SOFTWARE ENGINEERING TEAM
Dan Pupek |
Chief Systems and Software ArchitectDan Pupek has worked as a software engineer, developing learning management and performance support software, since 2001. He is a former chief systems architect for Advanced Systems Technology, Inc. and now manages the engineering division of Darwin Global, LLC as Chief Systems and Software Architect. He brings a wealth of expertise in the design and implementation of software solutions for educational institutions. As a systems architect, Dan, has worked closely with many organizations both in the government and commercial sectors. He has designed training delivery and performance support solutions used by the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, the U.S. Army Reserves, the Florida Department of Corrections, NACCRRA and hundreds of other organizations. This experience lends him a great deal of insight into the technological needs that today's modern self-paced and distance education providers may encounter.
Furthermore, Dan has a passion for designing high performance, high capacity systems with an emphasis on user experience. He has developed many such applications including learning management systems, VOIP/audio bridge applications, web-based authoring systems, decision support systems and others. Most of his solutions are still in production use by tens of thousands of users. |
Brette Scott |
Senior Software EngineerMrs. Brette Scott is the senior software engineer for NexPort Solutions and has been working in the learning management field since 2009. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Engineering with Magna Cum Laude distinction and a minor in Computer Science from the University of Oklahoma in 2009.
While attending school, she had multiple internships in a variety of companies in the software industry. She spent the summer of 2007 with Stanley Associates, coordinating team activity and organizing engineering workflow in pursuit of a common front end for multiple radars. The following summer, she interned at IBM performing functional verification testing of the WebSphere Application Server. She completed her trio of internships at Advanced Systems Technology in 2009, refactoring the Integrated Knowledge Elements (iKe) from ColdFusion to C#. She accomplished her academic goals in 2010 after receiving her Master of Science degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering. Brette began her career at Darwin Global LLC immediately thereafter and has been an integral part of the software team ever since. She has implemented numerous new features and fixed countless bugs in the NexPort Campus learning management system. She was also a major player in the development of the online meeting software, NexMeeting. Her most significant accomplishment at Darwin Global, LLC so far, however was her role as the primary lead in developing the reporting framework for NexPort Reporting Services. Brette became a Certified ScrumMaster in 2011 and practices agile software development on a daily basis. Her trademark has always been a passion for providing user-friendly software with a solid, unit-tested backend. She continually strives to deliver the best products possible on schedule and on point. |
Thai Nguyen |
Senior Software EngineerThai Nguyen graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a bachelor’s degree in computer science. He joined NexPort Solutions as a software engineer intern in March 2014.
Thai completed his master's degree in computer science from the University of Oklahoma. He is fluent in Vietnamese and English. |
Joseph Stalling |
Software EngineerJoseph Stalling joined NexPort Solutions on the last day of January 2022 as a software engineer. His current focus has been assisting in the development of Nexport Studio. Joseph holds a bachelor's degree in Computer Science from Oklahoma State University, which he acquired in 2013.
In the fall of 2013, he began work for Digimetrics as a Technical support analyst. Working alongside engineers, Joseph assisted in resolving issues in Digimetrics suite of software products. In march of 2015, He left Digimetrics to work as a Web Application Developer for Oklahoma State University College of Veterinary Medicine. During his time there, he was responsible for the creation, deployment, and maintenance of various web applications utilized by the vet college. Joseph's interests include spending time with his wife and family, fishing, and practicing martial arts. |
Benjamin Brienen |
Software EngineerSoftware Engineer
|
Jim Bendler |
Software EngineerSoftware Engineer
|
Lucas Wolfe |
Software EngineerSoftware Engineer
|
Samuel Imose |
Software Engineer InternSamuel Imose graduated from Oklahoma City Community College with an associate's degree in Computer Science in 2022. He joined NexPort Solutions as a Software Engineer intern and is currently pursuing a bachelor's degree in Computer Science from the University of Oklahoma. He also enjoys playing basketball and sneakers.
