M. Benjamin Mehling || Resumé

M. Benjamin Mehling
ben (at) mehling (dot) org || http://mehling.org/resume

Objective

My professional objective is to find employment with a progressive and innovative enterprise that emphasizes team goals. I am seeking a position that challenges my abilities to lead a team, assisting with product management, design, and development, ultimately delivering high-quality product.

Director of Engineering & Development, Medsphere Systems

2005 - Present

During my second tenure at Medsphere Systems, my responsibilities included system implementations at customer sites, delivering new products, and managing corporate IT.

Implementation Engineering

Participated in sales activities such as (technical) discussions, presentations, and contracting with prospects.
During implementations, I managed the engineering efforts on system design and architecture (including hardware, software, and interfacing).
Led engineering teams responsible for interface and enhancement development, including project planning and control, go-live support efforts, and on going (technical) account management.

Product Development

Managed four distinct product development areas, each further divided into project specific teams. Invested significant time in developing and retaining staff, focused on coaching and mentoring team leads in people management and growing individual contributors to become technical leads and architects.
Implemented the Scrum agile development methodology (for appropriate projects). This included Scrum managed planning and control practices, state-of-the-art source control management, automated continuous integration and build services, developer code review, automated testing and QA-controlled defect management.
Managed a diverse technology portfolio (new and legacy development) including C#, Java, M, Delphi, and various scripting engines (Python, Ruby and PHP), as well as multiple database platforms, such as MySQL, BDB, Cache and GT.M.
Per company strategy, I managed the open source releases of multiple core products, tools, and supporting libraries. I gained familiarity with parallel open and closed source development practices, licensing considerations and open source community building.

Information Technology Management

As with many companies of Medsphere's size and maturity, IT operations and support is owned by the technology group. I managed Medsphere's small team of IT helpdesk and server/network operational staff. This team was responsible for IT project planning, budgets, end-user support, equipment procurement, (intra and extra) networking, data center operations and telephony, at both Medsphere offices, multiple co-location centers, and for all remote employees.

Interim CTO, Medsphere Systems

2006

During Q2 of 2006, Medsphere underwent some turbulent changes, including replacement of several key executive level staff members and founders. I was asked to assist by working in the office of the CTO until a replacement could be hired. All Development, QA and IT staff reported to the office of the CTO during this period. I was tasked with maintaining a steady development process and staff retention during the leadership change. Additionally, I participated in development of executive management strategies and corporate policies. Acted and continue to act as an adviser to Medsphere board members.

Web Services / Development Manager, University of California at Irvine

1998 - 2005

As the Development Manager at the Graduate School of Management (GSM) at the University of California, Irvine, I manage the development team charged with the creation, extension, maintenance and operation of our award winning web-based course delivery and management system, Catalyst (see Primary Architect below). Catalyst has allowed me to both manage a long-term development project and act as the primary architect of a major system.

As the Manager of Web Services for GSM, I am responsible for all aspects of the Web support, administration and development. The web team manages three major and four minor websites. This includes administration of two production Win2k/2k3 servers running IIS, MS SQL Server and multiple (Win/*nix) development servers. The team uses ISAPI, ASP, Java and PERL technologies to complete development and process improvement projects for all units at GSM. Until recently, my team was tasked with all student training. Every Fall we prepared, scheduled and executed computer training for the ~350 incoming students.

In these roles, I am responsible for budgets, personnel issues, business/process analysis, project proposals, project scheduling, overall systems design, performance, stability and occasionally instruction.

Director of Technology, Medsphere Systems

2002 - 2003

Medsphere Systems a start-up enterprise, sought my assistance to plan and organize in two critical areas; technology and operational planning.

However, due to the fledgling nature of the business, I found myself working closely with C-level executives assisting in establishing technology roadmaps, operating processes, project planning, product strategy and marketing. My responsibilities included website development, vendor contract management, project oversight, planning Medsphere's marketing campaigns and establishing a presence at industry conferences.

