Welcome to my extended CV
Whether you stumbled across this page by accident or are among the dying breed of people (HR or otherwise) who prefer to actually read cover letters and résumés themselves as opposed to relying on a computer program to scan for keywords, thanks for stopping by.
The purpose of this page is to provide a more detailed look at what I've up to over the years in a way that really doesn't lend itself well to a printed résumé or CV. Traditional rules about CVs and résumés are out the window here. (witness the picture to the left of this text.)
The lack of any real bells and whistles on this page is deliberate.
It's about the steak, not the sizzle.
Whether you stumbled across this page by accident or are among the dying breed of people (HR or otherwise) who prefer to actually read cover letters and résumés themselves as opposed to relying on a computer program to scan for keywords, thanks for stopping by.
The purpose of this page is to provide a more detailed look at what I've up to over the years in a way that really doesn't lend itself well to a printed résumé or CV. Traditional rules about CVs and résumés are out the window here. (witness the picture to the left of this text.)
The lack of any real bells and whistles on this page is deliberate.
It's about the steak, not the sizzle.
So, what makes me so special?
- Years of solid software development and IT management experience.
- Has seen projects through their complete life cycle and beyond.
(for that software that just won't go away) - Always conscious of the bottom line with a proclivity to stay under budget.
(I spend the company's money like it was my own.) - A motivated, pro-active and conscientious approach to troubleshooting.
- Not the least bit afraid of proprietary and undocumented environments.
- Views ambiguity as an opportunity.
(and I've seen lots of opportunity) - Outstanding interpersonal, leadership and communications skills.
- Able to speak, write and otherwise communicate in complete, grammatically correct sentences.
- Mature enough to understand how the IT industry has evolved...
- ...yet with enough vision to see how the IT industry is evolving!
Professional Background
Guest Experience Consultant -- April 2020 - Present
LiveXchange/Recipe Unlimited -- Toronto, Ontario
Recipe Unlimited runs a number of Resturant chains including Swiss Chalet and East Side Marios. In My rose I am responsible for:
LiveXchange/Recipe Unlimited -- Toronto, Ontario
Recipe Unlimited runs a number of Resturant chains including Swiss Chalet and East Side Marios. In My rose I am responsible for:
- Taking orders for Swiss Chalet and East Side Mario's
- Handling customer enquiries
- Diplomatically handling customer complaints
Order Entry Agent -- February 2016 - Present
Toucan Communications -- Claremont, Ontario
Toucan is an outsourcing call centre specializing in facilitating remote home-based call centre agents
Toucan Communications -- Claremont, Ontario
Toucan is an outsourcing call centre specializing in facilitating remote home-based call centre agents
- Taking orders for Pizza Pizza
- Handling Customer Enquiries
- Delegating Customer Issues and Complaints to the proper department.
Order Entry Agent -- August 2013 - February 2016
UPGC/Pizza Hut -- Concord Ontario
UPGC is the umbrella company overseeing Pizza Hut Franchisees. They also operate a remote access call centre. My primary focus was:
UPGC/Pizza Hut -- Concord Ontario
UPGC is the umbrella company overseeing Pizza Hut Franchisees. They also operate a remote access call centre. My primary focus was:
- Taking orders for Pizza Hut
- Handling Customer Enquiries
- Delegating Customer Issues and Complaints to the proper department.
Freelance Voice Actor -- October 2010 - Present
You may have already heard my voice. My clients include:
You may have already heard my voice. My clients include:
- AMI Canada - Reading articles and narrating descriptive video.
- Skate Canada - Rink/PA Announcer
- I have agency representation through TA-DA! Voiceworks
- For more information and samples, check out www.peterspipes.com
Manager, Systems Administration -- November 1999 – October 2010
NOW Magazine -- Toronto, Ontario
NOW Magazine -- Toronto, Ontario
- I was the de-facto IT Manager responsible for and overseeing all aspects of IT operations.
- Consistently ran the IT department under the yearly budget.
- Designed and implemented a server farm of Windows 2000, 2003, Linux, Microsoft SQL 2000/2005 and Filemaker Pro servers supporting over 120 users using Windows 98/XP/2000 and Macintosh (OS9 and OSX) desktops.
- Designed and implemented a comprehensive backup and disaster recovery strategy.
- Implemented Windows Terminal services to securely support remote users while keeping costs down.
- Implemented a secure e-mail system for local and remote access including enterprise scheduling and calendaring.
- Implemented e-mail on legacy systems despite predecessors and consultants maintaining that it couldn’t be done.
Senior Network Administrator -- May 1998 – November 1999
Vistek Ltd. – Toronto, Ontario
The network was a 100-node mixed bag of Dos, Windows 3.1/95/NT 4.0 and Macintosh
computers running IPX, TCP/IP and AppleTalk protocols on a networking running under
Netware 4.10 and Windows NT 4.0. I am responsible for all aspects of the network including
our connection to the internet, email gateway and of course, backup and disaster recovery. I
also pitch in wherever I can for general hardware and software support in the organization.
