resume.json

resume.json

 {
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  "basics": {
    "name": "Christopher Bennell",
    "label": "Senior Software Engineer",
    "image": "",
    "email": "cbennell@hey.com",
    "phone": "416-738-3346",
    "url": "https://cbennell.com",
    "summary": "Experienced full-stack developer with 15+ years of success building and maintaining scalable web applications in higher education and public sector environments. Deep expertise in Ruby on Rails, JavaScript and modern DevOps practices including CI/CD, cloud deployment, and monitoring. Proven track record leading complex projects end-to-end: from architecture and integration with enterprise systems (SIS, LMS, ERP) to accessibility compliance and user-focused design. Collaborative team player, open-source contributor, and lifelong learner who thrives on solving real-world problems and mentoring others. Currently seeking senior remote or hybrid opportunities where I can apply and grow my Rails expertise while building meaningful, well-crafted software.",
    "location": {
      "address": "1050 College Street",
      "postalCode": "M6H 1A9",
      "city": "Toronto",
      "countryCode": "Canada",
      "region": "Ontario"
    },
    "profiles": [
      {
        "network": "GitHub",
        "username": "christopher-b",
        "url": "https://github.com/christopher-b/"
      },
      {
        "network": "LinkedIn",
        "username": "christopher-bennell",
        "url": "http://linkedin.com/in/christopher-bennell"
      }
    ]
  },
  "work": [
    {
      "name": "OCAD University",
      "position": "Senior Software Engineer",
      "startDate": "2025-01-01",
      "highlights": [
        "Promoted to senior engineering role in recognition of leadership in architecture, DevOps, and technical planning",
        "Led architecture, development, and DevOps for university-wide LMS and digital infrastructure",
        "Delivered solutions across multiple platforms, including Ruby on Rails 7.2, Drupal, and WordPress",
        "Integrated applications with enterprise systems including SIS/ERP, identity providers, and analytics platforms",
        "Designed and implemented CI/CD pipelines using GitLab and GitHub, improving deployment reliability and frequency",
        "Delivered accessible, standards-compliant web applications used by thousands of students and faculty",
        "Mentored junior developers and led workshops on accessibility and internal digital tools",
        "Introduced performance profiling and expanded automated test coverage across critical systems"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "OCAD University",
      "position": "Web Application Developer",
      "startDate": "2011-07-01",
      "endDate": "2025-01-01",
      "highlights": [
        "Developed and maintained custom web applications supporting academic operations and digital learning tools",
        "Built full-stack features using Ruby on Rails, JavaScript, and CMS platforms such as WordPress and Drupal",
        "Contributed front-end components using Stimulus, React, jQuery, and SCSS",
        "Integrated third-party systems including SIS, ERP, LDAP, and media platforms via REST APIs",
        "Designed automated test suites and introduced basic monitoring and logging tools",
        "Delivered training workshops for faculty on adoption of new technologies",
        "Provided Tier-3 support and cross-departmental collaboration with IT, Communications, and Design teams"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "OCAD University",
      "position": "Academic Web Technician",
      "startDate": "2007-08-01",
      "endDate": "2011-07-01",
      "highlights": [
        "Developed and maintained in-house LMS built with PHP and the Zend Framework",
        "Created custom digital signage content tools using Adobe Flex and XML-based data integrations",
        "Supported academic departments through workshops and one-on-one training in digital media tools",
        "Collaborated with Media Services and central IT to enhance system usability and stability",
        "Maintained and updated campus systems integrated with registration and LDAP services"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "Freelance",
      "position": "Freelance Web Developer",
      "startDate": "2007-01-01",
      "endDate": "2017-12-31",
      "highlights": [
        "Designed and developed custom websites and web applications for clients in education, public health, arts, retail, and government",
        "Delivered full-stack solutions using Ruby on Rails, WordPress, Drupal, and custom PHP applications",
        "Built and maintained e-commerce platforms with Magento, integrating payment gateways and POS systems",
        "Prioritized accessibility (WCAG compliance), performance, and mobile responsiveness across projects",
        "Managed client relationships directly, from discovery and scoping through deployment and support",
        "Collaborated with creative agencies, small businesses, and subcontractors to deliver projects ranging from two-week builds to six-month engagements",
        "Provided documentation, user training, and ongoing maintenance contracts to ensure long-term client success"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "OCAD University",
      "position": "Full-Stack Web Development Instructor",
      "startDate": "2008-01-01",
      "endDate": "2017-12-31",
      "highlights": [
        "Designed and delivered curriculum for introductory and advanced web development courses, with a focus on real-world application",
        "Taught HTML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP, WordPress, and ActionScript to students from diverse academic backgrounds",
        "Created course materials hosted on the university LMS, including lectures, exercises, and assessment rubrics",
        "Provided detailed, constructive feedback on student work and supported learning outcomes through one-on-one mentorship",
        "Collaborated with faculty and instructional designers to align courses with evolving web standards and industry practices",
        "Fostered an inclusive and engaging learning environment that encouraged experimentation, creativity, and foundational skill development"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "education": [
    {
      "institution": "Toronto Metropolitan University (Formerly Ryerson University)",
      "url": "https://www.torontomu.ca/programs/undergraduate/new-media/",
      "area": "New Media",
      "studyType": "BFA",
      "startDate": "2002-09-01",
      "endDate": "2006-04-31"
    }
  ],
  "awards": [
    {
      "title": "Award for Employee Excellence",
      "date": "2015-10-16",
      "awarder": "OCAD University"
    }
  ],
  "certificates": [
    {
      "name": "Professional Web Accessibility Auditing",
      "issuer": "Canvas Network",
      "url": "https://www.canvas.net/"
    },
    {
      "name": "JS Concurrency; Everyday TypeScript",
      "date": "2022-01-01",
      "issuer": "Execute Program",
      "url": "https://www.executeprogram.com/"
    }
  ],
  "publications": [
    {
      "name": "GitLab for Deploying Canvas LMS",
      "publisher": "OCADU IT Symposium",
      "releaseDate": "2019-01-01",
      "summary": "Presented at OCADU IT Symposium (2019) on using GitLab CI/CD pipelines to manage deployment and version control for Canvas LMS in a university environment."