Interim CIO, University of California at Irvine

2000

The unexpected departure of the Graduate School of Management's long-time CIO presented an opportunity to expand my experience base. I was recommended and selected as the interim CIO while a national search for a permanent CIO was conducted.

As CIO, I was tasked with overseeing the department's on-going projects, infrastructure and operations while serving on the search committee for our new CIO.

My duties included leading a full-time staff of 16 technical professionals and developers, controlling the 1.2 million dollar budget, completing the various administrative tasks and interfacing with the school's Dean as an acting member of his administrative council. I directed an organization responsible for over 1100 desktop and mobile workstations, 15+ Windows & *nix servers, and 7 world-class electronic classrooms.

MBA Computing Manager, University of California at Irvine

1995 - 1998

As the MBA Computing Manager for the GSM, I was responsible for all aspects of full-time MBA student computing. Each incoming student is required to posses a laptop computer for use as an academic tool. With a staff of six, I managed MBA computing support, computer training, and networking resources.

In addition to the laptop programs, I managed the GSM labs (40 seats each), and assisted in maintenance of our Electronic/Networked Case Study rooms (70 networked seats per classroom.). I frequently interfaced with vendors, sales representatives, and technical support personnel; settling pricing, service, and support contracts.

Master Electrician, PCPA Theaterfest

1994 - 1995

As the Pacific Conservatory for the Performing Arts (PCPA) Theaterfest Master Electrician I was responsible for maintaining all aspects of the theaters' electrical and lighting equipment. It was my duty (with a staff of 8) to maintain 2 main and 1 minor stage (approx 1500 seats total) in two different cities. Additionally, I was responsible for overseeing inventory, transportation, rigging, setup, run crews, breakdown and maintenance of all lighting and electrics equipment during a production cycle while maintaining the budget parameters and strict timelines.

Primary Architect - Catalyst

Catalyst is GSM's instructional intranet site. Catalyst is an online syllabi publishing, archiving and distribution system. The system's development began in August of 1997. The first version was available for use four months later for the winter 1998 quarter. Version 1.0 was java servlet-based.

In summer of 1999 we introduced a completely re-factored version (2.0), written in PERL using the Velocigen CGI accelerator (a mod_perl like system for Windows). This new version incorporated the online syllabi and directory aspects of version 1.0, but added a better interface, plus additional modules via a more extensible plug-in architecture. Since that time, modules have been completed for grades distribution, online quizzes, real-time polling, assignment uploading, integrated discussion boards, registration syncing (EDI), mailing lists, online resumes, surveys and more. Catalyst is now the framework for all internal intranet and administrative web applications, such as student record management, career services, and help desk management.

Following the release of version 2.0, my group packaged and sold the system to the Krannert School of Management at Purdue University, creating a significant revenue stream for GSM's continued development work. In 2001 Catalyst was purchased by the Haas School of Business at University of California, Berkeley.

The system developers were honored to accept an invitation to the Harvard Business School to speak and demonstrate Catalyst to their development and technical staff in the summer of 1998. In the Spring of 2000, Catalyst was recognized as one of the top 50 Intranet systems by CIO magazine.

Contracting & Consulting

In 1996 a small group of like-minded information specialists came together to form a technology-consulting firm, The Singularity Group. Since that time, Singularity Group has teamed with a number of organizations both as contract developers and as technology consultants.

As a partner in the firm, I have worked with a mixture of business and non-profit organizations, from traditional small enterprise to pure Internet organizations. Some of the companies I have assisted with technology implementation and process engineering are: eBuilt, Focus Dance Center, GNet.com, iLeads.com, Superior Business Network, and the Western Association of College and University Business Officers. I have also volunteered my expertise and time at Irvine's public radio station, KUCI, and at the Newport Beach non-profit, Girl's Inc.

