Resume of Brent S.A. Cowgill, B.A.Sc, Oct 2001

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CONTACT INFORMATION:

	Brent S.A. Cowgill, B.A.Sc
	E-Mail:	zardoz@infoserve.net
	Work Portfolio at:	http://www.oocities.org/gurucoder

OBJECTIVE:

A Software Developer position with a project based development firm which can benefit from my skills in rapid problem resolution to reduce time to market and provide high quality innovative products to satisfied customers.

BACKGROUND:

	Nine years of software development experience including: gathering user requirements, troubleshooting, optimisation, developing web and GUI applications, libraries and systems, database design and quality assurance.
	I am entitled to seek employment in the United Kingdom under an ancestral work permit.

FIELD OF KNOWLEDGE:

Software Development Platforms and Languages:

Perl/CGI	Visual Basic	PostgreSQL
MFC C++	Apache	Linux
XML	mod_perl	Windows 95/NT/2K
HTML	MySQL	Wise Installation
Java Script	Oracle	InstallSHIELD

ACHIEVEMENTS:

	Built a cross-vendor database interface supporting five major databases with automatic table structure updates. Analysed database features; designed base class API; implemented base and derived classes for each vendor; wrote test scripts to verify identical operation across all vendors. Result: Enhanced web content management product line by enabling database support for all products.

	Implemented database patch management system for web based applications. Analysed features needed; designed a base class; delegated and supervised implementation of core class functionality; wrote a utility application to apply, check, list and undo patches; installed and tested the system on live and development databases. Result: Reduced complexity and difficulties in applying application code changes to live database. Enable multiple developers to implement code and database changes with safeguards for backing out unstable changes.

	Designed abstract interface to enable use of third party control in a GUI application. Analysed requirements and designed objects to enable different third party controls to be dropped into the application with a minimum of effort. Result: Saved considerable time when original control evaluated proved inadequate due to changing requirements and a different control had to be used in its place.

	Resolved serial link defects found during integration test. Examined protocol frames from control program; worked with hardware engineer to analyse data received by the micro-controller; located protocol error and corrected it. Result: Seamless system integration, no further protocol errors.

	Repaired obscure and intermittent defect in client-server database update. Examined source code; added instrumentation code to track program activities; analysed several hundred megabytes of log files and discovered the source of the defect. Result: Enhanced performance by allowing download of 40,000 listings instead of only 10,000 due to time-out defect.

EDUCATION:

University of British Columbia: B.A.Sc. degree Obtained 1991
1986-1991	Engineering Physics (Electrical Option)


1995-1996	Federalism, Faculty of Law (Audit for interest)

MARKS OF DISTINCTION:

	Technical Speed Reader
	Two National Science and Engineering Research Council Research Awards
	Five years service in Royal Canadian Artillery Cadets (Master Warrant Officer)

PRIOR PROJECTS:

2001	InteractiveTools.com [http://www.interactivetools.com] Software Developer Perl, Web Development, MySQL, PostgreSQL Database, CVS, Linux, Win2K

	Implemented development processes to enable further growth of the company.
	Developed a web site search engine to add to the existing product line.
	Enhanced the entire product line by developing a pop-in database layer.

2001	Interealty Corp. [http://www.interealty.com] Software Developer MFC C++, VSS, Win2K

Maintenance of Realtor Workstation product line purchased from GTE.

2000-2001

XRAYMEDIA.COM [http://www.xraymedia.com]
Technology Manager and Lead Developer
Perl, Apache, Web Development, MySQL Database, CVS, Linux

	Supervised a team of developers, network analysts and graphic artists to develop auction web site.
	Created project plan to reconfigure six servers to secure our systems and implement corporate web based e-mail.
	Implemented database patch management system.
	Rewrote auction and built automated testing systems to verify operation of the software.
	Interviewed and hired additional developer/system administrator.
	Mentored a Windows/Access DBA in Perl/MySQL/CGI programming. Supervised the development of automated press release distribution system.
	Assessed hardware and software needs and ensured same acquired in a timely manner.

