservation. Please feel free to contact me directly at 847.491.3118 if you have further questions.

Sincerely,


Frederic Salchli
CTO, duoDesign
 

duoDesign
180 North Wacker
Suite 001
Chicago, IL 60606
312.529.3014

September 26, 2001


To Whom It May Concern:

I had the pleasure of working with Tyson for the last five months at duoDesign. We were the two designated Technical Leads, so we had occasion to architect projects together, as well as set programming standards for the company as a whole. He was wonderful to work with in that capacity, because he brought both real-world programming expertise and long-term business goals planning to the table.

Tyson was also generous with his knowledge in a way that few people are. He was more than happy to offer impromptu tech discussions to explore a particular facet of programming that none of the rest of us had ever dealt with before, and he was equally willing to walk through any aspect of a particular application that anyone had any questions about.

I highly recommend Tyson for whatever position he may decide to take next. He would be an asset to any team both because of his programming skills and because of his ability to focus on the business needs at hand.

Sincerely,


Kelly Tetterton
Technical Lead
duoDesign