Portfolio

X-VENT Training

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, our company pivoted to develop the X-VENT ventilator under a new division. I was tasked with leading the user training deployment for this critical medical device. Drawing inspiration from Tesla Motors’ Model 3 training videos, I set out to create a simple yet effective video series. The series consists of 21 training videos, each covering an essential aspect of operating and maintaining the X-VENT. Additionally, I collaborated with the Lead Respiratory Therapist at Enexor Health to gain approval for the training videos to count towards Continuing Education Units (CEUs), which are annual training credits required by many health professionals to maintain their certifications.

• Create Effective Training Videos: Develop simple, elegant, and informative training videos for the X-VENT ventilator.
• Content Production: Script, film, and edit the videos to ensure clarity and engagement.
• Build an Online Training Platform: Host the videos on a user-friendly platform, organize them into modules, track progress, and include quizzes to reinforce learning.
• Accreditation: Obtain approval for the training to count towards CEU credits, adding value for healthcare professionals.

Leading the project with limited resources, I was responsible for:

• Content Development: Collaborated with teammates to identify all necessary material required for new users to fully operate the X-VENT. This involved breaking down complex technical information into digestible 2-4 minute videos.
• Scripting and Filming: Wrote scripts for each of the 21 narrated videos. Filmed the required clips, including instructional footage and B-roll for introductions and conclusions.
• Video Editing: Edited all videos, which included arranging clips, equalizing audio, adding animations, and creating graphical elements to enhance understanding.
• Platform Development: Researched and selected an online training platform to host the videos. Organized the content into modules, implemented progress tracking, and integrated quizzes to assess comprehension.
• Accreditation Process: Worked with the Lead Respiratory Therapist to gain approval for the training program to qualify for CEU credits.

Challenges

• Tight Deadlines: Faced rigorous deadlines while balancing existing responsibilities, requiring efficient time management and prioritization.
• Resource Constraints: Operated with limited resources, necessitating a hands-on approach to all aspects of the project.
• Shifting Priorities: Dealt with changing directives from upper management, leading to delays and requiring adaptability.

Solutions and Achievements

• Efficient Workflow: Established a streamlined process for scripting, filming, and editing to maximize productivity within the tight timeline.
• Quality Content Delivery: Completed the entire video series within four weeks, ensuring high-quality production despite the expedited schedule.
• Accredited Training Program: Successfully obtained approval for the videos to count towards CEU credits, enhancing the training’s credibility and appeal to healthcare professionals.
• User-Friendly Platform: Built an online training platform that effectively hosts the videos, tracks user progress, and assesses comprehension through quizzes.

 

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X-VENT Emergency Ventilator

When Enexor’s upper management decided to pivot rapidly to design and manufacture an emergency ventilator in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, I was tasked with planning, designing, and developing the touchscreen interface for the ventilator, known as the X-VENT. This was an extremely challenging yet highly rewarding project that required me to learn an entirely new suite of programming tools and collaborate closely with the engineering team to develop the graphical interface simultaneously as the microprocessor logic was being programmed. The task demanded overcoming a steep learning curve, delivering on tight deadlines, and communicating with utmost precision.

• Design and Develop Touchscreen Interface: Create a user-friendly and reliable touchscreen interface for the X-VENT ventilator.
• Rapid Skill Acquisition: Quickly learn new software, programming languages, and rapid development methodologies.
• Understand Medical Industry Requirements: Acquire knowledge of medical terminology, design elements, and device capabilities pertinent to ventilator technology.

As the sole person assigned to develop the interface, I collaborated extensively with colleagues across various company functions to deliver the final product:

• Software Mastery: Quickly dove into learning the programming software by collaborating with our industry partner and HMI manufacturer, Schneider Electric. This involved understanding a variation of the Java programming language specific to the hardware.
• Simultaneous Development: Worked alongside the engineering team to coordinate device functionality while they developed the microprocessor logic.
• Design Collaboration: Partnered with the marketing and design team to create meaningful and easy-to-use graphics, ensuring the interface was intuitive for medical professionals.
• Meeting Rigorous Deadlines: Managed time effectively to meet the strict deadlines set by upper management for the product launch, often putting in overtime to ensure milestones were achieved.

Challenges

• Steep Learning Curve: Needed to rapidly learn new programming tools and medical industry concepts without formal training.
• Simultaneous Multi-Team Coordination: Had to ensure that the touchscreen interface aligned perfectly with the microprocessor logic being developed concurrently by another team.
• Extreme Deadlines: Operated under intense time pressure due to the urgent global need for ventilators.
• Precision Communication: Required clear and precise communication across multiple teams to prevent any misunderstandings that could delay the project.

Solutions and Achievements

• Rapid Skill Acquisition: Successfully mastered the new programming software and language in a short time frame, enabling me to begin development promptly.
• Effective Collaboration: Maintained close coordination with engineering, marketing, and design teams to ensure all components of the ventilator functioned seamlessly together.
• Timely Delivery: Met all critical deadlines, contributing to the timely launch of the X-VENT ventilator.
• Real-World Impact: The touchscreen interface I developed is currently deployed on the X-VENT ventilator and is actively helping to save lives during the pandemic.

