Senior Web Application Developer · Buffalo, NY area
Building web apps that make real work easier
I’m Ralph Higby, an experienced senior web application developer creating reliable tools for real businesses.
I specialize in full-stack web applications across PHP/MySQL and .NET/SQL Server stacks—focused on clean architecture,
practical UX, and features that solve day-to-day problems like scheduling, task tracking, reporting, and workflow automation.
Recent roles: M6 Technologies · West Herr Automotive GroupStack: PHP · ASP.NET · SQL Server · MySQL · JavaScript · ReactFocus: Line-of-business tools, dashboards, and internal applications
PHP · MySQL · MVCASP.NET · SQL Server · .NETJavaScript · jQuery · ReactBootstrap · Responsive UIData-driven dashboards & reporting
Available for opportunities— remote or hybrid roles where I can own features end-to-end and collaborate closely with stakeholders.
About me
An overview of my background and what I enjoy building.
I am a senior web application developer based in the Buffalo, NY area (Tonawanda) with a long track record of building
practical, business-focused tools. My background spans both front-end and back-end development—covering PHP/MySQL,
ASP.NET with SQL Server, and JavaScript frameworks—always with an emphasis on reliability, clarity, and maintainability.
I’ve built applications for automotive sales and service, accounting and executive teams, direct marketing, and publishing.
On the back-end side, I’m comfortable structuring databases, designing schemas, and building CRUD operations around
real workflows. I’ve worked with PHP (OOP), ASP.NET, Visual Studio, MS SQL Server, MySQL, and Postgres to support
line-of-business applications that teams rely on every day. I enjoy organizing controllers and models so it’s clear
where business logic lives and how data flows through the system.
PHP (OOP) · ASP.NET/.NET · Vb.Net · SQL Server · MySQL · Postgres · REST-style endpoints
On the front-end, I’ve used Bootstrap, Angular, ReactJS, and jQuery to deliver mobile-first interfaces that stay
readable and straightforward for non-technical users. I focus on good typography, spacing, and predictable layouts,
and I’m comfortable iterating on UX details like forms, filters, lists, and dashboards so people can quickly find
what they need without extra clicks.
HTML5 · CSS3 · Bootstrap · JavaScript · jQuery · ReactJS · Responsive design
I’ve led and collaborated with development teams under tight deadlines, and I like combining solid engineering practice
with a practical, get-it-done mindset.
Skills & stack
A practical set of tools for building and maintaining real-world web applications.
Visual StudioGitHub · SVNLinux environmentsWordPress plugin developmentPower BI (reporting)Python · C++ · FoxPro (experience)
How I work
Mindset
Architecture & UX
Designing flows that map closely to how people actually work.
Organizing controllers/models for clarity and reuse.
Building dashboard-style UIs with clear hierarchy and reporting.
Collaboration & delivery
Leading and mentoring developers to hit tight deadlines.
Comfortable working in existing codebases and improving structure.
Using AI and tooling to accelerate development where appropriate.
Overall, I aim to keep systems maintainable for the next developer while delivering features that
clearly improve someone’s workflow.
Experience
Recent roles and earlier experience that shaped how I build web applications.
Senior Web Application Developer
M6 Technologies · Buffalo, NY · 03/2025 – 11/2025
ASP.NET · SQL Server
Developed web applications using ASP.NET, Visual Studio, and MS SQL Server,
while contributing to both architecture and implementation for client‐facing and
internal tools. Led technical direction for multiple web products and accelerated
delivery through structured build patterns.
DentistOffices.com — Nationwide dental practice locator:
Developed the platform’s web infrastructure to support searchable dental listings,
location‐based filtering, profile pages, and SEO‐structured content.
View site ↗
Built and maintained .NET-based web apps with a focus on reliability and performance.
Created custom WordPress plugins to extend marketing & publication workflows.
Used AI-assisted tooling to speed development while maintaining code quality.
Led a team of web developers, coordinating work and delivery under tight deadlines.
West Herr Automotive Group · Orchard Park, NY · 09/2015 – 03/2025
PHP · React · LOB apps
Designed and built customized applications for Sales, Accounting, and Executive departments
at a large automotive group, supporting day-to-day dealership operations across 40+ stores.
Vehicle Lease Turn-In Application: Created a first-of-its-kind tool in the auto
industry to track and report on lease turn-ins by linking multiple systems (DMS, Carfax, Check Request).
Company-wide Check Request System: Standardized the check request process across all
stores by building a VIN-powered workflow that auto-populates key fields and provides an Accounting CMS.
Employment Application Center: Built a CMS for hiring managers with customized views
and filters by job type, location, and department, streamlining candidate review.
Sales BDC Lead Tracker: Developed an app for Sales BDC to manage customer leads with
imported counts from eLeads, built-in reporting, and a stored procedure that checks every 30 minutes for
vehicle sales and auto-updates a “Delivered” flag.
Automated DMS Billing: Reduced billing processing time from ~5 hours to ~30 seconds by
scheduling DMS data imports (via DABE) into local database tables and automating downstream logic.
PHPReactJSBootstrapPostgresSQL Server / MySQLProcess automation
Earlier experience
Matrix Imaging Solutions · Alacarte Publishing
Foundation
Before my most recent roles, I worked as a Computer Programmer and Lead Web Developer,
gaining experience with data-heavy workflows, transactional documents, and responsive sites.
Matrix Imaging Solutions (Computer Programmer): Developed programs to import data and create
customized direct marketing pieces and transactional documents for large clients.
