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Avery Acker

Software Engineer III

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About Me

As a dynamic professional with a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science from Sam Houston State University, coupled with extensive experience in software development, I bring a blend of technical expertise and collaborative spirit to every project. My journey began as a student-athlete, where I cultivated a strong work ethic and a passion for teamwork, attributes that have continued to define my approach in the professional sphere.

During my tenure as an intern at Feniex Industries and subsequently as a Software Developer at HNTB, I have honed my skills in full-stack software development, specializing in designing, developing, troubleshooting, and debugging robust software programs across a variety of platforms. In addition to my technical roles, I also serve as the Mentorship Program Coordinator for the SCTX region at HNTB, where I facilitate professional development opportunities and mentorship initiatives for our team members, fostering a culture of growth and collaboration.

My current role as a Software Engineer III on the Digital Transformation Solutions team at HNTB's Chicago office has afforded me the opportunity to contribute to high-impact projects, where I leverage my proficiency in C#, .NET Core, ASP.NET, and other cutting-edge technologies to develop innovative solutions tailored to meet the unique needs of our clients.

Beyond technical acumen, my experience has equipped me with invaluable soft skills, including effective communication, adaptability, and a positive attitude, all of which are instrumental in fostering collaborative environments and driving project success. Whether mentoring junior engineers, participating in code reviews, or liaising with stakeholders, I am committed to delivering excellence and adding tangible value to every endeavor.

I am passionate about continuous learning and growth, and I am eager to explore new opportunities that will allow me to further expand my knowledge base and contribute to impactful projects. With a proven track record of success and a dedication to excellence, I am poised to make a meaningful impact wherever my career journey takes me.

You can see some of my projects on GitHub.

Experience

Feniex Industries

Software Developer Intern

  • Feniex Module Programmer:Repaired and updated an abandoned React Native application, enhancing its functionality and usability to meet company and customer needs.
  • Feniex Build-A-Bar Online:Collaborated with the engineering department to ensure accurate product representation and feature implementation.
  • Assisted the marketing department in developing the Build-A-Bar platform, utilizing Angular for the front-end and Drupal for the back-end.

Feniex Industries

Software Developer

  • Feniex E-commerce Website:eskinned 60 product pages on the company's website, aligning them with direct-to-consumer standards to enhance user experience.
  • Feniex One Controller:Spearheaded the integration of FedEx's software API tracking system into the website, enabling customers to track orders seamlessly.
  • Pioneered the development of software applications for new product lines, including Body Cameras and Firearms, contributing to Feniex's expansion into diverse markets.

HNTB

Software Developer II

  • Full Stack Development: Led the development efforts for the TxDOT Project Finance, Debt, and Strategic Contracts Division, creating a system of record for all alternative delivery programs. Managed end-to-end development, security, and functionality, utilizing programming languages such as C# and Blazor, with databases including SQL Server.
  • Electronic Content Management (ECM) System: Spearheaded the development of solutions for the division's ECM system, including tracking and reporting strategic contracts management data, implementing workflows, and reporting for multiple design-build projects.
  • SharePoint and Cloud-Based Solutions: Assisted in the development of SharePoint and other cloud-based solutions for the Texas Department of Transportation's Alternative Delivery Division. Provided administration and development services for strategic projects and designed custom Microsoft Azure-based solutions to meet business needs.
  • System Reskinning and Refactoring: Reskinned and refactored the TxDOT system of record for all alternative delivery programs, ensuring end-to-end management, security, and functionality. Provided technical services to support system upgrade, software migration, customization, and continued project support for the Alternative Delivery Program Enterprise Content Management System (ECMS) environment and program database.

HNTB

Software Engineer III / Project Manager

  • Project Management Tools for SANDAG: Led the development of the PMTools application, engaging with clients to understand their needs and overseeing a team of 3 developers to achieve project milestones.
  • ITS Asset Management for MDOT AND: Developed backend APIs and integrated Swagger for comprehensive API documentation. Successfully migrated critical APIs from .NET 3 to .NET 6 Core, resulting in improved performance and reduced response times.
  • PIMA 3.0 Public Involvement Management App: Developed public involvement portals for various transportation departments, including SBCTA, VTrans, LA DOTD, CDOT, Iowa DOT, NYCDDC Coastal Resiliency Projects Citywide, and MaineDOT, enabling users to view project information and provide comments through an interactive map interface.
  • QR Code Implementation: Implemented QR Codes throughout the Public Involvement Portals for Iowa DOT, allowing managers to easily share meeting links. Utilized Angular, Esri REST endpoints, and AWS Cloudfront for website development.
  • Mentorship Program Coordinator: Serve as the Mentorship Program Coordinator for the SCTX region, organizing and coordinating mentorship initiatives and professional development opportunities for team members.

Education

Sam Houston State University

July 2013 - May 2018

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science

- Computer Science major with a concentration of Information Systems, with a Kinesiology minor.
- Memeber of the Sam Houston Association of Computer Science (SHACS) team.
- Member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars.
- Heptathlete on the Sam Houston State Track team.