Knowledge

I have familiarity with the following technologies and products:

OS Experience: Solaris, Linux, FreeBSD, BSDi OS, Digital Unix, Next/OpenStep Mach, DOS/Windows, WinNT/2k/XP/2k3, MacOS(7-9 & X), Netware 3.x.

Server Software: Email Services: qmail, sendmail, popper, imapd (WU & Cyrus), MS Exchange, Scalix. SCM: CVS, SVN, Bzr, HG. HTTP Services: Apache, IIS. Databases: Postgres, MySQL, MS SQL Server, BDB, Intersystems Cache, GT.M. Other Services & Tools: Samba, NFS, NIS, Bind.

Technologies: MS Terminal Services & Citrix ICA. XML. Server side web processing with PERL, mod_perl, PerlEX, ATG Dynamo, JSP, ASP, Velocigen, PHP, Ruby on Rails, and similar web-based scripting languages. Development: C# (Mono & .NET), Java, Delphi, MUMPS, Ruby, Python. Interfacing: HL7, SOAP, XML-RPC.

Honors and Awards

Certified Pragmatic Product Manager.
Stage6 EMR Adoption, HIMSS Analytics -- Engineering project manager for Midland Memorial EMR implementation, one of only 12 HIMSS Analytics EMRAM Stage6 hospitals in the US.
RH100 Award, Red Herring Magazine -- Member of Medsphere management team.
Panelist, UC Irvine -- Panelist at UCI OCTANe, Open Source.
Top 50 Intranet, CIO Magazine -- Primary architect and product manager for the Catalyst Intranet system at the Merage School of Business, UCI.

Education

University of California, Irvine

Business, Software Development & Information Systems

During my tenure at UC Irvine's Merage School of Business, I attended dozens of courses and lectures on Management, Business, Software Development, Technology, Information Systems, Process Engineering, and Project Management.

Pacific Conservatory for the Performing Arts

Design and Technical Theatre

Focused on lighting and set design.
Experienced with production implementation, run crews, and theatre operations.
Experienced in the DA, ME, ATD, and ASM roles.