    },
    {
      "name": "Scaling Rails – Implementing and Integrating CanvasLMS Open Source",
      "publisher": "InstructureCon",
      "releaseDate": "2013-01-01",
      "summary": "Co-presented with SFU on scaling and customizing the open-source Canvas LMS for higher education; covered Ruby on Rails architecture, API integrations, and institutional adoption."
    },
    {
      "name": "Implementing CanvasLMS Open Source",
      "publisher": "InstructureCon",
      "releaseDate": "2013-01-01",
      "summary": "Delivered at InstructureCon 2013; shared practical insights from launching and maintaining a fully open-source Canvas LMS instance in a higher-ed setting."
    },
    {
      "name": "Driving Large-Scale Installation Displays with Adobe Flex",
      "publisher": "InstructureCon",
      "releaseDate": "2012-01-01",
      "summary": "InstructureCon 2012 session exploring the use of Adobe Flex for dynamic digital displays across campus installations."
    },
    {
      "name": "Developing Learning Management Systems",
      "publisher": "Adobe Digital Partners",
      "releaseDate": "2009-01-01",
      "summary": "Presented in 2009 to Adobe's education-focused community on best practices for building LMS features with Flash and Flex technologies."
    },
    {
      "name": "Developing Learning Management Systems",
      "publisher": "CANHEIT",
      "releaseDate": "2009-01-01",
      "summary": "Presented at CANHEIT 2009 on the design and delivery of custom learning systems in higher education, focusing on PHP, Flash, and emerging interactive technologies."
    }
  ],
  "skills": [
    {
      "name": "Languages",
      "keywords": [
        "Ruby",
        "JavaScript",
        "TypeScript",
        "PHP",
        "SQL",
        "HTML",
        "CSS / SCSS"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "Frameworks & Libraries",
      "keywords": [
        "Ruby on Rails",
        "Stimulus",
        "Turbo",
        "React",
        "Tailwind CSS",
        "Bootstrap",
        "SCSS"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "CMS & Platforms",
      "keywords": [
        "WordPress",
        "Drupal",
        "Canvas LMS",
        "Pantheon",
        "Microsoft Azure"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "DevOps & Tooling",
      "keywords": [
        "Git",
        "GitHub",
        "GitLab",
        "Docker",
        "Lando",
        "REST APIs",
        "CI/CD pipelines",
        "Linux system administration"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "Practices & Other Skills",
      "keywords": [
        "Web Accessibility (WCAG)",
        "Test-Driven Development (TDD)",
        "System Architecture",
        "Performance Optimization",
        "Technical Documentation",
        "Mentorship & Code Review"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "languages": [
    {
      "language": "English",
      "fluency": "Native speaker"
    }
  ],
  "interests": [
    {
      "name": "Hobbies",
      "keywords": [
        "Running",
        "Hiking",
        "Camping",
        "Board games",
        "Tabletop RPGs"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "projects": [
    {
      "name": "Open Source Contributions",
      "url": "https://github.com/christopher-b/",
      "highlights": [
        "canvas_lms_api – Developed a Ruby wrapper for the Canvas LMS API to automate content management, including assignments and file updates",
        "canvas-file-zapper – Created a CLI tool to batch-delete Canvas course files, improving data hygiene and reducing storage bloat",
        "ruby-lsp.nvim – Contributed Ruby-specific enhancements to the Neovim LSP ecosystem for improved developer experience",
        "Canvas LMS (instructure/canvas-lms) – Submitted patches, enhancements, and debugging support for the core open-source learning platform",
        "Lando – Contributed to lando/core, lando/ruby, and lando/mariadb, supporting smoother containerized dev environments",
        "Phlex / Literal – Participated in early-stage Rails community projects focused on clean, component-based views and developer ergonomics"
      ],
      "type": "application"
    },
    {
      "name": "DesignJam",
      "description": "Drupal development and front-end implementation for a collaborative design workshop platform",
      "type": "application"
    },
    {
      "name": "Fourth Floor Distribution",
      "description": "Custom website design and Magento eCommerce development, including LiteSpeed web server optimization and POS integration",
      "type": "application"
    },
    {
      "name": "Ontario Public Health Association",
      "description": "Developed and maintained multiple custom PHP-based websites, focusing on front-end development with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript",
      "type": "application"
    },
    {
      "name": "Philips Lifeline Microsite",
      "description": "Built a custom PHP microsite to support marketing campaigns and product information dissemination",
      "type": "application"
    },
    {
      "name": "Urchin Press",
      "description": "Provided web development framework research and consulting services to support digital publishing initiatives",
      "type": "application"
    },
    {
      "name": "WordPress Development (Various Clients)",
      "description": "Created custom WordPress themes and plugins with front-end development for clients including MargaretMacLeod.com, LeannaMclennan.com, DorkShelf.com, and FramingMatters.ca",
      "type": "application"
    }
  ],
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    "lastModified": "2025-11-17T17:15:28"
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