Professional Summary
Seasoned Senior Software Engineer with over 13 years in web development and over 7 years specializing in Django/Python. Proven record of accomplishment of assisting in the modernizing of large-scale systems, upgrading frameworks, and delivering high-impact solutions through RESTful API design, automated testing, and CI/CD best practices. Proficient in DataDog and Rollbar for production monitoring, with a history of improving code quality and reducing defects by implementing robust test frameworks. Recognized for publishing a 526-page Django/Python book with Packt Publishing and for leading cross-functional collaboration across engineering, product, and QA teams. Committed to writing clean, maintainable code that enhances performance, reliability, and business outcomes.
I am looking to specialize in Django and is what I seek in my next role. Anything Django related, whether it is a focus on API work (REST, SOAP, GraphQL, Etc...) or more of a hybrid Front-end/Backend role. Whether you are using a Front-end framework like React.js, Angular.js, Vue.js, Handlebars.js or taking advantage of the built-in Django Templating Language while leveraging the Django Form System. Even if you are using different flavors of Django like Django CMS, I love working with them all. I especially love jumping into the fire and using Django in ways that I have not used before or am even unfamiliar with. This unique experience lets me learn some of the capabilities and limitations of the framework that I would have never have learned otherwise. So don't be discouraged and dismiss me as a candidate if I have not worked with Django in a particular way before.
While I want to specialize in Django and keep using it at my next role, I understand that the job market is much more diverse than just one framework. With that in mind, I am still open to working with other technologies and frameworks and I am not hard-pressed at limiting myself to just Django. I would even be willing to work with other backend languages that are not Python as long as the employer is willing to work with me transitioning my current skill sets into learning that new language and tools. Take a look at the Typing Animation in my banner at the top of the page for a list of Job Titles that align with my skills and that I have worked in the past. I am willing to add a title that is not listed in my next role.
Technical Skills/Core Competencies
- Full-Stack Software Development
- RESTful API Architecture & Integration
- Agile & Scrum Workflows
- Test Driven Development (TDD)
- CI/CD Implementation
- System Optimization & Troubleshooting
- PostgreSQL, MSSQL, MySQL & Wrote Raw SQL Queries
- Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Application/System Modernization
- Technical Documentation
- Scalable Software Architecture
- Code Reviews
- Heroku: Cloud-based Containerized Platform as a Service (PaaS)
- NGINX Server Configuration
- AWS EC2 & other Hosting Services. Still new to this one.
Tools & Platforms
Development & Deployment
Version Control & Collaboration
Monitoring & Debug
Design & Productivity
Work Experience
Senior Software Engineer
Cart.com, Inc
Feb 2022 - Oct 2025 Remote
Overhauled a broken legacy test suite by implementing the Django Test Framework, creating more than 900 test cases that improved coverage to 40% and reduced post-release bugs by 30%. Assisted with a full migration of Django from version 1.x to 4.2 and Python to 3.13, improving code stability, performance, and security across multiple business-critical applications. Designed and integrated RESTful APIs to connect internal systems with third-party platforms, enhancing data accuracy and processing speed across departments using Django REST Framework and GraphQL. Includes building new feature requests and automating background celery tasks or updating queries as async celery tasks. Deployed DataDog and Rollbar for production monitoring, using structlog to build visual dashboards that accelerated debugging and performance insights.
Author
Packt Publishing
Dec 2020 - Jun 2022 Remote
Authored and had published "Becoming an Enterprise Django Developer", a 526-page guide with over 11 hours of tutorials that helped developers master enterprise-level Django practices. Created and maintained example repositories with production-ready code to illustrate advanced Django concepts and architectural patterns. Collaborated with Packt editors and engineers to align content with industry standards for secure, scalable Django applications. Delivered technical documentation and video explanations to guide readers through full-stack Django development workflows.
Django/Python & VB.NET Web Developer
Corcoran Pacific Properties
(Elite Pacific Properties)
Aug 2019 - Feb 2022 Scottsdale, AZ
Built and deployed a complete Django CMS that streamlined content management for their real-estate listings. Rebuilt their old VB.NET system in Python/Django while maintaining their old VB.NET system until the new one was finished. Integrated XMPie print services into the company platform, automating custom marketing material generation and branding consistency. Collaborated with cross-functional teams to deliver responsive and accessible web interfaces that boosted client engagement. Authored detailed internal system documentation to help users and IT staff use the new system.
Django/Python Web Developer
PayPal
(via Insight Global)
May 2019 - Jul 2020 Scottsdale, AZ
Developed internal dashboards and REST APIs that connected multiple tools for their Bug Bounty team to keep track of the life-cycle of incoming Bug Bounty tickets. Rebuilt their old PHP system in Python/Django. Automated repetitive processes using Celery, enabling faster execution of internal security operations and tool synchronization. Strengthened backend performance and reliability through optimized code structure and automated validation testing. Collaborated with QA and product teams to align backend development with security compliance and testing requirements.
