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Tarek Rayan

Full-Stack Software Engineer

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About Me

My programming journey started in 5th grade with a lanugage called Logo. In 7th grade when my parents bought me my first computer, the Apple IIc, I taught myself to program in BASIC. Ever since then I've been fascinated that I could create things - complex things - with only my mind and a computer.

I've always thought of it as just something fun to do - just like other kids liked to draw and paint. I had no idea it was something I would spend a good part of my life doing, let alone make a career out of.

Here I am today, a few years (fine, decades) later, still programming and still loving creating things with just my mind and a computer. These days I call myself a full-stack developer and software architect. I've had the great fortune to make a living out of it and to create things, solve problems, and add value for many Fortune 500 companies, government organizations, and small businesses.

Currently, I'm eager to continue my journey and find a new challenge working with a team of great (smart, fun) people who align with my values and life purpose.

Featured Projects

Dow Dupont

DowDupont - Largest industrial merger in history

Architected and led the development of an exceptionally complex company intranet with very tight deadlines - connecting all of the evolving departments for the largest industrial merger in history. Dow and Dupont became the largest chemical company in the world and then subsequently split into three companies, adding further complexities to the high-paced, time-sensitive project in which success was paramount to employee morale.

The project won the PRWeek award for Internal Communications. According to one judge, it was "one of the most complicated challenges…[and] navigated brilliantly."

City National Bank

City National Bank

Led the development team of City National Bank’s public internet site which remained the face of the bank for several years. Collaborated with VPs of several departments to develop the CMS, integrated dozens of APIs to power the bank's backend, and meticulously implemented top-notch security measures and procedures.

Specialized

Specialized Bicycle Components

Architected and developed Specialized's intranet site which connected all the various departments in different parts of the world during a rapidly growing phase of the company.

Collaborated with the head of IT and team members to develop departmental sites, document management system, AD integration, workflows, search, and UI integration.

Influcaster

Influcaster

Founded SaaS startup to help connect social media influencers and advertisers.

Designed and developed all aspects of software including database, REST API, and responsive User Interface; technologies included SQL, ASP.NET, REST API, SSO (Facebook, Google), JavaScript, CSS (gridview, responsive).

Cadence

Cadence Design Systems

Developed and assisted in architecting high-tech Fortune 500 company's public community and CRM system including document libraries, SSO, search, blogs, and wikis.

Site was featured as case study by Microsoft as part of a marketing effort for SharePoint.

Disney

Disney Parks & Resorts

Assisted in the development of Disney Park & Resort's intranet site to help facilitate communication between upper management and the rest of the company.

Allergan

Allergan

Worked on the development team for client relation web-portal and ordering system for Allergan's ophthalmic products. Implemented custom page-layouts, master pages, and web parts.

SmartEquip

SmartEquip

One of my first large projects as a UI developer for cutting edge heavy equipment management system. Created entire UI including purchase ordering system, interactive document/schematic displays, zoom tools, drill-down trees, search functionality, alerts system, administrative tools, and print functionality.

Other Projects

Southern California Association of Governments

Tasked with overhauling intranet and IT procedures for the largest inter-governmental agency in the U.S.
Successfully developed intranet, server architecture, disaster recovery process, deployment process, workflows, authentication, search, and document libraries. Led daily scrum meetings with IT.

Los Angeles Department of Transportation

Developed inter-agency portal for city events with role-based functionality, CMS, workflows, audience targeting, list management, and calendar views and edits.

Orange County Public Defender

Collaborated closely with IT team to recommended intranet including hardware and software specifications, network and server topology, web applications, and service accounts and roles.
Designed three-tiered system architecture comprising of production, test, and development environments.

Activision

Designed and developed SharePoint IT Project Management Portal; Led effort in SharePoint migration.

Work Experience

Software Engineer IV Robert Half - Efficiency Apps (2021 - 2022)

Tasked with rapid development of solutions to streamline various internal business functions.

Analyzed processes, gathered requirements from internal departments and vendors/partners, and made solution recommendations.

Successfully architected and developed several solutions which led to a cut in hundreds of weekly man hours.

Core technologies included Azure, DevOps, SQL (database design, triggers, stored procedures), ASP.NET Core, C#, Javascript, and HTML.

Developed technology roadmap and best practice recommendations for internal teams.

Founder - Influcaster [dissolved] (2019 - 2020)

Founded SaaS startup to help connect social media influencers and advertisers.

Designed and developed all aspects of software including database, REST API, and responsive User Interface; technologies included SQL, ASP.NET, REST API, SSO (Facebook, Google), JavaScript, CSS (gridview, responsive).

Set up test and production servers on AWS and created workflow for continuous integration.

Led all other aspects of business including marketing and investment initiatives.

Independent Software Consultant (2009 - 2019)

Served as an independent consultant helping organizations to successfully develop web-based intranets and public facing sites.

Worked closely with IT teams in varying cultures and often high-paced environments.

Led efforts to architect software, develop code, and implement server architecture, procedures, and best practices.

Senior Consultant II - Neudesic (2008 - 2009)

Architected and developed enterprise solutions for large organizations.

Engaged in all aspects of software cycle including scopes of work, governance, best practices, infrastructure, architecture, development, QA, training, and client relations.

Overlooked and advised other developers, integrators, and designers in all phases of development from conception to deployment; facilitated communication between clients and developers.

Software Engineer - QuestSoft (2005 - 2007)

Successfully architected and developed new mission-critical and highly-secure web-based mortgage compliance solution used widely by banks, credit unions and other lending institutions

Developed Web Services, SQL schemas and stored procedures; admin system, customer management, and reports.

Software Engineer - SmartEquip (2001 - 2004)

Designed and developed Flash-based UI for web-based software for construction manufacturers and rental companies.

Created purchase ordering system, interactive document/schematic displays, document conversion, zoom tools, drill-down trees, search functionality, alerts system, administrative tools, and print functionality.

Web Developer/Graphic Designer - VerticalBlue (2000 - 2001)

Designed and developed various websites and windows forms; coordinated with team members to conceptualize, plan, and execute short and long-term projects for clients and internal development.