Robert Jakobson
6726 164th Street SE
Snohomish, WA 98296 USA
(425) 760-3549  | rajakobson@comcast.net

Career Objectives:
With experience in the IT and Applications development arena spanning over a decade, I’ve met most of my personal goals from a career perspective.  I am now looking for new goals and new horizons that offer me the chance to extend that experience forward into new arenas and share with others in the arenas I’m currently familiar with.  One of the blessings of my profession is that change provides the chance to upgrade ones skills over and over, allowing me to revisit my goals and start over with them.  I’m looking for what I always have – growth potential – in my career, my knowledge or the boundaries of my experience.

SUMMARY:
* Program Management Experience with Microsoft, IBM, SUN Microsystems
* Development and Design UI / UX / UA experience with Microsoft, IBM, for Web, Desktop and Server platforms.
* Highly technically skilled in multiple development backgrounds as well as extensive customer contact, negotiations, requirements gathering, analysis, scoping and skills and translating those into finished products and services.
* Experience with LEAN Six Sigma as well as Agile (Scrum, XP, Feature Driven) Development methodologies.

EXPERIENCE AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS

MICROSOFT CORPORATION (VOLT)                                 November  2007                                 October 2008
PROGRAM MANAGER, WINDOWS UNLIMITED POTENTIAL GROUP

As Program Manager I was responsible for development and delivery of hardware drivers and applications for Windows XP Professional on the OLPC XO-1. Responsible for management of driver development for specialized hardware needs for the XO-1 and insuring the OS achieved or exceeded feature parity with native Sugar/Linux interface. This included locating, working with and driving multiple internal and external hardware and software vendors. Perform project scheduling, driving milestones, overcoming extensive technological obstacles from M2 to M5, RTM and RTW of the project.

This project received considerable internal and external visibility and exposure and required an extreme degree of confidentiality be maintained. An added unusual element of this project was working directly with the OLPC organization, a global high profile non-profit OpenSource group required maintaining and growing relationship trust and knowledge transfer channels which were completely new for both groups. The project has been heralded as incredibly successful, in many areas the XP OS developed is not only faster than it’s Linux based XO UI but with increased features and functionality.

Additional roles that this project included Design of the Icons/ Graphics the UI for the GamePad application. Provided technical assistance for and assisted directly with user beta tests and case studies directly with users for field tests. Assisted vendors in receiving WHQL Certifications and obtaining Errata for drivers. Also designed processes for and performed the actual Localization of the drivers for Spanish and Portuguese builds.

MICROSOFT CORPORATION  APRIL 2006 SEPTEMBER 2007
PROGRAM MANAGER, WINDOWS INTERNATIONAL | LOCALIZATION TOOLS TEAM

Responsible for the development and deployment of recycling strategies and tools for the LocTools platform. Specifically assisted as PM for UI on LCXAdmin, LocStudio and LocProject 6.0 and 6.1 releases.  This included creation of functional specs, UI design and customer contact with Office, Windows, MSDN, MSN/Windows Live, and internal software customers of Microsoft. This work was directly responsible for allowing Microsoft Software to be localized to more cultures than any other software on the planet.

FREELANCE WORK SEPT 2005 APRIL 2006
CONTRACT EMPLOYMENT | SMALL PROJECTS

Worked on various projects for small to medium sized companies throughout the Rocky Mountain area while pursuing career enhancing options by working on development projects with emerging and existing technologies. These included redesign of web based applications for construction firms using ASP and XML to MS SQL Databases. The UX and UI redesign of Medical Device GUIs using C#, VB.NET, Win32 API and GDI / GDI+ on a globalization and localization SOA clients. In addition to larger projects such as these I also re familiarized myself with ActionScript, Flash, Adobe Dreamweaver, on several smaller projects.

SUN MICROSYSTEMS MAY 2005 SEPT 2005
SME (SUBJECT MATTER EXPERT) CONTRACTED BY: SOFTSOL RESOURCES

Sun requested my expertise in MS platform technology to assist in the design, development and deployment of their forth coming SPS 2.0 Heterogeneous offering. I was responsible for assisting and providing guidance to the SPS team to bring them to RR (Revenue Ready) Status for funding. Once funded, my contract was extended to assist achieving the Pilot and GA phases as well in a similar capacity. My work involved consulting on the development of required components of the SPS 2.0 (Sun Predictive Services) for Heterogeneous Services. I provided technical expertise and subject matter expertise in the development of specialized applications and processes required. In a secondary role, assisted with project planning, functional design, technical deadlines and tracking of the applications required to allow the projects go forward and achieve the RR, Pilot and GA funding. 

