{"id":19,"date":"2021-11-03T12:41:28","date_gmt":"2021-11-03T12:41:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/johnpretsch.com\/?page_id=19"},"modified":"2026-05-04T14:33:17","modified_gmt":"2026-05-04T14:33:17","slug":"john-pretsch-software-developer","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/johnpretsch.com\/","title":{"rendered":"John Pretsch: Software Developer\/Consultant"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Summary<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Software Developer\/Consultant<\/strong>\u00a0 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Full-stack software engineer with two decades experience building and maintaining high-performance applications using both conventional and AI enhanced coding methods. Strong focus on backend services, API integrations, and scalable data-driven systems supporting high-volume workflows. Proven ability to translate business requirements into reliable technical solutions, modernize legacy systems, and deliver stable production systems. Experienced collaborating across teams, contributing to code quality standards, and producing clear technical documentation..<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Experience<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Independent Software Developer\/Consultant<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Feb 2015 – Present<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Design and maintain backend systems, APIs, and integrations for multiple production applications across healthcare, job platforms, and other data-driven systems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  • Created a AI powered chatbot for a hardware\/software support service.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Improved the security and maintainability of an existing php application by moving core functionality to the Microsoft cloud (Azure).<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Reworked dev ops and security practices for a work order processing system.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Reduced complexity and added functionality to a job board site by refactoring legacy PHP code into a modern framework..<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Optimized the database schema of an existing php application for a medical supply company.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Built a prototype for an online inventory management system using Laravel and Livewire.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Built Shopify based order tracking system for an online retailer across multiple countries\/currencies.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Sensible application of design patterns to application development problems.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    Hostpapa, Burlington ON \u2014 Full Stack Developer<\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Dec 2019 – Feb 2021<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Full stack developer role in an agile environment. Primarily worked in PHP\/Laravel and JavaScript\/Angular.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n
    • Was a key contributor to the ongoing development of a complex web hosting platform using PHP (Laravel) and JavaScript (Angular).<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Managed and analyzed data with complex custom queries, primarily with MySQL.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Worked with a team using Agile and Test Driven Development.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Peer reviewed contributions from other developers and contributed to  the release management process.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

      Venu eLearning Solutions, Mableton GA \u2014 Software Developer<\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

      Feb 2014 – Feb 2015<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Played a key role in the development and maintenance of a custom LMS (Learning Management System).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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      • Design and development of core components within an LMS (Learning Management System) using LAMP and Moodle.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Complex query authoring with raw SQL for reporting purposes.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • New Development and refactoring of front-end components with HTML5 and Bootstrap.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Development of RESTFull APIs for internal and external clients.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

        Ganz Studios, Woodbridge ON \u2014 Software Developer<\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

        Sept 2008 – Nov 2012<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Played a vital role in the ongoing development on the backend platform for a large online gaming platform.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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        • Developed and maintained several in house content management systems using a variety of frameworks including Code Igniter and Zend.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • Developed  web traffic analysis tools using both Google analytics components and an in-house system employing Python, PHP and PostgreSQL.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • Wrote detailed design documents for technical users and user manual style documents for non-technical users.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • Integrated Facebook APIs in support of Facebook based web games.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

          I Love Rewards Inc, Toronto ON \u2014 Web Developer<\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

          July 2005 – June 2008<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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          • Developed robust web-based applications as part of a small team using PHP\/MySQL and <\/li>\n\n\n\n
          • Java in a fast paced, agile development environment.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

            Core Skills<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

            Software Development: <\/h4>\n\n\n\n

            PHP, JavaScript, Python, NodeJS, Laravel, CodeIgniter, Zend, Moodle, Shopify, Legacy System Modernization, PHP Unit, Python, Nginx, React, Angular, jQuery, AJAX, RESTFull API development, Design Patterns, Microservice Development, SOAP, SASS, CSS3, Tailwind, Webpack, Composer,  HTML5, Bootstrap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            Data Management: <\/h4>\n\n\n\n

            MySQL, PostgreSQL, MongoDB, Query Authoring, Data Modeling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            DevOps:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

            CI\/CD, Git, Docker, BitBucket Pipelines, DataDog,  AWS, Azure, GCP.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            System Administration: <\/h4>\n\n\n\n

            Nginx, Apache, Linux server administration, RHEL, Security Best Practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            Project Management:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

            Technical Writing, Jira, Scrum, Agile development, Kanban.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            Education<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

            Mohawk College of Applied Arts and Technologies \u2014 Software Engineering Technologist<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

            Graduated Dec 2001<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            Contact Me<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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