Vistek Ltd. – Toronto, Ontario
The network was a 100-node mixed bag of Dos, Windows 3.1/95/NT 4.0 and Macintosh
computers running IPX, TCP/IP and AppleTalk protocols on a networking running under
Netware 4.10 and Windows NT 4.0. I am responsible for all aspects of the network including
our connection to the internet, email gateway and of course, backup and disaster recovery. I
also pitch in wherever I can for general hardware and software support in the organization.
- Maintained and expanded Novell (4.10 and 5.0) and Windows NT4 servers
- Developed and implemented backup and disaster recovery strategy
- Implemented VPN connection for Calgary location
- Implemented on-line ordering system for the store’s website
- Integrated Macintosh computers into legacy Novell network servers
IT Manager -- October 1996 – May 1998
Optima Communications Canada Ltd. -- Toronto, Ontario
As the resident “technical wizard”, My responsibilities at this 100 seat call centre ran the gamut from supervising the software development team to full responsibility for the design, implementation and maintenance of new technologies. In just a little over a year, I have single-handedly implemented the following
Optima Communications Canada Ltd. -- Toronto, Ontario
As the resident “technical wizard”, My responsibilities at this 100 seat call centre ran the gamut from supervising the software development team to full responsibility for the design, implementation and maintenance of new technologies. In just a little over a year, I have single-handedly implemented the following
- Our 150 seat network consisting of multiple Novell 4.11 and NT 4.0 File servers
- Data warehousing using optical disc technology
- 50 User Lotus Notes System (Domino 4.5) for email and workgroup management
- Complete internet connectivity including a comprehensive firewall.
- Digital audio recording system for call verification and logging
- Managed technical requirements for 150 seat call centre
- Expanded the call centre and came in 50% under budget
- Implemented a digital audio recording system for call verification and logging
- Developed a Broad knowledge of modern analogue, digital and VOIP telecommunications equipment including PBX systems and predicative dialers.
Senior Data Analyst -- March 1996 – October 1996
Interact Direct Mail Services -- London, Ontario
Primarily using FoxPro, SQL and C in a Windows NT environment, I worked with clients to produce custom databases and applications for prospect and niche-market mailing. A typical database ranges between 1,000 and 250,000 records. In addition to data management, I often developed custom applications to convert, condition and cleanse the data.
Interact Direct Mail Services -- London, Ontario
Primarily using FoxPro, SQL and C in a Windows NT environment, I worked with clients to produce custom databases and applications for prospect and niche-market mailing. A typical database ranges between 1,000 and 250,000 records. In addition to data management, I often developed custom applications to convert, condition and cleanse the data.
- Designed and maintained mass mailing databases using Visual FoxPro and C
- Maintained Novell and Windows NT network servers
Contract Programmer -- January 1995 - January 1996
Cyradis Technology Group -- Erin, Ontario
Cyradis Technology is a world leader in broadcast automation, control and switching systems. Working in C and assembly language under QNX and DOS/Windows/OS2 platforms, I assisted in the development of television signal routing systems primarily for the direct satellite broadcast industry. If you watched the 1996 Olympics, you saw some of our work.
Cyradis Technology Group -- Erin, Ontario
Cyradis Technology is a world leader in broadcast automation, control and switching systems. Working in C and assembly language under QNX and DOS/Windows/OS2 platforms, I assisted in the development of television signal routing systems primarily for the direct satellite broadcast industry. If you watched the 1996 Olympics, you saw some of our work.
