Charles J White: Resume

1044 Keneberry Way SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506

mobile/text: 616-915-3772 – cwhite616@gmail.com

Information Technology Manager/Project Manager

Creative IT professional with a passion for solution-focused problem solving in cross-functional teams. 12 years IT success focused on delivering innovation to improve business process and foster productivity. Excel at partnering with users to discern and refine business needs, identifying requirements and scope, and using Agile methodologies to assign work to team members best equipped to solve specific problems. Coordinate and direct all phases of project management while managing, inspiring, and guiding teams.

Areas of Expertise

  1. Agile project management
  2. PHP/Javascript/jQuery/HTML web development
  3. Business process management
  4. Data analysis/statistical modeling
  5. Database administration
  6. Network administration
  7. Strategic goal setting
  8. Cloud-based storage and application delivery
  9. Server/application virtualization
  10. Staff management and training

Technical Proficiencies

Platforms

Windows XP/Vista/7, Windows Server 2003/2008, Linux (Ubuntu, Red Hat, Debian), Mac OS X

Languages

PHP, Javascript/jQuery, HTML 4/5, CSS, Flash Actionscript, Python, Crystal Reports, VBA, BASH shell scripting, SED/AWK, VB .NET, C# .NET, SQL

Networking

LAN/WAN administration, VPN (site-to-site and mobile user), TCP/IP, Wireless (WiFi/3G/4G), Ethernet routing/switching/wiring, DNS

Tools

Amazon EC2/S3, Watchguard Firewall, Google Apps for Domains, MS Exchange Server, Postfix, Vim, MS Office Suite/ LibreOffice, Crystal Reports, MySQL, MS SQL Server, Google Refine, MS HyperV, VirtualBox, Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge, Blackbaud NetCommunity CMS, Drupal CMS, Concrete5 CMS, Wordpress, Google Analytics, GPL/GNU tools, MS Active Directory

Training

Agile Project Management, Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge Essentials I & II/Event Management/NetCommunity CMS/VBA & API, Crystal Reports, MS Visual Basic & C# .NET, ADO .NET, Nonprofit Leadership at Duke University

Professional Experience

Reformed Church in America (RCA), Grand Rapids MI (1999 – Present)

Faith-based nonprofit facilitating ministry of 1,000 churches across the US and Canada

Project Manager (2006-present): Use Agile methodologies to design, document, and execute projects involving cross-functional teams. Provide leadership and management for IT staff. Assist with IT budget preparation and review. Manage database, network, helpdesk, and training for users in 5 offices across the US. Travel extensively to consult, train, and facilitate conferences.

 

Selected Achievements:

  1. Migrated organization from disparate data sources to a central MS SQL-based CRM, developing dashboards and custom reports to monitor business impact
  2. Developed business process tools to streamline and automate data flow between website users and centralized database
  3. Reduced server footprint by 80% through cloudsourcing and virtualization
  4. Integrated networks in 5 offices to a central domain allowing shared network resources and improving IT productivity
  5. Implemented secure, verifiable crowdsourcing technologies to reduce staff-driven data entry by over 300 hours per year
  6. Migrated users from MS Exchange to Gmail, freeing 8% of IT staff time and 6% of IT budget annually for other projects

 

Manager of General Synod Services (2010-present): Primary responsibility for the design and operation of annual meeting of the General Synod (annual 500 delegate conference). Set and manage schedule, business activities, and agenda with elected officers and senior staff. Manage process for advisory committees, working with constituents of diverse needs to negotiate and collaborate on new solutions for the national church.

 

Selected Achievements:

  1. Implemented elements of Agile project management to enhance the work of advisory committees, reducing turnaround time of developing reports by 66%
  2. Designed, moderated, and mediated an advisory committee tasked with approving the appointment of a new executive director
  3. Introduced centrally-managed document system to enhance business process at the conference, delivering conference at 8% under budget, and reducing carbon footprint of conference by 1 ton
  4. Implemented electronic voting systems, reducing the conference length by 1 day
  5. Negotiated contracts with external vendors to ensure facilities could meet technical and audio/visual needs

 

Database Administrator (2004 – 2006): Csolidate donor information, fundraiser activity, minister ordination status, church status, insurance and retirement program data, and volunteer/global mission outreach programs in a single MS-SQL database. Working with business leads, develop Crystal Reports to facilitate fundraising and further business objectives. Develop “plumbing” between data systems ranging from MS-SQL and MySQL to MS Access and Excel

 

Selected Achievements

  1. Trained 40+ staff at administrative through executive levels in proper use of the database
  2. Eliminated 4 legacy database systems, reducing staff time spent entering redundant data
  3. Implemented website CMS with tight integration to the CRM, allowing seamless online donations, event registration, and private intranets for staff, board of directors, and other unique parties
  4. Administered MS-SQL server on a Windows Server 2003 machine, utilizing Terminal Services to facilitate a centrally managed VDI

Network Administrator (2003 – 2004): Oversee network operations at all levels, from end-user administration and support to server closet management. Work with Cisco switches and Watchguard firewall to create security and redundancy in network operation. Administer MS Exchange Server. Serve as Tier 2 Helpdesk support.

