Introduction

September, 2012 (last updated)

This is a resume of my work experience.

Thank you for taking the time to read it.

I was most recently (SEP 2012) a Quality Assurance Analyst at Transcontinental Inc.. I am currently open to new opportunities.

I am most actively seeking a work in non-governmental-organizations (NGOs) and non-profits (NPOs). I desire to focus on community, dissemination, and best practice. Current motivations are related to food, food security, localization, and grass roots support.

I am also interested in opportunities to develop or consult on food preparation and operations of all types and sizes; especially related to catering and contract style businesses.

In the IT world, I am a well-rounded and autonomous professional who has worked in varying capacities on many projects across Canada:
- 10+ years of experience designing, developing, and deploying internal/external IT projects (full-scope n-tier)
- 3+ years of experience in Quality Assurance (international clients with a focus on digital asset management)
- early career focus on print, media, and publication
- migration to web as of its infancy with strength in user interface; migration to client-server technologies/web applications
- using project and development experience, succeeded in Quality Assurance with strength in process analysis; automation
In other branches of interest, I have been distributing Wordpress and Drupal with Localizer, eCommerce, and other modules. I have also been contributing to montcarte.

I am always interested in continuing my work in technology.

I speak, read, and write French and English, and speak some Arabic.

I am an avid/professional traveler, musician, and chef/caterer.

Education and Training

2011
Completed a FINA 200 course at Concordia University (Introduction to Finance)

2007
Open source Deep-Dive - Linux, mySQL, phpMyAdmin, PHP, Perl, Python, Drupal, Joomla, CiviCRM, Wordpress and MU

2006
- Concordia University Montreal - Political Science 40 Credits - Currently registered as a part time student
- Exploring ASP 2.0 and 2005 Microsoft platforms, including C#, as well as open source technologies and various related APIs
- 3 day wind, solar, and biodiesel workshop at the Fallsbrook Center in New Brunswick, Canada.

2005
3 day training session with Steven Black regarding architecture, Visual Fox Pro 9, and other surrounding open-source technologies

2003
ASP.NET by Developmentor: Essential ASP.NET (Custom course for IMS Health Canada)

2003 - Present
Microsoft Partner Action Pack Subscription
Regular review of current Microsoft Press and related materials
Regular attendance to Microsoft Deep Dives and various IT events

1999
Versalys Formation MCP Course (completed in French)

1995
Vanier/John Abbott College
DEC Social Science

Information Technology

Focused skill-sets - Open source (WORDPRESS, Drupal, Joomla, PHP, Perl, Python, mySQL) and Microsoft (ASP.NET, VB.NET, C#.NET, 2005, 2003, SQL 2005 2000, SharePoint 2007 2003).

Additional technical experience - Transact-SQL - Oracle 9i - IIS 5.0 + 4.0 - ASP 3.0 - Web Services - Visual SourceSafe - UML - XML - HTML - JavaScript - UML - Microstrategy - Various RAD tools - Adobe CS3 Graphics Suite (Flash, Dreamweaver) - Application and Web Hosting - Project Management

Groupe Conseil OSI INC. [Oct 2010 - Sep 2012]
1 consulting initiatives in Quality Assurance for Quad Graphics Inc./Transcontinental Inc. - Graduated to Quality Assurance Lead for CoFicio, a custom digital asset managements platform that served clients such as Best Buy, Futureshop, Jean Coutu, Staples, Pharamsave, and Rona - end point was a promotional national print/digital media asset (i.e. flyer/circular, web)

Technologies: TestPlant(Eggplant), Selenium, TestLink, JIRA, Mantis, Confluence

(http://www.gcosi.com)

Duschenes & Fish Designs [June 2007 - Sept 2007]
SharePoint 2007 website - Configured a SharePoint 2007 portal that with serve as a primary corporate website. Deployment in September 2007.

(http://www.dfsarch.com)

Gourmet Bazar Inc. [June 2007 - ongoing in 2007]
Joomla, Joom!Fish, and VirtueMart deployment - Configured and deployed a Joomla, Joom!Fish, and VirtueMart application.

