Richard Dillman

Web Engineer

richard@catalpasoft.com

+1 (317) 586-2365

About

I'm a seasoned web developer with a passion for building applications that help people connect elegantly, seamlessly, and securely with the things that matter to them, using ColdFusion, PHP, jQuery, JavaScript, MySQL, SQL, CSS3, HTML5 and other tools.

Skills

Front end

Current with HTML5 and CSS3, and deep familiarity with older standards, I bring an in-depth knowledge of usability, graceful degradation, cross-browser methodologies, and Section 508 requirements.

Back end

CFML, PHP and always looking to learn new ones too. Triggers, views, stored procedures, I know when to use them and can explain their differences. I am familiar with the new toys and the really really old ones too.

Graphics & design

While not claiming to be a graphic designer, my skills in design tools and early training as an artist allow me to communicate easily with the design team, smoothing the transformation from concept to product.

Technical

  • CSS
  • HTML
  • DHTML
  • XHTML
  • XML
  • XSLT
  • MSSQL
  • MySQL
  • ColdFusion 4-9
  • jQuery
  • PHP 4,5
  • YUI
  • VBScript
  • Prototype
  • Crystal Reports
  • T-SQL
  • Dreamweaver
  • Eclipse
  • Subversion
  • WebCharts3D
  • Adobe Creative Suite
  • LAMP/MAMP/WAMP and IIS
  • Facebook APIs
  • Google APIs

Experience

The Shade Store

Software Engineer

2010-2011

Developing solutions using PHP, Smarty, MySQL, Jquery, CSS, HTML and multiple custom frameworks. Recognizing system deficiencies and suggesting effective solutions. The Shade Store's web store carries 146 products with more than 2500 materials each with their own variety of colors.

  • Taught myself how to use PHP, Smarty, MySQL and 2 custom frameworks.
  • Designed and maintained The Shade Store's Facebook presence, which included contest pages and catalog/sample requests. Traffic was 5000+ likes in the first month, and on average 36,000 wall views per week.
  • Created a dynamic, rather than static, metadata solution and interface which greatly increased traffic.
  • Introduced and formalized a project management bug tracking system.
  • Trimmed 1.1 GB of unused and redundant data from their MySql backend.
  • Tuned many critical scripts, lowering some page loads from 30 seconds to a few milliseconds.
  • Suggested and implemented the replacement of multiple JavaScript frameworks and standardized on jQuery, also dramatically improving responsiveness and code integrity.
  • Launched The Shade Store's blog utilizing Wordpress.
  • Instituted the use of gzip compression for all non-image/flash content.
  • Implemented the use of browser caching for static portions of the site such as CSS and JavaScript.
  • Initiated the use of sprites throughout the site.
  • These last 3 items alone reduced the initial load time of the front page from 7.91 seconds to 3.10 seconds

Indiana Family Social Services Administration (FSSA)

Information Security Analyst

2007-2010

Provided ongoing updates of information security policies, procedures, and guidelines that help to maintain the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of all information systems in use. Assisted with implementing, managing, and enforcing information security directives as mandated by FSSA, Indiana Office of Technology, and by HIPAA. This included the construction of:

  • Active Directory-linked CRUD web application and reporting engine
    • This initiative reduced the footprint of user objects from 37,000 to 9,000, saving the agency tens of thousands of dollars annually in cross-agency billings
  • Application Inventory
    • Used to show the interdependencies between the 300+ in-house developed systems
  • HIPAA training, testing, and reporting system

Also authored several strategic documents and policies:
  • Security bulletins
  • Digital Data Removal and Digital Media Destruction policy
  • Security of Data and Computer Systems policy
  • Protected Health Information and Records Confidentiality policy

Self Employed

Owner - CatalpaSoft

2003-2007

Developed multiple programs using SQL, HTML, AJAX, and ColdFusion including:

  • Foster parent recruitment tracking application
  • Adoptive child advertisement tracking application
  • Foster/adoptive parent mentor message board
  • Foster/adoptive parent training database
    • These four products better than halved processing times for child placement state-wide
  • Web-based child development evaluation system
  • Survey customization and development system
  • Integrated email report package
  • Tracking software for mobile machines with Wi-Fi connections
  • Integrated Exchange/ColdFusion login system
  • Secure wireless connections between remote users and remote monitoring systems

Also assisted in promotion of the folowing initiatives:
  • To increase public awareness of foster parenting in Indiana
  • To integrate multiple organizations/agencies for fluid transition of data

Indiana State Department of Health

Webmaster

1999-2003

  • Co-wrote Indiana's 508 and HIPAA compliance standards and guidelines
  • Co-wrote Indiana's acceptable use policy for personal computers
  • Developed an automated time and activities system utilizing ColdFusion, Adobe Acrobat, and Oracle
  • Increased overall web footprint to 210,000 pages
  • Received awards from the National Public Health Information Coalition in both in 2002 and 2003

Assistant Webmaster

  • Blueprinted and implemented a helpdesk application with ColdFusion / Oracle
  • Designed an equipment tracking and inventory system
  • Developed an intranet using Coldfusion and MSSQL
  • Authored over 80,000 static

City of Indianapolis

Information Engineering Coordinator

1991-1996

  • Designed FileNet storage system for records retention using optical platters and a mainframe
  • Implemented document retrieval procedures integrated with GIS ArcView & ArcInfo
  • Authored a permitting and variance approval application using PowerBuilder and Dbase2

Hobbies

Long country drives, fast hilly walks, vegetable gardening, developer blogs, building time-saving widgets, snippets and macros, and playing World of Warcraft(Priest).

richard@catalpasoft.com — +1 (317) 586-2365