THOMAS K.

MERKEL
4941 N. Mulligan
Chicago, IL 60630
(773) 631-3820
tm902ba0@westpost.net

PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY:
Detail-oriented senior analyst highly experienced programming in AS400 and mainf
rame environments. Proficient coding in RPG, COBOL, CL, and Sequel, experienced
coding in JCL and Synon languages. Strengths include supporting clients on exi
sting applications and leading multiple projects. Successful department manager
of finance and credit. Excellent analytical, technical and communication skill
s. Focused contributor with strong business acumen and drive for results.
TECHNICAL SKILLS:
Languages: RPG, CL, COBOL, Synon, JCL, SQL and Sequel (Viewpoint)
Platforms: AS400; Mainframe
Business Applications: BPCS; WINS
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:
Kingsway Financial, Inc.: $500 million non-standard auto insurance company. 2004
- 2010: Business Application: WINS. Languages: RPG, COBOL, CL, Sequel, and SQL
.
Senior Programmer Analyst:
* Project Lead: Automated transfer of month-end reports into documen
t-imaging software.Designed and implemented CL program modifications implementin
g FTP and ESEND utilities systematically incorporate AS400 spool-files into Cont
ent Manager as PDF documents. Project reduced monthly printing by 5,000 pages a
nd decreased disaster recovery costs, eliminating the need for paper storage.
* Implemented several front-end-vendor software requirements and enhancements to
safeguard WINS business application, ensuring it ran correctly and stayed balan
ced.
* Supported business community by coding Sequel, SQL, RPG and COBOL modification
s and by creating new menus, programs, queries and files to meet their requireme
nts.
* Project Lead: Updated WINS application with required catastrophic coverage upg
rade. Requirements entailed adding new fields to WINS master files. Coordinated
with IT manager in scheduling update and recompiling several thousand files and
programs. Wrote detailed queries that ensured data master files were balanced a
fter the upgrade. Developed test plans that verified all WINS menus, reports, f
iles and programs were operational.
* Built and maintained third environment within WINS application for preproducti
on testing. Programmed nightly feeds that uploaded daily files from vendor for
all environments into WINS and maintained program and file continuity between Pr
oduction, Test and Preproduction.

THOMAS K. MERKEL Page 2

KRAFT FOODS, Inc.: $38 billion manufacturer of packaged food. 1998 - 2004:
Business Application: BPCS. Languages: RPG, COBOL, CL, Synon, JCL, and SQL.
System Project Leader, Pizza Division: 2002 - 2004
Project Manager, Pizza Year-End Close (2001-2004)
* Developed and executed detailed work plans that seamlessly closed Pizza books
and opened the following year's books without interruption to the business.
* Executed Pizza's yearly program and file changes that supported sales reorgani
zation processes affecting entire business operation.
Nabisco Integration Project, Master Files
* Coordinated Pizza, Kraft Master Files, and Nabisco platform interfaces.
* Coded Synon programs that ensured stability between platforms.
Senior Business Analyst: (1998 - 2002)
* Revised and coded Synon applications supporting handheld units for sales perso
nnel.
* Project Lead managing AS400 program requirements for new Sales Presell Penpad
unit project.
Business Analyst: 1998
* Developed new procedures for testing and documenting application programs that
streamlined the certification process for Y2K.
* Modified multiple pricing program changes.

Corporate Credit Managing Experience:

M.A. HANNA DISTRIBUTION: (1992-1997) $500 million national resin distributor.
TIOXIDE AMERICA DISTRIBUTION: (1989-1992) $100 million titanium distributor.
* Supervised credit analysts reviewing credit limits and developing credit polic
ies.
* Negotiated terms and resolved disputes with local and national accounts.
* Redesigned credit review process in J.D. Edwards's software that increased dep
artment efficiencies by more than 30%.
* Aggressively collected past-due balances.
* Traveled to national customers reviewing their accounts and resolving disputes
.

EDUCATION:
MBA, Management Accounting, DePaul University:
Bachelor of Science, Economics/Management, University of Illinois (Chicago):
Computer Career Program, DePaul University: Distinguished Graduate (Accelerated
post-graduate program concentrating on structured programming and systems analys
is on mainframe platforms)