John White

After failing to replace their unsupported Order Management System, Syncro recruited me to rescue their efforts. We dramatically reduced release deployment times to approximately two weeks between releases by focusing on an agile approach and converting from e-mail to Atlassian’s Jira issue tracking system to maintain the product backlog. We implemented GIT-based version control and divided the single OMS environment into separate development, test, and production environments. The new system, a Java/SmartGWT application, was successfully deployed to production in July of 2014. During the next 24 months, numerous enhancements were defined, reviewed, approved and implemented. By December 2016, I reported that there was no business case for continuing development, and the project was closed.

My primary responsibilities included hiring, training, and managing the company’s Java developers. I also performed troubleshooting for our active projects. For example, after an initial release of a large Java/SmartGWT application, our customer complained about 45-60 second response times. Working closely with the developer of the Java code generator, we dramatically improved the efficiency of the code resulting in worst case transaction response times of under 6 seconds.

Hula Media Exchange and FirstSpin, subsidiaries of Syncro Services, contracted me to work with their offshore vendor, Softlution Web Technologies and their Director of Operations to expand the size of their delivery network. The delivery network expansion generated substantial market value which ultimately enabled the profitable sale of Hula and FirstSpin to the Deluxe Entertainment Services Group.

Elcom hired me as VP of Continuous Engineering on a trial basis. Within 3 months, productivity improved and I gained the confidence of the CEO by implementing a Scrum based software development practice. Elcom promoted me to CTO and an external review by Cap Gemini added the graphics design, testing, product management, and computer operations departments to my responsibilities. We transformed a software development process for the PECOS Internet Procurement Manager product that was producing poor quality software releases behind schedule into one that produced high quality releases on schedule. With the support of Kurt Bitner and Ivar Jacobson, we convinced Elcom’s largest client, the Scottish Government, to accept the new Software Delivery process and schedule.

After working as scrum developer through Noea Corporation, Redroller hired me as the vice president of engineering. Redroller provided Internet-based, multi-carrier, integrated pricing comparison, and shipping services to their customers. I oversaw the transfer of application development to Softlution Web Technologies in India, significantly reducing development costs.

I founded a consulting and contract programming firm that provided development and project management services for RedRoller, CIGNA, Barnes & Noble College Bookstores (implementation of 500+ college bookstore web sites using Apache Tomcat, Java), GTECH, Bristol-Myers Squibb Medical Imaging, the United Nations Office of the Secretary General, SUNY Downstate Medical Center, and the IBM International Technical Support Organization.

Rave was an IBM business partner and IBM selected Rave to host and manage the first IBM WebSphere Innovation Center (WIC) in New York City. As the manager of the WIC, I demonstrated and provided technical sales support for numerous IBM products. My assignments included providing development and project management services for numerous clients including: Porter Novelli, B&N College Bookstores, Chase Manhattan Bank, Pillsbury Winthop, Praxair, Quest Diagnostics, and Lotus Development Corporation.

My responsibilities included developing Year 2000 Program Management Office applications; operating system extensions dramatically improving daily pricing job throughput; operating system and network installation; department budget administration; backup/recovery of all mainframe data.

My responsibilities included operating system and VTAM network installation, maintenance, and support as well as development and support of operating system extensions and custom APIs in assembler.

Never completed - got married, had a child instead.