David Mercer
Lehi, UT
radix42@gmail.com

Available for freelance engagements

and permanent positions

EMPLOYMENT HISTORY

Linux Administrator, Jupiterimages, Tucson, AZ, 6/2008 – 4/1/2009.

Manage Linux and Solaris servers in a 24/7 e-commerce environment. Netapp and Hitachi SAN systems are used, as are Oracle and mysql databases, Apache and lighttpd webservers, and Postfix and Sendmail email systems and VMware Server and ESX. On-call and responsible for hardware, operating system and server software level issues. Develop automation scripts for systems administration tasks and to build virtual machine images. Work with developers and UI team on troubleshooting, systems upgrades and product launches.

Programmer, Tekco Management Group, Tucson, AZ, 2/2007 – 5/2008.

Interacted with multiple stakeholders and upper management to acquire and clarify application specifications. Integrated software, graphics and other deliverables from multiple teams into a large web application system. Wrote web applications and automation software using php, javascript, mysql and DB2 in a clustered, high availability environment, including successful rewrites of perl code to php while switching database systems. Setup automated imports of unmanaged codebases into version control systems.

Systems Programmer, CNET Networks, San Francisco, CA, 3/2006 – 12/2006.
Created system automation tools and web applications for a large RedHat linux server environment with over 1000 hosts, including tools to map and migrate systems from one colocation facility to another, with PHP, Perl, MySQL and shell scripting in an Apache web server environment. Highest escalation level for systems administration team members.

Freelance Consultant, Tucson, AZ, 5/2001 – 8/2004.
Installed and managed client servers and networks, including email, web, and vpn systems on linux, FreeBSD, Mac and Windows platform systems. Wrote, customized and managed web applications using the Apache web server, including ecommerce and intranet applications. Ported client software and performed build and release engineering. Created custom automation tools for client systems in multiple scripting languages, including Perl and bash. MySQL, Postgres and other database backends were used in client web applications. Responsible for management, architecture and troubleshooting of networks using Cisco, HP and other routing and switching platforms. Re-designed client networks and server systems for optimal load balancing and performance.

Founder/Chairman, Professional Network Solutions, Tucson, AZ, 11/1999 – 4/2001.
Managed team that created an ISO9000 compliant document management system, wrote custom LDAP parsers and data cleansers in Perl, created simulation testbeds for upgrade validation of complex Bind dns, and iPlanet Mail and Directory Server installations using Perl, installed and managed various internet server systems, including complex Apache configurations. Responsible for monitoring and performance tuning of internal and client server load and network performance. Managed a team of consultants working in multiple countries in the Western Hemisphere. Clients included Honeywell, Sun/Netscape Consulting, NASDAQ, Island ECN, Alphagraphics, Banamex, Groupo Financiero Bital, and Telmex. In charge of sales closing, business development and finances.

A. VP of Operations, The River Internet Access Company, Tucson, AZ, 2/1998 - 11/1999.
Responsible for network operations of an internet service provider environment with over 20,000 hosts. Migrated network connections, web and email services of acquired companies with custom automation tools written in Perl and bash. Managed and customized client web sites including ecommerce systems. Responsible for all network and server operations, monitoring and performance tuning including Apache web servers, Bind dns servers, Sendmail and postfix mail servers and MS SQL and Sybase database servers. Managed servers using HP Proliant, Dell, and other hardware platforms and Cisco, 3com and other router and switch vendors' networking equipment. Negotiated telecom contracts and managed installation of network connections. Trained junior systems administrators.

Technical Lead, InfiNETways, Inc., Tucson, AZ, May 1997 - February 1998.
Managed all internet servers and network systems for a web development and hosting company, including multiple different web, database and email systems on linux and Windows, including Apache and IBM web servers, Sendmail and Post.Office email servers, Bind and MS dns servers, Sybase and Postgres database servers. Performed copy editing and was involved in the sales closing process. Developed and managed ecommerce applications, including financial applications and ecommerce ordering systems. Managed server and network load and performance tuning. Training of end users on-site at client locations.

Tech Support Representative and Systems Analyst, The River Internet Access Company, Tucson, AZ, December 1995 – May 1997.
Third level escalation for customer technical issues. Led the technical support team that at the time was in the top 10 in the US, top 2 in AZ and number one in Tucson for customer satisfaction in the CNET ISP Customer Satisfaction Survey. Management of Windows workstations and troubleshooting of linux and BSD/OS servers and Livingston and Cisco routers. Monitored dial-in modem pool and network load.

EDUCATION
University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 2004-2006.
Studied mathematics and computer science.

PROFESSIONAL TRAINING
Veritas High Availability System Design, Perl Training with the Tom Christiansen Perl Consultancy, Enterprise DNS Systems Training.