|
SOFTWARE QUALITY ASSURANCE
Stephen Dykes |
Lead QAStephen has been a member of the QA team since March, 2018. Stephen served in the US Army Corp of Engineers as a Combat Engineer, after leaving the military he worked for several years in the private security sector. During this time he developed an interest in computers and started back to school studying Video game design. Stephen has not modified his degree program and is working towards his degree in Computer Science in Website development.
|
Will Hughes |
Software EngineerWill Hughes was a Software Engineer Intern for NexPort Solutions and is pursuing a degree in Computer Science at the University of Oklahoma. He has since been brought on as a fulltime engineer. Will joined NexPort Solutions in November 2021 and has primarily been involved with the development of NexPort Campus.
He has completed a variety of internships in the software development industry. He started his journey in 2016 with Jardum, working on a baseline configuration for digital dashboards. He was then brought on to Monte R. Lee and Company to create a real-time data management system for field workers to be able to report construction progress of telecommunication cables. Finally, Will began working for NexPort Solutions and has been involved with NexPort Campus. He has worked on fixing bugs and implementing new features. Will enjoys spending time outdoors and likes to go on camping trips. His hobbies include tennis, frisbee golf, gaming, and painting. He also likes to watch tv and could easily spend an afternoon binging his favorite show. |
Tonja Ekberg |
Software TesterTonja Ekberg graduated Cameron University with a Bachelors of Science in Multimedia and Minor in Radio/TV Broadcasting in 2003. Throughout her technology career, Tonja has worked as a Multimedia Designer/Developer, “Junior” Programmer, Computer-based training Lead Developer as well as Training Developer working with the Military. Tonja joined the Darwin Global, Inc. Team as a Software Tester in 2013.
|
Christie Russell |
Software TesterSoftware Tester
|
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT AND CUSTOMER CARE TEAM
Doug Copley |
Business Development ManagerDoug Copley is the Business Development Manager for Nexport Solutions. In this capacity he works closely with the Engineering Department, QA, and Customer Service to help with planning new features for future releases. Previously Doug worked as a Network Administration Specialist and customer support for users within Darwin Global, LLC and its affiliates. Doug has assisted in a number of large projects including helping to move Nexport to the Azure Cloud for better support and availability worldwide. .Doug's background in network installation and management, product management, and development has provided him unique skills and knowledge for this position.
|
Bryan Loyd |
Tier 2 SpecialistBryan Loyd has worked in the education sector since 2008 and holds an Associates Degree in Computer Networking Systems and a Bachelor's Degree in Information Systems Security, along with a certificate in Full-Stack Web and Mobile Development from NuCamp Coding Bootcamp.
|
Ryan Forbes |
Tier 2 SpecialistHi!
|
SYSTEMS OPERATIONS AND SUPPORT
Billy Caldwell |
Information Systems Operations ManagerBilly Caldwell began working at Advanced Systems Technology as an intern in 2003. Shortly after, he began working in customer service, while completing a Bachelor of Science degree in Instructional Multimedia Design. He was promoted to Network Administrator when NexPort Solutions was established in 2007 in Oklahoma City. He has continued to grow in this position as challenges and new technologies have evolved.
Billy manages day-to-day network operations and provides internal services for more than 100 employees nationwide. He has also worked hand-in-hand with the U.S. Army Reserves and Florida Department of Corrections clients to setup new projects and achieve the business goals of existing projects. |
Diana |
Information Security OfficerDiana started with Nexport in 2021 as the first LMS Tier 2 Support Specialist. She has helped with the development and expansion of Tier 2 role by creating workflow procedures, internal documentation, training material, and more. As a tier 2 specialist, she successfully demonstrated her leadership and project management skills with the smooth integration of our new partners.
As she developed the workflow and made it more efficient, tier 2 capabilities and responsibilities were able to expand effortlessly with company growth. Diana continued her education in Cybersecurity and industry standard certifications, As a result she was the best fit as the Information Security Officer for Nexport. |