Download PDF

George H. Meiers

Enterprise Software Management, Database Administration

Summary

Innovative Information Technology professional with experience in several relational database management platforms as administrator (DBA), Linux shell script writer, technical writing and documentation, and enterprise level Technical  Product Management, including but not limited to database software: from installation and patching to major upgrades, training and mentoring, troubleshooting. 

Ability to plan and execute system changes and software conversions. 

Displays strong personal commitment, and is a loyal and ethical team member,  who enjoys building relationships and helping others. 

Work Experience

20052017

Associate Systems Engineer, Data Management and Access

Union Pacific Railroad, Omaha, NE

Application Database Administration on both development and production support teams. Technical lead for DBA Automation initiative. Participated as manager review for database changes. 

  • Entrusted to support Revenue Systems (RSP),  Human Resources, Legal;  Sensitive Employee Information; Master Data Concept, Financial Transaction Management.
  • Facilitated database change automation for specific, minor database object revisions, which allowed development efforts to continue without waiting for constrained DBA resources.
  • Management approval for production change requests, enforcing standards compliance or exceptions documentation.
  • Managed application needs and monitored database usage, performed capacity planning for many  different applications at one time, handling requests through various ticket systems.
  • Used tools to evaluate and suggest improvements for SQL statements, general performance tuning, which resulted in lower resource use.
  • Supported teams who were using Agile development methodologies 

Technical Product Manager: Primary architect, software manager and administrator of the Postgres platform.  Technical leadership in Oracle database software installation, upgrade, maintenance, and troubleshooting.

  • Performed analysis, design, and implementation of Postgres architecture as a cost effective and stable platform for small applications. Assisted with implementation of failover / disaster recovery for Postgres.
  • Designed low downtime database and Linux migrations, helping achieve a true overall 99.937% system availability.
  • Provided 7x24 on-call support for Oracle 8i, 10g, 11g and 12c: Oracle, RAC, Postgres, GoldenGate; OEM configuration. Disaster Recovery testing.
  • Primary mentor in shell scripting, including critical RMAN backup interface programs. Helped others learn to "speak" Linux. Created entire database migration systems using Linux shell scripting to interface with database utilities.
  • Proficient in project management skills to design, document and implement individual application database system upgrades.

Technology Analyst

Hallmark Cards, Inc., Kansas City, MO

Served as primary manager and architect for the Sybase platform; Oracle DBA for financial, manufacturing and marketing applications, and Unix System administrator.

Analyzed the Sybase 4.9.2  environment and associated applications, and recommend a plan to achieve ANSI-compliance for continuation of the systems on Sybase System XI; further upgraded to Sybase 12.5. The design is still in use 15 years later in 2017, although pending a migration to SQL Server in 2018.

Programmer/Analyst, Database Administrator

National Association of Insurance Commissioners, Kansas City, MO

Transformed the repetitive task of writing similar, custom programs into a code generation utility.  Each program was designed to load one of the many annual financial statement forms into a database. This utility  consistently and efficiently created 99% of the load  programs for a given year, and reduced programming time and Quality Assurance testing efforts while providing a consistent look and feel to individual components of the overall system.  Studied the SQL language with a colleague of C. J. Date, an early contributor to the relational model, and began training in SQL/DS database management and administration.

Conducted an evaluation of Oracle and Sybase database software on Unix; subsequently designed and installed Sybase as the database of choice, which reduced implementation time and expense by well over 50% 

Education

Business Administration and Computer Science

University of Kansas

Bachelor of Science in Business. Major: Business Administration. Concentration: Computer Science.