James Fink is a senior software engineer with over 20 years of experience designing, programming, testing, and supporting client/server systems. He has expertise in C#, C++, .NET, SQL, and protocols like TCP/IP. He currently owns his own software development business and has previously worked at financial firms developing low-latency trading systems and communications libraries. He holds a BS in Industrial Technology and has completed over 120 credit hours of additional graduate coursework.
1. JAMES W. FINK
1032 Bonnie Avenue, Park Ridge, IL 60068-5102
(847) 823-2950
JamesWFink@Yahoo.com
SENIOR SOFTWARE ENGINEER
A systems professional with extensive experience in designing; programming (primarily Visual C# and
C++); testing; documentation; training; and support in client/server environments. Areas of expertise
include gateway servers, trading systems, manufacturing control systems, distribution, point-of-sales,
accounting, billing, and statistics. Developed new systems and enhanced existing systems using object
oriented programming (OOP/ OOA). Experience is enhanced with a bachelor’s degree in Industrial
Technology with further studies in math, electrical engineering, computer science, and business. Have
completed 123 semester hours of credited graduate and under graduate courses beyond the BS degree.
TOOLS: Excel, Word, Power Point, Databases (SQL Server and Access), Visual Studio, Visio
LANGUAGES: C#, C / C++ (Visual C++), Visual Basic, XNA, HSLS, STL, XML, SQL,
HTML, Java Script
SYSTEMS: Microsoft Windows, .NET, ADO.NET, and ASP.NET
COMMUNICATIONS & PROTOCOLS:
TCP/IP, UDP/IP, Multicast, FIX, FAST, XML, HTTP, HTTPS, RS232, RS422,
RS485, Binary format (to NYSE, PHLX, OPRA), WCF
WORK EXPERIENCE
FinkSoftware, Park Ridge, IL, 2001 to Present
Developer and Owner (Using C#, C++, XNA, DirectX, HSLS, HTML, Java Script, ADO.NET,
ASP.NET MVC)
Designed and built website. Developing flight simulators using C#, XNA, C++, DirectX, and
HSLS. Licenses pilot.
Belvedere Trading, Chicago, IL. March 2006 to September 2013 (Retired)
Senior Software Engineer (Used C#, C++, C, WCF, ASP.NET, ADO.NET, SQL Server)
Designed and built a high speed communications library that is used for client/server
communications (point-to-point or multipoint) using TCP, UDP, or multicast. Designed and built
high speed FIX, mass quoting, and FAST market data engines. Built connections to and
certificated with BATS, BOX, CME, CBOE, C2, ICE, ISE, Gemini, AMEX, ARCA, NASDAQ,
NASDAQBX, PHLX, REDI exchanges, and OPRA. Developed translators for exchange specific and
clearing requirements. Developed several floor trade systems. Worked on Smart Order Router for
automatic selection of best option exchange and to handle intermarket sweep orders. Trouble shoot
issues. Built many automated unit tests. Filed financial reports with FINRA.
Motorola, Arlington Heights, IL. December 2005 to March 2006
2. JAMES W. FINK Page 2 of 3
Software Developer (Used C, UDP/IP protocol, and UMTS protocol on UNIX (Linux / Solaris
systems))
Developed mobile radio communications software for access point microchips .
PATSystems, Chicago, IL. February 2004 to December 2005
Software Developer (Used object oriented Visual C++ (VC++), MFC, Win32 SDK, STL,
TPC/IP & UDP/IP sockets layer coding, real-time coding, XML, XSL, FIX, TIBCO, OOA, OOD,
and OOP on Microsoft 200x client/server systems)
Developed trading servers that communicated between PATSystems core systems and various
futures and options exchanges. These systems were multithreaded and time critical. Tasks
included designing, programming, testing, documenting, training, and supporting. Languages used
are C++ (using MFC, STL, and Win32 SDK), XML, and XSL. Protocols used are TCP/IP,
UDP/IP, FIX (Standard), and TIBCO. The exchanges included CME, Montreal, TOCOM (FIX),
Hong Kong Futures Exchange (FIX), Korean Futures Exchange (FIX), Korean Stock Exchange
(FIX), Osaka Securities Exchange (FIX), Tokyo International Financial Futures Exchange (FIX),
and Tokyo Stock Exchange (FIX). Supported LIFFE (Connect), CBOT, CBOE, and EUREX.
Coordinated with exchange personnel for the development of these systems.
Consulting: May 2001 to February 2004
Client: Riverside Publishing Company, Itasca, IL.
Senior Software Developer (Used Visual C++ (VC++), MFC, Win32 SDK, HTML Help, COM,
InstallShield, OOA, OOD, OOP, real time coding, and Windows Installer (MSI) on Microsoft
Windows NT/2000 client server systems)
Developed an automated CD burning system using VC++, MFC, Win32 SDK, SQL (to Oracle
and Access databases), and MSMQ. This system runs as services. It is object oriented, multi-
threaded and multi-process (with inter process communications). Developed a MFC GUI
application to control the services. This system greatly shortens the CD burning time for large
orders and allows the company to meet tight turn-around times. Developed and maintained
InstallShield (and MSI) programs and performed configuration management.
