Introduction

Hi I'm Alex Gartner. I enjoy working with computers, specifically in the areas of programming, networking, and security. I specialize in solving complex problems with out of the box solutions.

Work Experience

The MITRE Corporation

Fall 2017 - Present

Senior Software Systems Engineer

Johns Hopkins University - Applied Physics Lab

Summer 2016

Intern

  • Developed a secure IoT gateway using secure boot, SELinux, and an attestation framework
  • Created an innovative web based password entry scheme
  • Developed a system to track bicycles around campus
  • Developed capabilities for a C# based risk assessment engine

Dakota State University

2015 - 2016 School Year

Adjunct CS Instructor

  • Developed lessons and instructed CSC 150: Computer Science I

Sandia National Labratories

Summer 2015

iSAFE (Interns for Security, Arms Control, and Force Protection Engineering)

  • Developed C# based web services and a HTML/JS based client interface
  • Implemented an IPSec VPN and LDAP server on an embedded Linux device
  • Assisted on a penetration test of a federal government entity

Dakota State University

2014 - 2015 School Year

Campus Tour Guide

Wells Fargo Retirement Technology

Summer 2014

Application Development Intern

  • Created and deployed fixes for production tickets
  • Created web debugging interfaces
  • Wrote and modified JUnit test cases
  • Wrote or updated documentation for changes

Dakota State University

2013-2014 School Year

Office Assistant

  • Managed administrative communications
  • Distributed forms and software to students
  • Various tasks for faculty

Suttle Communications

Summers 2012 & 2013

Engineering Technician

  • Built prototypes from CAD models
  • Parametric design with Creo 2.0
  • Developed a fiber optic splicing procedure
  • Sold and/or disposed of obsolete inventory
  • Conducted environmental, impact, and longevity tests on products

Academics

Dakota State University

Fall 2015 - Spring 2017

Masters of Science in Applied Computer Science

After graduating with my Bachelors degree, I decided that I should continue on to a masters degree. I'm very interested in learning about the fundamentals of computer science that I may have glossed over in my undergraduate work. I'm also excited for the opportunity to research interesting things and work more autonomously.

Dakota State University

Fall 2013 - Spring 2015

Bachelor of Science in Cyber Operations

I chose this program because it combined two of my favorite things: networking and programming. These skills are fundamental to understanding computer security. I couldn't find any other degrees that offered the broad spectrum of classes this one. I graduated the spring of 2015. I gradated very quickly because I completed the general education requirements in high school. During my enrollment in this degree, I've had the opportunity to establish a very strong technical skill base via acedemics and extracurriculars.

Ridgewater College

Fall 2012 - Spring 2013

General Education

During the last two years of high school, I took classes directly through Ridgewater Community College. During my junior year, I took classes part time, while I still took the majority of my classes at my high school. During my senior year, I only took classes at Ridgewater. The classes I took satisfied my general education requirements such as composition, speech, physics, and sociology.

Activities and Awards

Collegiate Cyber Defence Competition (CCDC)

2013-2014 School Year

CCDC is a defensive security competition comprised of teams from various colleges. Teams are given identical networks and tasked with their defense. The intent of these networks is to simulate a real business network. As you attempt to secure your network, a group of security professionals actively attempts to breach your network. There are two phases of the competition, regionals and nationals. If your team wins regionals, they also win an all expenses paid trip to nationals.

I was a member of the 2014 DSU CCDC team. We won the North Central Regional and were given the opportunity to go to nationals. While we didn't place at nationals, we came in 2nd place in a secondary offensive security contest. I indent to compete again in 2015.

National Cyber League (NCL)

Fall 2013 & 2014

NCL is a offensive security competition aimed towards college students. In this competition, participants are tasked with penetrating a set of vulnerable computers. This competition consisted of three parts: a pre-season, regular season, and post-season. During the pre-season, participants are provided a set of training courses to familiarize themselves with how systems can be penetrated. During the regular seasons, individuals compete to see who can penetrate the most systems. During the post-season, individuals form teams and compete against other teams.

I participated in all three portions of NCL in 2013 and 2014. Throughout the entire competition, I learned a great deal about information security, and the vulnerabilities that can be used to exploit systems. During the regular season of 2013, I was ranked in the top third. In 2014, I was ranked second. In the post-season, DSU's team was ranked first in the nation in both 2013 and 2014.

FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC)

2012-2014

FRC is a high school competition where teams build robots to play a game. This game changes every year, and requires participants complete the entire robot in six weeks. While core components are provided to every team, a great deal of ingenuity is required to create a competitive robot.

I participated in FRC in 2012 and 2013 as a participant, and 2014 as a mentor. I was the captain of the team and control-systems lead during my time as a participant. Our team scored 2nd at the Milwaukee Regional in 2012.

4-H

2007-2013

4-H is a youth development and citizenry organization. Members learn communication, leadership, and learning skills throughout their experience. They also work to better their community through volunteer service.

During my time in 4-H, I held the positions of Treasurer, Vice President, and President. I also had many opportunities to serve my community by planting flowers, mowing lawns, and vising the local nursing home. Some notable awards include Grand Champion Market Goose Pen at the 2010 Minnesota State Fair and 2nd place team at the 2010 National 4-H Poultry Bowl.