Profile
Technically driven problem solver and emerging software developer with a multidisciplinary background spanning open source development, entrepreneurial ventures, and large-scale commercial operations. Currently studying Software Development at George Brown Polytechnic while applying hands-on experience with Python, Java, AI-assisted development, and version control to real-world projects. Recognised at the George Brown Hackathon (Top 10) and a graduate of the Innovation Beyond Borders startup bootcamp. Brings rare operational depth — including 7+ years managing 2+ acres of commercial agricultural production — translating systems thinking, resource optimisation, and entrepreneurial grit directly into software and product development contexts. Driven by the intersection of technology, automation, and sustainable impact.
Achievements & Recognition
George Brown Polytechnic Hackathon
Top 10 Finalist
Toronto, ON
Competitive Technology Challenge
- Ranked in the top 10 among competing teams at George Brown's annual hackathon event
- Developed and pitched a functional technology solution within a time-constrained environment
- Demonstrated rapid prototyping ability, team collaboration, and applied technical problem solving under pressure
- Presented solution to a panel of industry judges, receiving recognition for innovation and execution
Innovation Beyond Borders
Graduate
Toronto, ON
Startup Bootcamp & Entrepreneurship Programme
- Completed an intensive startup bootcamp focused on entrepreneurship, product development, and go-to-market strategy
- Developed a business concept from ideation to pitch, applying lean startup methodology and design thinking principles
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams across disciplines including technology, business, and design
- Gained exposure to venture capital frameworks, customer discovery, and early-stage product validation techniques
Technical Projects
Wreck4Less — Private Dispatch Platform
View Project
Jetpack Compose · FastAPI · PostgreSQL · OSMDroid
- Built a full-stack private dispatch and field operations platform for towing crews, combining a mobile Android client with a Python backend API
- Implemented role-based access control with secure authentication flows separating dispatcher and field operator experiences
- Integrated live GPS tracking and real-time map context using OSMDroid, enabling dispatchers to assign and monitor jobs with location awareness
- Built job status management with in-app payment tracking, ensuring clean handoff between dispatcher dashboards and mobile field crews
- Designed a mobile-first dark UI in Jetpack Compose with high-contrast layouts optimised for fast decision making in operational environments
- FastAPI backend manages authenticated API calls, job lifecycle state, and operator data persistence via PostgreSQL
OzarkLMS — Learning Management System
View Project
ASP.NET Core MVC · .NET 9 · PostgreSQL · SignalR · Tailwind CSS
- Developed a full-featured campus learning management system with distinct role-aware interfaces for students, instructors, and administrators
- Built course creation, enrolment, assignment submission, quiz management, and grading workflows within a single unified application
- Implemented real-time collaboration features — live messaging, group activity, and notification streams — using SignalR WebSockets on .NET 9
- Designed a dashboard-first interface with course cards, sticky notes, assignment calendars, and notification controls using Tailwind CSS
- Integrated document export tooling with QuestPDF, PdfSharp, and OpenXML for PDF and Word-format output of academic records
- Entity Framework Core handles data access against a PostgreSQL database with migrations, relationships, and role-scoped queries
FreeTrade — Automated FX Trading Command Center
View Project
FastAPI · React · OANDA API · Python
- Built a full-stack automated FX trading platform with a FastAPI backend consuming the OANDA brokerage API and a React dashboard frontend
- Dashboard surfaces live account telemetry: real-time balance, margin utilisation, daily P&L, and recent execution flow in a single always-on monitoring view
- Implemented authenticated bot controls allowing the operator to start and stop the automated trading engine directly from the UI
- Backend architecture designed for always-on local operation with clean environment variable config for API credentials and AI provider integration
- Applied finance domain knowledge (P&L, margin, FX execution) directly to system design — an intersection of the BBA Finance background and software development
Event & Ticketing Management System
View Project
RBAC · OAuth · Event Management · Mobile UI
- Designed and built an event management platform handling event discovery, scheduling, ticketing, and attendee flows from a unified organiser dashboard
- Implemented role-based access control (RBAC) and OAuth authentication separating organiser and attendee experiences
- Organiser dashboard tracks real-time ticket inventory, live attendance counts, VIP tier releases, and post-event sales reporting
- Mobile attendee view enables streamlined ticket booking, seat reservation, and event discovery in a clean app-style interface
- Designed with alert and notification tooling for tier sell-out events and check-in status updates
Personal Portfolio Website
johnsebastianlaquis.me
HTML · CSS · JavaScript · UI/UX
- Designed and built a fully responsive portfolio site from scratch — no framework, pure HTML, CSS, and JavaScript
- Features dark/light theme toggle, scroll-triggered animations, glassmorphism surfaces, sticky navigation, and a print-optimised CV page
- Individual work-sample detail pages for each application with screenshots, stack breakdowns, and functional previews
