Database & Automation Engineer | Building durable SQL Server pipelines, relational desktop databases, and automated Excel dashboards to turn manual data complexity into scalable BI.

I assist businesses in eliminating manual data entry, repairing legacy database systems, and building automated data pipelines that run cleanly in the background.

As a Database and Automation Engineer with over 20 years of hands-on experience, my goal is simple: to partner with your team to turn operational data chaos into robust, automated business tools.

CORE AREAS OF PARTNERSHIP:
• Database & SQL Engineering: Architecting SQL Server databases, designing efficient views, optimizing indexes, and writing structured T-SQL queries.

• Relational Desktop Databases: Modernizing, repairing, and upgrading legacy desktop databases and MS relational applications (such as Microsoft's local database engines).

• Excel Automation & ETL: Building Power Query data ingestion pipelines, VBA macro automation, and advanced formula engines.

• Algorithmic Data Matching: Developing custom Python fuzzy-matching engines to programmatically reconcile inconsistent datasets (like merged customer or vendor lists).

• Operational BI Dashboards: Creating clean, printable reporting workbooks with custom charts and KPI progress monitoring.
MY BACKGROUND:

I spent over two decades building reporting systems and database tools for a 700-person enterprise healthcare corporation. My journey started out of pure necessity: I began teaching myself Excel when our internal IT department lacked the bandwidth to support our urgent operational reporting needs. As our data footprint grew, I taught myself VBA, then local desktop database design, and eventually SQL Server.

A key highlight of my career was serving as the lead architect and developer of Echelon, a compiled desktop application designed to automate complex, high-volume data-reconciliation pipelines. By combining a compiled Python frontend, a Python fuzzy-matching string-similarity engine, and a SQL Server backend, the application automated a highly manual, multi-week data-matching bottleneck. The software’s success earned me the company-wide CEO Achievement Award for technical innovation.

MY COLLABORATIVE PHILOSOPHY:
No Over-Engineering: I focus on building practical, straightforward, and highly durable tools. Some of the database systems I engineered 15 years ago are still running cleanly for my clients today.

Plain English Communication: I do not hide behind complex IT jargon. I explain database steps in simple, human terms and deliver cleanly documented files that your team can easily run and maintain.

Your Long-Term Partner: I treat your business operations as my own. I focus on building honest, transparent, and collaborative relationships where we work together to streamline your business.

Whether you need to repair an old desktop database, migrate messy CSV reports into a clean SQL Server backend, or automate your Excel reporting, I am ready to collaborate. Let’s connect for a brief, casual chat to discuss your data needs.

Work Terms

ENGAGEMENT MODEL & FLEXIBILITY:
Fractional Consulting: I operate as a fractional database and automation consultant. To maintain high-quality delivery across my client portfolio, I work on a highly flexible, asynchronous schedule (primarily during evening hours and weekends).

Asynchronous Development: I do not perform real-time, on-demand development during traditional 9-to-5 business hours. This allows me to focus on building robust, deeply tested data systems without rushing.

COMMUNICATION & SCEDULING:
Time Zone: I am based in the United States (US Central Time - CST).
Asynchronous Response: While my actual development hours are flexible, I maintain highly responsive communication. I check and respond to all Guru messages and emails twice daily, guaranteeing a response time of under 12 hours.

Calls & Screen Shares: All video consultations, scoping calls, and screen shares are strictly by appointment only. To accommodate busy business schedules, these are typically scheduled during evening hours (after 6:00 PM CST) or on weekends.

BILLING & MILESTONES:
Fixed-Price Contracts: Best for clearly defined database builds, migrations, and automated spreadsheets. We will establish explicit, sequential milestones using Guru SafePay. Payments are only released after you inspect and verify each milestone deliverable.

Hourly Contracts: Best for legacy database troubleshooting, maintenance, and ongoing operational support. Billed transparently through Guru's automated time-tracker on a flexible weekly schedule.

MY COLLABORATIVE WORKFLOW:
The Proof-of-Concept Check: For complex database migrations or data extraction tasks, I prefer to run a quick, 2-sample test before we sign a formal contract. This guarantees technical feasibility and protects your project budget.

Clean Hand-Off: Every tool I deliver is fully unlocked, cleanly documented, and 100% owned by you. I include 14 days of complimentary support post-delivery to ensure your team is comfortable running the system.