I began my technical career in 1987 with 3 years technical research for the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, where I built a computer-based laboratory management environment with Dupont Plexiglass for parturition physiology research. I networked DOS and Windows286 data-collection clients to a DECVAX minicomputer data-depository, and then interfaced physiographs, IR spectrophotometers, balances, gas chromatographs, mixers and chillers, thermometers, and variac transformers to the clients. Nearly all testing and data-collection was done, hands-free. I gained experience with technical writing, data communications, ARPANET messaging, and the operations and interfacing of laboratory instruments.
In 1991, I began work for Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) as Systems Manager for the Field Services Division - where I implemented the state's first digital Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS). In doing this, which required not only connecting many different analog and digital laboratory instruments to local computers, but heavy use of both LAN and WAN connectivity, I developed a keen interest in open (TCP/IP) network and applications connectivity.
In late 1993, I was asked to network and automate LDDS Communications (WorldCom) into the largest communications company in the world. So, with DEQ's LIMS 100% implemented and operational, I built DEQ a LIMS support and administration team and started with LDDS in 1994. LDDS grew quickly, with me leading the information technology and services consolidations/migrations for 61 acquisitions - including many small companies, but also WilTel, IDB WorldCom, MFS/UUNet, Brooks Fiber, GridNet, SkyTel, CompuServe, AOL Network Services, MCI, etc. - helping to build WorldCom, which owned/ran over 50% of the Internet. These acquisitions had platforms with their own: development/support staff, content, equipment, connectivity, and sometimes buildings for running their systems. I migrated these companies, consolidating and then decommissioning their environments to use the WorldCom Corporate Intranet, Internet, pre-sales Customer Extranet, e-Mail, Directory Services, Materiel Management, and HR System. This Consolidate:Decommission model saved WorldCom an estimated 74 million dollars over 8 years. Leading corporate communications for all these world-wide acquisitions helped me develop award winning and globally recognized websites, communications models, and the most heavily used intranet site in the world. And, from 1999-2001, I served as Vint Cerf's MCI-to-WorldCom applications connectivity advisor. In April 2002, an MCI-controlled board voted Bernie Ebbers, out of the company and I was laid off, two hours later.
I then worked for Health Management Associates for 1 year, preparing for an opportunity with First Choice Medical Supply (First Choice), where I: built a HIPAA-secure communications infrastructure; supported GE PACS networks, including public web and modality connectivity; designed and administered networking to 15 HMA sites; ported all doctor's privileges from paper to a LAMP web site to make HMA's first Physician's Privileges portal for nurses to find "who could do what to whom"; developed and implemented an MSDS Control portal; and built and ran shrinkdown.com for HMA's and YMCA's successful public weight loss program. But, most importantly, I implemented and provided regional administration for Pathways Materiel Management (PMM) to define and create private Internet-based extranet connectivity between McKESSON and HMA, allowing me to become familiar with the healthcare industry's two leading suppliers, which would end up being First Choice's biggest sources for new customers - McKESSON and Medline.
I joined First Choice Medical Supply (now McKesson Medical-Surgical) in December, 2002, and was named CIO in June, 2003. Within my first few months at First Choice, I created and provided Online Supply Center (OSC), a dynamic e-commerce environment for the eldercare industry and First Choice's gross revenue grew quickly. After 18 months, we had 500+ live accounts (Long Term Care, Home Care, Hospice, and DME) ordering through the OSC. By 2017, 5,000+ OSC accounts produced 80% of our gross revenue. These OSC sales, plus other trading partner sales (DSSi, Brightree, Liasion, etc.) totaled 98% of our gross revenue (<2% from tel/FAX). I trademarked FCMS™ as a wholesale distributorship and as CIO, I designed, implemented, and supported all: web, web to database, and ERP connectivity development and administration; all infrastructure that connects distribution centers in 10 states using a Cisco-based physical/Wi-Fi data network; and all other associated technical work, including disaster recovery, telephone, EDI communications, and 100% migrating/converting/decommissioning all of First Choice> to McKesson. And all my web deliverables for First Choice were 100% LAMP open source and approved as use-compliant by each resporg. *Acquired by Medical Specialties Distributors, LLC on December 07, 2016, and then acquired by McKESSON Medical-Surgical on June 01, 2018.
Leaving McKesson in April 2020 under a non-compete/Business Asset Protection Agreement (BAPA), I had to work outside of the medical and e-commerce industry, respecting their BAPA for just under 5 years. So, for the next 3 1/2 years, I worked for 2 MSP’s I used at FCMS: Fuse.Cloud as Director of Sales Engineering for a year and Netlink Voice as Director of Solutions Engineering for 2 ½ years. I then worked 3 months for HORNE’s Firm and Government Services divisions and 6 months on Special Projects for Vergent LMS.
After satisfying McKesson's non-compete/asset protection agreements and the FTC issued a rule aiming to ban USA non-compete agreements, I started
SMORTLER, LLC and began doing contract IT work.