Serge Plaski

Web Application Developer Certified Google Cloud Engineer

Experienced Software Engineer with over 15 years of IT industry experience, including the last 6 years in web application development.

Some of the technologies I've been working with recently:

  • JavaScript (ES6+)
  • React
  • Next.js
  • TypeScript
  • Node.js
  • Google Cloud

I am based in Florida and open to new opportunities (on-site or remote) .  

Download my resume and e-mail me

About Me

I've had the privilege of working for companies in insurance, mortgage, travel,finance, advertising, and most recently, for a software startup. This diverse experience has given me the opportunity to build my problem-solving and analytical skills in various environments, become an effective team player, and gain knowledge of multiple development approaches, technologies, and frameworks.

Software engineering isn't just my job or expertise - it's a way of life that combines passion, creativity, and continuous improvement through learning new things. It's not just what I do, but who I am.

Work Experience

  1. May 2019 — Present

    SOWADEV is a software development startup specializing in web applications and mobile development, e-commerce, and cloud technology solutions for corporate clients. I developed e-commerce and retail solutions for multiple projects, and built the new modern corporate website that significantly increased performance and traffic.

    • Led the effort to design and prototype the frontend for IWWI e-commerce platform within a cross-functional team of developers, designers, and the product owner while actively contributing to day-to-day development of the front-end components and project libraries (Next.js, React, JS, Tailwind CSS, Figma).
    • Overhauled the codebase (JS utilities, components, style libraries, and custom web hooks) for IWWI, MAXIMA, and Eco Spirits projects to improve code modularity, reusability, and promote accessibility.
    • Collaborated with the MAXIMA retail chain 's back-end team on optimizing the communication between front-end and the new REST API handling supply chain transactions. This addressed the problem with data sync delays, added real-time delivery updates, and reduced the response time for the most critical requests 5-6X.
    • Migrated MAXIMA intranet services for supply chain data uploads and reporting to the serverless platform (Google Cloud Functions), achieving 99.9% uptime and significantly improved scalability.
    • Designed and built the SOWADEV agency's current website using Jamstack and CSS animations that represented a major UX upgrade from the original version, improved the page loading time by 4.5X, reduced the total size of loaded assets by 6X. Updated the back-end with a Google Cloud function using Nodemailer for handling contact forms, emailing, and Firestore logging. Optimized site performance and SEO features to align with Google Search Console best practices.
    • Assisted the PM in implementing Scrum/Agile practices and procedures, which resulted in creation of efficient, fast-paced development environment and shortened the project development cycle by 20%.
    • JavaScript JavaScript
    • React React
    • Next.js Next.js
    • TypeScript TypeScript
    • HTML and CSS HTML & CSS
    • Tailwind CSS Tailwind CSS
    • Node.js Node.js
    • Express.js Express.js
    • REST API REST API
    • Figma Figma
    • MongoDB MongoDB
    • Ferebase Firebase
    • Google Cloud Platform GCP
  2. Mar - May 2019

    I handled the development of two consumer mortgage projects for Fiber Mortgage and Baseline Reverse .

    • Revamped and refactored the existing Fiber Mortgage codebase originally built in Angular JS. Resolved all outstanding code requests related to the mortgage calculator component.
    • Implemented new features for the internal web app used by loan officers at Fiber Mortgage, including the dashboard and a dynamic address lookup leveraging the Google Geocoding API (React/axios/AWS microservice).
    • Prototyped and developed a reusable front-end template built with React/Redux/Material-UI for Baseline Reverse's SaaS offering to mortgage service providers. The app included features like a news feed, agents' information, lead generation and tracking, sign-up/login functionality, and customer application form validation.
    • Created and maintained the custom CSS project stylesheet library.
    • JavaScript JavaScript
    • React React
    • Redux Redux
    • HTML and CSS HTML & CSS
    • Material-UI Material-UI
    • Geocoding API Geocoding API
    • Bootstrap Bootstrap
    • REST API REST API
  3. Nov 2018 - Mar 2019

    Following the four-month long GoIT Full-Stack Web Developmnent Bootcamp, I worked as a React Developer at Scrum Smart, a startup that enabled Scrum Masters to assess and measure organizational agile adoption, plan the transition, and identify the areas for improvement.

