Gary Bass, PMP

512-913-1521

Austin, TX

gary@garymichaelbass.com

linkedin.com/in/gary-bass

www.garymichaelbass.com/Gary_Bass_Resume.pdf

 

 

Professional Summary

 

Seasoned software technology professional well-versed in program management, test strategy development,

software quality assurance, build engineering, release management, automation, executive presentations,

team enablement, networking, and data center design. Experienced in designing end-to-end testing solutions

covering automated testing, software deployment, and production validation. Diverse company backgrounds

include IBM, Ixia, Dell, Newgistics, Pitney Bowes, and TippingPoint. Active industry certifications encompass

PMP®, Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, Kubernetes, Cisco, and Snowflake. Accomplished Toastmaster.

 

 

Skillsets and Active Technical Certifications

 

Project Management Professional (PMP®), Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA),

Certified AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional, AWS Certified DevOps Engineer – Professional,

Certified Kubernetes Security Specialist (CKS), Certified Kubernetes Application Developer (CKAD),

Microsoft Certified Azure Security Engineer Associate, Microsoft Certified Azure Administrator Associate,

Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP), Snowflake SnowPro Core Certified (COF-CO2)

 

technical project manager (15 years), test architect (10 years), software validation lead (10 years),

release manager (10 years), lab technician team leader (10 years), data center designer (5 years)

 

Python, C#, C, Java, Selenium, Postman, Jenkins, TeamCity, Octopus, REST API, SQL, Microsoft Visual Studio,

AWS, Kubernetes, Docker, Snowflake, DevOps, ScrumMaster, Agile, Kanban, Jira, Confluence, GitLab, CI/CD, SDLC,

Windows, RedHat Linux, VMware, PowerShell, BASH, kube-shell, NGFW, IPS, JSON, YAML, XML, IPv4, IPv6, CIDR

 

 

Education

 

Masters of Science in Electrical Engineering, Purdue University

Bachelor of Science in Computer and Electrical Engineering, Purdue University

 

 

Professional Experience

 

Pitney Bowes: Software Validation Lead Austin, TX                                                    October 2019 – October 2024

·        Drove all aspects of software releases into production from testing to packaging to deployment to verification

·        Established best practices, defined scope, managed SDLC, negotiated schedules, and streamlined processes

·        Automated test processes for validating customer provisioning reducing test time from hours to seconds

·        Created Python Selenium application to validate shipping label induction simulating facility operator process

·        Created Python Postman application utilizing API calls to generate and validate shipping labels on demand

·        Maintained QA environment including database replication, software updates, and Windows debugging

·        Led all QA engineers in consistently finding and resolving over 100 issues per year for seven years

 

Newgistics/Pitney Bowes: Build Engineer & Release Manager Austin, TX    September 2014 - October 2019

·        Owned all facets of biweekly software releases provided by Agile Scrum teams and support personnel

·        Configured complete end-to-end test solutions encompassing SQL, BizTalk, Informatica, and Oracle

·        Managed BitBucket and Github code repositories and owned all branching and merging responsibilities

·        Utilized TeamCity, Octopus, Microsoft Visual Studio, SQL SMS, .NET, TFS, Fiddler, and PowerShell

·        Analyzed, reproduced and resolved production issues with IT, support, and Development staff

·        Led area with over 100 releases per year and a release deployment pass rate of 97%

 

Ixia via Randstad Technologies: Network Software QA Engineer Austin, TX           May 2014 – August 2014

·        Validated Ixia NTO 7300 network appliance (7U chassis for 10GbE network monitoring, routing, and filtering)

·        Executed and modified Tcl and Java automation scripts for testing network device

·        Utilized development environment including TortoiseSVN, Eclipse, Maven, and Jenkins

·        Generated test packet traffic with Ixia IxLoad and IxNetwork to vary IP/MAC address, VLAN, Ethertype, etc.

·        Performed packet inspection using Wireshark to verify expected network device behavior

·        Evaluated QA lab and created detailed lab reorganization proposal including tasks, schedule, and headcount

 

HP via Insight Global: Network Security QA Software Developer Austin, TX    November 2013 – May 2014

·        Validated the HP/TippingPoint NGFW (S3020F/S8005F/S8010F) for network security functionality

·        Developed GUI automation using HP QuickTest Pro and VBscript to create, read, update, and delete fields

·        Used tcpreplay and tcpdump in a Linux environment for packet generation and Wireshark to validate results

·        Wrote Python and JavaScript scripts to create extended network traffic and summarize overnight test results

·        Created test cases to evaluate GUI testing features and functionality of Selenium versus HP QuickTest Pro

 

Dell Inc.: System Test Project Manager Round Rock, TX                                               November 2006 – May 2013

·        Owned system test for enterprise-class semi-annual bundled releases of hardware and software

·        Created and communicated status (both written and oral) to executive management for weekly meetings

·        Architected complete customer-like datacenter including blade systems, software, networking, and storage

·        Led team of seven lab technicians in deploying a customer-like data center and executing customer test cases

·        Tested Windows and Linux servers utilizing SQL, MySQL, Apache, IIS, Exchange, iSCSI, and Fibre Channel

·        Created employee performance reviews for managers and provided constructive feedback for growth

·        Presented to customers in Dell’s Executive Briefing Center on validation and “creating customer confidence”

·        Scoped and tested PowerEdge-Cloud with Technical Support personnel (received corporate-level award)

·        Designed and directed creation of Bangalore Enterprise System Test facility (received corporate-level award)

·        Responsible for researching and purchasing $1,000,000 annually in lab equipment

·        Led Agile Scrum software automation team to develop Python-based solution to load OSes and install apps

·        Hosted EST lab tours for customers, showcasing the lab, providing insights, and cultivating candid feedback

 

IBM-Austin: Functionality Test Owner & Tools Developer Austin, TX             March 2003 – November 2006

·        Owned system-level testing of SAS and SCSI hard drives on the RS/6000 platform

·        Created and communicated status (both written and oral) to executive management for weekly meetings

·        Verified Ethernet, SCSI, iSCSI and Fibre Channel devices on Unix (AIX) and Linux (Red Hat and Novell)

·        Developed C language programs and Korn shell scripts utilized by the entire lab to test storage subsystems

 

IBM-Austin: IBM p630 System Test Owner Austin, TX                                            September 2000 – March 2003

·        Owned all testing for the IBM p630 workstation engaging seven different cross-functional teams

·        Created and communicated status (both written and oral) to executive management for weekly meetings

·        Led team of lab technicians to verify functionality and resolve issues

 

IBM-Austin: Test Team Leader for System Compatibility Austin, TX                   May 1996 – September 2000

·        Owned compatibility testing of three RS/6000 UNIX platforms (7025-F40, 7043P-140, 7043P-240)

·        Created and communicated status (both written and oral) to executive management for weekly meetings

·        Led three different teams of lab technicians implementing and testing system configurations

 

 

Activities

 

Toastmasters International

·        Achieved Advanced Toastmaster Gold status (highest Toastmaster proficiency level for public speaking)

·        Gave 70 prepared speeches and actively participated in five Toastmaster groups