Hi... I'm Mike Busch!

I'm a software engineer in Chicago, Illinois. Here's a little bit more about me.

Overview

I'm a web developer, who loves crafting beautiful, highly interactive websites. I'm focused on using the latest software development tools, process, and techniques. And lastly, I want to work with and learn from the most talented craftsmen in our industry to change the way people use the web.

Skills

Languages & Frameworks

Advanced
AJAX, CSS, Java, JavaScript, jQuery, JSP, Prototype, Ruby/Rails, Struts 1/2, SQL, HTML/XHTML
Intermediate
C/C++, PHP, Wordpress

Techniques

Agile
Scrum, Kanban, XP, Pair Programming, TDD, BDD, Continuous Integration

Development Enviroment

  •  MacBook Pro (OS X 10.6)
  • bash
  • vim
  • Chrome
  • Git/Github
  • Photoshop CS4

Experience

  1. Groupon

    Software Engineer

    January 2011 - present
  2. Obtiva

    Software Engineer

    September 2010 - August 2011
  3. Pillar Technology

    Java/Front End Developer, Dayton, OH

    January 2010 - August 2010

    At Pillar I had the opportunity to work on a small team developing high value, customer facing web interfaces for one of our client's current paper based systems.

    • Analyzed, designed and executed solutions for the heavily data driven user interface
    • Implemented several enhancements using both YUI and jQuery with great response from our customers
    • Advised our client and our internal development teams on the latest techniques and tools in standards based web development
  4. Toobla

    Ruby on Rails/Front End Developer, Columbus, OH

    July 2009 - January 2010

    Toobla was an early stage social media startup, developing an application for collecting, sharing and discovering web content in a visual way.

    • Focused on improving and building Toobla's UI making heavy use of haml, XHTML, CSS, and copious amounts of unobtrusive jQuery
    • Added Facebook integration to the login process using Facebook Connect, as well as using the Facebook API to post Toobla site events to Facebook
    • Actively employed TDD to guide development of controllers and models using RSpec and Cucumber

    Toobla also afforded me the opportunity to use and occassionally contribute to the open source community on Github.

  5. Cardinal Solutions Group

    Staff Consultant, Columbus, OH

    June 2007 - June 2009

    As a Staff Consultant I was responsible for implementation of Java Web solutions for Cardinal's clients. I've worked with Cardinal's clients to develop:

    • Robust MVC applications using Struts, Spring and Hibernate
    • RIAs using standards compliant XHTML/CSS and unobtrusive Javascript
    • Agile capabilities including pair programming, test-driven development and lean software development
    • Code review sessions focused on middle and front tier development work

    I've also helped Cardinal create sales and training material around Struts and Agile concepts like TDD.

  6. Center for Entrepreneurship

    Web Development Intern, Columbus, OH

    October 2005 - June 2007

    The Center for Entrepreneurship is a department of the Fisher College of Business at The Ohio State University. As an intern at the Center I worked directly with the Center's Director to develop their online presence. This included cleaning and reformatting hundreds of pages of content using clean semantic markup. I also lead an effort to develop a new system to help the Center administrate the Annual Fisher Business Plan Competition.

Education

The Ohio State University

B.S. in Computer Science & Engineering, Business Minor

June 2007

Associations

  • Central Ohio Agile Association (COHAA) April 207
  • Central Ohio Java User Group (COJUG) January 2008
  • Columbus Ruby Brigade (CRB) January 2008
  • Columbus Javascript User Group (cbusjs) March 2009

Honors, Recognitions & Certifications

  • ScrumMaster July 2008
  • Sun Certified Java Programmer (SCJP) April 2008
  • Ohio State University College of Engineering Dean's List
  • Awarded BSA Eagle Scout Mentoring Award June 2005
  • Awarded BSA Eagle Scout Award December 2000