Sometimes it’s good to reflect on a career—the twists and turns, the opportunities and misses, and the multitude of projects that have shaped your experience.
I’ve been fortunate throughout my journey to have had the opportunity to work with innovative and emerging technologies, from the early internet days where I was swapping typewriters with computers to working with artificial intelligence and digital identity today.
This timeline represents a brief overview of my technical career journey—from humble beginnings as a software developer to my current role as a CTO.
First Job After College!
I graduate from George Mason University with a BS in Management Information Systems and I’m hired into the illustrious Systems Engineer Development (SED) Program at Electronic Data Systems (EDS). My coding background at this point includes COBOL, Pascal, C, and C++.
SED Phase 1 – Business Associate
As a Business Associate supporting the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) my work includes LAN/WAN design, workstation configuration and deployment, cable plant layout, site surveys, and network installation and maintenance. This is mostly Novell Netware and Microsoft Windows for Workgroups.
SED Phase 2 – Technical Associate
I attend EDS’ notorious 10-week program applying computer theory and system design to complete a number of individual coding assignments using C++.
If your program doesn’t work, you are fired (not kidding).
Systems Engineer
Secure Electronic Network for Travelers’ Rapid Inspection (SENTRI)
I successfully complete SED tech training and I’m now a software developer on an automated vehicle processing system deployed to the southern border. I code primarily in MS Visual C++ using MFC, supporting primary system development as well as building a number of utility applications for testing and simulation. Technologies include RFID, wireless networks, and laser vehicle detection.
This is my first experience with biometrics, testing early stage face and voice capabilities.
The project receives Vice President Al Gore’s National Performance Review Golden “Hammer” award as well as a Smithsonian Award.
Pre-Enrolled Access Lane (PAL)
I’m the primary software developer supporting the U.S. Border Patrol with an automated inspection system that processes pre-enrolled travelers in vehicles on Interstate 5 in San Clemente, CA.
SENTRI Reporter System
I’m the sole developer of an application that allows INS Inspectors to enter data for port related activities and print reports. This is done in C++ with embedded Crystal Reports.
Advanced Systems Engineer
Project BASEL
I’m a software developer on a multi-modal biometric fusion system (hand geometry and face), processing Palestinian day workers crossing the Israeli border. I develop multi-lingual applications (English, Hebrew, and Arabic) using Visual C++, COM+, MSMQ, and Oracle. I also lead the development of a Command and Control system and multi-threaded load testing simulators.
Advanced Systems Engineer
Pedestrian SENTRI
I’m a developer on a system that integrates and tests 2 facial biometric systems and a fingerprint verification system, within an integrated gate-controlled lane, to process travelers on the move.
US VISIT Prototype
I develop a vehicle lane controller application on a handheld computer with fingerprint biometrics using Embedded C++, XML, and Java.
EDS Distinguished SE
I’m recognized on the corporate level as an EDS Distinguished SE. The recognition, and ongoing role, is held by 61 individuals at the time within the entire corporation (>100,000) who repeatedly develop exceptional technical solutions.
Sr. Information Specialist
EDS Assured IdentityTM
I’m one of the lead developers building a corporate product offering to meet Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12). I focus my development efforts on building the Identity Proofing and Registration application that includes smart card login, biographic and biometric data capture, document authentication, and secure application development practices. EDS Assured Identity is an end-to-end identity and credentialing platform that becomes a core offering of the company’s identity management offering.
Federation for Identity and Cross-Credentialing Systems (FiXs)
I integrate EDS Assured IdentityTM into FiXs which allows trusted credential usage at military bases. The product is selected as the core offering to FiXs member organizations for enrollment and identity proofing.
Virginia First Responder Authentication Credential (VA FRAC)
I provide solution architecture and identity management support for the use of smart credentials for first responders.
Lead Solution Architect
General Services Administration (GSA) USAccess
I serve in a leadership position throughout the full system lifecycle—from proposal response and operational capabilities demo to contract win and system delivery 30 days after award.
USAccess is a shared service offering supplying at the time nearly 70 Federal government agencies with smart card identity credentials in support of HSPD-12. This includes a nationwide infrastructure for identity proofing and registration and smart card issuance for approximately 500,000 Federal employees and contractors.
I lead a team of ~10 developers on the system that consists of web portal sponsorship, adjudication, and lifecycle management, role administration, reporting, identity proofing and registration, automatic creation of FBI Electronic Fingerprint Transmission Specification (EFTS) files, biometric duplicate 1:n check, and biographical data capture. The solution also includes a smart card management system, fully automated card batch management system, dual interface smart cards, PKI, logical and physical access interfaces, secure web services, data encryption/signature, lifecycle management, and an enterprise workflow engine. Technologies are too many to note but mostly C#, ASP.NET, custom vendor software integration, and TIBCO.
