Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Websites
Certification
Testimonial
Awards
Timeline
Generic

Kara Finnigan

Vinton,OH

Summary

An experienced software engineer / IT specialist of highly developed computer knowledge and skills. Provided department support for various software and hardware setups, maintenance, access and connection problems. Designed, developed and delivered a set of utility programs with documentation support in Windows, for support of building new and existing media for team members. Ongoing MYSQL query generation for Metric reporting. Excellent problem solving, decision making and prioritizing abilities. Thorough, reliable and self-disciplined. Highly organized with acute attention to detail. A motivated self-starter, precise with details, and ability to implement goals and set priorities. Outstanding communications and interpersonal skills. Works well as a team member or independently. Well respected with demonstrated good judgment.

Overview

29
29
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

SOFTWARE ENGINEER

IBM
1998.10 - Current
  • Company Overview: http://www.ibm.com/us/en/
  • Provide Microcode Fix and Release Driver support for the IBM zSeries product line (singley and as part of a team) packaging fixes and building media and working with development test and manufacturing organizations to ensure accurate, timely and defect free fixes
  • Gained in-depth knowledge of IBM zSeries Microcode Driver families
  • Perform analysis and develop documentation for support of the IBM zSeries Microcode Fix and Release (zSeries MF&R) process for team support
  • Provide customer step-by-step technical instructions / procedures for IBM zSeries Microcode
  • Train/support new /existing team members on IBM zSeries MF&R processes and procedures
  • Create MYSQL queries to derive statistics for monthly metrics charts for IBM zSeries MF&R
  • Provide testing and documentation on tools used to support IBM zSeries MF&R process
  • Programmed a set of zSeries Microcode utility programs with documentation support, in ObjectRexx for Windows, for support of building new and existing media
  • Performed zSeries mainframe on-site installs and maintenance on zSeries systems including zBX and pBlade system hardware and software – installs included helping with hardware replacement (IE, SE’s, cabling, book adds/removes, etc.); microcode problem resolution and hands on zBX install through the SE and HMC
  • Possess basic knowledge of Microcode fix and release process for IBM’s pSeries product line
  • Provide department support for FTP servers and Lotus Notes server database setups, maintenance and access and connection problems
  • Provide various workstation support such as general “how to” questions with operating system and application installs, errors, virus prevention and recovery, backups and system disposals
  • Http://www.ibm.com/us/en/

COMPUTER SUPPORT REPRESENTATIVE

OAO SERVICES, INC.
1996.09 - 1998.10
  • Company Overview: http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapld=1271839
  • Provided configuration and installation of network accessible office and mobile workstations for on-site IBM employees, as well as, the hardware and software support after distribution
  • Assisted customers with application problems, singly and in team environment
  • Maintained administration database for end user ID requests for both Lotus Notes mail and LAN Server access, involving creatiion, maintenance, verification and support
  • Provided operating system background in OS/2 with WIN-OS/2 support v.3 to v.4, Windows 95, Windows NT and IBM LAN
  • Offered application software background in OS/2 with WIN-OS/2 support, Windows 95, Windows NT, Lotus Notes, WordPro, 123, Freelance Graphics, Organizer, CASperproject, Internet Web Browsers, and specialized applications such as IBM Global Network Dialer, VM Comunication Packages and LAN client-server applications and utilities
  • Diagnosed all components IBM PC’s and ThinkPads including system boards, video cards, sound cards, SCSI Controllers, power supplies, memory, hard drives, floppy drives, CD-ROM drives, Token Ring cards, PCMCIA credit cards, port replicators and Docking Stations
  • Provided training to new co-workers
  • Installed, configured, upgraded and troubleshot via phone and desk side workstations support to customers on various operating systems, applications, hardware and printing platforms
  • Http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapld=1271839

Education

Bachelor of Science - Computer Science

Marist University
Poughkeepsie, NY

AAS - Computer Information Systems

Orange County Community College
Middletown, NY

Skills

  • Multi operating system environments: Windows, Linux, Red Hat, Ubuntu, SUSE
  • Multi server environments: IBM zSeries mainframe SE and HMC, IBM Lotus Domino, SUSE Linux Enterprise Server, Tomcat
  • Software code development: MYSQL, Java, HTML, XML, Shell scripting
  • Microcode support
  • Technical documentation
  • Customer support
  • Team training
  • Hardware troubleshooting
  • Systems maintenance
  • Process improvement
  • Team collaboration
  • Testing and code debugging
  • Database management
  • Hardware and software installation

Websites

Certification

  • Certified Netware Administrator, Netcomm Enterprises, Inc., Wappingers Falls, NY
  • Lotus Notes Server Administrator, Wappingers Falls, NY
  • Linus In-House Training, Red Hat Linux Essentials, Linux 101: An Intro to Red Hat Linux, Linux Support Plus for Red Hat Linux, SUSE Linux 7.0: Installation, Networking, Know How, Linux on S/390
  • Java Programming Course, Dutchess Community College, Poughkeepsie, NY
  • Read Java for Dummies, Java 7.0

Testimonial

Kara has been a strong contributor on the microcode release team in the creation and delivery of literally hundreds of fixes to support early ship of these programs in addition to a substantial workload from legacy microcode delivery. Kara always keeps a keen eye toward quality finding issues proactively before they enter into the process. She puts her software development skills to use in her constant thrust to help develop aids for the team such as the creation of an updated procedure for comparing AROMs on their windows systems and a utility program that would automate the compare process more for AROM. Kara continues to branch out and become familiar with processes and procedures associated with power systems microcode. She was recognized this year by one of her peers as the recipient of the prestigious Gold Coin Award for her invaluable assistance to her teammates., Quiedo Carbone, PBC Manager, IBM Corporation

Awards

  • Efficiency Award for developing and implementing an efficient Release MCL Bundle Tool
  • Efficiency Award for developing tool automating status process of MCLs after released to Retain
  • Outstanding contribution in recognition for outstanding efforts and dedication on the Y2K program
  • Bravo Award for extra efforts to deploy Danu microcode leading to GA
  • Bravo Award for Patch team excellence and EMCL deployment
  • Award recognizing the accomplishment of building 1st AROM

Timeline

SOFTWARE ENGINEER

IBM
1998.10 - Current

COMPUTER SUPPORT REPRESENTATIVE

OAO SERVICES, INC.
1996.09 - 1998.10

Bachelor of Science - Computer Science

Marist University

AAS - Computer Information Systems

Orange County Community College
Kara Finnigan