CLIC International Inc. [Jan 2007 - Aug 2007]
Architecture consultant - Ongoing project to redesign the IT infrastructure at CLIC International, including network architecture, ERP integration (AccPac), intra and internets (using Joomla and SharePoint 2007), documentation, and training. (PDF: Sample Architecture)

(www.clicfoods.ca)

Falls Brook Centre - New Brusnwick [Nov 2006 - Aug 2007]
Open source installations of Drupal, CiviCRM, and ActiveCollab on Linux platforms - Community based architecture for the Falls Brook Centre, a New Brunswick NGO.

(www.fallsbrookcentre.ca and www.energyconnection.ca)

CIA [Jan 2006 - Oct 2006]
3 consulting opportunities including VB.NET, C#, ASP.NET, Web Services, SQL, MS Access, MS Excel, VBA, and ASP 3.0

   CCQ (Commission de construction de Québec)
  • Researched Microsoft Authorization Manager and security token management
  • ASP to ASP.NET conversion
Technologies: Microsoft Authorization Manager; ASP; ASP.NET; WSE 2.0

   Verint
  • Web services
  • Visual Source Safe and Build Automation
Technologies: Visual Studio 2003; Visual Source Safe; C#

   Desjardins
  • Microsoft Excel and Access BI tool (multiple report dimensions and indicators)
  • Business case analysis
Technologies: Microsoft Excel 2003; Microsoft Access 2003; VBA

(www.cia.ca)

Granville [2004 - 2005]
ASP.NET VB.NET POS report engine
  • Integrated 3 versions in 3 physically different revenue centers of a Micros 8700 and 9700 POS data system.
  • Developed custom reporting engine built on top of that database. The report engine ran from a custom web portal.
  • Consulted on the existing IT framework.
Technologies: ASP.NET; VB.NET; SQL 2000; Transact-SQL; IIS 5.0; Web Services; XML; Project Management; UML

(www.granvillevan.com)

IMS Health Canada [2002-2004]
ASP.NET & VB.NET Application developer
  • Designed, developed, and created graphic design for an Intranet Portal [NEMO:300 users] for the IMS Health Canada communications department.
  • Developed user interface prototypes for IMS' next generation business intelligence portal for the pharmaceutical industry sales force in conjunction with marketing team and usability analysts from Intuitive Design (www.intuitivedesign.com).
  • Development of Integrated Solutions (formally known as Xplorer) which consisted of working in cross-functional and distributed teams. Participated in the early design phases exploring business intelligence (MicroStrategy) integration and dynamic user interface generation.
  • Developed personalized (based on sales territory definition) user interface engine rendering data, images and site structure specific to the sales representative and corporate profiles.
Technologies: VB.NET; ASP.NET; Visual SourceSafe; SQL 2000; Oracle 9i; IIS 5.0; Microstrategy; JavaScript; Web Services; XML; Terra Portal; Microsoft Visio; UML; ASP3; HTML; Adobe Graphics Suite

(www.imshealthcanada.com)

UMBRELA INC. [2002 - Present]
ASP.NET & VB.NET application developer - Offered various development and consultation services to companies like Royal LePage, Plank Design, SHC, Cosette, AON Consulting, Terra-Axis, The Templeton, Numbers Cabaret, The Roxy, The Cellar, Doolins, The Canadian Chamber of Commerce of Lebanon (CCICL), and Hye Travel Services.

Application development revolved around standard nTeir object oriented architectures with SQL as a backend. UMBRELA was also able to offer web, mail, ftp, and application hosting. These servers where up and running for 5 years. They were shut down in 2006.

Technologies: ASP.NET; VB.NET; SQL 2000; Transact-SQL; IIS 5.0; ASP3; Web Services; XML; HTML; JavaScript; UML; Application Hosting; Project Management; Team Management; HR Management

(www.umbrela.com)

Plank Design [2002]
ASP3/VB6/FoxPro6 developer - Implemented FoxPro database with an ASP3 interface for Silanis, a Canada Post paperless digital security initiative.