Django/Python Web Developer
Connect-IO, Inc
Mar 2018 - May 2019 Phoenix, AZ
Delivered customized Django/Python web solutions for clients across industries, enhancing uptime and overall system responsiveness. Conducted in-depth code and data analysis to identify bottlenecks and implemented performance optimization strategies. Coordinated with infrastructure teams to ensure compatibility between software builds and server configurations. Provided tailored solutions for platforms including WordPress, Shopify, and ASP.NET to meet client-specific performance goals.
Senior Interactive Developer
PrizeLogic, Inc
Jan 2014 - Feb 2018 Scottsdale, AZ
Produced high-traffic promotional websites for major brands like Disney and Pepsi, ensuring cross-browser and responsive performance using frontend technologies such as JavaScript, jQuery, Angular.js, React.js and GSAP. Improved project delivery speed by 20% through streamlined front-end development workflows and documentation standards. Collaborated with design and QA teams to achieve pixel-perfect, accessible user experiences across all client campaigns. Mentored junior developers on company standards and reusable code structures to maintain development consistency.
Webmaster
Jetset Magazine
Jan 2013 - Dec 2013 Scottsdale, AZ
Managed digital publication of print editions, optimizing SEO and site structure to boost online visibility and increase organic traffic by 20%. Developed dynamic advertising and landing pages using PHP and JavaScript, improving client campaign conversions by 15% through targeted design by working with in-house graphic designers to implement their work on the web. Implemented responsive WordPress templates, enhancing mobile performance and reducing bounce rates across devices by 20%. Coordinated with editors to publish timely content updates, maintaining 100% accuracy and consistency between digital and print editions.
Junior Web Developer
Mission e-Commerce Small Business
(MECSB)
Mar 2010 - May 2011 Scottsdale, AZ
Designed and implemented interactive websites using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, improving client engagement and reducing bounce rate by 20% through intuitive layouts. Created high-fidelity Photoshop mockups and prototypes to visualize project goals, achieving 100% client approval on design presentations before development. Assisted in backend maintenance and performed cross-platform testing, increasing compatibility and load consistency across 5+ major browsers. Collaborated with senior developers to apply UX and responsive design principles to build the information websites that clients approved of my very own design mockups.
Private First Class - E2
United States Marine Corps
USMC
2005 Camp Pendleton, CA
I did not go very far due to suffering two separate injuries and I was medically discharged as a result of those injuries. But I did learn a lot about Leadership, Team Work, Communication and its utmost importance not just on the battlefield but in the civilian sector as well. Attention to detail is also high on my the list of things that I gained from this training. Semper Fi!
Education
Bachelor of Science in Information Technology
For Software Systems Engineering
Colorado Technical University - Online
2009 - 2011
Associate of Science in Information Technology
Colorado Technical University - Online
2007 - 2009
Certifications
- XMPie – Personal Effect Suite Training (Employer Provided) 2019
- Object Oriented Methods (CTU) 2010
- Computer Network Telecommunications (CTU) 2010
- Server Java Programming (CTU) 2010
- Client Java Programming (CTU) 2009
- CompTIA Network+ Fundamentals (CTU) 2008
- Unix Network Administration (CTU) 2008
Clients & Notable Work
Corporate & Enterprise Clients
- 20th Century Fox
- Amazon
- American Express
- Aston Martin
- BabyBel
- Beam Suntory
- Bentley
- Blue Moon
- Capital One
- Disney
- eBay
- Frito Lay
- Gatorade
- Goodwill
- Gucci
- Hershey's
- Lipton
- McDonald's
- Pepsi
- Reese's
- Rolls Royce
- Starbucks
- T-Mobile
- Target
- Tyson
- United Airlines
- Victoria's Secret
Agency & Professional Partnerships
- 602ABCWater
- Bradley Wealth Management
- Food Lion
- Insight Global
- Keystone Lite
- Mars Agency
- Mindi Meade Photography
- MovePHX
- Pinnacle Vodka
- Poster My Print
- Samsung
- Temp Control AZ
- Tequila Patrón
- The Marketing Store
- The Martz Agency
- Tracy Locke
Note: The clients and projects listed represent organizations I contributed work for through various employers and contract engagements. These ARE NOT direct employment roles with these clients. Please refer to my Work Experience section for the actual employers that I have worked for and where I have engaged in projects supporting these clients.
