Professional Summary
* Strong ability to work with customers to understand and synthesize
requirements
and convert user requirements into high-level system design.
* Strong project management (using PMI specifications) experience, including
working with clients to develop WBS, use cases and storyboards.
* Fluent in understanding and explaining technologies and system architecture to
clients and senior management.
* Strong negotiation and influencing skills to define scope, facilitate solution
and
direct execution of projects.
* Proven ability to create, drive, and deliver innovative service strategies
that
generate significant profitable revenue opportunities.
* Exceptional ability to manage a software development group that delivers
customer-specific software enhancements.
* Management of international projects and resources.
Technical Experience
Platforms: Linux (Red Hat), Mac OSX, AIX, Windows
Languages: Java, SQL, XML, PERL
Tools: WebLogic, WebSphere, Apache, Oracle, DB2, MySQL, Apache
HTTP, Struts, ClearCase, CVS, SVN, Perforce, MS Project, Excel,
Together, Rational, SalesForce, CMS
Professional Experience
Winrock International (Nairobi, Kenya) September 2009 -
Current
Information Systems Architect & Advisor
Assist Kenya's Ministry of Livestock Development and the Partnership for Safe
Poultry in
Kenya (PSPK) to develop an open source data management and information-sharing
portal that will link all value chain members.
Assignment:
? Define requirements, content, technical approach and software for the Kenya
Poultry Sector Knowledge System (KPSKS).
? Identify and recruit local engineering staff to maintain and expand system.
? Develop medium to long-term PSPK stakeholder action and project plans.
? Deliver seminars to PSPK/KPSKS stakeholders.
Vantos, Inc. (Seattle, WA) August 2008 - June 2009
Director, Professional Services
Worked closely with Sales to create and refine the technical details of client
proposals.
Responsible for the maintenance of client relationships, providing project and
engagement
management from requirements through delivery to ensure customer satisfaction
and
follow-on support as necessary. Responsible for recruiting and management of the
consulting resources, which comprises software engineers, project managers and
technical
support representatives.
Key Contributions:
? Responsible for all client relationships and projects.
? Developed processes and procedures from the ground up.
? Authored and negotiated MoUs and SOWs.
? Managed all client-facing projects.
Amdocs (acquired Qpass, Inc.) May 2006 -
August 2008
Sr. Services Manager
Overall responsibility for the technical solution for an account that processes
tens of
millions of transactions per month and nearly a billion dollars in gross sales
last year.
Recruited, managed and maintained a team of highly talented software engineers
(directly
managed 15 software engineers). Team members included consultants, project
managers,
software developers, software testers and technical support representatives.
Heavily involved in the pre-sales cycle to identify professional services
opportunities and
strategies.
Indirectly managed a customer support group that provides application and
service
support and coordinates hosted operations activities.
Key Contributions:
? Gained the trust and confidence of the customer through development of
relationships at all levels of the customer organization - QA through VP.
? Worked closely with other Qpass organizations to meet customer service and
margin targets on behalf of the account.
? Authored and negotiated MoUs and SOWs.
? Host of Seattle Java Users Group (seajug).
Qpass, Inc. (Seattle, WA) May 2004 -
May 2006
Lead Technical Consultant & Technical Consultant
Facilitated efforts with Operations to implement and maintain hosted software
solutions.
Led efforts with Support to investigate potential issues in hosted solution.
Worked closely
with customer to gather and document requirements. Responsible for leading the
end-to-
end design, development and documentation of new service interfaces and
features.
Key Contributions:
? Produced candidate architectures, detailed estimates and SOWs for incoming
work.
? Evangelized the adoption and architected implementation of new technologies
(Spring, Hibernate, ACEGI).
? Worked collaboratively across customer and internal organizations.
? Mentoring of new employees.
? Technical and end-user documentation.
Cendant Corp. (acquired Trendwest) April
2003 - April 2004
Development Lead
Designed and developed search function for main external application using
Struts &
XML-based data-access layer that allows users to quickly search resort
availability and
make reservations based on various user-defined criteria.
Designed and developed permission system (using Struts and Jakarta) that
dynamically
presents company newsletters to users keeps track of their selections.
Ported third-party Java/J2EE applications initially developed for Tomcat & MySQL
into
WebSphere/Oracle environment.
Conducted fact-finding tour of various Cendant companies to document and review
QA
processes and best practices in order to develop a recommendation for adoption.
Key Contributions:
? New features to main Web application reduced average session length and was
enthusiastically embraced by users.
? Responsible for migrating applications and Web infrastructure from WebSphere
v4
to WebSphere v5.
? Documented QA best practices of sister companies for executive review.
Trendwest Resorts, Inc. (Seattle, WA) May 1999 - March 2003
Lead Developer, Web Services
Lead developer of a secure, dynamic J2EE Web application (Struts, JDBC/DAO
objects
and a custom, in-house socket layer) that exposed a legacy system to clients,
enabling them
to check resort availability, make and cancel reservations and check account
balances,
which resulted in a 35% reduction of incoming calls and increased productivity.
Responsible for porting existing Web applications from PERL/MySQL to Java/DB2
running on WebSphere application server.
Managed graphic artists, front-end developers and server-side developers,
conducting code
reviews; helped define and implement coding standards; worked on staff
recruitment;
responsible for sign-off and implementation of new Web-application code.
Worked closely with Operations to design Web topology, and then implement and
test
load-balancing and failover mechanisms using WebSphere, Apache HTTP and BigIP.
Key Contributions:
? Attended IBM WebSphere training and subsequently trained operations (in
WebSphere) and development staff (in VisualAge for Java and, later, WSAD).
? Evangelized adoption of coding and database standards/best practices.
? Responsible for installation, configuration and administration of WebSphere
and
DB2 clients; migrated WebSphere v3.5 to v4.
? Managed multiple, concurrent initiatives and directed work for employees and
contractors.
? Recognized as outstanding employee for automating the payment-processing
procedures.
Education
Bachelor of Arts in Humanities
Hampden-Sydney College - Hampden-Sydney, VA
Teacher Certification, Secondary Education (English)
Franklin Pierce College - Rindge, NH
CIS Certificate in Computer Programming (coursework)
North Seattle Community College - Seattle, WA
Jake Watson
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Jake Watson
+(1) 425.922.5104 • [Send email using form at bottom]
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