Software architect and developer with extensive technical background and over 12 years of experience in the Internet industry. Known for expertise in the PHP arena, Open Source leadership, and deep understanding of problems and solutions involved in producing top-notch Web software. Efficient problem solver able to cut through complexity to achieve results. Extensive experience in working with domestic and international teams, including UK and Asia, both within companies and in the Open Source world.
- Building modular, high-performance, scalable Web software
- Expertise in PHP and Apache, their internals and implementation
- Extensive experience with HTTP, Web security, Unicode and internationalization (i18n)
- Proven ability to analyze complex technical problems and produce solutions, both individually and in teams
- Principal developer of scripting language since 1999
- Architect and lead developer of PHP 6 native Unicode and i18n support; Release Manager for PHP 4.2
- Author of , the prevalent solution for developing client-side GUI applications with PHP
- Co-author of , the premiere PHP templating engine
Mapalong Inc.
2010-2011
Co-founder
San Francisco, CA
Technical co-founder. Responsible for architecture and implementation of
Mapalong's API, data storage, and search infrastructure.
Technologies: Python, PHP, MongoDB, ElasticSearch, Javascript, EC2.
Analog
2009-present
Founding member
San Francisco, CA
Digg Inc.
2008-2009
Open Source Fellow
San Francisco, CA
High level responsibilities included:
- Management and development of Digg-adopted open source technologies, such as PHP, Apache, and other
- Working with the open source community on behalf of Digg to facilitate certain projects, organize Digg's contributions, and help implement these technologies at Digg
- Involvement in the architecture and high-level design of Digg projects
- Speaking and evangelizing publicly on a variety of technical issues, including open source technologies and their adoption within Digg
- Providing mentorship to developers at Digg
Additionally:
- Designed and developed several new PHP extensions, including and zookeeper ones, as part of the effort to rebuild Digg's infrastructure
- Performed profiling and analysis of the code base to identify and correct performance and scalability issues
- Assisted in the SVN to git migration strategy
Outspark Inc.
2007 - 2008
Chief Architect
San Francisco, CA
Responsible for architecture and implementation of Outspark's game platform. Developed Web services strategy to bridge games and Web data. Designed and a built a virtual cash system utilized by all the games and underlying company's cash flow. Performed continuous infrastructure improvements and oversaw hiring of the engineering staff.
Yahoo! Inc.
2003 - 2007
Senior Software Engineer
Sunnyvale, CA
Key member of the Platform Engineering group. Joined when Yahoo! decided to standardize on PHP instead of numerous proprietary languages. Responsible for wide cross-section of infrastructure software, including PHP and Apache, relied upon by thousands of Yahoo! engineers in their daily work. Selected highlights:
- Co-developed i18n workflow and template management system, used by majority of Yahoo! properties
- Initiated, architected, and currently lead the project to implement native Unicode and i18n support in PHP
- Performed architecture and technology reviews of cross-company products, including Yahoo! Mail, Personals, and others
- Was a key part of the migration effort to PHP for multiple properties, including international ones, with continued responsibilities of rolling out improvements and ensuring standardization as part of the Infrastructure team
- Implemented many performance and security related enhancements for PHP, most of which were fed back to the public release
- Serving as a liaison between Yahoo! developers and PHP community, both domestically and internationally
- Continuing to co-ordinate and participate significantly in PHP and other Open Source work with blessing of Yahoo! management
Fast Search & Transfer, Inc.
Acquired by Overture Services, Inc. in April 2003
2002 - 2003
Senior Software Engineer
Wellesley, MA
The scope of responsibilities centered around
search
engine front-end. This included feature analysis and specification, software
development, project management, and supervision of the technical team (2-3
persons). Led implementation of a major face-lift for AlltheWeb, which
transformed it into a leading search destination with a variety of advanced and
unique features. As a result, the traffic to the site grew over 50% each
quarter.
Technologies: PHP, C, XML, XHTML, CSS.
ispi, Inc.
2001 - 2002
Director of Research and Development
Lincoln, NE
Developed and maintained the technology base behind the company's products, as
well as researching new and emerging technologies for internal and external
projects. Ported the flagship Vnews online publishing product to PHP/MySQL
platform, and led a 2 person engineering team to develop key parts of the
company's product line. These products are still used by over 150 online college
and university newspapers, as part of the Digital Partners network.
Technologies: PHP, MySQL, XML, C.
1996 - 2001
Senior Software Engineer
Lincoln, NE
Responsible for analysis, design, and development of online database-driven applications; research and implementation of new technologies; orientation, mentoring, and supervision of up to 4 programmers. Technologies in use: PHP, C, MySQL, Texis, Texis WebScript. Key projects included:
-
Cabela's online store (cabelas.com), at the time accounting for 0.5% of
total e-commerce volume on the Internet. I was responsible for the entire online
frontend, catalog management tool, and database synchronization layer.
- Direct Marketing Association's JobBank, one of the first job sites on the Internet. I designed and developed the job candidate portion of the site, including resume sub-system with email/fax transmission capabilities.
-
The entire line of ispi's publishing products, including CMS, syndication layer,
polling software, and subscription/registration system. I was the main architect
and developer on these projects.
- A suite of internal tools, including project management system.
Pangolin Laser Systems, Inc.
Designed and developed a 3D Studio Max plug-in (C++) to assist with
visualizing laser light show production.
Autodesk, Inc.
Wrote and edited a major portion of SDK documentation for 3D Studio MAX
release 4. Tested the SDK and provided feedback to developers.
SuckerPunch Productions, LLC
Designed and developed a series of 3D Studio Max plug-ins (C++) for this
game studio.
Dreamworks Interactive, LLC
Designed and developed a 3D Studio Max plug-in (C++) for this game
studio.
Author of , a set of commercial 3D Studio MAX plug-ins, distributed by Digimation.
Researched and developed a soft-body/cloth dynamics simulation system as a personal project, using C++, OpenGL, and Win32 API.
Frequent speaker on PHP and related projects at universities, user groups, and conferences around the world, such as O'Reilly Open Source Convention and International Unicode Conference.
Publications and interviews include:
- A. Zmievski, S. Hughes, , Sams Publishing 2001
- A. Zmievski, "3ds Max Custom Tools with C++", 3D Artist magazine 1997
- Performed technical editing and review services on several other PHP books.
- Interviewed by B. Byfield for , February 2007
- Interviewed by C. Evans for , August 2006
- Interviewed by K. Yank for , June 2002
C, PHP, Python, Javascript, MySQL, MongoDB, gdb, git, SVN, make, lex/yacc.
Secondary experience with C++, Objective-C, Perl, OpenGL, Renderman SL, x86 assembly.
Fluent in English and Russian.
September 2004 - January 2007
Master of Arts in Linguistics (unfinished)
San Jose State University
August 1994 - August 1998
Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science
University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska
Graduated Magna Cum Laude
Interests: photography, linguistics, brewing and enjoying beer, sailing, traveling.