References available upon request


View a PDF of Ben's resumé \|\| View Ben's LinkedIn profile M. Benjamin Mehling ben (at) mehling (dot) org \|\| http://mehling.org/resume Objective My professional objective is to find employment with a progressive and innovative enterprise that emphasizes team goals. I am seeking a position that challenges my abilities to lead a team, assisting with product management, design, and development, ultimately delivering high-quality product. Director of Engineering & Development, Medsphere Systems 2005 - Present During my second tenure at Medsphere Systems, my responsibilities included system implementations at customer sites, delivering new products, and managing corporate IT. Implementation Engineering Participated in sales activities such as (technical) discussions, presentations, and contracting with prospects. During implementations, I managed the engineering efforts on system design and architecture (including hardware, software, and interfacing). Led engineering teams responsible for interface and enhancement development, including project planning and control, go-live support efforts, and on going (technical) account management. Product Development Managed four distinct product development areas, each further divided into project specific teams. Invested significant time in developing and retaining staff, focused on coaching and mentoring team leads in people management and growing individual contributors to become technical leads and architects. Implemented the Scrum agile development methodology (for appropriate projects). This included Scrum managed planning and control practices, state-of-the-art source control management, automated continuous integration and build services, developer code review, automated testing and QA-controlled defect management. Managed a diverse technology portfolio (new and legacy development) including C#, Java, M, Delphi, and various scripting engines (Python, Ruby and PHP), as well as multiple database platforms, such as MySQL, BDB, Cache and GT.M. Per company strategy, I managed the open source releases of multiple core products, tools, and supporting libraries. I gained familiarity with parallel open and closed source development practices, licensing considerations and open source community building. Information Technology Management As with many companies of Medsphere's size and maturity, IT operations and support is owned by the technology group. I managed Medsphere's small team of IT helpdesk and server/network operational staff. This team was responsible for IT project planning, budgets, end-user support, equipment procurement, (intra and extra) networking, data center operations and telephony, at both Medsphere offices, multiple co-location centers, and for all remote employees. Interim CTO, Medsphere Systems 2006 During Q2 of 2006, Medsphere underwent some turbulent changes, including replacement of several key executive level staff members and founders. I was asked to assist by working in the office of the CTO until a replacement could be hired. All Development, QA and IT staff reported to the office of the CTO during this period. I was tasked with maintaining a steady development process and staff retention during the leadership change. Additionally, I participated in development of executive management strategies and corporate policies. Acted and continue to act as an adviser to Medsphere board members. Web Services / Development Manager, University of California at Irvine 1998 - 2005 As the Development Manager at the Graduate School of Management (GSM) at the University of California, Irvine, I manage the development team charged with the creation, extension, maintenance and operation of our award winning web-based course delivery and management system, Catalyst (see Primary Architect below). Catalyst has allowed me to both manage a long-term development project and act as the primary architect of a major system. As the Manager of Web Services for GSM, I am responsible for all aspects of the Web support, administration and development. The web team manages three major and four minor websites. This includes administration of two production Win2k/2k3 servers running IIS, MS SQL Server and multiple (Win/nix) development servers. The team uses ISAPI, ASP, Java and PERL technologies to complete development and process improvement projects for all units at GSM. Until recently, my team was tasked with all student training. Every Fall we prepared, scheduled and executed computer training for the ~350 incoming students. In these roles, I am responsible for budgets, personnel issues, business/process analysis, project proposals, project scheduling, overall systems design, performance, stability and occasionally instruction. Director of Technology, Medsphere Systems 2002 - 2003* Medsphere Systems a start-up enterprise, sought my assistance to plan and organize in two critical areas; technology and operational planning. However, due to the fledgling nature of the business, I found myself working closely with C-level executives assisting in establishing technology roadmaps, operating processes, project planning, product strategy and marketing. My responsibilities included website development, vendor contract management, project oversight, planning Medsphere's marketing campaigns and establishing a presence at industry conferences. Interim CIO, University of California at Irvine 2000 The unexpected departure of the Graduate School of Management's long-time CIO presented an opportunity to expand my experience base. I was recommended and selected as the interim CIO while a national search for a permanent CIO was conducted. As CIO, I was tasked with overseeing the department's on-going projects, infrastructure and operations while serving on the search committee for our new CIO. My duties included leading a full-time staff of 16 technical professionals and developers, controlling the 1.2 million dollar budget, completing