The USAccess solution receives the 2008 Smart Card Alliance award for Outstanding Smart Card Achievement – Outstanding Issuing Organization.
INCITS M1 – Biometric Standards Development
I serve as the primary voting member for EDS on the INCITS technical committee M1, Biometrics where we work on national biometric standards.
Industry Engagement
I participate in a number of government and industry initiatives such as the Smart Card Alliance Physical Access Council and the Government Smart Card Interagency Advisory Board (IAB).
I Leave EDS
After nearly 15 wonderful years at EDS I decide to leave. HP recently purchased the company and the culture is suffering as a result. I also want to start using the smart cards I have spent so long delivering to end users.
I move on to Booz Allen Hamilton to implement smart cards for logical and physical access.
Solutions Architect
HSPD-12 Program Office
At Booz Allen Hamilton I support the Department of Treasury with the delivery of an enterprise identity and access management framework consistent with FIPS 201-1 and Federal Identity, Credential, and Access Management (FICAM) guidance. This work provides a roadmap for Treasury bureaus and agency stakeholders to use their PIV cards in their daily lives.
I Leave Booz and Join Unisys
After a short time at Booz Allen Hamilton, I decide I’m too far removed from hands-on technical work so I take advantage of an offer to join Unisys delivering the Land Border Integration (LBI) project for U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
Solutions Architect
Pedestrian Reengineering
I’m the lead Solutions Architect and project manager for the design, development, and delivery of a reengineered pedestrian border crossing experience for CBP. Technologies include gate systems, kiosks, remote inspection, RFID document readers, mobile devices, Machine Readable Zone (MRZ) readers, audio and video components, digital signage systems, and fingerprint and iris biometrics.
This is also my first foray into agile application development methodologies—Scrum.
Solution creates up to 50% increase in traveler throughput and upwards of 80% reduction of traveler wait time and is recognized by Information Week as a top Government IT Innovator for 2012 and is a finalist for an Excellence.gov award.
Southern Border Pedestrian Biometric Field Test
I’m the lead Solutions Architect designing and implementing a comprehensive multi-modal biometric technical experiment to better understand face and iris biometric capabilities in challenging environments. I lead the development and deployment of the technical solution and construct test methodologies and execution plans for the pilot over several months with extensive data capture and analysis. System processes over 1 million border crossings and biometrically processes over 150,000 travelers using multiple vendor technologies and biometric capture methods.
Technical Integration Office (TIO)
I’m the technical project manager and Solutions Architect leading a team of ~20 contractors supporting testing, security and accreditation, CM/QA/Agile, and enterprise architecture and engineering.
I Leave Unisys and Join Dignari
A great opportunity presents itself to join a small company that was just founded by a long-time colleague of mine. Many of us who join the company have roots at EDS and have worked together for years.
I begin my role as Chief Technology Officer.
Chief Technology Officer
Biometrics Center of Excellence and Expertise
I’m the lead architect for our client, analyzing biometric systems for standardization, technical advancement, and coordinating across stakeholders including external public and private sector communities of practice.
Internet of Things (IoT) Architecture Working Group
I initiate and chair an IoT working group for our client, consisting of over 40 members across 7 directorates/divisions, in order to identify industry best practices and patterns and to establish an IoT target architecture.
Emerging Technology Support
I lead a team of developers, architects, and data scientists on agile full stack application development for the client. We design and develop over 17 prototypes and reusable software components to vet vendor claims and to accelerate the adoption of technology advancements. We also publish more than 14 technical research papers for insight into particular technology mission-fit and potential.
We use a wide array of technology including AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, webassembly, OpenCV, Angular, PostgreSQL, Java Spring Boot, .Net, Neo4j, Docker, and Kubernetes and experiment with technology such as Hyperledger Fabric. We continue to explore the adoption of emergent tech trends such as serverless, microservices, containerization, cloud, mobility, CI/CD, DevSecOps, AI/Deep Learning/computer vision, AR/VR, and IoT.
CTO
Today I continue to support clients by providing solution architecture, agile application development, and emerging technology analysis and integration using modern frameworks and cloud services.
I still focus quite a bit on biometrics but recently I’ve been using my long history in identity management to support the growing market for digital identity solutions.
At the same time, I’m also trying to build a technical culture at a young company—defining standard methodologies, nurturing a collaborative technical community, developing core capabilities, and supporting business pursuits.