Publications
Becoming an Enterprise Django Developer
Discover best practices, tooling, and solutions for writing and organizing Django applications in production
ISBN-13: 978-1801073639, 526 Pages
Key Features
- Expert tips to help you use the right packages, tools, and libraries and understand their scope for your project
- Gain a thorough understanding of the essential components that comprise a large-scale Python web app
- Learn best practices for creating a project structure for better performance
Book Description
Django is a powerful framework but choosing the right add-ons that match the scale and scope of your enterprise projects can be tricky. This book will help you explore the multifarious options available for enterprise Django development. Countless organizations are already using Django and more migrating to it, unleashing the power of Python with many different packages and dependencies, including AI technologies.
This practical guide will help you understand practices, blueprints, and design decisions to put Django to work the way you want it to. You'll learn various ways in which data can be rendered onto a page and discover the power of Django for large-scale production applications. Starting with the basics of getting an enterprise project up and running, you'll get to grips with maintaining the project throughout its lifecycle while learning what the Django application lifecycle is.
By the end of this book, you'll have learned how to build and deploy a Django project to the web and implement various components into the site.
What You Will Learn
- Use Django to develop enterprise-level apps to help scale your business
- Understand the steps and tools used to scale up a proof-of-concept project to production without going too deep into specific technologies
- Explore core Django components and how to use them in different ways to suit your app's needs
- Find out how Django allows you to build RESTful APIs
- Extract, parse, and migrate data from an old database system to a new system with Django and Python
- Write and run a test using the built-in testing tools in Django
Who This Book is For
This book is for Django developers who want to learn the full-stack enterprise app development lifecycle. If you are a Python web developer looking to learn how to maintain a production website and explore Django beyond the basics, this book is for you.
The book assumes intermediate-level knowledge of Python programming and the Django framework.
Table of Contents
- Undertaking a Colossal Project
- Project Configuration
- Models, Relations, and Inheritance
- URLs, Views, and Templates
- Django Forms
- Exploring the Django Admin Site
- Working with Messages, Email Notifications, and PDF Reports
- Working with the Django REST Framework
- Django Testing
- Database Management
Code in Action
Purchase A Copy Today
Featured Projects
AI Templates
A collection of HTML templates created using Generative AI and the Prompt's used to create them. This project is only to demonstrate my ability to use Prompts in AI tools to generate code that can be used in a real-world scenarios.
Python
A collection of Python Scripts that are not related to Django to demonstrate my abilities to work with plain Python libraries.
Django
A mock project that demonstrates my ability to spin up a Django project on my own web server and display capabilities like Django Form submissions, Render Django Templates, Sending E-mail Notifications, Execute Django REST Framework API Requests, Configure PostgreSQL Database with Managed and Un-managed Django Models, File/Media Upload, Django Signals, Django Channels and More...
Docker
This uses the same mock Django Project and containerizes it in it's own Docker Container. It provides a means to view the Docker Configurations the same way as I display the Python Scripts in the Python Project. Enjoy!
Angular.js
A mock project that demonstrates my ability to spin up an Angular.js project and display various REST API requests. This project works in conjunction with a stripped down Django project to also display how Django can be used with various front-end frameworks.
React.js
A mock project that demonstrates my ability to spin up an React.js project and display various REST API requests. This project works in conjunction with a stripped down Django project to also display how Django can be used with various front-end frameworks.
Vue.js
A mock project that demonstrates my ability to spin up an Vue.js project and display various REST API requests. This project works in conjunction with a stripped down Django project to also display how Django can be used with various front-end frameworks.
FastAPI
A mock project that demonstrates my ability to spin up an FastAPI project and display various REST API requests.
Flask
A mock project that demonstrates my ability to spin up an Flask project and display various REST API requests.
Development Environment
A mock project that demonstrates my ability to wire up a CI/CD Pipeline for a Development Environment with GitHub and AWS EC2 Instances.
Staging
A mock project that demonstrates my ability to wire up a CI/CD Pipeline for a Staging Environment with GitHub and AWS EC2 Instances.
*This site was built with the intention to supplement my paper resume. It contains more in-depth information and also provides a fun and interactive way to learn about my skills. The site demonstrates my ability to work with AWS EC2 Instances and Elastic IP's as it is currently hosted on AWS. It also uses Ubuntu 24.04 with a custom built NGINX Web Server controlling my domains. This demonstrates my ability to work with NGINX and configure my own Web Server. The various sub-domains/projects serve as separate websites that act as entirely different framework technologies for showcasing my skills and abilities. Some of these projects may be a work in progress. Many of these projects focus on Django but in different ways to use it as I intend to be more of a Django specialist and showcase the different ways it can be used. At the core, HTML, CSS and JavaScript/jQuery and Python are all used to some degree, with various different frameworks and tools extending their usage. This page and sub pages and sub-domains are all optimized for ADA Compliance and WCAG 2.2 Accessibility.