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Chris Smith - Resume
Senior Software Developer & Entrepreneur
Contact Information
- Email:
- Phone:
- Website: sometimescode.com
- LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/phpguy
- GitHub: github.com/cgsmith
- Location: East Troy, WI, USA
Professional Summary
Senior software developer with 15+ years of experience in website development, custom software development, and ecommerce strategy. Skilled in PHP, SQL, JavaScript, and Python, with expertise in software best practices, AWS, Linux, and troubleshooting. Successfully managed CGSmith, LLC to 5 full-time employees while consulting with Fortune 500 companies on ecommerce strategies and software development.
Core Competencies
Programming Languages
- PHP - Excellent
- SQL - Excellent
- JavaScript - Very Good
- Python - Good
- C++, Perl, .NET, C - Minor proficiencies
Frameworks & Technologies
- PHP Frameworks: Symfony, Yii2, Laravel
- Cloud & Infrastructure: AWS, Digital Ocean, Docker
- Development Tools: Git, PHPStorm, PHPUnit, Codeception
- Systems: Linux (Excellent), Agile Workflow (Excellent)
- API Integration: SOAP, REST, XML, EDI
Languages
- English - Native
- Dutch - Basic
Professional Experience
Software Developer, Owner | CGSmith, LLC
November 2009 - Present | Mukwonago, WI
- Successfully scaled company to 5 full-time employees
- Consult with Fortune 500 companies on ecommerce strategies and software development
- Developed custom software for large Internet service provider spanning Nevada, California, and Hawaii
- Built ecommerce order management system with API integrations for multi-billion dollar international company
- Built and launched over 20 SaaS websites using AWS, Digital Ocean, Docker, and modern PHP frameworks, resulting in 30% revenue increase for clients
- Extensive experience with endpoint ecommerce and warehouse API integrations
- Utilized comprehensive testing with PHPUnit and Codeception
Web Developer | Liturgical Publications, Inc
July 2014 - July 2016 | New Berlin, WI
- Managed and planned team for launching Android and iOS app development
- Apps generated $1MM in sales within first year
- Developed internal-facing API using Symfony
- Identified and resolved major production bug causing weekly downtime, reducing server load by 80% using XDebug and profiling
- Adhered to SEO best practices and ran comprehensive debugging prior to publishing
Controls Engineer, PHP Programmer, IT Manager | Total Mechanical, Inc
July 2004 - August 2011 | Pewaukee, WI
- Progressed through multiple roles: Controls Engineer → PHP Developer → IT Manager
- Performed HVAC startups for Fortune 500 companies
- Developed PHP web application for XML communication with HVAC controllers
- Implemented inventory and systems processes for streamlined operations
- Managed 100+ machines and 300 offsite employees using Active Directory and Microsoft Exchange
Education & Certifications
Education
- High School Diploma - Mukwonago High School (2000-2004)
Professional Certifications
- Axis Certified Professional (2016)
- Milestone Professional Certification (2017)
- Honeywell Access Controls 101 (2017)
- NICET Level 1 (2018)
- Multiple Security System Certifications (2016-2021)
Open Source & Community
GitHub Contributions
- zf1-recaptcha-2 - Zend Framework reCAPTCHA integration
- yii2-flatpickr-widget - Yii2 date picker component
- camera-pi - Security system monitoring project
- trailstatus.io - Trail status web application
Community Involvement
- Regular speaker at PHP conferences and meetups
- Active presenter at ETCC.io and MKEPUG user groups
- Contributor to open source projects
- GitHub achievements: Arctic Code Vault Contributor, Pull Shark (x3)
Personal Interests
When I'm not coding, you can find me:
- Formula 1 Racing - Following the sport passionately
- Mountain Biking - Exploring Wisconsin trails
- Running - Staying active and healthy
- Brewing - Crafting homemade beer
- Volunteering - Giving back to the community
Personal Philosophy
I believe in building software that stands the test of time - code that's not just functional today, but maintainable and understandable for years to come. This philosophy extends to this blog, built with Hugo and markdown to ensure these words will be readable by future generations.
My approach balances technical excellence with human connection, whether I'm debugging a critical system at 2 AM or teaching my kids why their tablet isn't working.
Let's Connect
I'm always interested in challenging software development opportunities and meaningful conversations about technology, family, and life balance.
- Read my thoughts on programming and family
- Check out my latest projects on GitHub
- Connect with me on LinkedIn
Available for consulting and full-time opportunities
Last updated: September 2025