Technologies: Microsoft Visual FoxPro 6; ASP3; IIS4

(www.plankdesign.com)

Terrra-Axis [1999 - 2002]
ASP3/VB6 developer
  • Developed full branding and marketing concepts, including graphic design for logo, web and print, various product demos (Flash demo and real-time), and ASP code for corporate website and web forms.
  • Designed marketing package to promote flagship portal development product, Terra-Portal [Terra Axis].
  • Developed commercial web sites for Floorhouse Web [www.floorhouse.com], Budweiser, Gift-of-Cheers, nStein, and IMS – IMS Pulse Web [www.imshealthcanada.com].
Technologies: VB6; VBA; HTML; ASP3; IIS; Microsoft Visual Studio 6; JavaScript; Microsoft SQL 2000; Adobe and Macromedia Graphics Suites

(www.terra-axis.com)

Hospitality

Philinos [2010]
Head Chef/Chef - Chef in the award winning Mediterranean style restaurant Philinos, winner of the "Le Choix Des Consommateurs" 2008, 2009, and 2010. Services can exceed 250 clients a night. Duties include full service restaurant duties including prep, maintenance, sanitation, full multi-course dinner service, and restaurant shutdown. (www.philinos.com)

Lumiere VFX Inc. [2008 - 2009]
Private Chef - Private Chef in a studio housing 50+ artists and support staff. Duties included complete meals 5 times a week; daily drinks and snacks; menu and recipe creation; inventory management and expedition; purchasing; weekly events (i.e. frequent cocktail parties). Budget and technological restrictions ensured a high-efficiency preparation model. (www.lumierevfx.com)

Les Gourmets Pressés [2007 - 2008]
Business Manager - Business manager for 2 small restaurants in the heart of Montréal. Duties included HR; business development; website architecture, publishing, translation, e-commerce; print media. Also applied in the kitchen, catering, and service. (http://lesgourmetspresses.ca)

Kaizen (formally Koji’s) Sushi Montreal [1999-2000]
Waiter and assistant floor manager - Waiter and assistant manager; aided in the setup and Grand Opening of The Tri House, a second floor gastronomic showcase of a menu designed and prepared by master chef Tri Du (Tri Express); managed business inventory, scheduling, and loss control. (http://www.kaizensushibar.com)

Buena Notte Montreal [1998-1999]
Waiter/Suiteur - Waiter and suiteur at Buena Notte, a Montreal icon, distinguishes itself by it normally boisterous and distinguished crowd. (http://www.buonanotte.com)

Le Temple Montreal (1234 de la Montagne) [1997-1998]
Bartender - The Temple was a restored funeral home in the heart of downtown Montreal. This was a very energetic and demanding environment.

Ritz Carlton Montreal [1997-1998]
Banquette server - Set and served anywhere from 40 to 120 guests three to nine course meals. (http://www.ritzcarlton.com)

Vol de Nuit Montreal (14 Prince-Arthur E.) [1994 - 1995]
DJ - Hosted a six hour DJ shift on Friday and Saturday nights. (http://www.wcites.com)

Cylde's Pointe-Claire [1993 - 1994]
DJ and Events Manager - Hosted a six hour DJ shift on Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday nights. I was also responsible of organizing various events including several high profile bands and charity fundraisers. (http://www.bar-resto.com/clydes/)

Volunteer and Social Work

United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC)
Attended as an observer and volunteer.
ENJEU (Environnement Jenesse)
Elected administrative council member and editor of the French language quarterly magazine.
United Nations (IUCN Summit)
Youth representative and journalist.
Environment Canada
Youth representative and board member at the CEN.
West Island Rehabilitation Center and Maison-des-Jeunes Cote-des-Neiges
Spent several hours a day with young individuals doing a variety of tutoring and activities.
Shadow
Spent one year as a shadow for a youth with a disability.

