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Summary

A seasoned IT Project Manager with a wealth of experience in both software development and IT facility construction/management.

"I have learned over the years that customers and team members alike respond positively to genuine interest, unfeigned concern, tact and patience (with a little charm and humor thrown in for good measure).  Leading with/through relationships has served me well in my career thus far and I plan to continue that approach in my next endeavor."

Professional Experience

Senior Systems Consultant

20162017
Union Pacific Railroad

Integral member of the Project Management Office (PMO) which supported and guided all IT application development and infrastructure teams.

  • Directed ongoing enhancement of PMO web applications including strategic planning, requirement gathering, page design, testing and deployment.
  • Coordinated Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) Project Health Assessments.
  • Developed presentations and materials for 2018 IT budget process.
  • Managed the IT timesheet help desk.
  • Performed contractor onboarding.

Senior Manager, IT Satellite Office, Austin, Texas

20122016
Union Pacific Railroad

Selected to start up and manage a new IT facility which was to attract bright, young software developers and Electrical Engineers. Relocated to Austin to be the only local presence for the project.

  • Participated in site, furniture and general contractor selection.
  • Worked with the architect on floor plan and materials.
  • Oversaw the build-out done by local contractors.
  • Orchestrated the IT infrastructure installation (network, WIFI, VOIP, server room, server racks, etc) which was performed by railroad agreement technicians.
  • Coordinated delivery and placement of all AV systems and equipment.
  • Supervised, trained and mentored the over 30 employees and interns hired to work at the facility.
  • Interfaced with Telecom specialists in Omaha to troubleshoot and resolve network issues.
  • Planned and completed a second build-out necessary for installation of a Stratasys 3D printer.
  • Operated and maintained the 3D printer.
  • Lead teams of IT recruiters at UT, Austin and Texas A&M.
  • Participated in robotics pilot project with UT graduate engineering students.
  • Represented Union Pacific at various local and state functions.

Associate Systems Engineer / Project Manager

20062012
Union Pacific Railroad

Managed three teams of mostly offshore software developers to design, develop, implement and support high-profile railroad web applications

  • One team was responsible for the Electronic Van Management System (EVMS), a web app through which shuttle rides for train crews were ordered, tracked and paid.  EVMS included B2B messaging between the railroad and the various vendors who provide shuttle serves across 23 states.  Trips worth over $1M are called and executed through EVMS each year.
  • A second team produced and enhanced software for the Union Pacific's emergency call center.  This application tracked incidents and accidents across the entire railroad network, interrupted rail traffic if necessary, and notified local first responders while maintaining a complete history for evidence preservation.
  • The third team created and maintained a suite of applications for the Safety Department which tracked hazmat rail cars through High Threat Urban Areas (HTUA) and logged the safety training mandated for all who work in or around trains.
  • Traveled to Pune and Hyderabad, India in 2012 to do training and cultural exchange with each team.

Senior Project Engineer

20042006
Union Pacific Railroad

Designed the EVMS application by acting as primary human interface between the Operating Department and the software development team.

  • Became business subject matter expert, communicating exact requirements to software developers.
  • Learned current technologies used on the project and helped customers understand what those technologies could and could not do.
  • Wrote many algorithms and designed all primary function pages.
  • Assembled all application master data.
  • Directed the testing and training teams.
  • Planned and administered incremental roll out across entire railroad network.
  • Responsible for production support and issue resolution.
  • Strengthened user acceptance with one-on-one training and encouragement..

Education

Doctor of Ministry (all but last 3 dissertation hours)

Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Indiana

Master of Divinity

Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Indiana

Bachelor of Science in Education

Concordia University, Seward, Nebraska

Odds and Ends

Worked in the trades as a carpenter, iron worker, machine operator and mechanic while in college and graduate school.

Developed personal and public communication skills while working as a parish pastor at a small rural congregation in the Sandhills of Nebraska.

Wrote four articles which were published in scholarly journals.

Rode a motorcycle to work almost every day in Texas.

Currently training and showing a Kerry Blue Terrier named Dazzle.