SARAH ELKINS

1757 Redgate Farms Ct., Rockville, MD 20850 | 301-762-0022 | config-mgmt@sarahelkins.org

CAREER PROFILE

Configuration management specialist with extensive experience in software and website development organizations. Skills range from build automation to knowledge management. Advances teams through attention to detail, problem-solving, and process improvement abilities.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Configuration Manager / Build Engineer
Applied Biosystems (Applera/Celera Genomics), Rockville, MD: 2003 - 2007

    * Provided CM expertise and services: version control (CVS/Subversion), branches/merges, builds, change tracking (TeamTrack, Remedy), tool selection
    * Automated and scheduled build tasks (Perl/shell scripts, Ant (.xml) and CruiseControl)
    * Coordinated releases with distributed QA, customer support, and development groups
    * Deployed releases, patches, and regular content updates to test and production sites (Apache, Coldfusion, JRun, Netscape; MySQL; on Linux, Solaris, AIX)
    * Resolved site issues by troubleshooting and working with multiple IT groups across sister/parent corporations (Oracle, eRights, firewall, DNS; Sarbanes-Oxley compliance)
    * Enhanced team use of collaborative software (SourceForge Enterprise Edition); set up projects, customized applications guide and FAQs, added and cross-linked metadata
    * Presented "Leveraging SourceForge" at Asilomar 2006 conference
    * Addressed software re-use issues and open source uncertainties: Developed Open Source Policy; created wiki pages with licensing, usage, and other information
    * Earned DNA Awards and bonuses (e.g., Portal R1 project, CDS shutdown savings) 

Senior Configuration Management Developer
JDA (was Manugistics), Rockville, MD: 1997 - 2002

    * Supported 150 developers on Java/C++ projects via builds (CVS/Ant, PVCS/Config Builder on AIX, HP, DEC, SUN/Solaris, Windows NT, OS/2), problem and change tracking (Vantive), and automation (Perl, shell, and batch file scripting)
    * Administered PVCS Version Manager and Tracker
    * Master media production (InstallShield, InstallAnywhere) and escrows
    * Documented and gave training on processes, tools, branching models
    * Represented company on PVCS Customer Advisory Board (1998-1999)
    * "Y2K" Award for company-wide upgrade to Y2K-compliant PVCS 6.0 (tested, implemented locally, coordinated/implemented remote sites' upgrades) 

Configuration Management Specialist
BMC (was MAXM Systems Corp.), McLean, VA: 1995 - 1997

    * Established procedures, PVCS repositories, and build scripts for new projects
    * Created database (Lotus Notes) to provide process/build/change information 

Software Configuration Management (SCM) Engineer
Itron, Inc., Spokane, WA: 1994 - 1995

    * Supported C++ developers via version control (PVCS source code archives), builds
    * Participated in SCM tool evaluation and selection (developing questions for vendors, evaluation tests) 

Software Project Engineer
Xerox Corp., Rochester, NY: 1988 - 1994

    * Earned multiple promotions, awarded for leading "Immortal Software" team
    * Automated software change-tracking process: 80% faster; more reliable
    * Conducted evaluations: desktop publishing competitive benchmark/demographics study; SCM tool/process capabilities (then audited long-range software recreatibility)
    * Standards and Training Development: participated on team that developed corporate software configuration management standards; contributed to Xerox's feedback as solicited by the Carnegie Mellon University's Software Engineering Institute (criteria for the Capability Maturity Model), and Learning Tree International (course materials)
    * Led task group to assure the quality of UI software before translation/launch: Liaised with engineers in Japan and Europe on deliverables/schedules; determined contents, ensured correct production of special test release kits; coordinated demos, pre-release tests with integration testers; participated on change control board; supported Lisp developers (e.g., facilitated design and code reviews for proprietary toolset improvements) 

TRAINING, CONFERENCES AND SEMINARS

    * Intro to Intellectual Property; Legal & IP Project Deliverables (Applied Biosystems, 2007)
    * ACM Conference on Information and Knowledge Management, 2006
    * ISO 9001 and CMM/CMMI (Perot Systems Government Services, 2003)
    * CMII 1996 (Institute for Configuration Management)
    * Project Planning and Management, Software Requirements Specification, Writing Technical Reports, Interim Standard 649 (DOD Acquisition Reform and CM) 

EDUCATION

    * BS, Computer Science (GPA 3.80, Magna Cum Laude), College of Charleston 1988
    * Outstanding Student Awards in Computer Science and Philosophy
    * Defended Honors Program Senior Thesis on artificial intelligence to CS department
    * Presented top statewide undergraduate philosophy paper at academic conference
    * Teaching Assistant (advanced symbolic logic): tutored, graded, gave selected lectures
    * President -- Senior Class, Honors Program Student Association, ACM Student Chapter 

ACTIVITIES AND INTERESTS

    * Presented "Knowledge Gardening" (participatory knowledge management using social software) at Penguicon 2006 (open source conference)
    * One Laptop Per Child Learning Club - DC