the various administrative tasks and interfacing with the school's Dean as an acting member of his administrative council. I directed an organization responsible for over 1100 desktop and mobile workstations, 15+ Windows & nix servers, and 7 world-class electronic classrooms. MBA Computing Manager, University of California at Irvine 1995 - 1998* As the MBA Computing Manager for the GSM, I was responsible for all aspects of full-time MBA student computing. Each incoming student is required to posses a laptop computer for use as an academic tool. With a staff of six, I managed MBA computing support, computer training, and networking resources. In addition to the laptop programs, I managed the GSM labs (40 seats each), and assisted in maintenance of our Electronic/Networked Case Study rooms (70 networked seats per classroom.). I frequently interfaced with vendors, sales representatives, and technical support personnel; settling pricing, service, and support contracts. Master Electrician, PCPA Theaterfest 1994 - 1995 As the Pacific Conservatory for the Performing Arts (PCPA) Theaterfest Master Electrician I was responsible for maintaining all aspects of the theaters' electrical and lighting equipment. It was my duty (with a staff of 8) to maintain 2 main and 1 minor stage (approx 1500 seats total) in two different cities. Additionally, I was responsible for overseeing inventory, transportation, rigging, setup, run crews, breakdown and maintenance of all lighting and electrics equipment during a production cycle while maintaining the budget parameters and strict timelines. Primary Architect - Catalyst Catalyst is GSM's instructional intranet site. Catalyst is an online syllabi publishing, archiving and distribution system. The system's development began in August of 1997. The first version was available for use four months later for the winter 1998 quarter. Version 1.0 was java servlet-based. In summer of 1999 we introduced a completely re-factored version (2.0), written in PERL using the Velocigen CGI accelerator (a mod_perl like system for Windows). This new version incorporated the online syllabi and directory aspects of version 1.0, but added a better interface, plus additional modules via a more extensible plug-in architecture. Since that time, modules have been completed for grades distribution, online quizzes, real-time polling, assignment uploading, integrated discussion boards, registration syncing (EDI), mailing lists, online resumes, surveys and more. Catalyst is now the framework for all internal intranet and administrative web applications, such as student record management, career services, and help desk management. Following the release of version 2.0, my group packaged and sold the system to the Krannert School of Management at Purdue University, creating a significant revenue stream for GSM's continued development work. In 2001 Catalyst was purchased by the Haas School of Business at University of California, Berkeley. The system developers were honored to accept an invitation to the Harvard Business School to speak and demonstrate Catalyst to their development and technical staff in the summer of 1998. In the Spring of 2000, Catalyst was recognized as one of the top 50 Intranet systems by CIO magazine. Contracting & Consulting In 1996 a small group of like-minded information specialists came together to form a technology-consulting firm, The Singularity Group. Since that time, Singularity Group has teamed with a number of organizations both as contract developers and as technology consultants. As a partner in the firm, I have worked with a mixture of business and non-profit organizations, from traditional small enterprise to pure Internet organizations. Some of the companies I have assisted with technology implementation and process engineering are: eBuilt, Focus Dance Center, GNet.com, iLeads.com, Superior Business Network, and the Western Association of College and University Business Officers. I have also volunteered my expertise and time at Irvine's public radio station, KUCI, and at the Newport Beach non-profit, Girl's Inc. Knowledge I have familiarity with the following technologies and products: OS Experience: Solaris, Linux, FreeBSD, BSDi OS, Digital Unix, Next/OpenStep Mach, DOS/Windows, WinNT/2k/XP/2k3, MacOS(7-9 & X), Netware 3.x. Server Software: Email Services: qmail, sendmail, popper, imapd (WU & Cyrus), MS Exchange, Scalix. SCM: CVS, SVN, Bzr, HG. HTTP Services: Apache, IIS. Databases: Postgres, MySQL, MS SQL Server, BDB, Intersystems Cache, GT.M. Other Services & Tools: Samba, NFS, NIS, Bind. Technologies: MS Terminal Services & Citrix ICA. XML. Server side web processing with PERL, mod_perl, PerlEX, ATG Dynamo, JSP, ASP, Velocigen, PHP, Ruby on Rails, and similar web-based scripting languages. Development: C# (Mono & .NET), Java, Delphi, MUMPS, Ruby, Python. Interfacing: HL7, SOAP, XML-RPC. Honors and Awards Certified Pragmatic Product Manager. Stage6 EMR Adoption, HIMSS Analytics -- Engineering project manager for Midland Memorial EMR implementation, one of only 12 HIMSS Analytics EMRAM Stage6 hospitals in the US. RH100 Award, Red Herring Magazine -- Member of Medsphere management team. Panelist, UC Irvine -- Panelist at UCI OCTANe, Open Source. Top 50 Intranet, CIO Magazine -- Primary architect and product manager for the Catalyst Intranet system at the Merage School of Business, UCI. Education University of California, Irvine Business, Software Development & Information Systems During my tenure at UC Irvine's Merage School of Business, I attended dozens of courses and lectures on Management, Business, Software Development, Technology, Information Systems, Process Engineering, and Project Management. Pacific Conservatory for the Performing Arts Design and Technical Theatre Focused on lighting and set design. Experienced with production implementation, run crews, and theatre operations. 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