         

Selected Acheivements

  1. Implemented centrally managed Watchguard firewalls in RCA offices across North America, reducing the need for IT travel to administer remote networks
  2. Migrated from blacklist firewall policy to whitelist policy, maximizing bandwidth and minimizing IT time spent on virus and malware removal
  3. Using Gentoo Linux and iptables, built RADIUS servers to reduce need for dialup accounts for travelling users and provide access to network for remote users
  4. Migrated from Postfix server to MS Exchange server, improving user experience by integrating email with Active Directory
  5. Oversaw migration 50-user office from Token Ring to Ethernet, improving network speed and supportability

Associate Programmer and Helpdesk Support Specialist (2000 – 2003): Provide Tier 1 helpdesk support to end users. Manage LAMP-architecture server and custom in-house CMS in Redhat and Gentoo Linux CLI environments. Create modules for website in Javascript, Perl, and/or PHP.

Selected Acheivements

  1. Self-taught PHP4 in intensive 2 week period; ported Perl-based CMS to LAMP-based CMS four months later
  2. Introduced centralized helpdesk ticketing system, preserving best practices and documenting organizational utilization of IT services
  3. Managed upgrade of 100 users across 5 offices from Windows 98 and 2000 to Windows XP SP2

Installation Specialist (Temp, 1999): Provide Tier 1 helpdesk support to end users. Upgrade fleet of 486 hardware to Y2K-ready Pentium systems.

         

Selected Acheivements

  1. Went beyond core job description to provide end-user training for the migration from Windows 3.11 to Windows 98
  2. Successfully guided editorial department who were die-hard users of Corel WordPerfect to MS Office
  3. At end of 3 month temp position, hired on first as contract programmer, then as full-time associate programmer and support specialist
  4. Hired on the spot after impressing my future supervisor during interview with extensive knowledge of MS DOS memory management and IRQ settings

Western Theological Seminary, Holland MI         June 2011 – Present

Nationally accredited graduate institution preparing students for careers in ministry

 

Website Developer (Contract): Use Concrete5 CMS to reduce staff time required to manage website. Use PHP, Javascript, MySQL to develop custom parts for delivering social video, render interactive slideshows based on the C5 file manager, Reduce number of templates, streamline CSS, and enable WTS staff to use core management tools eliminating the need for IT involvement in website management. Improve SEO ranking.

 

Selected Achievements

  1. Developed video delivery tool enabling staff to deliver content from any of 12 social networks in a visually consistent way using only a video’s URL
  2. Used SQL and SED/AWK to migrate site from an unwieldy 18 templates to a more manageable 5 without modifying pages by hand
  3. Built custom navigation parts to automatically updated the site header and footer based on changes to sitemap

 

Habitat for Humanity of Kent County, Grand Rapids MI         October 2011 – Present

Nonprofit focused on building simple, decent, affordable housing for people in need

 

Volunteer Database Administrator: Migrate Family Services division from custom database solution to Raiser’s Edge fundraising database. Develop custom solution for managing mortgages of Habitat homeowners in Raiser’s Edge. Provide training for users in family services, finance, fundraising, and volunteer management departments.

Other Items of Note         

  1. Frequently praised for my ability to explain complex technical concepts in accessible terms
  2. Active member of the Grand Rapids chapter of the Information Technology Managers Association
  3. Formally trained in faith-based nonprofit leadership at Duke University School of Divinity, participating in a curriculum focused on driving organizational mission and vision through change management and traditioned innovation
  4. A voracious fan of reading, including technical material, philosophy, and science fiction
  5. An aspiring author who focuses on writing 10,000 words per month
  6. I travel with an “Agile Toolbox” full of sticky notes, sharpies, planning poker cards, and voting dots. I used Agile to manage a kitchen renovation in my home.
  7. A volunteer at local library offering database support for the “Friends of the Library” program
  8. A fan of Clifton Strengthsfinder, my strengths are Ideation, Connectedness, Input, Intellection, and Maximizer

Education         

Hope College, Holland, MI         September 1997-May 2001

Graduated magna cum laude with B.A. in English Literature and Ancient Civilizations