Who am I? I’m Howard Kier. But who is Howard? Simple words such as intelligent, experienced, leader, problem solver, creative, and hard-working are cliché and simply not enough to convey the full depth of my skills, experiences, passions and other intangibles which make me who I am.
Writing about ones’ self is not easy. But let me start with my high school motto, words which have stuck with me over the years, “Knowledge is Power.” More than anything, I enjoy learning new information and skills. Over the years, I’ve continued to learn new skills and stay abreast of the latest computer technologies while retaining the lessons of the past.
No matter where life has taken me, from corporate programmer, to small business owner and even as a substitute teacher, I've shared my knowledge with others. I've taught computer classes, business classes even photograhy classes. I've tutored students, and mentored employees. My goal has been to make the world a better place by sharing knowledge to help others, improving products/processes, solving problems and anticipating problems thus avoiding problems before they occur.
- Designed, created and implimented a simple, easy-to-use penetration testing training website built for CompTia Pentest+ certification
- Built with Express, React, PostgreSQL, and Vite
- The site intentionally contains XSS, SQL Injection, File Inclusion and other vulnerabilities to help students learn how to identify and exploit these vulnerabilities
- Developed course material for CompTia's Web Development class. These materials included texts, videos, labs, demonstration, instructor notes and quizzes
- Provided recommendations to the sylibus to improve content delivery
- Partnered with clients to determine project requirements and delivered high-quality results on-time and within budget
- Developed websites for various clients, including a campaign website for a local Board of Education candidate
- Created website requirements, developed database architechture and preliminary website design (currently under NDA)
- Updated and migrated websites for non-profit organizations to a content management system
Technical Support
- Provided product support for OfficeVision/MVS by resolving technical problems and customer inquiries
- Coordinated, customized, and documented the installation of APL2; analyzed system failures; interfaced with other teams when needed
- Consolidated, combined, and documented local modifications, yielding lower maintenance costs and higher reliability
- Proactively resolved problems before impacting the customer, and assessed new product requirements
Business Analyst/Consultant/Programmer
- Proactively resolved client’s problems (Sales order processing, Inventory, Financial, EDI, and Payroll) using Life Cycle Methodologies and continuous improvement
- Performed competitive analysis, determined costs and set prices for EDS’ data network services products
- Assessed relationship between computer system and business needs identifying savings of nearly 20%
- Developed and implemented interface between client's system and their bank, providing a positive pay system to prevent fraudulent checks
- Applied Software Life Cycle processes to the development of numerous new and existing programs to meet user requirements
- Performed competitor and market analysis on products, services, and pricing twice a year
- Assessed financial performance of the business, creating budget, balance sheets, cash flows, and P&L statements twice a year
- Worked closely with clients to clarify requirements, expectations, and offer solutions
- Designed, implemented, and maintained website along with uploading event files on a weekly basis
- Analyzed current business status (financials, operations, personnel, and systems) to identify problems
- Presented improvement recommendations and implemented the changes for companies in various industries
- Determined Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and trained client executives in the effective use of management systems
- Organized employees into logical departments to improve communication, reduce errors, and minimize organizational dysfunction
- Analyzed current business status (financials, operations, personnel, and systems) to identify problems
- Presented improvement recommendations and implemented the changes for companies in various industries
- Accurately analyzed work processes, systems, organizational function, and structures
- Generated measurable benefits resulting in an average of $125K savings per year per client
- Prepared written and oral feedback, presentation materials, critiques, systems documentation, process descriptions, proposals, standard operating procedures, evaluations, data summaries, and reports
Consumer Products Division
- Backroom Lead responsible for maintaining inventory and restocking shelves as needed
- VoluntEars Representative organized and participated in events to benefit various children's charities
- Trained new Cast Members in all facets of store operations and guest service
- Provided guest service in the form of answering questions, locating merchandise, and resolving guest issues
- Assisted in the opening and closing of the store
- Awarded Store Teamwork Award
- Substitute teacher for grades 9-12
- Provided instruction and tutoring in Math, Science, English, Social Studies, and Physical Education
- Proctored tests and quizzes
- Maintained classroom decorum
A simple, easy-to-use penetration testing training website based upon Darn Vulnerable Web Application (DVWA) as a model built for CompTia's Pentest+ certification. The site is built using Express, React, PostgreSQL, and Vite. The site intentionally contains XSS, SQL Injection, File Inclusion and other vulnerabilities to help students learn how to identify these vulnerabilitiesfor white hat security assessments.
Developed course material for CompTia's Web Development class. These materials included texts, videos, labs, demonstration, instructor notes and quizzes. Provided recommendations to the sylibus to improve content delivery. The course was designed to help students learn the basics of web development.
Worked with a team of volunteers at ChiHack Night to build a site to help people understand the impact of various personal decisions and policy proposals on the state's carbon emissions. Responsible for the site's look, feel, design, and implementation. Built with React, Python, Recharts, Bootstrap, and more.
Live SiteGitHub Repo
Designed, coded, and published a website to support Mr. Rosenblum's 2019 successful candidacy for a seat on the D211 Board of Education. The site was updated in 2023 to reflect his 2023 candidacy. Built with React.
GitHub RepoArchived Site
Working as a Code For Chicago volunteer, I assisted Between Friends, a Chicago area domestic violence agency, to update their website. Worked with 3-5 other Code For Chicago volunteers to research the existing site, interview the client, and design and implement a new site.
Live Site
Starting with an existing site, I logically reorganized the existing content, added new content, and updated the site's look and feel.
Live Site
Responsible for all facets of the website from design to coding to publishing and maintenance. Periodically updated the site to reflect the latest trends in web design.
Archived Site
On assignment from EDS to Chemcentral, a chemical distribution company, Designed, Coded and Published ChemCentral's first website.
Archived Site
Building on a ChiHack Night project, I wrote a two-volume book, Cyber Scams and You, which was published by Bookboon.
Read Volume 1Read Volume 2
HTML5
CSS3
JavaScript
jQuery
React
Bootstrap
Webpack
GitHub
SDLC
SQL
Node.js
Express
PostgreSQL
Vite
JCL
RPG
APL
SDLC
SQL
JDE
Microsoft Office
Visual Studio Code
Presentation
Adobe Photoshop
WordPress
Budgeting
Writing
Competitive Analysis
Finance
People Management
Testing
Automotive
Banking
Chemical
Education
Event Planning
Finance
Government
Healthcare
Hospitality
Information Processing
Insurance
Logistics
Manufacturing
Professional Services
Project Management
Real Estate
Restaurant
Retail
Telecommunications
Transportation
Concentrations: Organizational Behavior, Process Improvement
Inducted into Beta Gamma Sigma, National Honor Society
JavaScript, React, Redux, Node.jsx, Express, PostgreSQL
- Webmaster responsible for updating website using Blackboard
- Organized and ran events
- Attended weekly work meetings
- Collaborated with other members and Between Friends to update their website
- Attended weekly meetings to learn about civic hacking in the community
- Assisted with coding projects to help the community
- Contributed to the design and implementation of the Chicago Doula Project website
- Contributed to the design and implementation of Decarbonize My State website
- Den Leader - Planned and led activities for 3-10 scouts
- Committee Member who helped plan and run pack events
- Troop Committee Chairman who led the Troop's adult committee supporting a troop of Boy Scouts
- Merit Badge Counselor - Helped scouts earn merit badges
- District Commissioner - Supported Cub Scout Packs and Troops in the district, by providing resources and support to the unit leaders
