John Pretsch

Senior Programmer Analyst | Consultant | Enterprise Web Application Developer

johnpretsch.com/projects john@johnpretsch.com linkedin.com/in/john-pretsch-39b20074

Professional Summary

Senior software engineer with 20 years of experience building, improving, and supporting business-critical web applications. Strong background in multiple platforms including Laravel, Angular and React. Extensive experience working with databases, APIs, and complex business systems. Experienced throughout the full development process, from understanding business requirements and designing solutions to implementation, testing, documentation, and ongoing support. Known for delivering reliable, maintainable software, working effectively with both technical and non-technical teams, and mentoring other developers. Experienced in modernizing older systems, improving security and performance, and using AI-assisted development tools to improve efficiency while maintaining responsibility for code quality, security, and results.

Core Technical Skills

Backend & Web PHP (advanced), Object-Oriented Programming, Laravel, REST API design, web application architecture, client-server integration, performance optimization

Databases SQL (MySQL, PostgreSQL — transferable to Oracle/similar RDBMS), relational schema design, query & index optimization, reporting and data-processing workflows

DevOps & Tooling Git-based workflows, CI/CD (GitHub Actions, GitLab CI), Docker, automated testing (PHPUnit), Linux, collaborative code review

Engineering Practice Legacy modernization, technical debt reduction, security hardening, production support, technical documentation, mentoring

AI in SDLC Daily advanced use of Claude, GitHub Copilot, and related tools for code generation, refactoring, debugging, test creation, and documentation; experienced defining practical AI workflows, guardrails, and coaching other engineers

Professional Experience

Consultant / Senior Full-Stack Software Engineer | Self-Employed

March 2016 – Present

Hamilton, Ontario

Own projects end-to-end—architecture, technical design, development, testing, deployment, documentation, and production support—for production web applications and data-driven systems.
Architect and develop production applications in PHP/Laravel, owning backend architecture, business logic, APIs, databases, and integration work; consistently deliver quality code within agreed timelines.
Analyze requirements and determine effective technical solutions; design and build RESTful APIs and system integrations that reduce manual friction and improve reliability.
Modernize legacy PHP applications into maintainable Laravel architectures—addressing outdated patterns, technical debt, security gaps, and performance bottlenecks.
Design relational database schemas and optimize SQL queries, indexes, and data-processing workflows for performance and reliability; write queries and support reporting needs.
Participate in software testing, implementation, and ongoing production support; diagnose and resolve issues through systematic debugging and database analysis.
Use Git-based workflows, Docker, CI/CD practices, and collaborative code review; communicate technical decisions clearly to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
Use AI tools (primarily Claude and GitHub Copilot) daily across the development lifecycle—code generation, refactoring, debugging, and test creation—while rigorously reviewing output for correctness, security, maintainability, and architectural fit; design and share practical AI-assisted engineering workflows and guardrails.

Full-Stack Developer | HostPapa

December 2019 – February 2021

Developed and maintained production web applications and supporting services across PHP backend systems, relational databases, APIs, and frontend functionality.
Investigated application and production issues and implemented sustainable, maintainable fixes; contributed to ongoing modernization initiatives.
Collaborated with developers on feature development, testing, debugging, and code quality.

Senior Developer | Venu

February 2014 – January 2015

Developed and maintained web applications and backend services spanning application architecture, databases, and APIs.
Investigated technical problems, implemented maintainable solutions, and collaborated with technical and business stakeholders to translate requirements into working software.

Software Developer | Ganz

September 2008 – November 2012

Developed and maintained business and web applications using relational databases and web technologies.
Implemented application functionality based on business requirements and participated in debugging and ongoing improvements.

Selected Highlights Relevant to This Role

Legacy Application Modernization — Extensive experience modernizing established PHP applications (framework upgrades, architectural restructuring, authentication/security hardening, introducing automated testing, and incrementally reducing technical debt).

Database & Performance Engineering — Designs relational schemas, relationships, indexes, and queries for data-intensive applications; comfortable determining whether optimization belongs at the query, schema, application, or architectural level.

AI-Assisted Engineering — Active daily use of Claude and GitHub Copilot plus application-level integration of AI APIs; focused on workflows that combine project context, development rules, automated testing, and appropriate guardrails—directly aligned with team coaching and process improvement.

Education

Software Engineering Technologist Diploma — Mohawk College