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I'm a lead PHP developer and software consultant based in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, with over 15 years of experience designing, developing, and delivering technical solutions that align with business goals. I specialize in building scalable web applications using PHP and modern JavaScript frameworks, turning complex requirements into reliable software. Collaborating with cross-functional teams to move projects forward is a strength of mine. I focus on security, performance, and maintainability, and I thrive in fast-paced environments. I'm passionate about mentoring junior developers, embracing cloud technologies, and continuously refining processes to deliver on time and on budget.…I'm a lead PHP developer and software consultant based in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, with over 15 years of experience designing, developing, and delivering technical solutions that align with business goals. I specialize in building scalable web applications using PHP and modern JavaScript frameworks, turning complex requirements into reliable software. Collaborating with cross-functional teams to move projects forward is a strength of mine. I focus on security, performance, and maintainability, and I thrive in fast-paced environments. I'm passionate about mentoring junior developers, embracing cloud technologies, and continuously refining processes to deliver on time and on budget.

John Pretsch

Developer, Database Developer, Back-End Developer, +5

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I'm a lead PHP developer and software consultant based in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, with over 15 years of experience designing, developing, and delivering technical solutions that align with business goals. I specialize in building scalable web applications using PHP and modern JavaScript frameworks, turning complex requirements into reliable software. Collaborating with cross-functional teams to move projects forward is a strength of mine. I focus on security, performance, and maintainability, and I thrive in fast-paced environments. I'm passionate about mentoring junior developers, embracing cloud technologies, and continuously refining processes to deliver on time and on budget.…I'm a lead PHP developer and software consultant based in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, with over 15 years of experience designing, developing, and delivering technical solutions that align with business goals. I specialize in building scalable web applications using PHP and modern JavaScript frameworks, turning complex requirements into reliable software. Collaborating with cross-functional teams to move projects forward is a strength of mine. I focus on security, performance, and maintainability, and I thrive in fast-paced environments. I'm passionate about mentoring junior developers, embracing cloud technologies, and continuously refining processes to deliver on time and on budget.

Available to hire

I’m a lead PHP developer and software consultant based in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, with over 15 years of experience designing, developing, and delivering technical solutions that align with business goals. I specialize in building scalable web applications using PHP and modern JavaScript frameworks, turning complex requirements into reliable software.

Collaborating with cross-functional teams to move projects forward is a strength of mine. I focus on security, performance, and maintainability, and I thrive in fast-paced environments. I’m passionate about mentoring junior developers, embracing cloud technologies, and continuously refining processes to deliver on time and on budget.

Skills

Experience Level

Expert

Expert

Expert

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Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

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Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Intermediate

Intermediate

Intermediate

Intermediate

Intermediate

Intermediate

Intermediate

Language

English

Fluent

Work Experience

Independent Software Developer

June 1, 2016 - Present

Improved security and maintainability of PHP applications by migrating core functionality to Microsoft Azure cloud. Provided DevOps and security services for work order processing systems. Refactored legacy PHP code to modern frameworks, optimized database schemas, and developed prototypes for online inventory and job board systems. Built Shopify-based backends for online retailers handling multiple countries and currencies. Created automated tools for testing code against various PHP versions.

Software Developer at Hostpapa

February 28, 2021 - July 24, 2025

Participated in the development of a large-scale internet services platform primarily using PHP and TypeScript. Engaged in data processing mainly with MySQL, peer-reviewed code, and managed releases of new features and bug fixes.

Software Developer at Venu eLearning Solutions

February 28, 2015 - July 24, 2025

Designed and developed core LMS components using full LAMP stack. Refactored and developed front-end components with HTML5 and Bootstrap. Developed RESTful APIs for internal and external clients and created documentation including design documents, API docs, and test plans.

Software Developer at Ganz Studios

December 31, 2013 - July 24, 2025

Key contributor in designing, developing, and maintaining RESTful APIs and software components using LAMP stack. Developed web traffic analysis tools using Google Analytics and in-house systems with Python, PHP, and PostgreSQL. Maintained several in-house content management systems using CodeIgniter and Zend frameworks. Produced detailed technical and user documentation. Integrated Facebook APIs for Facebook-based web games.

Independent Software Developer

June 1, 2016 - Present

Improved security and maintainability of PHP applications by migrating core functionality to MS Azure cloud. Provided dev ops and security services for work order processing systems. Refactored legacy PHP code into modern frameworks for job board sites and optimized database schemas for medical supply companies. Developed automated testing tools and built prototypes for online inventory and eCommerce management systems.

Software Developer at Hostpapa

February 28, 2021 - July 24, 2025

Participated in the development of a large-scale internet services platform using PHP and TypeScript. Managed data processing primarily with MySQL and performed peer reviews and release management of new features and bug fixes.

Software Developer at Venu eLearning Solutions

February 28, 2015 - July 24, 2025

Designed and developed core LMS components using full LAMP stack. Refactored front-end components with HTML5 and Bootstrap. Developed RESTful APIs for internal and external clients and created extensive documentation including design documents, API guides, and test plans.

Software Developer at Ganz Studios

December 31, 2013 - July 24, 2025

Key contributor to design, development and maintenance of RESTful APIs and software components using LAMP technology stack. Developed web traffic analysis tools integrating Google Analytics and in-house systems using Python, PHP, and PostgreSQL. Maintained various in-house CMS platforms utilizing CodeIgniter and Zend frameworks. Authored technical and user documentation and integrated Facebook APIs for web games.

