Canadian based IT Professional, Graphics Designer, Hacker ( in the MIT scenes) and Freelance A/V & Theatre Technician, who is always looking their next challenge. My interests are many, and I always strive to excel at any task I take on. I continue to extend my knowledge of the IT, Technical Theatre, and A/V Industries to stay up to date and upgrade my skills as necessary to stay current with the latest technology.
Alan Heighway
(416)712-5247
alan@heighway.ca
Diploma in Computer Graphics - Technical - with Honors
This program touched on many aspects of computer hardware and software with a focus on the computer graphics world in the mid-nineties. It was a mix of general computer operation, support, and graphic design. Some of the software packages we used were Autodesk 3D Studio, NewTek Lightwave 3D, Macromedia Director, QuarkXpress, CorelDraw and several others. We learned deskktop publishing, video editing as well as HTML programming and web design. The 'technical' side of the program covered operating systems, C++ programming, and graphic programming (Lingo). Other courses included marketing, psychology and business English.
Diploma
My biggest highlight was the exposure to the world of technical theatre. With Markham Theatre located next to the school, it provided great opportunities for both the performance and technical programs in the school. I took advantage of the theatre co-op programs, which covered both the front of house and backstage at the theatre. We were trained in everything from spotlight operation, lighting setup and design to sound setup and design. The school also offered stagecraft courses that were responsible for building all scenery and props for the annual school musical.
Freelance Theater Technician / Designer, & Audiovisual Technician• January 1989 - Present
Over 35 years of experience in providing technical theatre and audiovisual services to theatre groups, schools, and churches. While my focus has been primarily on lighting and sound, I also have experience in stage management, set design and construction, pyrotechnics, fly work, and stage crew. In terms of lighting, I have practically done it all, from design, to install, to console programming and operation. I have extensive experiance in board programming, primarily on the ETC, Strand, and Colortran boards. As well as software consoles like QLC+ and Rosco Horizon. My experiance in sound has mainly focused on front of house for bands, and churches with a focus on ensuring every instrument is heard and a good balance is maintained with the vocals. This may sound like common sense but I'll let your ears be the judge of that. Famillar with both the analogue and digital consoles from a variety of manufacturers. I have provided churches and schools consultation on sound equipment and placement, as well as video distribution and streaming solutions.As of 2022 I have entered in to the audiovisual production field full time.
IT / Audiovisual Infrustructure Coordinator & Webmaster• February 2021 - Present
Starting as a voluntary position in March 2020 I was tasked with getting the weekly service available as a YouTube stream. I started to look at what upgrades were nessessary to sustain the A/V needs to support the inhouse and streamed services. It was recommended that I be brought on in an official capacity to oversea all aspects of the IT and A/V Infrustructure at the church. I have also taken on managing the churches website.
IT Security Governance & Compliance Specialist• April 2014 - August 2020
I was team lead, and also responsible for the IBM Canada Programming Lab IT Security compliance testing programs, and management of the IT Security infrastructure. This includes auditing systems to ensure they are managed to IBM and industry standards, the setup and administration of Nessus, WSUS, and SEPM servers. Another major part I play is to assist in the reporting and tracking to remediation of and discovered vulnerabilities or 'outbreaks' that may occur throughout the year. I have also been focusing on database creation and design in Lotus Domino as well as various excel and other scripting to analyze and display data more effectively. I am also tasked with exploring new security tools to implement and drive efficiencies to provide better reporting on our security stance with-in our division.
Over the past 18 years I have also played a largely technical role in CASCON the only academic/industrial conference of its kind, which is put on once a year by IBM Canada. My team and I provided all technical services on-site at a local hotel convention centre which includes managing several hands-on classrooms of workstations and a portable VMWare cluster. I also implemented a fully automated system for material deployment.
Senior Deskside Support Rep.• January 1999 - April 2014
During my time in this role, my focus was on expanding my knowledge of computer hardware and software to provide the best support possible for my customers. My responsibilities have given me access to some of the latest personal computer technology and challenged me to keep on top of technology in general. I have also had the opportunity to take key technical roles in several acquisitions, one of which was the Cognos acquisition (the largest IBM Canada acquisition to date). That generated national coverage within the company, due to techniques and processes which I helped develop. My other key responsibility has been to manage an on-site classroom environment. I've implemented a VMWare ESXi cluster solution to better maintain the security compliance of the computers and to increase efficiency in the mass deployment of operating systems and software. I also took this time to replace the 100 desktop computers with energy-saving thin clients.
QA, Beta Test Co-ordinator, Customer Support, Tech Support,• April 1997 - November 1998
Serving as the only technical support person for the company, I assisted customers with the company's main products, @loha, @loha @ Home and VR Workshop. I also served as a Quality Assurance (Q.A.) tester and beta program co-ordinator. I managed beta testers for the company's flagship product @loha at Home. The company shifted its focus off consumer software and on to a server-based E-Card product. This product was utilized when Hallmark introduced e-greeting cards to the world via the web. I served as Q.A. for the server-side software and also assisted with troubleshooting the animated card design using Macromedia Director and Flash. Some of my other responsibilities were database management, setup of new computers and maintaining of a Windows NT network
A method to provision large numbers of computer workstations and uniquely customize each Operating System (OS) and/or other software based on user-specific information.
- Asst. Lighting designer
(Rankin Inlet, Nunavut) - Production Audio Engineer
- Lighting designer / Crew
- Lighting Board Operator
- Lighting Board Operator
- Live Video Director / Switcher
- Live Video Director / Switcher
- - Production Audio Engineer
- Production Audio Engineer
- Production Audio Engineer
- Master Electrician / Lighting Board Operator
- Master Electrician / Lighting Board Operator
Starting from the top we have a CF-86 Sabre painted in the colours of the Canadian Golden Hawks Demonstration Team, next is the CF-18 Hornet painted in commemoration of 100 years of flight in Canada and finally a Ct-144 Tutor of the Canadian Forces Snowbirds
since 1993 (VA3WAH / VA3YKZ)
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I also enjoy cooking, swimming, hiking, camping, or just taking a walk around the neighbourhood. Over the years I've served as a volunteer with several organizations including the Red Cross, Heart and Stroke Foundation, and Breast Cancer Society. I've worked as a communication martial for performance car rallies, bike-a-thons, and Walk-a-thons as well as done traffic control for parades and community events. I served on the Markham Fair entertainment committee for over 15 years. I provide technical guidance and support at Central United Church in Unionville. I'm always looking to keep my calendar full with something...
