James B. Fraser

jamie@widernets.com Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA Stack Overflow | GitHub

Summary

I am a through-and-through geek who can communicate well with fellow developers as well as non-technical teammates.

I come from a user-centered background: people must use and embrace a solution for it to be a success, regardless of its technical elegance.

I build amazing technology solutions, from Arduino-powered holiday lights to shiny reports that delight recipients with an easy-to-understand, but rich, user interface.

I believe that Agile and DevOps practices provide value and increased success in most development projects and help my teams implement these techniques.

Skills

Expertise

  • C#
  • Web Applications
  • Continuous Integration (CI)
  • HTML5/CSS3
  • ASP.NET MVC / WebAPI
  • SQL Server
  • Entity Framework
  • Application Architecture
  • API Design
  • Git
  • Unit Testing
  • Full Stack
  • Agile Software Development
  • DevOps

Proficient

  • Cloud (Azure SaaS, PaaS, & IaaS )
  • Reporting & Data Vizualization (SSRS, Tableau, & D3.js)
  • JavaScript & TypeScript
  • AngularJS
  • React
  • Internet of Things (IOT)
  • Static Code Analysis
  • NoSQL (MongoDB & RavenDB)
  • Mobile App Development

Experience

Lead Developer
Cambria, Eden Prairie, Minnesota
2016–present
DevOps .NET Core SQL Snowflake C# ASP.NET-MVC JavaScript Kafka React Mobile AWS Docker CI
  • Assisted teams with transition to Agile and DevOps development practices.
  • Built responsive web applications for 24/7 manufacturing facilities, enabling significant operational efficiencies, reduced downtime, and increased product quality.
  • Practiced value-driven Agile development building full stack solutions with a microservice, message-queue back end.
  • Maintained and updated legacy applications.
  • Integrated systems with Oracle EBS.
  • Utilized MS-SQL, MySQL, Oracle, Snowflake, and other data stores.
  • Designed, built, & maintained customer-facing web application with over 60 terabytes of image files.
  • Provided mission-critical dashboard capabilities to manufacturing and sales.
  • Led teams of developers including off-shore, entry-level, and experienced staff.
  • Mentored intern teams for various facets of software development.
Architect & Developer
SailScores, open-source project
2018–present
.NET Core SQL C# ASP.NET-MVC Linux Docker JavaScript Azure Mobile Product Design CI Xamarin
  • Built an open-source multi-tenant responsive website.
  • Implemented performance enhancements to achieve Lighthouse scores greater than 90%.
  • Enhanced site with localization.
  • Architected site to be a secure multi-tenant solution.
  • Transitioned site between cloud providers using different hosting models with no downtime.
  • Implemented local container development process supporting production data restores, which enabled accurate, fast bug reproduction.
Principal Technologist
Occam Group, Minneapolis, Minnesota
2005–2016
C# Hosting PaaS IaaS SaaS SQL Entity-Framework SSRS SSAS ASP.NET ASP.NET-MVC LINQ JavaScript Git IoC TFS Microsoft Project
  • Led technical track of client engagements for Occam, a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner, focusing on hosted solutions.
  • Architected and produced Software as a Service (SaaS) solutions utilizing private hosting as well as cloud Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) and Platform as a Service (PaaS).
  • Executed development projects supporting all aspects of enterprise project management, from project intake to billing export, including business intelligence solutions. Development teams ranged from single developer to coordinated off-shore and local developers.
  • Led successful initiatives to increase our "Joel Score" and then beyond: DVCS, automated builds and tests, better tools, SonarQube automated analytics.
  • Grew application hosting several orders of magnitude. This included both web and remote application (RDC) access.
Independent Consultant
Self-Employed, Chicago, Illinois
2003–2005
Windows Server Network Mobile Java
  • Built IT infrastructure for several small companies and home offices.
  • Implemented Windows Small Business Server.
  • Set up shared network resources for non-technical users, including AFP and SMB file servers.
  • Migrated Windows domains into Active Directory structure.
  • Implemented Wi-Fi networks.
  • Provided training for new networking features to small-business owners.
Infrastructure Manager
Doblin, Chicago, Illinois
1997–2003
Lotus Notes Java Windows Forms Windows MFC C++ MacOS Web Dev Network
  • Co-authored firm’s IT strategy for adopting new technology, expanding staff, and adding locations.
  • Developed internal and public-facing solutions for research-driven design company including an award-winning web-based card sort to aid in consumer-research data collection and analysis as well as a multi-dimensional clustering visualization tool.
  • Consulted on client cases as an Information Technology Specialist.
  • Developed database analysis and maintenance tools, with emphasis on ease of use for a non-technical audience.
  • Supervised and trained Level 1 support staff.
  • Administered network including VPN and multiple LANs. This included fileservers, DHCP, DNS, and Active Directory.
  • Managed network and phone contracts. Reduced recurring costs more than 70 percent while increasing functionality.
Systems Engineer / Technical Account Manager
ADP — Brokerage Information Services Group Chicago, Illinois
1995–1997
MacOS WAN LAN Windows NT
  • Maintained mission-critical market quote systems at more than 12 locations and a T-1 WAN.
  • Handled system emergencies: managing client relations, providing explanations, diagnosing and repairing issues.
  • Supported sales staff by sharing product expertise and developing proposals.
Technical Supervisor for Sites
University of Chicago — Networking Services
1994–1995
  • Supervised software and hardware maintenance, security, installation, and improvement of more than 100 networked computers (Macintosh, DOS/Windows, and Unix) in four high-use, high-visibility public sites.
  • Administrated networks (IP and AppleTalk) with direct internet connection.
Technical Computing Assistant
University of Chicago — Academic Information Technologies
1991–1994

Education

University of Chicago

Mathematics

1990-1994

Current Industry Certifications

  • Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer (MCSD) x2 (ALM, Web App)
  • Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP)
  • Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA) x3