Kimarie Rustine
Galloway,NJ
Summary
Currently an Application Development Manager with more than 25 years management/customer service experience within the casino/hotel industry. Over 20 years in the IT field with a solid background in problem identification and solution development as well as project management experience. Have exceptional communication and customer skills and am very open to change and/or a challenge.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
Work History
Application Development Manager
Ocean Casino Resort
Atlantic City, NJ
04.2023 - 07.2024
- Review and evaluate software project requests to assist in decisions to proceed with a project or to suggest alternative solutions.
- Work with project team/business to write up business requirements.
- Ensure that development projects meet business requirements and goals, fulfill end user requirements and identify and resolve system issues.
- Review and analyze existing application effectiveness and efficiency, then develop strategies for improving or leveraging these systems.
- Manage development and deployment of new applications, systems software, and/or enhancements to existing applications within assigned software stack.
- Collaborate with designers and system owners in testing of new software programs and applications.
- Managed project to convert existing iSeries (AS400) platform based hotel system (LMS) to cloud based hotel system (Infor) for the property.
- Managed all facets of conversion including discovery of current business practices, gap analysis, QA documentation, system configurations, regression testing, interfacing testing, end user training and final implementation.
- Provide day to day support for a variety of applications currently used by the business.
- Meet with end users bi-weekly to ensure projects stay on track, issues are recognized and addressed in a timely manner and to discuss changing business needs and new ideas and/or project requests.
- Designed best practice documentation for development.
- Delivered robust applications on time and within budget with efficient project management techniques and resource allocation.
- Allied with and Hotel/Casino departments to better meet overall business goals.
- Boosted user satisfaction by prioritizing usability, accessibility, and responsive design in application development projects.
- Managed vendor relationships for seamless integration of third-party tools into existing systems for enhanced functionality.
- Spearheaded technical discussion roundtables to track progress and optimize future resource distribution.
- Collaborated with QA teams to establish effective testing strategies, resulting in improved application reliability and reduced bug rates.
- Identified and acquired appropriate third-party solutions to integrate into development processes.
- Consistently met or exceeded project milestones by maintaining clear communication channels, setting realistic expectations, and providing consistent updates on progress.
- Developed detailed project plans including scope definition, timelines, resources requirements, risk assessment, and communication strategies.
- Managed life cycle replacement of hardware and software.
- Identified computer hardware and network system issues, performing troubleshooting techniques for remediation.
- Coordinated secure system access of users to various department systems and platforms.
- Analyzed network security and current infrastructure, assessing areas in need of improvement.
- Liaised with other departments to minimize network interruptions and possible downtimes.
Applications Engineer
Ocean Casino Resort
Atlantic City, NJ
03.2018 - 04.2023
- Evaluated third-party tools for integration into existing systems, ensuring compatibility and minimal disruption to workflows.
- Installed applications and confirmed proper communication between systems and equipment.
- Served as a subject matter expert in various applications and providing valuable insights during team discussions and decision-making processes.
- Implemented 8 new applications in 2021-2024, effectively accomplishing all client objectives and needs. This included casino, hotel and POS applications.
- Enhanced system functionality through the development of custom applications.
- Streamlined processes by automating manual tasks, increasing operational efficiency.
- Improved application performance by identifying and resolving software issues.
- Conducted comprehensive application testing to identify areas for improvement and ensure optimal performance.
- Implemented application enhancements based on feedback from users, leading to improved usability and customer satisfaction.
- Provided technical support to hundreds of business users daily.
- Analyzed existing systems for potential improvements, recommending upgrades or replacements as needed.
- Investigated root causes of system failures or performance issues, implementing effective corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
- Provided training to end-users, facilitating seamless adoption of new technologies and applications.
- Managed project timelines and resources effectively, ensuring timely delivery of high-quality solutions.
- Developed user-friendly interfaces, improving overall user experience and increasing client satisfaction.
- Updated technical documentation, product specifications, and technical training materials.
- Designed and developed application scripts for test scenarios.
- Delivered support training to help customers learn key features of applications.
- Assisted with creation of user manuals.
- Conducted scheduled system upgrades to maximize performance.
- Resolved system test and validation problems to provide normal program functioning.
- Proved successful working within tight deadlines and a fast-paced environment.
- Tested functional compliance of company products.
Corporate IT Business Analyst
Tropicana Casino & Resort
Atlantic City, NJ
05.2012 - 03.2018
- Responsible for supporting and implementing hotel projects for 6 Tropicana properties. This included the implementation of new hotel system, PCI Compliance, system upgrades.
- Managed the hotel system upgrades for all 6 properties as well as actively supported all of the properties within application base.
- Actively participated in team meetings to share knowledge, exchange ideas, address challenges, and collaborate on potential solutions.
- Developed high-quality documentation to support training efforts, helping employees fully understand new systems and procedures.
- Performed gap analysis between existing systems or processes and desired state, identifying areas for improvement or enhancement.
- Improved business processes by analyzing current practices and recommending optimization strategies.
- Performed gap analysis to identify areas of improvement.
- Optimized workflow processes to enhance overall productivity and achieve operational excellence.
- Interacted with business users to understand business needs and translate into requirements and project scope.
- Conducted interviews with key business users to collect information on business processes and user requirements.
- Applied honed problem-solving skills to analyze and resolve issues impacting business operations and goal achievement.
- Updated and developed scripts and queries to extract and analyze data from multiple sources.
- Analyzed data to identify root causes of problems and recommend corrective actions.
