Technical Expertise

Primary Languages

:

C#, SQL, XML, ASP.NET, HTML

Database Platforms

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Microsoft SQL Server 7/2000/2005/Express, Microsoft Access, ODBC connectivity

Environments/Frameworks

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.NET Framework 1.0 through 3.5, LINQ, MODBUS device polling, SNMP polling, MS Office VBA (for Excel, Access, and Word), MS Visual Studio, SOAP Web Services

Operating Systems

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Microsoft Windows 2000/XP/Vista, MS Server 2000/2003, Ubuntu Linux

Additional Software

:

AutoCAD, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator

Additional Languages

:

Python, Java, C/C++, Visual Basic

present

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Sulis Consulting LLC, Owner

Combining my utility industry experience with a lifetime of technical expertise gives me a unique ability to create focused and efficient solutions for the energy industry. I'm focusing on leveraging those skills to help Northwest utilities further develop and integrate their business systems, and to meet new challenges in this changing environment.

2009

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2002

PNGC Power, Senior Systems Analyst

Managed application development and integration, combining an understanding of industry-specific concepts with a lifetime of technical experience. Managed two full-time employees in the IT department, several project-specific contractors, and multiple vendor implementations

• Gained experience with BPA business processes and systems including Slice Scheduling, revenue metering, XML data exchange. Developed relationships with key personnel at BPA.

• Developed an understanding of industry concepts such as NERC e-Tagging, hydro system operations, transmission scheduling, and energy reserve calculations

• Worked with engineering and operations staff to develop an understanding of physical plant operations and electrical engineering concepts

Key Projects

• Schedule balancer: Personally responsible for design and development of a comprehensive scheduling system, with staff assistance and one contract programmer

  • Integrated BPA Slice scheduling, validation and XML communication of schedules

  • Configurable load/resource stack concept implemented to allow other utilities to be incorporated for a picture of the “whole system”

  • Transmission tracking from resources to loads

  • Integration with OATI e-Tagging to calculate energy reserve obligation

• Meter Data Management System: Worked with external contractors and PNGC staff to design and develop a system for tracking PNGC's load in 5-minute increments

  • KYZ repeat relays utilized to duplicate BPA revenue meter pulses

  • MODBUS counters polled at variable intervals by a custom centralized Windows service

  • Meter status and energy values displayed to schedulers, along with real-time graphical displays of load aggregated by control area

• Billing System: managed requirements collection and 2 contract programmers to develop a customer billing system

  • Built to mirror BPA's complex Transmission and Power billing procedures, including Power Factor Penalty ratchets

  • Automated distribution of PDFs and notification to customers through a web-based portal

2001

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2000

Accent Business Services, Lead Programmer

Designed and developed data-centric customer solutions for various organizations in multiple industries, including city governments, county governments and public utilities

Key Projects

• Slice Data Exchange – Project lead for multiple clients, developing a system for managing BPA Slice scheduling, validating constraints communicating with BPA to send and receive XML data

• Vancouver Police Department, Inventory Management System

• Southwest Washington Health District, Computerized Food Handler's Safety Quiz

1999

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1992

Various independent consulting projects

Performed work for various clients including Sears Driving School, primarily in DBASE and MS Access, developing, augmenting, and troubleshooting business systems

2008

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2007

Mt. Tabor Veterinary Care, owned and operated by my wife Dr. Kristin Sulis

Designed veterinary clinic to be built within an empty commercial lease space. Completed permitting process including variances and design review. Managed subcontractor bidding process, and acted as general contractor to oversee the successful construction of the clinic in a short time-frame (4 months)

2006

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2001

Various website design projects and photography

• Developed an avid interest in photography into a small “hobby business” doing pet photography

• Designed or assisted with several small web projects including the Feral Cat Coalition of Oregon, PNGC Power, Mt. Tabor Veterinary Care, and Portland Pet Photography

2000

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1997

Master's Thesis focused on software development and user interface design

• Primary concept involved historical investigation of modes of visual representation

• Thesis work culminated in the development of a functional 3-dimensional modeling application in Java 1.2, built to explore alternate modes of “volumetric” modeling, and to explore user interface limitations and possibilities

2000

Master of Architecture (M. Arch)
Southern California Institute of Architecture

1997

Bachelor of Science in Architectural Studies (BSAS)
University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign