Professional Background
My work centers on systems engineering, database architecture, and the design of stable, scalable data ecosystems. Over more than two decades, I’ve supported enterprise environments, high‑volume transactional systems, and hybrid cloud/on‑prem architectures, consistently focusing on clarity, reliability, and long‑term maintainability.
I’ve operated as an engineer, consultant, team lead, and Director of Database Architecture, often in roles where deep technical understanding intersects with architectural strategy. Whether embedded within a team or advising at the executive level, I approach every engagement with an emphasis on diagnosing issues precisely, reducing complexity, and building systems that support analytics‑driven decision‑making.
Core Expertise
- Database Architecture & Engineering — Oracle (9–19c), RAC, Data Guard, Exadata, ASM, ASO, PL/SQL, RMAN, Datapump, MariaDB/MySQL, Galera, MaxScale, XtraBackup/MariaBackup
- High‑Availability & Replication — engineered failover, replication design, hybrid cloud architectures
- Performance & Stability — root cause analysis, triage, tuning, uptime improvement, technical debt reduction
- Automation & DevOps — shell/Perl automation, deployment pipelines, process standardization, SDLC alignment
- Security & Compliance — PCI DSS, SOX, SSAE16, encryption/TDE, data masking, audit preparation and remediation
- Data Infrastructure — ETL, data warehousing, reporting, monitoring, master data management
- Leadership & Strategy — director‑level management, standards development, process improvement, vendor/license management, cross‑functional project leadership, compliance, audit
Career Highlights
Modernization & Cost Reduction
Led a multi‑year enterprise migration from Oracle to MariaDB, eliminating substantial licensing costs while improving performance, uptime, and operational flexibility. Designed migration standards, built tooling, trained staff, and oversaw execution across production environments.
Architecture for High‑Volume Systems
Designed and implemented architectures supporting heavy transactional workloads using virtualization, replication, and engineered failover. Improved resilience, reduced outages, and established long‑term stability patterns that lowered operational overhead.
Enterprise Oracle Engineering
Delivered upgrades, triage, tuning, and automation across Oracle environments from 9i through 19c, including RAC, Data Guard, Exadata, and cloud migrations. Supported mission‑critical systems in utilities, finance, and large enterprise operations.
Operational Maturity & Automation
Introduced DevOps principles into database teams, replacing ad‑hoc processes with standardized workflows and automated jobs. Reduced human error, improved service levels, and shifted teams from reactive firefighting to proactive improvement.
Security, Compliance & Data Protection
Strengthened data protection through encryption/TDE, masking, audit readiness, and compliance frameworks. Participated in internal and external audits, led remediation efforts, and aligned engineering practices with regulatory requirements.
Authorship & Thought Leadership in MariaDB
Author of Migrating to MariaDB: Toward an Open Source Database Solution, a technical guide focused on practical migration strategies from proprietary platforms to MariaDB. The work has been referenced across the MariaDB ecosystem and reflects deep experience in modernization, open‑source adoption, and architectural transformation.
Executive‑Level Technical Leadership
As Director of Database Architecture, reported directly to the CEO and served on the executive team. Managed licensing, vendor relationships, fiscal planning, resource forecasting, compliance, and cross‑departmental initiatives. Drove improvements in uptime, cost efficiency, and technical debt reduction.
Representative Experience
Consulting & Enterprise Engineering
Engaged by organizations such as Ameren, Enterprise Holdings, and MSD to deliver Oracle engineering, cloud migration support, replication design, automation, and modernization initiatives. Frequently brought in for diagnostic work and architectural guidance.
Engineering Leadership in Financial Services
At FNI, led the database function through major modernization efforts, including Oracle‑to‑MariaDB migration, compliance strengthening, automation, and system redesign. Managed teams, mentored engineers, and established standards that improved reliability and reduced operational cost.
Systems Engineering Foundation
Earlier roles in systems administration and release engineering at Blackboard and UMSL provided deep experience across Linux/Unix, networking, storage, virtualization, monitoring, and automation—forming the systems‑level foundation that informs my architectural approach today.
Education
- M.S., Data Analytics (in progress) — Webster University
- B.S., Data Analytics — Webster University
- A.S., Computer Science — East Central College
Approach
My consulting work is grounded in clarity, precision, and architectural discipline. I focus on diagnosing issues deeply, designing systems intentionally, and building data environments that support stability, scalability, and analytics‑ready operations. Whether stabilizing existing systems or guiding modernization efforts, I work to reduce complexity, eliminate technical debt, and create infrastructure organizations can rely on.