1999-2000

Clickhouse Online Inc. [http://www.clickhouse.com]
Team Lead/Developer
Perl, Apache, Web Development, MySQL Database, Linux

	Managed team of five developers for implementation and testing of the application.
	Implemented web based banner exchange and advertising system.
	Worked with marketing to implement account management and marketing systems.
	Mentored new members to make them a productive part of the team.
	Supervised implementation of defect tracking software.
	Develop web pages and code to handle the member and account manager user interface.
	Developed and maintained regression scripts during implementation for building the database and validating the database and application layer.
	Developed migration scripts to transfer the data in the existing banner exchange system to the new system.

1998-1999

GTE Enterprise Solutions, Inc.
Software Developer
Microsoft Visual Basic, ActiveX Component Development, Microsoft Active Database Objects, Wise Installation, SQL Navigator, Rational Rose, Visio, Windows 95/NT

	Responsible for new feature development for Multiple Listing Service (MLS) database administration program.
	Worked in concert with an Oracle Developer to implement major new features.
	Developed ActiveX Controls used throughout application to increase code re-use.
	Developed test data generation system to enable testing of application on client database, removing a bottleneck in the Development/QA process.
	Improved the install program and responsible for creating and assembling application builds for release to specific client sites.
	Optimised application and queries to improve performance by 60% in many cases.
	Developed unit test plans for QA. Application user interface was so well done, members of QA were convinced it was developed in C++ and not Visual Basic.
	Completed major milestones and project deadlines on or ahead of schedule.

1998	Riptide Technology, Inc. Software Developer Microsoft Visual C++, Windows NT Intel/Alpha

	Helped with completion of Connecticut State Lottery Internal Control System (ICS). The ICS consisted of a suite of Win32 applications and NT Services which processed Lottery transactions and calculated winner pay outs.
	Completed coding for day start processing on the lottery database.
	Coordinated with on-site team to fix bugs, rebuild product and make FTP image available.
	Designed application icons and GUI artwork for a more professional look and feel.

1997-1998

GTE Enterprise Solutions, Inc.
Software Developer
Microsoft Visual C++, Windows 3.1 and 95/NT

	Team development of new feature to allow uploading images to database and modification of GIS coordinates for Multiple Listing Service (MLS) listings.
	Implemented parts of the user interface and coordinated with other team members to ensure completion of the feature under the pressure of a short deadline.
	Integrated TWAIN scanner and Photo CD libraries into product for acquiring images. Integrated ActiveX controls into the product.
	Optimised code achieving a 40% increase in execution speed.

1995-1997

International Compu Research, Inc. In partnership with UBC Faculty of Law
Software Developer
Borland C++, Borland C++ Builder, Microsoft Visual C++, Install Shield, Perl, Windows 3.1 and 95

	Performed competitive analysis of other legal research products on the market.
	Designed and implemented portions of the Windows user interface program.
	Developed a system to compress/encrypt and verify all data on the product CD.
	Developed a distributed client/server application to automatically build the legal database.
	Designed a custom bug reporting database system and supervised software testers.

1995	BitMotion Software Software Developer Microsoft Visual C++, Perl, Windows 3.1

	Development of an Environmental Law CD-ROM to run under Windows.
	Devised a parsing system to read documents and generate an inter-linked document database.
	Developed components of the program to load and view the document database.

1994-1995

Seagate Software (Crystal Computer Services, Inc.)
Quality Assurance Tester
Microsoft Test, Visual Basic, Perl, Windows 3.1

	Performed quality assurance for a commercial report writer for Windows.
	Executed manual and scripted test procedures on the product.
	Responsible for building custom versions of the software for OEM partners.
	Developed a system to automatically create OEM master diskettes.

1993-1994

Dynamotive Corp.
Software Developer
Borland C++, Intel 80KC196 C, Q-Basic, DOS

	Developed host and embedded control program for a patented spot welding process.
	Worked closely with the design engineer in developing the embedded controller.

1992-1993

Intersoft Development Corp.
Software Developer
Borland C++, Turbo Assembler, DOS

	Developed a 3D point of view arcade/role playing game for the IBM-PC platform.
	Progressed from a team member to senior developer on the team.

1991	University of British Columbia Geophysics Department Software Developer Unix C

Developed software to control an AG7750 video tape recorder interfaced to a Sun workstation.