Client: Freya Group, Chicago, IL.
Project Manager And Software Developer (Used Visual Basic (VB), SQL, XML, DOM, real
time coding, and InstallShield scripts on Microsoft Windows NT/2000/98/ME/XP client-server
systems)
Coded, tested, and managed the development of a client side trading and risk management system.
This is a real time GUI application called GTEX, Global Trade Execution System. Coordinated
with the server side development, and interfaced with investors and potential customers.
Developed XML message system to transfer data to and from the server pool. Invented a special
algorithm that reduced the time required to parse certain XML messages by at least 90%. Used
SQL statements via ADO to MS SQL databases. Developed an InstallShield program to install
the client software and MDAC on various Windows systems.
Client: Firestone Tires via. Strategic Solutions, Inc., Villa Park, IL.
Software Developer (Used Visual C++ (VC++), Win32 SDK, Visual Basic (VB), and SQL on
Microsoft Windows NT/2000 servers)
Developed GUI programs for new point-of-sales system and database management. Used SQL
statements via ADO to MS SQL Server databases. Researched and used various grid controls.
Developed release management programs for the maintenance of over 1600 store servers.
Monitored programs on a UNIX system.
William Rainey Harper College, Palatine, IL, May 1999 to August 2003
Adjunct Faculty
3. JAMES W. FINK Page 3 of 3
Taught courses in Advanced C Programming, Windows operating system, Internet, and
Visual Basic. Developed lectures and overheads. Developed tests.
Trading Technologies, Inc., Evanston, IL. September 1, 1999 to May 2001
Software Developer (Used Visual C++ (VC++), Win32 SDK, STL, TIBCO, VB, TCP/IP sockets layer coding, real
time coding, OOA, OOD, OOP, and InstallShield scripts on Microsoft NT client server systems)
Acted as team lead for various projects. Mentored and trained junior developers. Developed high speed gateway
servers and routers using object oriented, C++ code. The gateways interface with equity, futures, and option markets
throughout Europe and the United States. These servers operate as services. They are multi-threaded and use socket
and TIBCO communications. Used STL containers and Win APIs. Developed point-to-point and published
communications channels. Developed InstallShield packages to install the servers. Wrote InstallShield scripts to
make various registry settings, environmental settings, and to install and manipulate files. Participated in the
development of an automated configuration management system that also automated the build and packaging process.
This system greatly reduces the chance of errors in the deployment of packaged products.
Deluxe Video Service, Inc, Deerfield, IL, September 1995 to August 31, 1999
Senior Software Engineer - Process Control (Used object oriented C++, MFC, Win32 API,
SQL, OOA, OOD, & OOP on Microsoft NT client server systems)
Developed control systems for manufacturing and distribution. Wrote requirements and functional specifications;
researched solutions; developed time and risk estimates; developed Gantt charts; developed project plans; developed
object oriented analysis and designs; wrote C++ (Microsoft Visual C++ and Borland) object oriented code;
developed graphical user interfaces (GUI); wrote documentation (user manuals, technical manuals, help desk
procedures, MS-Help Files); developed and conducted presentations; wrote and completed test plans; and wrote and
completed implementation plans. Wrote synchronized multi-threaded and multi-process (with inter process
communications), real time, programs in C++ that were extremely time sensitive. Developed programs that worked
with databases (Oracle and MS Access through ODBC) and developed programs that communicated with equipment
using RS232, RS422, RS485, and TCP/IP protocols. Some of the systems transferred files to and from a host using
Connect:Direct, TCP/IP, Ethernet and/or Token Ring. Coordinated contractors and venders for the development of
various systems. Developed interfaces between AS400, UNIX, and Microsoft NT Servers and Workstations using
Korn shell scripts and C++ programs.
EDUCATION
Have a B.S. degree in Industrial Technology with a minor in Electricity and Electronics from Northwest
Missouri State University, Maryville, MO, 1971. Have completed 123 semester hours of accredited
courses (both graduate and undergraduate) beyond the bachelors degree in math, electrical engineering,
computer science, and business. Education includes studies in Electrical Engineering and Computer
Science from Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, IL. Completed business courses from DePaul
University, Chicago, IL. Completed various computer courses from Oakton College (Des Plaines, IL).
Completed a series of web development courses from Harper College (Palatine, IL). Completed
Microsoft certified courses in NT Server, SQL Database Design, and Windows Architecture.
Completed various self paced courses such as a series of TCP/IP courses. Most of my training is self-
taught. Member of Kappa Beta Delta and Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Societies.