Independent Software Developer

June 1, 2016 - Present

Improved the security and maintainability of PHP applications by migrating core functionality to Microsoft Azure Cloud. Provided DevOps and security services for work order processing systems. Refactored legacy PHP codebases into modern frameworks to reduce complexity and add functionality. Optimized database schemas for client applications, including those in the medical supply sector. Created tools to automate testing across PHP versions and built prototypes for inventory management systems and Shopify-based backend solutions supporting multiple countries and currencies.

Software Developer at Hostpapa

February 28, 2021 - July 24, 2025

Participated in the development of a large-scale internet services platform using PHP and TypeScript. Worked extensively with data processing in MySQL. Responsible for peer review and release management of new features and bug fixes.

Software Developer at Venue Learning Solutions

February 28, 2015 - July 24, 2025

Designed and developed core LMS components using the full LAMP stack. Refactored front-end components with HTML5 and Bootstrap. Developed RESTful APIs for internal and external clients. Authored detailed design documents, API documentation, and test plans.

Software Developer at Ganz Studios

December 31, 2013 - July 24, 2025

Key contributor in the design, development, and maintenance of RESTful APIs and software components using the LAMP stack. Developed web traffic analysis tools leveraging Google Analytics and in-house systems with Python, PHP, and PostgreSQL. Maintained multiple in-house CMS platforms using CodeIgniter and Zend frameworks. Produced detailed technical design and user documentation. Integrated Facebook APIs for Facebook-based web games.

Consultant/Developer at Self Employed

January 1, 2016 - Present

Planned and implemented projects for clients ranging from new development with modern frameworks to maintenance of legacy systems. Improved security and maintainability of PHP applications by migrating core functionality to Microsoft cloud. Reworked DevOps and security practices for a work order processing system. Reduced complexity and added functionality to a job board site by refactoring legacy PHP code into a modern framework. Optimized database schema for a medical supply company. Built prototypes for online inventory management using Laravel and Livewire. Developed a Shopify-based order tracking system for an online retailer operating across multiple countries and currencies. Applied design patterns sensibly to solve software problems.

Full Stack Developer at HostPapa

February 28, 2021 - August 25, 2025

Worked as a full stack developer in an agile environment predominantly using PHP/Laravel and JavaScript/Angular. Contributed to ongoing development of a complex web hosting platform. Managed and analyzed data with complex custom queries primarily using MySQL. Worked using Agile and Test Driven Development methodologies. Peer reviewed contributions from other developers and contributed to release management processes.

Senior Developer at Venu

January 31, 2015 - August 25, 2025

Played a key role in development and maintenance of a custom Learning Management System (LMS). Designed and developed core LMS components using LAMP stack and Moodle. Developed complex query authoring with raw SQL for reporting purposes. Developed and refactored front-end components with HTML5 and Bootstrap. Developed RESTful APIs for internal and external clients.

Software Developer at Ganz

November 30, 2012 - August 25, 2025

Developed and maintained several in-house content management systems using frameworks including CodeIgniter and Zend. Created web traffic analysis tools using Google Analytics components and in-house systems employing Python, PHP, and PostgreSQL. Wrote detailed design documents for technical and non-technical users. Integrated Facebook APIs supporting Facebook-based web games.

Consultant/Developer at Self-Employed

March 1, 2016 - November 3, 2025

Entrepreneurially minded software consultant delivering customized development solutions for large and small clients. Planned and implemented projects ranging from new development with modern frameworks to migration of legacy systems, with a focus on quality, security, and timely delivery. Collaborated with clients and stakeholders to scope requirements and manage delivery.

Full Stack Developer at HostPapa

February 1, 2021 - February 1, 2021

Product development of a complete web hosting platform using PHP (Laravel) and TypeScript (Angular), employing TailwindCSS. Managed and analyzed data with complex queries, primarily with MySQL. Worked in an Agile, test-driven development environment and contributed to the release management process.

Senior Developer at Venue

January 1, 2015 - January 1, 2015

Key role in the development and maintenance of a custom Learning Management System. Designed and developed core LMS components using LAMP and Moodle. Implemented complex SQL queries for reporting. Refactored front-end components with HTML5 and Bootstrap. Built RESTful APIs for internal and external clients. Integrated Facebook APIs to support Facebook-based web games.

Software Developer at Ganz

November 1, 2012 - November 1, 2012

Played a vital role in the ongoing development of the backend platform for a large online gaming platform. Developed and maintained several in-house content management systems using CodeIgniter and Zend. Built web traffic analysis tools using Google Analytics components and an in-house system with Python, PHP and PostgreSQL. Wrote detailed design documents for technical use and user manuals for non-technical users. Integrated Facebook APIs in support of Facebook-based web games.

Consultant/ Developer at Self Employed

March 1, 2016 - November 21, 2025

Planning and implementation of projects for large and small clients; migrated core functionality to Microsoft Azure; redesigned DevOps and security practices for a work-order processing system; reduced development time by automating tooling to test PHP version compatibility and switch between versions; modernized legacy PHP code to a modern framework; improved admin UX for a small biotech company; optimized database schema and served as technical lead and client liaison.