Software architect and developer with extensive technical background and over 10 years of experience in the Internet industry. Known for expertise in the PHP arena, Open Source leadership, and deep understanding of problems and solutions involved in producing top-notch Web software. Efficient problem solver able to cut through complexity to achieve results. Extensive experience in working with domestic and international teams, including UK and Asia, both within companies and in the Open Source world.

• Building modular, high-performance, scalable Web software
• Expertise in PHP and Apache, their internals and implementation
• Extensive experience with HTTP, Web security, Unicode and internationalization (i18n)
• Proven ability to analyze complex technical problems and produce solutions, both individually and in teams

• Principal developer of PHP scripting language since 1999
• Architect and lead developer of PHP 6 native Unicode and i18n support; Release Manager for PHP 4.2
• Author of PHP-GTK, the prevalent solution for developing client-side GUI applications with PHP
• Co-author of Smarty, the premiere PHP templating engine
• Apache Software Foundation member since 2001
• PHP Association board of directors

Outspark Inc.
2007 - present
Chief Architect
San Francisco, CA

Responsible for architecture and implementation of Outspark's game platform. Developed Web services strategy to bridge games and Web data. Designed and a built a virtual cash system utilized by all the games and underlying company's cash flow. Performed continuous infrastructure improvements and oversaw hiring of the engineering staff.

Yahoo! Inc.
2003 - 2007
Senior Software Engineer
Sunnyvale, CA

Key member of the Platform Engineering group. Joined when Yahoo! decided to standardize on PHP instead of numerous proprietary languages. Responsible for wide cross-section of infrastructure software, including PHP and Apache, relied upon by thousands of Yahoo! engineers in their daily work. Selected highlights:

• Co-developed i18n workflow and template management system, used by majority of Yahoo! properties
• Initiated, architected, and currently lead the project to implement native Unicode and i18n support in PHP
• Performed architecture and technology reviews of cross-company products, including Yahoo! Mail, Personals, and others
• Was a key part of the migration effort to PHP for multiple properties, including international ones, with continued responsibilities of rolling out improvements and ensuring standardization as part of the Infrastructure team
• Implemented many performance and security related enhancements for PHP, most of which were fed back to the public release
• Serving as a liaison between Yahoo! developers and PHP community, both domestically and internationally
• Continuing to co-ordinate and participate significantly in PHP and other Open Source work with blessing of Yahoo! management

Fast Search & Transfer, Inc.
Acquired by Overture Services, Inc. in April 2003
2002 - 2003
Senior Software Engineer
Wellesley, MA

The scope of responsibilities centered around AlltheWeb.com search engine front-end. This included feature analysis and specification, software development, project management, and supervision of the technical team (2-3 persons). Led implementation of a major face-lift for AlltheWeb, which transformed it into a leading search destination with a variety of advanced and unique features. As a result, the traffic to the site grew over 50% each quarter.
Technologies: PHP, C, XML, XHTML, CSS.

ispi, Inc.
2001 - 2002
Director of Research and Development
Lincoln, NE

Developed and maintained the technology base behind the company's products, as well as researching new and emerging technologies for internal and external projects. Ported the flagship Vnews online publishing product to PHP/MySQL platform, and led a 2 person engineering team to develop key parts of the company's product line. These products are still used by over 150 online college and university newspapers, as part of the Digital Partners network.
Technologies: PHP, MySQL, XML, C.

1996 - 2001
Senior Software Engineer
Lincoln, NE

Responsible for analysis, design, and development of online database-driven applications; research and implementation of new technologies; orientation, mentoring, and supervision of up to 4 programmers. Technologies in use: PHP, C, MySQL, Texis, Texis WebScript. Key projects included:

• Cabela's online store (cabelas.com), at the time accounting for 0.5% of total e-commerce volume on the Internet. I was responsible for the entire online frontend, catalog management tool, and database synchronization layer.
  
• Direct Marketing Association's JobBank, one of the first job sites on the Internet. I designed and developed the job candidate portion of the site, including resume sub-system with email/fax transmission capabilities.
• The entire line of ispi's publishing products, including CMS, syndication layer, polling software, and subscription/registration system. I was the main architect and developer on these projects.
  
• A suite of internal tools, including project management system.

Pangolin Laser Systems, Inc.
Designed and developed a 3D Studio Max plug-in (C++) to assist with visualizing laser light show production.

Autodesk, Inc.
Wrote and edited a major portion of SDK documentation for 3D Studio MAX release 4. Tested the SDK and provided feedback to developers.

SuckerPunch Productions, LLC
Designed and developed a series of 3D Studio Max plug-ins (C++) for this game studio.

Dreamworks Interactive, LLC
Designed and developed a 3D Studio Max plug-in (C++) for this game studio.

Author of MaxMatter Procedurals, a set of commercial 3D Studio MAX plug-ins, distributed by Digimation.

Researched and developed a soft-body/cloth dynamics simulation system as a personal project, using C++, OpenGL, and Win32 API.

Frequent speaker on PHP and related projects at universities, user groups, and conferences around the world, such as O'Reilly Open Source Convention and International Unicode Conference.

Publications and interviews include:

• A. Zmievski, S. Hughes, "PHP Developer's Cookbook", Sams Publishing 2001
• A. Zmievski, "3ds Max Custom Tools with C++", 3D Artist magazine 1997
• Performed technical editing and review services on several other PHP books.
• Interviewed by B. Byfield for Linux.com, February 2007
• Interviewed by C. Evans for Zend Developer Zone, August 2006
• Interviewed by K. Yank for SitePoint, June 2002

C, PHP, Unix, XML, HTML/CSS/Javascript, SQL, gdb, CVS, make, lex/yacc, MySQL.

Secondary experience with C++, Python, Perl, Win32 API, OpenGL, Renderman SL, x86 assembly.

Fluent in English and Russian.

September 2004 - current
Master of Arts in Linguistics
San Jose State University

August 1994 - August 1998
Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science
University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska
Graduated Magna Cum Laude

I started programming when I was about 10 or 11, using a programmable calculator, then graduating to more advanced machines like Timex Sinclair. When I was 13, I had a summer job developing apps based on dBase IV and FoxPro. After learning Basic and Pascal, I dived into C via programming various little graphics programs and, further on, C++ when I developed plugins for 3ds Max.

Interests: photography, linguistics, sailing, jazz music, traveling.