IBM GLOBAL SERVICES AUGUST 2000 APRIL 2005
ECOMMERCE SOLUTIONS, NATIONAL PRACTICE SR. IT SPECIALIST / ARCHITECT

2000-2005  (MULTIPLE JOB ROLES AS ASSIGNED TO PROJECTS)

Lead Tool Application Developer VSA (RT Audit / WinAudit / WinCWA) Developed applications for server support and security on global enterprise systems. These included applications which provided passive scanning and monitoring all servers within enterprise domains for compliance with ITCS204, ITCS104, GSD331 and ISO compliance standards. Other projects included Single-Sign on via LDAP based SSL and with ISO compliant dynamic user accounts propagated from the LDAP throughout ADSI infrastructures. The project then progressed into added tools for security and server administration support which are currently globally deployed across accounts throughout internally and customer accounts. The adoption of these tools represented substantial savings in manpower and resources and are currently used globally, in some cases providing a 25 savings or more on the cost of Server, Systems and ID management.

2000-2005 – Application / Architectural Consultant and Development Specialist

Worked as a consultant for software, hardware, business process systems, and also transitions teams for applications and large scale infrastructures. Provided direction and leadership of applications selections, development and deployments. Often created tools within client infrastructures as replacements for sunset or legacy tools needed for web, desktop or server administration application methods. Initiated customer contact, handled the selection process for tool sets, requirement gathering, scoping, specifications, project management of tools development, and when needed, performing actual redesign and coding of a tool, or the creation of a completely new tool for the task required.

MAILBANK.COM APRIL 2000 MAY 2000
Consulting Specialist for Web Transition and Database Issues

Led the effort to transition, redesign and optimize a total of 43,000 web site mail and individual user virtual domains. This included movement of systems from Vancouver BC to USA facilities, reverse engineering of code, documentation of code and site, redesign of site, added functionalities and consulting on web/data interfaces, web administration tools, performance tuning of servers and code. (Company has been sold and is now Net Identity.)

IBM GLOBAL SERVICES AUGUST 1998 APRIL 2000
MULTIPLE NATIONAL AND GLOBAL ACCOUNTS FOR SOFTWARE DELIVERY CENTERS

Web Application Developer / Architect

Implemented five major web application development and rollout efforts, two code rollovers. Most challenging involved a national network (Class C) migration – with simultaneous web tool migration within a 24 hour window.

- Webmaster and Sr. IT Specialist / Administrator

Responsible for three of the primary web tools for a global telecommunications company client of IBM. Responsible for multiple customer account infrastructure servers, web transition, consultation, design and steady state support. Role was later expanded to include 5 major accounts in the Pharmaceutical, Financial, and Government services industries. My work on Microsoft IIS and ASP code with Sybase, SQL Server and DB2 backend system performance provided a 105% increase in uptime for client applications. This work was distilled in the White Paper, “IBM Server Performance: Internet Information Server Tuning and Performance for Windows NT and 2000″.

FIREHOLE.COM 1996 1998
WEB HOSTING / ISP / WEB APPLICATIONS PROVIDER
CIO / Chief Design and Development Operations Engineer

Firehole was one of the first companies to enter the ISP / Web Hosting arena in the Wyoming / Utah / Colorado region. It had been purchased by several investors unfamiliar with IT operations in general and required much retooling to become profitable as they were unable to compete with larger and often national competitors. Under my leadership we moved the less profitable ventures of ISP hosting to a Web Hosting model, added services to the Web Hosting arm and provided development and marketing provisions for our customers.

SKILL SUMMARY & ADDENDUMS

Specific Areas of Skill Detailed:
Operating Systems, Application Development, Systems Integration, Project Management, Product Development & Life Cycle

Microsoft (Expert Skill Level)
    Windows [Standard, Web, Enterprise]
       * 2008 Server
       * Windows Server 2000, 2003
       * Windows NT

* Internet Information Server (IIS)
* Windows ME, 98, 95, and MS-DOS

Experience with
(Operation of but not Mastery of)
     * Unix
     * AIX
     * Linux OSs.[Redhat, SuSe]

Computer / Programming Languages:
Microsoft:
     * Visual C++, Visual Basic 4.0, 6.0, VBA, VB.NET,C#, J#
     * Windows API (Win32 API)
Scripting:
MSXML 4.0,MS DTS (Data Transformation Scripting) ASP, ASP.NET, VBScript, ADO / RDO ADSI / WMI / WSH / WBEM / SNMP / PowerShell