Projects

Code Chat

During my senior year, I worked with a 9-man team to design and build a project that could benefit programmers all over the world. Before developing CodeChat, my peers and I were having trouble sharing compiled code with each other. Since there was no code sharing platform on the market that was chat friendly, we decided to build the application ourselves. This allows users to see the compiled code immediately so that there is a faster learning experience.
I was the assistant programmer for most of the JavaScript modules within the back-end. Our whole system utilizes websockets between the webapp, the chat server, and the compiling server, making it as network performant as possible.

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Feniex Module Programmer

The Feniex Module Programmer helps users program Feniex lights via bluetooth. This app requires the purchase of a Feniex Module Programmer (hardware) and also at least one Feniex light product to function. Once the user is bluetooth connected to the module programmer, you can test and confirm multiple lighting pattern switches on ones light product. It is Android and IOS compatible.
Working in someone else's code and style definitly started this project off with a challenge. However, after I quickly overcame that, I was able to debug the app finding out the core of the issues. The IOS and Android application both call to the React Native code that uses Redux states. Some of the states were not being used correctly in the app. Once I solved that issue, I added a settings button so the user can have more control over the app. Lastly, I added new products so the user can have the latest version of usability.

View Project IOS - View Project Android

Build-A-Bar

Build-A-Bar is a way to design and personalize your own emergency lightbar. The user begins with two options, single or dual color. The dual option allows reversal of the LED's and specific color coordination’s such as "Dual Flood" or "Amber Arrow". Color coordination differs within each product. The user can then 'build a bar'. Build-A-Bar is unique because no other emergency lighting company provides customization like this.
This project was built using Angular, JavaScript in the frontend, and Drupal for the framework. Each bar's information is stored using an object. Once an object is created it gets pushed in an array. When the bar is complete, the array is sorted using bubble sort and is sent to the manufacturing department. The user also has the option to download a PDF of their built bar. This ensures that each order is accurate.

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E-commerce Website

The project involves setting up an e-commerce platform using Drupal, an open-source content management system. It includes functionalities such as product listing, shopping cart management, and checkout processes. The project aims to provide a seamless online shopping experience for customers and efficient management tools for administrators.

Technologies Used:
Drupal: The core framework for building the e-commerce website. Composer: Dependency management tool used to install and manage Drupal core and its dependencies. PHP: The primary programming language used for Drupal development. MySQL: The database management system used for storing website data. Git: Version control system used for collaborative development and code management. MAMP: Local web server environment used for development.

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ADOREPlus

The project involved providing full-stack development support to the Texas Department of Transportation's (TxDOT) Alternative Delivery Program, focusing on creating a comprehensive system of record for all alternative delivery programs. This encompassed end-to-end management, security, and functionality enhancement for the division's Electronic Content Management (ECM) system. Development efforts included utilizing C# and Blazor for application development, with SQL Server as the database system. Additionally, assistance was provided in developing SharePoint and cloud-based solutions for various TxDOT strategic projects. HNTB played a key role in supporting TxDOT's alternative delivery projects over multiple contracts, totaling over $10 billion. The project also involved reskinning and refactoring the TxDOT system of record, aiming to streamline project management processes and enhance collaboration within the Alternative Delivery Program.

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PIMA

The Public Involvement Management Application (PIMA) serves as a vital engagement platform for over 25 state departments of transportation (DOT), facilitating enhanced public input in transportation projects. Developed in collaboration with transportation agencies nationwide, PIMA aims to increase community involvement, streamline engagement processes, and ensure data accuracy and transparency throughout project lifecycles. PIMA integrates seamlessly with HNTB's suite of digital solutions, offering features such as stakeholder feedback collection, event management, interactive mapping, virtual meeting hosting, and analytics-driven engagement strategies. Furthermore, HNTB's equity analytics framework, supported by the Community Intelligence Toolkit (CIT), provides demographic insights to guide equitable decision-making. With a frontend utilizing Angular and React, and a backend powered by .NET Core and Entity Framework connecting with PostgreSQL databases, PIMA offers a flexible, inclusive, and responsive approach to community engagement and project management.

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SANDAG

I am a Project Manager for the maintenance of SANDAG's project management tool. It offers from the esteemed San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG), stands as a beacon of efficiency within the realm of regional planning in the San Diego metropolitan area. This sophisticated platform not only facilitates meticulous project oversight but also intricately manages expenditures derived from invoices, purchase orders, and task orders, thereby ensuring a comprehensive financial overview. With a primary focus on retrieving expenditure data categorized by months and phases, including vital components such as Administration and Construction Capital, the tool empowers users to navigate project finances with precision and clarity. Through its intuitive interface and robust functionality, SANDAG's project management tool epitomizes excellence, seamlessly aligning with the organization's commitment to streamlined project execution and informed decision-making.

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ITS Asset Management Maint & Host

The project involved the development of a comprehensive Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) asset management system for MDOT AND, led by HNTB. The system, built using .NET Core and C#, underwent a significant upgrade to .NET 6 Core, resulting in improved performance and reduced response times. Integration of Swagger facilitated streamlined API documentation and collaboration among developers. Key functionalities included asset mapping using Geospatial technology, inventory tracking, work order management, and decision support. HNTB's collaboration with MDOT ensured the system's successful deployment, with future modules planned to enhance asset management processes further.

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Skills

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