    • Developed reusable React application components for user registration, login, and authorization via Google OAuth.
    • Built utility libraries for saving and updating team information and interacting with the back-end via REST API using async functions and Redux-Thunk middleware (React/Redux, JS, axios, Formik, Lodash).
    • Implemented application logic for calculating scores and stats at various stages of the assessment (React/Redux).
    • Authored a unified messaging library for consistent communication across the application.
    • JavaScript JavaScript
    • React React
    • Redux Redux
    • axios axios
    • Formik Formik
    • Lodash Lodash
    • HTML and CSS HTML & CSS
    • REST API REST API
    • Scrum Scrum
  4. Jan 2012 - June 2016

    US Assure is the national leader in Builders Risk commercial insurance.

    I played the integral part in transitioning the proprietary legacy policy document management system built on Lotus Notes and AS400, to a modern web application platform. This was part of a company-wide initiative to overhaul the technology stack to Microsoft Enterprise software (SharePoint, .NET, and Microsoft SQL Server).

    • Actively contributed to data modeling and redesigning major components of the legacy commercial insurance policy document management system.
    • Collaborated with AS400 analysts and the BI team to analyze and model the process of collecting and processing policy submissions data from multiple sources for a seamless redesign on the new platform.
    • Performed analysis of the policy submissions data by querying multiple sources; wrote custom SQL scripts for collecting, organizing, and grouping data.
    • Implemented SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS) packages for data aggregation from external systems and daily internal feeds from the web policy management system into stage tables for background processing in a cube.
    • Analyzed and converted old scheduled tasks and SQL Server transformation services (DTS) packages to modern SSIS packages, achieving recognition from the product owner for noticeable task performance improvements.
    • Built application components for automating selection of state-specific forms mandated by compliance rules. Actively contributed to development of policy raters using C# and Entity Framework.
    • Developed unit and integration tests for forms related business components, achieving over 90% test coverage.
    • JavaScript JavaScript
    • HTML & CSS HTML & CSS
    • REST API REST API
    • dotNET .NET
    • SQL SQL
    • SSIS SIIS
  5. May 2007 - Jan 2012

    ZIS was a subsidiary of Zurich Insurance, N.A. handling policyholder services and administration, providing underwriting support, and IT services in the U.S.

    • Owned and led the development and support of an in-house document management and electronic filing application for handling application submissions and policy servicing on the Lotus Notes platform.
    • Successfully implemented and deployed two major releases to production. and obtained recognition as a subject matter expert within the company.
    • Significantly upgraded the document management system by adding features like:
      • Automatic processing of email & e-fax correspondence and external data feeds.
      • Fully automated attachment extraction, processing, deduplication, and filing by line of business and policy type.
    • Implemented new CRM features and enhancements for policy documentation management, document search, integrated customer communication history, logic for Reps’ availability, scheduling, and task management.
    • Created the new web interface for application submissions and an internal Service Rep's dashboard featuring status tracking for requests and action reminders for customer communications.
    • Facilitated codebase optimization and provided Tier III support (highest level of technical support) for the company's document management and electronic document filing and storage solutions on the NSF/SQL blob storage back-end. This resulted in high user adoption and efficiency, with a user satisfaction level consistently between 96-98%.
    • JavaScript JavaScript
    • AJAX AJAX
    • HTML and CSS HTML & CSS
    • XML XML
    • REST REST
    • SQL SQL
    • Lotus Domino Lotus Domino
  6. Aug 2004 - May 2007

    • Implemented new features and provided incremental updates for internal Lotus Domino applications including CRM, travel agencies' discounts and requests workflow management.
    • Developed web applications for supply chain and for managing the on-board crew and staff standards and procedure manuals (CSS, JS/AJAX, REST).
    • JavaScript JavaScript
    • AJAX AJAX
    • HTML and CSS HTML & CSS
    • XML XML
    • REST API REST API
    • SQL SQL
    • Lotus Domino Lotus Domino

Selected Projects

  1. SOWADEV site screenshot

    I have built the site from scratch using pure Jamstack (JavaScript, HTML, and CSS), usng responsive/mobile-first design approach, with animations and transitions.