Managed data import processes and billing mailers, optimizing throughput and reliability.
Alacarte Publishing (Lead Web Developer): Implemented responsive designs, integrated third-party APIs,
and resolved technical issues to keep sites running smoothly.
Used version control (Git/SVN) and code reviews to maintain code quality and collaboration.
Projects
A few representative projects showing the kind of work I do.
A launch-readiness operations hub for coordinating go-lives: structured checklists, incident tracking,
and a team message board with infinite scroll and image attachments.
Auth0/OIDC login with user sync to a Postgres users table.
Go-live checklists with step completion tracking + progress indicators.
Incident Center with updates/timeline for real-time risk management.
Team message board with infinite scroll, @mentions, and image uploads.
Auth-protected upload viewing via blob fetch + thumbnail/lightbox UX.
Vivid Smiles Dentistry — Practice Website
WordPress · UX · SEO
A modern, conversion-focused dental practice website designed to attract new patients,
highlight advanced implant services, and streamline appointment requests for a
Parker, CO-based dental office.
Custom homepage hero with integrated appointment booking flow.
Service-driven navigation for implants, cosmetic dentistry, and exams.
Conversion-optimized call-to-action placement across all pages.
Mobile-first responsive design for patients on the go.
SEO-optimized structure targeting local search visibility.
A multi-view productivity calendar that lets users manage events, tasks, and expenses in a
single interface. Includes month navigation, modal detail views, and a clean, responsive UI.
Built with a custom PHP MVC framework and MySQL, including users, calendars, tasks,
and expenses tables.
Month view with click-to-add day interactions, and modal overlays to view or edit existing entries.
Shared calendar support and branded header with user initials for a SaaS-style experience.
Responsive layout and soft gradient styling inspired by modern productivity tools.
A self-hosted before / after image slider that lets users upload, crop, and publish
interactive comparisons they can share or embed in their own sites.
Upload workflow with server-side validation and Cropper-based 16:9 framing for both images.
Custom slider UI with draggable handle, before/after labels, and smooth mask animation.
Saved comparisons stored in MySQL with shareable links and embeddable iframe code.
Clean, app-like layout with “How it works” steps and gallery views for finished sliders.
Video Poker – Jacks or Better
React · Animated · 2 Draws
A React-powered Video Poker game (Jacks or Better) with animated cards, two draw rounds,
and a built-in stats panel for hands played, total won, and return percentage.
Deck + hand evaluation logic in React, including pairs, straights, flushes, full houses,
and royal flush payouts.
Two-step flow: initial deal, then draw round where players can hold cards and redraw the rest.
Session-based credits system with dynamic bet size, last-win display, and running return %.
Responsive layout with a mobile-friendly payout hint so small screens can still read the pay table.
Osseo Pure Product Catalog
PHP · JS · Email Quotes
A modern, clinician-focused catalog for Osseo Pure, Inc. allowing users to browse implants,
add items to a cart, review totals live, and send quote requests directly via email.
Add-to-cart with live subtotal + item count.
Full review modal with images, quantity controls, and remove buttons.
Quote submission via PHPMailer SMTP — sends full cart breakdown.
Designed for real dental clinics + distributor workflow.
Responsive, lightweight, and deployable standalone.
West Herr Internal Tools Suite
ERP · Workflow Automation
Dealership productivity tools
A custom internal software suite designed to streamline dealership operations —
VIN lookup, inventory updates, productivity metrics, sales reporting, and form-based workflows.
Built for speed, clarity, and high-volume user interaction.
A nationwide dentist finder platform with location-based filtering,
dentist profile pages, and SEO-optimized routing for thousands of
geographic combinations.
Location-based search with ZIP, city, radius & specialty filters
In-network provider directory with CMS-editable profiles
SEO-indexed location pages for scalable national reach
Includes lead forms, dentist pages, reviews & scheduling
Built for high-traffic search performance & expansion
I have a strong academic foundation with a focus on software development and technical disciplines,
graduating with high honors from both institutions below.
State University of New York Empire State College – Information Systems (06/2008)
Graduated summa cum laude (3.9+ GPA). Majored in software development and designed and coded
a web-based calendar as my final project.
State University of New York College of Technology at Alfred – Chemical Technology (06/1993)
Graduated summa cum laude (3.8+ GPA). Received a scholarship and internship with Eastman Kodak.
Continuous improvement
Ongoing
Prefer consistent, incremental improvements over large, risky rewrites—especially in systems that are already in production.
Keep an eye on patterns and frameworks that genuinely help maintainability (clear layers, naming, directories).
Experiment with new UI approaches, tools, and AI assistants where they improve clarity, speed, and reduce user friction.
I’m always interested in environments where I can learn from other developers’ styles while
also contributing my own structure and experience from different industries.
Contact
If you’d like to talk about a role, a project, or how I work, here’s how to reach me.
Full-stack web application development with PHP, .NET, SQL Server/MySQL, and JavaScript—especially internal tools,
dashboards, and productivity platforms.
I’m open to remote or hybrid roles where I can help design, build, and maintain internal tools and line-of-business
applications that teams use every day.
Next steps
Conversation
If you’re reviewing this portfolio and see overlap with what your team is building, I’d be happy
to walk through my code, share specific implementation details, or discuss how I’d approach one
of your existing challenges.
Available to discuss rolesComfortable with existing codebasesHappy to dive into details
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