IT Manager at Strat@comm, and publisher of dctechevents.com
Washington D.C. Metro Area
- Current
-
- IT Manager at Strat@comm
- Publisher at DC Tech Events Weekly (Sole Proprietorship)
- Past
-
- Customer Service Coordinator at STBS, Inc
- System Support Engineer at Anka Systems
- Data Analyst/ Support Technician at Mzinga (formerly Knowledge Planet)
- Education
-
- Rochester Institute of Technology
- Connections
-
126
connections
- Industry
- Computer Software
- Websites
Ross Karchner’s Summary
• Up-to-date experience with web standards and technologies, including XHTML, CSS, Python, Django, jQuery, PHP, Drupal, Ning, and Google App Engine
• Experience with both commercial and open-source GIS packages, like ArcGIS and Quantum GIS
• Expert at writing scripts for process automation, data conversions and migrations, and data analysis.
• Capable of developing, maintaining, troubleshooting, and performing data analysis on most major relational database systems, like Oracle, Microsoft SQL, MySQL, and PostgreSQL
• Skilled with the installation, use, configuration, and customization of content and community management systems like Drupal, Wordpress, and Ning.
• An excellent written communicator, I have had articles published in Mode Weekly (Harrisburg, PA) and ComputerLink Magazine (Upstate NY).
• Proficient with setup, configuration, and maintenance of Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux desktops and servers.
Ross Karchner’s Specialties:
GIS, Web, data migration, IT, support, blogger
Ross Karchner’s Experience
-
IT Manager
Strat@comm
(Public Company; Public Relations and Communications industry)
August 2007 — Present (2 years)
• Support a mixed network of Windows XP and OS X workstations, with software including the Microsoft Office and Adobe Creative Suite.
• Built web sites for clients using tools like Django, Plone, Ning, and Drupal.
• Created online and static maps with the Google Maps API and Quantum GIS
• Migrated client data from custom and legacy Content Management Systems into modern CMS’s like Drupal and Plone
• Automated manual processes that saved hundreds of hours of work.
• Managed dedicated and virtual Linux and Windows servers for client and internal needs, including servers running IIS, Apache, Zope, and Adobe Version Cue.
• Coordinated with the parent company on issues of infrastructure, inventory, training, security, and quarterly Sarbanes-Oxley testing. -
Publisher
DC Tech Events Weekly (Sole Proprietorship)
(Sole Proprietorship; Myself Only; Events Services industry)
March 2007 — Present (2 years 5 months)
I develop, edit, and publish the only comprehensive guide to tech events in the DC area.
-
Customer Service Coordinator
STBS, Inc
(Telecommunications industry)
November 2006 — August 2007 (10 months)
• Support and troubleshoot a web-based billing system and CRM
• Research, plan, and manage the deployment side of transitioning from IIS and ColdFusion to J2EE and Apache Tomcat
• Design XHTML/CSS screens that have been integrated into the current (2.0) version of the main product and future editions of supporting software.
• Support and maintained employee desktop PC's running Windows 2000 and XP
• Install, test, and maintain Windows 2000 Server running IIS and ColdFusion -
System Support Engineer
Anka Systems
(Health, Wellness and Fitness industry)
January 2006 — November 2006 (11 months)
• Support doctors and medical technicians using Anka’s industry-leading image management system for ophthalmology, Eyeroute.
• Ongoing and scheduled remote administration and maintenance of Windows 2000, XP, and Windows Server 2003 systems deployed nationwide.
• On-site installation of Windows 2003 servers and integration with existing imaging hardware and software infrastructure. -
Data Analyst/ Support Technician
Mzinga (formerly Knowledge Planet)
(Privately Held; 51-200 employees; Computer Software industry)
June 2003 — December 2005 (2 years 7 months)
• Supporting clients administering Knowledge Planet's web-based learning management system(LMS)
• Helping end-users troubleshoot workstation issues that interfere with Knowledge Planet and courseware.
• Escalating issues to the correct vendor or department when necessary.
• Developing, updating and maintaining customer-facing web applications.
• Installing, managing, and customizing an internal weblog.
• Created and maintained software for processing XML and text data. -
Installation Services Rep
Earthlink
(Public Company; 1001-5000 employees; ELNK; Internet industry)
June 2002 — June 2003 (1 year 1 month)
Responsible for vendor contact and troubleshooting after first level broadband technical support indicates that an issue requires vendor assistance. I maintained constant contact with Verizon, Covad, Bellsouth, Pacific Bell, and Hughes to solve customer problems. Maintained team web site.
-
Master Technician
Earthlink
(Public Company; 1001-5000 employees; ELNK; Internet industry)
January 2001 — June 2002 (1 year 6 months)
Responsible for providing Earthlink customers assistance in configuration and troubleshooting of dialup, DSL, cable, and satellite internet connections, as well as configuring common applications. Wrote and managed a web application for team communication and statistics gathering.
-
Intern
Kindle Design Group
(Graphic Design industry)
May 1997 — August 1997 (4 months)
I was an intern at Kindle, a web design firm.
Ross Karchner’s Education
-
Rochester Institute of Technology
IT 1998 — 2000
- Activities and Societies:
- ITSO
Additional Information
Ross Karchner’s Websites:
Ross Karchner’s Interests:
web development, GIS, science, technology, events
Ross Karchner’s Groups:
-
Python Community -
Refresh DC -
DC Tech Events Readers -
Fleishman-Hillard Employees and Alumni -
iTSo
Ross Karchner’s Contact Settings
Interested In:
- career opportunities
- consulting offers
- new ventures
- job inquiries
- expertise requests
- business deals
- reference requests
- getting back in touch
