J. Michael Birch, MSEE
Cardiff by the Sea, Calif.
j.michael.birch@ieee.org
PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
Consultant / Systems Engineer / Director: 25+ years experience in
software engineering,
games, digital video, e-learning and managing all aspects of the software
development cycle.
Co-founder of GTE Interactive Media (1990), one of the first all-digital
multimedia studios.
· System Design: Object-Oriented Analysis &
Design. User Interface. Prototyping.
· Requirements Analysis: Rational Process: Requisite Pro, Patent and IP
licensing
· Multimedia: e-Learning, CBT, interactive video, streaming, PC &
console games.
· Programming: ActionScript 2.0/3.0, PHP 5, mySQL, some Java and C/C++.
· Internet: XHTML, XML, Javascript, Dreamweaver CS3, Flash CS3, Joomla
etc.
· Applications: MS Project, Word, Excel, Powerpoint; Filemaker,
Photoshop, Director etc.
· Hardware: PC, Mac, DVD, set-top boxes, game consoles etc.
· Other: 15+ years programming real-time OS, client/server/database,
data communications.
· Managing the software development life cycle from concept and design,
to test and support.
· Researching and applying technology to solve business problems and create new
products.
· Providing research and technical support for senior executives, legal, sales
and marketing.
· Resolving cross-discipline issues and explaining new technology to
non-technical staff.
· Understanding and explaining financial spreadsheets, IP rights and legal
requirements.
· Managing multiple projects, outsourced development teams and
multimillion-dollar budgets.
1/01-now Consultant / Software Engineer -
Computerade - Cardiff, CA
Served as Expert Witness for trial re software development,
consulting and games (2009).
Consultant to local e-learning companies re development in ActionScript 2.0/3.0
and XHTML.
Designed and developed five software products for special education
for Mayer Johnson, LLC.
Developed Flash and digital video training prototypes. Created and enhanced
several websites.
8/05-6/06 Associate Faculty
Mira Costa College - Oceanside, CA
Instructor for IMT-190 Multimedia Programming, intermediate ActionScript
2.0 class and lab.
Developed course and created all materials including a comprehensive website
(part-time)..
2/04-11/06 Systems Engineer
Accord Solutions, Inc - San Diego, CA
Business development, writing SBIR proposals and project management
for DoD contracts.
Developed visualization tools in Flash ActionScript 2, PHP
and mySQL (part-time).
2/02-7/03 Director Content Systems
Teramedia Comm. Inc. - San Diego, CA
Developed content and MPEG-2 metadata enhancements for a targeted TV
advertising system.
Created and presented Flash MX and MPEG-2 demos for Cable TV executives.
(part-time).
1997-11/00 Director, R&D
/ Project Director CompassLearning - San Diego, CA
Hired a team of 12 programmers and artists to redevelop 99
interactive multimedia lessons.
Resolved technical and contract issues. Managed successful development by
overseas contractor.
Programmed prototypes and prepared the standards and development processes to
reduce costs.
Evaluated strategies and technologies of potential "dot.com"
acquisitions and partnerships.
1990-97 GTE Interactive Media a.k.a. GTE-IM, GTE-Entertainment
1996-97 Director of Product Development GTE-IM,
Carlsbad, CA
Contracted with developers in Norway, UK, and US and directed development
of advanced
3D graphics games for Windows and Sony Playstation, from concept to
production.
Managed development, quality, budget and schedule for 2-3 concurrent $1-2M
projects.
1994-95 Director of Business
Development GTE-IM, Carlsbad, CA
Reviewed 100's of game specifications. Met with developers in the
US, Canada and Europe
to determine their ability to use leading-edge technology and create great games.
Initiated negotiations for IP rights, and worked closely with GTE legal counsel
to prepare
development contracts. Successfully negotiated an agreement with the Rolling
Stones to
publish the best- selling Voodoo Lounge interactive CD-ROM.
1990-93 Director of Technology GTE-IM,
Carlsbad, CA
Provided the technical vision for startup of one of the first all-digital
multimedia companies.
Hired the core software team; supervised up to 12 software engineers. Created
novel Hologram
arcade game, and sold manufacturing rights to Sega. Directed interactive
multimedia and MPEG2
projects for CD-ROM, CD-I, and cable TV set-top boxes
(with the Discovery Channel).
· Speaker and panel member at various industry shows, and local
professional groups.
· Active participant in the professional DVD/digital video Internet forum/list.
· Published papers on process control, interactive TV/video, electronic
distribution, etc
· Developed web-site for Mayer-Johnson, Inc. www.mayer-johnson.com 1997-2002.
· Participant in Qualcomm BREW 2001-03 wireless applications developer
conferences.
· US Citizen. Senior member of IEEE, MIT Forum, CommNexus (SD Telecom), SDSIC.
click here for PDF (print) version of resume
updated april 2010