Jacob Blankenship

• Developed a cloud-native portfolio site using S3 for static hosting and CloudFront for global content delivery (HTTPS).
• Built a serverless backend with Lambda (Python) and DynamoDB to track and display visitor counts.
• Security & Monitoring: Implemented AWS WAF to enforce geo-blocking and mitigate malicious traffic; integrated SNS and SES for real-time visitor alerts.
• CI/CD: Automated the entire deployment pipeline using GitHub Actions for seamless frontend/backend updates.

Cloud Operations & Event-Driven Automation

• Designed event-driven workflows using Amazon EventBridge to trigger scheduled tasks and automate resource management.
• Optimized serverless development by implementing Lambda Layers for shared library management across multiple functions.
• Enhanced operational visibility by creating custom CloudWatch Dashboards and proactive CloudWatch Alarms (SNS notifications) for resource performance and billing.
• Utilized S3 Select to optimize data retrieval costs and performance by querying specific subsets of large datasets.

Infrastructure as Code (IaC) & Hybrid Compute

• Deployed and configured heterogeneous compute environments (EC2 Linux & Windows) with Elastic IPs and User Data scripts for automated bootstrapping.

• Developed and maintained mainframe and enterprise software solutions using COBOL, CICS, and DB2, resolving production issues and improving system performance.
• Analyzed and debugged complex application defects using root cause analysis, collaborating with cross-functional teams to implement system enhancements.
• Designed and implemented software changes based on business requirements, ensuring compliance with internal standards and improving operational workflows.
• Provided technical support and customer-facing solutions, troubleshooting application issues, and recommending procedural improvements.
• Created and maintained detailed software documentation, ensuring code quality and audit readiness while supporting onboarding and knowledge transfer efforts.

• Designed, developed, and tested software applications across client-server and web-based environments, delivering scalable solutions that met business requirements.
• Collaborated with development teams to review specifications and implement technical designs, ensuring code quality and consistency.
• Participated in full software development lifecycle activities, including design, build, test, and release phases.
• Enhanced existing applications by modifying system features and resolving technical issues, improving user experience, and reducing system downtime.
• Demonstrated strong attention to detail and problem-solving capabilities, ensuring accuracy in coding and testing processes.

• Coordinated emergency response operations, directing firefighting and rescue activities while ensuring safety compliance.
• Operated and managed emergency communication systems, including E911 dispatch and alarm monitoring platforms.
• Maintained certifications in hazardous materials response, confined space rescue, and emergency medical response.
• Supervised firefighting personnel and equipment operations, performing duties as vehicle crew chief.
• Executed fire prevention and safety protocols, conducting inspections and training exercises that reduced risk.

• Army Achievement Medal
• National Defense Service Medal
• Global War on Terrorism Service Medal