    Analyzed and optimized the site for performance, accessibility, and SEO using Lighthouse and Google Search Console tools.

    Deployed to GCP Firebase plaform, the site uses Cloud Functions (Node.js/Express.js) to handle API requests, collect data from frontend, and log them to Cloud Firestore.

    • JavaScript JavaScript
    • HTML and CSS HTML & CSS
    • Node.js Node.js
    • Express.js Express.js
    • Geocoding API Geocoding API
    • Cloud Functions Cloud Functions
    • Firebase Firebase
    • Google Cloud Platform CGP
  2. IWWI Marketplace screenshot

    IWWI is an e-commerce platform in development focusing on eco-friendly products and sustainable technologies and services.

    I played an integral part in planning and implementation of the platform, actively contributed to day-to-day development of the front-end components, project libraries, and integration with back-end.

    • JavaScript JavaScript
    • TypeScript TypScript
    • Next.js Next.js
    • HTML and CSS HTML & CSS
  3. FiberMortgage calculator tool screenshot

    The revamped, improved, and refactored version of the existing Fiber Mortgage web application originally built in Angular JS.

    I have added dynamic address lookup feature that connected to the AWS microservice and used the Google Geocoding API for on-the-fly address lookup. The calculation model was updated to more accurately account for prepaids and adjustments in monthly payment calculation.

    • JavaScript JavaScript
    • React React
    • HTML and CSS HTML & CSS
    • Geocoding API Geocoding API
  4. Scrum Smart app screenshot

    Scrum Smart Project was a startup that enabled Scrum Masters to assess and measure organizational agile adoption, plan the transition, and identify the areas for improvement.

    As a React Developer, I took active part in the project in all stages - from planning to of the delivery and built and tested various parts of the app.

    • JavaScript JavaScript
    • React React
    • Redux Redux
    • HTML and CSS HTML & CSS
    • REST API REST API
    • Scrum Scrum

Training and Education

  1. Dec 2022 - March 2023

    • Completed the extensive Google Skiils Boost training program. Mastered Google Cloud serverless computing, infrastructure, networking, and security through a rigorous 180+ hours of courses and hands-on labs. Achieved proficiency in deployment, operations, load balancing, and application scaling with Docker and Kubernetes.
    • Passed the Google Cloud Associate Engineer and earned the official certification .
    • Google Cloud Platform GCP
    • Cloud Computing Cloud Computing
    • Serverless Serverless
    • Cloud Security Cloud Security
    • Cloud Networking Cloud Networking
    • Load Balancing Load Balancing
    • Firebase Firebase
    • Kubernetes Kubernetes
    • Docker Docker
  2. April - Sept 2018

    Completed the intensive four-month on-site bootcamp at GoIT that covered JavaScript (ES6+), React, Redux, Git, Bootstrap, advanced features of HTML5 and CSS3, along with an introductory course on Node.js and Express.js.

    • JavaScript JavaScript
    • React React
    • Redux Redux
    • Git Git
    • Bootstrap Bootstrap
    • HTML and CSS HTML & CSS
  3. At POLY, I discovered my passion for computers and software. Practical projects in computer architecture, writing and compiling my first C and C++ programs, exploring Unix, and diving into the vast potential of the internet hooked me immediately.

    During my last year of study, I took some graduate courses and completed a project involving image processing and video compression.