Skills
- Application Architecture
- Business Analysis
- Strong Analytical and problem solving skills
- Very strong organizational and multi tasking skills
- Able to work efficiently and effectively under pressure
- Outgoing personality with strong customer service skills that allow the building of strong rapports with end users and vendors
- Assessing and meeting the needs and requirements of the business
- Eagerness to learn new things and the drive to succeed
- Problem-Solving
- Attention to Detail
- Time Management
- Effective Communication
Timeline
Application Development Manager
Ocean Casino Resort
04.2023 - 07.2024
Applications Engineer
Ocean Casino Resort
03.2018 - 04.2023
Corporate IT Business Analyst
Tropicana Casino & Resort
05.2012 - 03.2018
High School Diploma -
Susquehanna Valley Senior High School
Operational Management
Manage and provide support to multiple applications and interfaces within the casino and hotel on a daily and ongoing basis.
Application Backgrounds
- Hotel Systems: Agilysys LMS, Infor HMS
- Casino Systems: ACSC (Scientific Gaming) / IGT (Patron Management)
- Point of Sale: Micros/ Infogenesis / Signature Systems (SSI)
- Online Booking Engines: Travel Tripper, SHR Windsurfer, Agilysys ResNet
- Data Storage: Agilysys Datamagine
- Miscellaneous: Avero (Food&Beverage), multiple homegrown applications
Project Manager Experience
- Gap Analysis, regression testing, QA documentation, training of end users and final implementation of new systems and system upgrades for multiple applications.
- Part of the implementation team on a hotel conversion at Ocean from LMS (iSeries platform) to Infor HMS a cloud based system.
- Implemented LMS 7.3.5 upgrades along with tokenization and EMV for 6 of the Tropicana Entertainment properties.
Core Knowledge And Skills Areas
- With the skills I have acquired through the years in IT I feel I can comfortably acclimate to any new application that I am presented with
- Strong analytical and problem solving skills
- Very strong organizational skills and with multitasking
- Skilled in validating data for research and testing using various querying tools such as SQL, Query, DBU and Showcase
- Outgoing personality and strong customer service skills that allow me to build strong rapports with end users and vendors
- Assessing and meeting the needs and requirements of the business
- Always looking to improve and/or streamline processes
- Eagerness to learn new things and the drive to succeed
- 20+ years of casino and hotel experience including years of management
- Proficient in Microsoft PowerPoint, Excel, Word, Access, etc.
Professional References
- Work, Linda Cummins, Corporate IT Systems Manager, Tropicana Entertainment, NJ, 609-457-1768
- Work, Joyce Hall, Former VP Information Technology, Ocean Casino Resort, NJ, 609-741-5023
- Personal, Angela Iacono, Owner/ Independent Casino Marketing Representative, NJ, 609-457-4555
- Personal, Terese Bauer-Krout, Owner Alpha Omega Security, LLC, MD, 410-808-7132
Related Experience
I have years of knowledge and experience in the casino hotel industry in management in IT. I started my career working at the Front Desk, Reservations Call Center, Casino VIP Services and worked my way up to management. I have an outgoing personality that has enabled me in building strong rapports with customers, vendors and fellow team members. My career took a turn when I had an opportunity to move to IT and I loved learning how the systems and applications I had used for years worked from an internal perspective. The change was a great move for me as I enjoy learning new things and being challenged. I would welcome the opportunity to discuss what I may be able to bring to your organization.
Strategy And Planning
- Review and evaluate software project requests to assist in the decisions to either move forward with the requests or to suggest alternative solutions.
- Work with the project team to write up the business requirements
- Ensure that development projects meet business requirements and goals, fulfill end user requirements and identify and resolve systems issues.
- Review and analyze existing application effectiveness and efficiency, then develop strategies for improving or leveraging these systems.
- Manage the development and deployment of new applications, systems software, and/or enhancements to existing applications withing the assigned software stack.
- Collaborate with designers and system owners in the testing of new software programs and applications.
Operational Management
Manage and provide support to multiple applications and interfaces within the casino and hotel on a daily and ongoing basis.
Application Backgrounds
- Hotel Systems: Agilysys LMS, Infor HMS
- Casino Systems: ACSC (Scientific Gaming) / IGT (Patron Management)
- Point of Sale: Micros/ Infogenesis / Signature Systems (SSI)
- Online Booking Engines: Travel Tripper, SHR Windsurfer, Agilysys ResNet
- Data Storage: Agilysys Datamagine
- Miscellaneous: Avero (Food&Beverage), multiple homegrown applications
Project Manager Experience
- Gap Analysis, regression testing, QA documentation, training of end users and final implementation of new systems and system upgrades for multiple applications.
- Assisted in organizing and implementing a full hotel conversion at Ocean Casino Resort from LMS (Lodging Management System/iSeries platform) to Infor HMS a cloud based system.
- Fully managed and implemented hotel system upgrade for 6 Tropicana Entertainment properties. This included upgrading the system and implementing EMV/ Tokenization as well.
Professional References
- Work, Linda Cummins, Corporate IT Systems Manager, Tropicana Entertainment, NJ, 609-457-1768
- Work, Joyce Hall, Former VP Information Technology, Ocean Casino Resort, NJ, 609-741-5023
- Personal, Angela Iacono, Owner/ Independent Casino Marketing Representative, NJ, 609-457-4555
- Personal, Terese Bauer-Krout, Owner Alpha Omega Security, LLC, MD, 410-808-7132
Related Experience
I have years of knowledge and experience in the casino hotel industry in management in IT. I started my career working at the Front Desk, Reservations Call Center, Casino VIP Services and worked my way up to management. I have an outgoing personality that has enabled me in building strong rapports with customers, vendors and fellow team members. My career took a turn when I had an opportunity to move to IT and I loved learning how the systems and applications I had used for years worked from an internal perspective. The change was a great move for me as I enjoy learning new things and being challenged. I would welcome the opportunity to discuss what I may be able to bring to your organization.