Events and Publications

Ecotopia [2001]
[Lead organizer for a 5 day environmental getaway for 50 young students]

I was an organizer for this event, which was organized in conjunction with Environment Canada’s CEN (Canadian Environmental Network) initiative. Assembled 50 youths in Montreal and took them to various planned locations across Quebec where we met other youths. Different events where planned at each stop including nature hikes, ecological tours, camping, education seminars, and visits to beef, chicken, and pork farms.
ENJEU [1998 - 2001]
[Administrative council member / Organizer of various events and publications]

I was one of the editors and writers for ENJEU’s French language quarterly magazine publication, L’EnJeu. I also participated in organizing various events and summits.
Earth Day [2000]
[Large 3 day public environmental trade conference promoting local and international groups with a “green” mandate]

I headed a team that was in charge of the budget and fundraising, bookings, media and press, live sound, food, and entertainment. It was a striking success. Participants included Greenpeace, WWF, Sierra Club, CBC, CFCF, local groups, and many more.
Le Temple [1998]
[Event planner]

The highlight venture, "Breakout", was a multi room, multi floor, 7 DJ event that netted 2500 patrons. Net take at the door and coat check well exceeded 5 figures; bar sales exceeded 6 figures.
Various fundraisers
[Fundraisers for varying charities and NGOs including, Sun Youth, Greenpeace, Sierra Club, WWF, and Dans La Rue]

Employed in varying capacities including fundraiser, organizer, manager, booking agent, promotions, catering, media relations, and entertainment.
On set of In the Land of Women [2005]
[Production Assistant]

Cast: Meg Ryan, Adam Brody, Kristen Stewart, Olympia Dukakis
Director: Jonathan Kasdan
Screenwriter: Jonathan Kasdan

Film starring Meg Ryan, Adam Brody, and Olympia Dukakis. I aided in various tasks alongside the Key Production Assistant (Key PA) and the Location Manager (LM).
West Coast [1997]
[Sales representative on the floor]

Responsible for merchandise presentation and service. Assisted with inventory management.
Hye Travel [Part-time 1996 - 1998]
[Sales and marketing director and travel agent]

Sales representative, responsible for creating national and international travel itineraries for walk-in call-in clients. I also aided with the management of the office environment including public relations, advertising, and promotions (i.e. creation of travel packages and to organize student group excursions).

Community and Specials Interests (click to view)

On set of In the Land of Women [2005]
Production Assistant - Film starring Meg Ryan, Adam Brody, and Olympia Dukakis. I aided in various tasks alongside the Key Production Assistant (Key PA) and the Location Manager (LM).

Cast: Meg Ryan, Adam Brody, Kristen Stewart, Olympia Dukakis
Director: Jonathan Kasdan
Screenwriter: Jonathan Kasdan

Ecotopia [2001]
Lead organizer for a 5 day environmental getaway for 50 youth - Organizer for this event, which was organized in conjunction with Environment Canada’s CEN (Canadian Environmental Network) initiative. Assembled 50 youths in Montreal and took them to various planned locations across Quebec where we met other youth. Different events where planned at each stop including nature hikes, ecological tours, camping, education seminars, and visits to beef, chicken, and pork farms.

ENJEU (Environnement Jenesse) [1998 - 2001]
Administrative council member / Organizer of various events and publications - Elected administrative council member and editor of the French language quarterly magazine., L’EnJeu. Participated in organizing various events and summits, including Ecotopia.

Earth Day [2000]
Large 3 day public environmental trade conference promoting local and international groups with a “green” mandate - I headed a team that was in charge of the budget and fundraising, bookings, media and press, live sound, food, and entertainment. It was a striking success. Participants included Greenpeace, WWF, Sierra Club, CBC, CFCF, local groups, and many more.

Le Temple - BREAKOUT [1998]
Event planner - The highlight venture, "Breakout", was a multi room, multi floor, 7 DJ event that netted 2500 patrons. Net take at the door and coat check well exceeded 5 figures; bar sales exceeded 6 figures.

Various fundraisers
Fundraisers for varying charities and NGOs including, Sun Youth, Greenpeace, Sierra Club, WWF, and Dans La Rue - Employed in varying capacities including fundraiser, organizer, manager, booking agent, promotions, catering, media relations, and entertainment.

