Resumé of Bret D. Whissel

I wish to work in a research environment, specializing in computer programming and computer resource administration, where diverse problems require developing innovative software or procedural solutions.

Bachelor of Arts: Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida. Major in Computer Science, minors in Music and Mathematics. Distinctions include the Dean's List, enrollment in the Honors program, and a Certificate of Computers in Music.

Completed coursework toward a Master's Degree in Computer Science with interests in Real Time Systems, Neural Networks, Artificial Intelligence, and Speech Recognition.

In short, when it comes to computer-based issues, I am a problem-solver. I am adaptable, I love to learn, and I am extremely tenacious, all of which make me well-suited to becoming quickly proficient in technically challenging and changing environments. Having operated Unix systems for over 25 years, I have become adept at their management, but experience has taught that there is always more to know. I am most productive when faced with a new challenge, especially if I get to learn something, or if the solution requires programming of some sort. I am a self-acknowledged computer geek/nerd/dweeb, but I hide it well by possessing a decent sense of humor and diverse interests in addition to being intelligent and personable.

• Designed system for rapid simultaneous workstation updates over network
• Deployed department-wide LDAP authentication mechanism
• Author/maintainer of LaTeX macros for FSU thesis/dissertation production
• Design and code realtime multi-monitor meteorological data display wall (in process)
• Project manager for computer classroom installations
• Coordinate the support and networking of over 400 machines
• Respond to the computing needs of 250 faculty, staff, and students
• Plan and deploy hardware and software upgrades and replacements
• Monitor network and machine security
• Assembled departmental e-mail server, including anti-spam and anti-virus features, allowing for secure IMAP and SMTP transfers and web access
• Designed and implemented departmental website
• Manage software licensing and compliance
• Maintain real-time meteorological data ingest and distribution
• Teach FORTRAN and computer use to Meteorology undergraduate students
• Wrote software for managing a local weather-forecasting contest

Mesoscale Meteorology Group, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida
Position: Assistant in Research
(June 1989 -- May 2001)

• Programming:
  • Flowchart generation language for PostScript printers
  • Algorithms to discern meteorological features for NEXRAD radars
  • Programs for gridding NEXRAD radar data
  • X window environment for the development of hurricane-related algorithms
  • Database and statistics-gathering routines
  • An algorithm to convert Group 3 fax images to efficient PostScript (incorporated into libtiff/fax2ps)
  • Programs producing population density maps from census data, with tornado correlation
  • A "pretty" printer/reformatter/indexer for FORTRAN language programs
  • MIME-enhanced GUI e-mail reader
  • A web-based amortization calculator
  • Lots of TeX macros
• Writing, Presentations, and Demonstrations:
  • Technical reports describing newly developed algorithms (products delivered to grantor)
  • An article for the pre-prints of an international meteorological radar conference (co-author)
  • Software demonstrations for National Hurricane Center and NEXRAD Technical Advisory Committee
• System Administration:
  • Configure system/network services, including sendmail, network printers, network file system, X servers, etc.
  • Maintain Web server and site design
  • Install and maintain computer hardware and software; arrange for repairs when necessary
  • Manage data backup, storage, and retrieval
  • Monitor system security

Up With People, Tucson, Arizona
Position: Production Assistant -- Music
(July 1988 -- April 1989)

• Planned and executed rehearsals for band, soloists, and chorus of 120 college-aged students
• Critiqued and refined over 70 performances of a 2-hour musical revue in six countries
• Maintained synthesizer equipment and sequencer programming
• Taught seminars in vocal techniques, synthesis, and the MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) protocol

Center for Music Research, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida
Position: Computer Software Specialist
(February 1982 -- July 1988, excluding IBM terms below)

• Programming:
  • Graphic system for motion analysis
  • Keyed data storage/retrieval system using B*-trees
  • Music synthesis and a music language compiler
  • Time management and programming aids
  • Character set design and printing utilities
  • Neural network simulation
  • Inter-user communication facility (similar to news groups)
• Teaching:
  • Survey of Computers in Music: an introduction to programming in C
  • Advanced C Programming for Musicians: algorithms
• Writing:
  • User's manuals for programming utilities
  • An article on terminal emulation for the C Users' Group (now C/C++ Journal)

IBM, Boca Raton, Florida
Position: Computer Programmer (temporary)
(January 1984 -- June 1984 and January 1985 -- May 1985)

• Programming:
  • Time management/leave time scheduler
  • Systems Network Architecture (SNA) implementation for Series/1 under EDL
  • Test programs for a new operating system
• Other:
  • Published an article on melody programming in assembly language for the IBM PC
  • Presentation on the time management software for department managers
  • Telephone support technician for PC customers

Community Involvement: Composer/accompanist for a community children's chorus; accompanist for high school musical productions; music director/actor/accompanist in community theater musical productions; substitute organist/pianist/choir director for area churches; member of Tallahassee Community Chorus; former accompanist for Tallahassee Civic Chorale; former volunteer at Leon County's Adult Education Center.

Faith Presbyterian Church: Deacon; Member of Chancel Choir, Handbell Choir, and Adult Ensemble; substitute organist and choir director. Group-study leader. Accompanist for youth and children's choirs, children's choir director, and chaperone for several youth activities. Participant in inner-city mission trips to Washington, D.C. and Atlanta. Adult Sunday School co-leader. Served on Congregational Care committee, Commitment committee, Community Outreach committee, Habitat House committee, Music committee, and Organist Search committee.

Other:

• Florida State University Chamber Choir
• Montreat Worship & Music Conference Faculty 2005, 2006
• Upsilon Pi Epsilon -- Computer Science Honor Society
• Up With People International Alumni Association, Board of Governors
• Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF)
• American Guild of Organists (inactive)
• Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) (inactive)
• Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) (inactive)

• FSU 20-Year Service Commendation (2010)
• Everyday Hero Award, Up With People International Alumni Association (2003)
• Guardian Ad Litem Exemplary Service Award (1993)