- Worked on television broadcast automation systems in C and Assembly
- Worked on television signal routing system in assembly language
- Implemented solutions under QNX, Windows and OS/2 platforms
Senior Software Analyst -- November 1991 - January 1995
Image Data International -- Mississauga, Ontario
Image Data International was a world leader in the field of remittance processing, document imaging, and photo-ID cards. As the Senior Software Analyst, my duties involved the creation and maintenance of software programming primarily in C, PL/M DBASE IV, Clipper 5.0 and Microsoft BASIC. (Professional Development System 7.1) My work included:
Image Data International -- Mississauga, Ontario
Image Data International was a world leader in the field of remittance processing, document imaging, and photo-ID cards. As the Senior Software Analyst, my duties involved the creation and maintenance of software programming primarily in C, PL/M DBASE IV, Clipper 5.0 and Microsoft BASIC. (Professional Development System 7.1) My work included:
- DOS and Windows based applications for remittance processing
- Document imaging software incorporating optical character recognition
- Setting up, configuring and maintaining local area networks (primarily Novell)
- Image capture and manipulation for photo-ID card applications
- Communications software using IPX and TCP/IP protocols
- Designed and developed DOS & Windows software (C and assembler)
- Developed remittance processing software
- Developed document imaging software incorporating optical character recognition
- Database development in Clipper 5.0 and Dbase IV
- Custom interface for the Digital Kienzle document and cheque processor
- Designed custom firmware for above machine in PL/M
- Interfaced with various mainfrane batch processing systems
Primary software Developer – September 1986 – November 1991
Mediacomp – Kitchener, Ontario
Mediacomp was a company I was instrumental in founding that that provided software solutions to the broadcast industry, before a computer was ever heard of in a radio station. It was a company that in many ways was ahead of its time. During my time there, I performed the vast majority of the programming and most of the hardware and software installation, training, maintenance and customer support. Programming in Microsoft BASIC, C and assembler, my output at Mediacomp Included:
Mediacomp – Kitchener, Ontario
Mediacomp was a company I was instrumental in founding that that provided software solutions to the broadcast industry, before a computer was ever heard of in a radio station. It was a company that in many ways was ahead of its time. During my time there, I performed the vast majority of the programming and most of the hardware and software installation, training, maintenance and customer support. Programming in Microsoft BASIC, C and assembler, my output at Mediacomp Included:
- R-NEWS broadcast text and audio editing package
- Custom software to extract news and program schedules from the CBC online system.
- Multi-tasking (under DOS!) wire capture software for broadcast newsrooms
- R-TABS radio station traffic and billing system
- PC based digital audio commercial playback system (this is before mp3s were even heard of)
- Radio station program automation system
- Specialized copy department word processing system
- Satellite commercial delivery system for Shopper's Drug Mart -- the forerunner of what is currently in use
Staff announcer – June 1983 - September 1986
CJOY/CKLA Radio, Guelph Ontario
CJOY/CKLA Radio, Guelph Ontario
- Yes. I really did work in radio before actually discovering that actually making money is a good thing
- I started my radio career announcing the all-night show.
- Then, I graduated to doing the afternoon drive show and was also responsible for maintaining the traffic and automation computer systems.
- I created a software package that ran on the station Radio Shack Model II computer that dramatically reduced the time to produce and package the automated programming for the evening and all-night programs.
- I also researched options for the replacement of our aging automation system
Freelance Software Developer – July 1981 – November 1983
The Dataman -- Hamilton, Ontario
The Dataman -- Hamilton, Ontario
- The Dataman was a small company that distributed software for the then popular Radio Shack Colour Computer. I wrote a number of utilities, all in 6809 assembler, and had them distributed through this company. The royalties from the sales of the software were more than enough to pay for my college tuition.
Although my intention here is to be ridiculously complete, I decided, in the interest of preserving my own sanity, that I would leave out my distinguished secondary school career of working in a cookie factory and being one of the Colonel's boys. People still ask me if I ever learned the Colonel's secret recipe. Unfortunately, if I told them, I'd have to kill them.
The Buzzword List
What follows is a list of technologies/platform/languages and heaven knows what else that I actually have experience working with. The buzzword list is mainly for seo purposes but the reality is that I actually have used this stuff. The list is by no means exhaustive and as I come across things that have slipped my mind, I'll add them so we can talk about them at some point.
Platforms:
Networking:
Programming/Scripting:
Database:
Other:
Platforms:
- DOS
- Icewarp mail server
- Linux (Redhat/Ubuntu/Debian variants)
- Lotus Notes 4.5
- Macintosh (OS9/OSX)
- Novell Netware(2.x-5.x)
- OS/2
- QNX (from way before Blackberry got their clutches on it)
- unRaid file server
- Windows 3.1/98/2000/XP/7/8/10
- Windows NT/2000/2003/2008 Servers
Networking:
- DD-WRT and Tomato firmware
- Barracuda anti-spam firewall 300
- Hotbrick Firewalls
- M0N0WALL firewall
- DHCP
- DNS
- VNC
- VPN
- FTP
- SMTP/POP3/IMAP
- RDP
- Windows Active Directory
Programming/Scripting:
- Assembler(6502,6809,8088,Z80)
- BASIC(various dialects)
- C
- Dbase and variants including clipper/FoxPro
- DOS batch scripting
- PL/M
- Java
- PERL
- PHP
- Python
Database:
- Filemaker Pro (5.5-8.0)
- Microsoft FoxPro (visual and standard)
- Microsoft SQL 2000/2005
- MySQL
Other:
- Adobe Audition DAW 2.0/3.0 (including its predecessor, Cooledit Pro)
- Americart shopping cart system
- Arcserve/Retrospect Backup and Disaster Recovery
- Canada Post/USPS SERP Sorting software
- Maximizer 8.x
- PBS publishing front end
- PPI Publishing front end
- Presonus Studio 1 (version 2) DAW
- Quark Express/Copydesk
"It always seems impossible
until it’s done."
--Nelson Mandela
until it’s done."
--Nelson Mandela