Copies Concordia and other copy center [1997 - 2000]
Print and digital graphic design - Employed at varying copy and graphics centers over a three period(Copies Concordia, Copies Etc., and Copies Express) which all offered similar services. Client base varied from students to large corporations like Southam Press and L’Oreal.

Hye Travel [Part-time 1996 - 1998]
Sales and marketing director and travel agent - Sales representative, responsible for creating national and international travel itineraries for walk-in call-in clients. I also aided with the management of the office environment including public relations, advertising, and promotions (i.e. creation of travel packages and to organize student group excursions).

Moverseas [Summer 1992 - 1995]
International freight forwarding warehouse manager - Organized and maintained the storage and receiving warehouses to ensure that goods were properly and safely stored and transported. Worked on-site with the transport crew.

United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC)
Attended as an observer and volunteer.

ENJEU (Environnement Jeunesse)
Elected administrative council member and editor of the French language quarterly magazine.

United Nations (IUCN Summit)
Youth representative and journalist.

Environment Canada
Youth representative and board member at the CEN.

West Island Rehabilitation Center and Maison-des-Jeunes Cote-des-Neiges
Spent several hours a day with young individuals doing a variety of tutoring and activities.

Shadow
Spent one year as a shadow for a youth with a disability.

Personal Achievements (click to view)

Vipassana Meditation [2006,2007,2008,2009,2010...]
Anicca (impermanence) - Vipassana meditation is probably the single most important thing I've ever done; for "myself". In March 2006, I did my first 10 day (noble silence) course, and I cannot express, in this small space, the value of understanding the nature of our cravings and aversions; attachment or dislike of anything is IMPERMANENT, unless "we persist", fulfilling falsehoods. It is in our own best interest to see things as they are - not in the ways we've sculpted; stop persisting the I, the My.

IMS Health Canada [2001 - 2003]
At IMS, I had the opportunity to work at new levels of complexity and capacity. I was engaged with an amazing team and learned from their years of experience. During my time at IMS, I designed, developed, and managed object-oriented, multi-tiered web applications (.NET). I have created custom .NET controls and web services to create a fully dynamic, multi-lingual, and multi-user interface. The application metadata was managed using third party toolkits (Terra Axis/Micro Strategy). Microsoft adopted part of our framework for their 2005 release of the .NET and Visual Studio frameworks.

UMBRELA [2001 - Present]
Shortly thereafter, I decided to pursue a more conventional avenue. Using a 3 years career in graphic design as a stepping stone, I began developing web (ASP, VB, and SQL) and Microsoft.NET applications. Under UMBRELA Inc. (a company that I opened), I delivered on 15+ contracts and employs over four years, the most recent of which was IMS Health Canada. The experience I gained in administration, project, team, and accounts management, sales, and marketing was amazing.

Grass Roots [1997 - 2001]
My software development career started shortly after discontinuing my work with NGOs (Non-Governmental Organizations). I worked to improve the levels of awareness regarding the nature of Western capitalist consumerist industrial engines and national foreign/domestic policies. This work was very important to me. It started with an interest in a small student run organization (1995) with a "green" knowledge-share mandate. Educating became a hobby and I followed the momentum to Environnement Jeunesse (ENJEU), Environment Canada, and the United Nations (IUCN, UNFCC).

Travel and Music [Ongoing]
One of the most consistent parts of my life has been in my relationship with music and travel. I’ve been playing guitar and singing for 15 years and have enjoyed playing in bands as a guitarist, drummer, bassist, and singer. In 2006, I am starting my study in writing and recording music.

I’ve been traveling even longer: London; Paris; Amsterdam; Venice; New York; Miami; Toronto; Montreal; Vancouver; LA; San Diego; San Francisco; Portland; Seattle; Baltimore; Philadelphia; Pittsburg; Mexico; Costa Rica; Lebanon; Jordon… and a few missing in between. Most recent adventure: Les Îles de la Madeleine.

Road trips preferred… especially on a motorcycle.