Welcome to ricalvarez.net
Professional
My name is Ric Alvarez; I am a Principal IT Applications Architect with one of the largest software development companies in the world. I hold a Master of Science in Computer Information Systems and a Bachelor of Science in Business Information Systems from the University of Phoenix. Over the past decade I have designed, developed, and supported several multi-tiered, distributed, enterprise applications for various Fortune 500 companies and state government entities. I am skilled in the construction of Java applications targetting various deployment platforms including jBoss, WebLogic, and WebSphere on Windows, Linux, and Solaris. My main focus has been the development of middle-tier business, content, and data services using Spring, Hibernate, Axis, and other open-source, community supported frameworks. I've also dabbled in website and user interface design using Struts and Spring RCP as well as graphics and digital photography.
Recreational
I am a licensed skydiver and member of the United States Parachute Association. I am also an R/C modeler and member of the Academy of Model Aeronautics. In my spare time, if I'm not catching up on sleep, I like to read and sometimes watch some TV. My favorite authors are Stephen King, Caleb Carr, John Sanford, Dean Koontz, Isaac Asimov, Piers Anthony, Orson Scott Card, and Aldous Huxley - to name a few. As far as TV goes: I keep up with Burn Notice, In Plain Sight, NCIS, Dollhouse, Criminal Minds, and Chuck and I used to watch Battlestar Galactica (both the original series and the SciFi Channel reimagination), Stargate: SG1, and Harper's Island. I am a fan of Dexter and may, if I get around to it, be picking up True Blood. I also like to garden and Geocache, when the heat's not completely overwhelming, and, for times when it is, I just started playing chess again.