Proprietary Software (Psuedo-Code Skills)
     * Delphi 3-4
     * Macromedia Flash Action script
       * IBM Lotus Script
     * SilverLight / WPF, XAML

Standards Based and Web Coding Work:
     Java
     SQL
     JavaScript
     PERL
     HTML, XML, dHTML, XHMTL, CSS, XML

Security / Infrastructural Knowledge:
     ITCS104, ITCS204,ITCS304, Standards for Implementation and Deployment Design Considerations
     GSD331 Requirements Gathering and Standards for Implementation
     ISO 17799 Standards (500 and 800 Series)

Databases and DB Management Systems:
     MS SQL 2000, 2005, 2007 Enterprise & Standard
     MySQL
     IBM DB2
     Lotus Notes Databases
     Sybase 11-11.9

DEVELOPMENT TOOLS, APPLICATIONS AND APPLICATION SERVERS:
Microsoft
Visual Studio [Team Foundation Server / Professional] 2005 & 2008
- MSDN & Source Safe
- Product Studio
- MS Expression Blend
- MS Expression Encoder 2
- MS Expression Web
- MS SharePoint Designer 2007
- Silverlight & WPF

ADOBE / Macromedia / Audio Video Production
* Dreamweaver
* Flash 4/5/MX
* Fireworks
* Director
* ColdFusion
* Soundbooth
* AfterEffects
* Photoshop
* Acrobat

Microsoft and other SDKs
* MS Mobile Developer SDK
* Microsoft Windows SDK, DDK
* Microsoft IEAK
* Windows Media Services SDK
* SUN Java J2SE

Misc
* CODESmart Solutions
* Mercury Testing Tools [WinRunner] Webtrends
* Wise Installer
* Real Producer
* ParticleIllusion 3.0 & S.E

SUN
* JAVA J2SE
* Java SDKs

IBM
* Lotus Domino Designer
* Websphere Studio
* Websphere IDE
* Rational Software tools
* NWS Webmonitor (Developed)
* eESM  Webmonitor
* IMAC Asset Mgmt
* IBM WinAudit
* HelpNow.
* Websphere Application Server,
* Websphere Portal Server
* Websphere Commerce Server

InstallShield
* Installshield 10.5 Premiere
* Installshield Professional
* Adminstudio
* Demoshield
* Package4TheWeb

Program / Project Management
MS Visio [Standard / Enterprise Architect]
MS Project
MS Sharepoint
Product Studio
Windows Media Producer
Windows Media Encoder
Microsoft Web Application Stress Tool

Localization
LocStudio 4.8
LocStudio 6.0
TRADOS SDL

EDUCATION / TRAINING
Bachelor of Sciences Program – Degree Uncompleted
Major: Film & Television (Cinematography)
Minor: Journalism / Communications
Montana State University
Bozeman, Montana

SPECIALIZED TRAINING & METHODOLOGIES:
* IBM GS Project Management Agile methodology.
* Microsoft RADD methodology.
* Microsoft Project Management.
* Microsoft Program Management.
* Rational Software tools and Development technologies.
* Coaching & Mentoring – Timothy Gallwey  (Author: Inner Game of Work)
* DFSS (Designed for Six Sigma)
     -Agile Development
     — Scrum
     — XP (Extreme Programming)
     — Feature Driven Development
* ATG Dynamo Development, Design & Deployments

PUBLICATIONS AND SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS:
     * Internet Information Server Tuning and Performance for NT 4.0 and 2000
         — Internal IBM White Paper
     * Home on the Internet Range
          1996 Star Tribune Publication
     * Former Award Winning National Collegiate Public Speaker.

ADDENDUM 1: SKILL SETS ATTAINED, RATED AND VERIFIED:
SUMMARY OF CORE SKILLS
*(All listed skills below verified by Actual Work Performed, and skill level rated verified by Employers and or Customer/Client Contact.  These are taken directly from employee evaluations.)