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Enterprise Network Upgrade

Upon joining Enexor, I identified a significant lack of IT infrastructure that was causing frequent disruptions in workplace productivity. The company relied on a single ISP-provided router/modem combo as the primary Wi-Fi router for both the entire office building and the connected 40,000 sq. ft. manufacturing facility. Network outages were common and disruptive, often forcing employees to use personal hotspots until the issue was resolved—usually by restarting the modem. Recognizing the need for a robust solution, I presented a proposal to upper management to overhaul the IT infrastructure, which was approved and funded.

The project was executed in two phases:

• Phase 1: Installation of enterprise-grade networking equipment throughout the facility, including multiple access points, network switches, firewalls, and VPNs.
• Phase 2: Addition of more access points, installation of a server cabinet housing three new on-premises servers, and implementation of a fiber-optic backbone to connect Intermediate Distribution Frames (IDFs) to the newly created Main Distribution Frame (MDF).

• Design and Implement a Robust Network Architecture: Create a network from scratch to support enterprise-grade Wi-Fi networking, approximately 1 Gbps throughput for the command center video wall, office Ethernet lines, redundancy for on-premises servers, and capacity for rapid office expansion.
• Enhance Network Security: Implement advanced network security measures to prevent cyber attacks and safeguard internal data.
• Maximize Uptime: Achieve 99.9% or higher system uptime to minimize downtime and maximize worker productivity.

I led the project from inception to completion, personally handling almost all aspects of the work with minimal assistance from external vendors. My responsibilities included:

• Project Planning and Design: Developed the network architecture plan, selecting appropriate hardware and technologies to meet current and future needs.
• Installation and Configuration: Worked with internal team members to perform labor-intensive tasks such as mounting and assembling equipment racks. After physical installation, I configured and optimized the network devices for optimal performance.
• VPN Deployment: Provisioned the company’s VPN, enabling remote work capabilities that are now heavily utilized by team members.
• Security Implementation: Set up advanced security protocols, including firewalls and network monitoring tools, to protect against potential threats.

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ACU Paint Fest

ACU Paint Fest was an event held by The Cabinet (Campus Activities Board) a campus-sponsored, student leadership group with a mission to increase student involvement and retention through free university-sponsored events. Ty joined The Cabinet during its first, post-pilot launch year. This presented unique challenges as there were not many established event ideas, and creativity among team members was of the utmost importance. Of the 8 Cabinet staff members, each was responsible for approximately two campus events. Ty chose to take on the largest event of the Spring 2018 semester dubbed “ACU Paint Fest”.

• Create a fun and exciting event that will lead to record breaking attendance for a unviersity sponsered function.
• Promote brand awareness and form brand identity for The Cabinet in its first debut year as a campus organization.
• Increase student involvement and retenition.

The event was a tremendous success on many fronts. Over 900 students attended the event, exceeding the target attendance of 500. The event helped The Cabinet gain a significant following among the student body and helped build the brand of the organization. Although hard to measure from a single event, student engagement and retention was up at the end of the semester as reported by the Office of Student Life. Feedback from students was extremely positive and many asked for the event to return to campus again. Among the things that needed improvement was the smell of the paint and the cleanup procedures.

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Bird + ACU

After being elected President of the Student Body at Abilene Christian University, Ty spent the summer working on a strategy for the upcoming academic year. One of the projects Ty was working on during this time was a partnership with Bird Scooters. The project was a phased introduction of Bird Scotters to ACU’s campus.

• Increase sustainable transportation options on campus.
• Provide affordable transportation options for international students who may not have a vehicle.
• Reduce carbon emissions.
• Allevivate strain on on-campus parking lots.
• Create an external revenue source for the Student Governemt Associaition

ACU was the first university to sign an official partnership with Bird scooters. Ty oversaw project approval from upper administration within the university, including The Office of Student Life, The Office of The President, Facilities Management, and University Operations.

The project started off a massive success. Within just 4 months, Bird + ACU had eliminated over 15,270 pounds of CO2, sent riders 17,144 miles across
Abilene, and prevented countless tradies in classes. It also offered flexibility to international students and students living in near-by off-campus housing. The partnership generated close to $10,000 of revenue for SGA, which was used to help fund student organizations and campus activities. Unfortunately, after a rough winter season, Bird decided to put a hold on operations and ultimately decided not to return to Abilene without clear reasoning. The best guess for the retreat was the lackluster performance tied to the small population of the Abilene community and the harsh winter conditions that lasted many months.

Students absolutely loved Bird while it was on campus and it helped generate the first-ever external revenue source for ACU’s Student Government Association. At the time of writing, a new group of students tied to an on-campus entrepreneurship group has initiated another partnership with Bird, and will now deploy a new fleet of scooters on campus, owned by the new venture.

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