BUSINESS SKILLS:
·          LEADERSHIP
·          RELATIONSHIP BUILDING
PROFESSIONAL:
·          Financial Analysis
·          IBM Infrastructure
·          Pricing Concepts
·          Proposal Development
·          Risk Management
·          Strategic Business Themes
·          Performance Management
·          Professional Vitality
·          Team Building
·          Project Management
·          Knowledge Management

COMMUNICATION SKILLS:
·          Engagement Management
·          Negotiation
·          Winning Business
·          Managing Organization Change
·          Application Development Methodologies & Tools Usage
·          Architectural Elements Management
·          Business and Technical Requirements Analysis and Consulting II

DETAILED SKILLS ACQUIRED:
CLIENT FOCUS SKILLS
* Client Relationships Management, Client Requirements & Architectural Decisions Development
* Communication Styles, Communications Program II
* Consulting Techniques Use
* Customer Technical Requirements Definition
* Integrated – Customized Solutions Development
* IT Solutions Database Usage, IT Standards Applications, IT Standards Development
* Knowledge of Competitive Trends Application, Knowledge of e-business in Clients Industry, Knowledge of IBM IT Related Services
* Library Management Tool Usage
* Methodology, Methodologies Application
* Negotiation Performance, Non Standard Contract Terms Management
* Operating System Implementation Planning, Operating Systems Implementation, Operating Systems Support
* PKI & Cryptographic Technology Application
* Project Change Management, Project Risk Management,  Projects Plan Problem Solving, Problem Solving Principals, Technical Solutions Analysis
* Solutions Architectures Development, Security Solution Architecture, Solutions Development Utilizing Architectures
* Strategy / Design/ Implementation of Solution Leadership, Successful Negotiations, Team & Individuals Leadership, Technical Direction Leadership, Thought Leadership II, Output for Reuse, Test Strategy Development
* The IBM Signature Selling Method
* Value-Add Selling Process Usage
* Worldwide CRM Processes and Tools II
* Middleware Solutions Advice
* Modeling Techniques Usage. Object Technology Solutions, Product Conversion, Workflow Architecture
* Organizational Change Techniques Application

FOCUSED SKILLS ACQUIRED & USED ON PROJECTS (CONT):
SOLUTIONS SKILLS
* Business Mgmt, Document Mgmt, Workflow Solutions Processing, Proposal Development
* Document – Image Content Strategy Consulting
* Future Organization Design, Human Performance Effectiveness
* IT Design – IBM Infrastructure Knowledge Application
* Jumpstart Technique
* , Workflow Design Tools Usage, Workflow Methodology Usage, Taxonomy Analysis
* Application Development Methodology & Tools, Asset Management Tools
* Business IT Requirements Translation, Business Strategy Considerations, Client Solutions Development, Client Strategy and Planning Application, Contract Bid and Negotiation Management Application
* Data and Database Administration Advice, Data Models Understanding
* Enterprise-Wide Security Admin Solutions Implementation

SECURITY TRAINING & SKILLS ACQUIRED:
* Intrusion Detection Solutions Implementation, Security Standards Secure Remote Access Solutions Implementation
* Network Security Solutions Implementation, Networking Software Implementation

WEB SPECIFIC SKILLS
* Web Content Management Strategy Consulting,  Web Browser Solutions, Browser Solutions Implementation
* Web Content Quality Assurance Principles
* Web Information Design, Web Information Development
* Web Page Design Principles, Web Page Development, Web Publishing
* Web Server Administration
* Web Services – Application Development Frameworks,   Applications Design, Architecture Development, IBM Legacy Transformation (LT) Interoperability, Legacy Transformation (LT) Applications Design,  Legacy Transformation (LT) Solutions Architecture
* Web Services – Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) Adoption Roadmap Development, (SOA) Architecture, (SOA) Def. Engagement Leadership,  (SOA) Solutions Architecture, Web Services – Standards
* Web-Based Solutions Advice
* XML for Content and Website Management
* Defining Corporate Web Standards

TECHNICAL SKILLS
* Project Management Application, Full Life Cycle Usage, Program Specifications,  Communications Teamwork / Leadership of Teams, AD Human Factors Usage, User Tasks & Usability, Requirements, Creating Plans to Support Web Sites
* Graphics Layout Design
* Application Architecture Using Application Platforms, Application Testing Activities, Applications Strategies for Maintenance, Applications/Products Usage Solutions
* Operating System Performance, Tuning Performance, Performance-Capacity Planning Knowledge Application, System Programming Performance
* Programming Languages, SQL Programming, Legacy Transformation Applications Development
* Package Software Implementation, Package Solution Configuration and Testing, Package Solution Functionality
* Technical Implementation-Platforms/Subsystems
* Object Oriented (OO) Development Solutions
* e-business – Financial Analysis, Financial Techniques Use
* I/T Solutions Using NW Mgmt Products Architecture
* Security Middelwear/Pltfrms/Appls/Ds/Sysmgmt Implementation,
* Security Solutions to Meet Bus Requirements, SSO Problem – Management Assessment/Design