- Deployed publicly and maintained via GitHub with iterative version-controlled improvements
COMP2152 Open Source Development — Lab Portfolio
GitHub
Python · Algorithms · Networking · Security
- 14-week Python lab portfolio covering data structures, algorithms, OOP, file I/O, networking, and web security
- Built an HTTP Security Header Checker auditing live URLs for clickjacking, MIME sniffing, XSS, and HTTPS enforcement vulnerabilities
- Implemented Dijkstra's shortest-path algorithm and binary search from scratch in Python
- Managed full version control lifecycle via Git and GitHub: feature branches, merges, pull requests, and remote deployment
AI Integration & Local LLM Development
Personal Projects
Ollama · Docker · Claude API · Prompt Engineering
- Deployed and configured local large language models via Ollama and Docker for private, offline AI-assisted development environments
- Integrated the Claude API into project workflows, exploring agentic tool use, structured outputs, and automated code assistance pipelines
- Researching applied AI applications across fintech automation, agri-tech tooling, and developer productivity
Professional Experience
Commercial Agricultural Producer
Trinidad
Owner-Operator · Production & Operations Management
- Independently operated and scaled a commercial agricultural production operation exceeding 2 acres of active cultivation
- Managed end-to-end production lifecycle: planning, resource allocation, yield optimisation, quality control, and distribution
- Applied data-driven decision making to optimise growing cycles, resource consumption, and output metrics across seasons
- Built operational systems and workflows that improved efficiency, reduced waste, and maintained consistent production targets
- Developed supplier and client relationships, managed inventory, and handled procurement negotiations independently
- Gained deep experience in systems thinking, environmental variable management, and long-horizon planning
2+ acProduction Area
7+Years Operating
100%Owner-Operated
Future Foods
Trinidad
Operations & Workflow Execution
- Operated in a fast-paced environment requiring structured task execution, speed, and time efficiency
- Handled repetitive high-throughput workflows requiring accuracy and consistency under pressure
- Developed reliability in operational systems and customer-facing processes
Northwest Maritime
Trinidad
Field Operations Support
- Supported structured field operations in safety-critical and physically demanding environments
- Followed procedural workflows and maintained operational discipline under supervision
- Experience working in high-compliance systems requiring precision, reliability, and accountability
Education
George Brown Polytechnic
Diploma — Computer Programming & Analysis (COMP2152 / Open Source Development)
- Core coursework: Python, Java, OOP, data structures, algorithms, networking, security, open source development
- Practical lab-based programme with weekly coding assignments covering 14+ topic areas
- Active participant in extracurricular hackathon and startup bootcamp programming
University of New Brunswick (UNB)
Bachelor of Business Administration — Finance
- Four-year undergraduate degree with specialisation in Finance and Business Administration
- Coursework covering corporate finance, financial statement analysis, balance sheet management, and capital markets
- Studied company valuation methodologies including DCF, comparable company analysis, and precedent transactions
- Developed strong quantitative and analytical foundations applied to investment analysis, budgeting, and financial modelling
- Exposure to managerial accounting, economics, marketing strategy, and organisational behaviour
Technical Skills
Languages
Python, C#, Java, JavaScript, HTML5, CSS3, Bash, Kotlin
Frontend
React, Angular, Tailwind CSS, Jetpack Compose, responsive design, dark/light theming, CSS animations
Backend & APIs
FastAPI, ASP.NET Core MVC (.NET 9), Node.js, REST API design, SignalR (WebSockets), Entity Framework Core
Testing & Automation
Playwright, browser automation, end-to-end testing, quality-focused workflow validation
Databases
PostgreSQL, MySQL, MongoDB, Entity Framework migrations, query design
Mobile
Android development (Jetpack Compose), OSMDroid / GPS integration, mobile-first UI design
Cloud & DevOps
Docker, Azure, AWS, GitHub Actions, Git (branching, PRs, merges), Jira, CI/CD fundamentals
Auth & Security
RBAC, OAuth, JWT authentication, HTTP security headers, secure API design
AI & Automation
Claude API, LangGraph, Ollama (local LLM deployment), Docker-based AI environments, prompt engineering, agentic workflows
CS Fundamentals
OOP, algorithms (Dijkstra, binary search), data structures, networking, HTTP protocols, algorithmic thinking
Finance & Business
Balance sheet management, company valuation (DCF, comps, precedent transactions), financial modelling, P&L analysis, capital markets, budgeting & forecasting, corporate finance, investment analysis
Soft Skills
Systems thinking, entrepreneurial mindset, independent operation, fast learner, cross-functional collaboration
Productivity
Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), Google Workspace, project documentation, technical writing
Certifications & Continuing Development
Cisco Networking Academy — Introduction to Cybersecurity
Credly Verified Badge
LinkedIn Learning — Learning the JavaScript Language
LinkedIn Learning — Foundations of Algorithmic Thinking with Python
LinkedIn Learning — Agile Development in the New World of Work
LinkedIn Learning — Programming Foundations: Version Control with Git
Interests & Areas of Focus
Particularly interested in roles and projects at the intersection of software development, AI integration, and real-world systems. Open to co-op placements, junior developer roles, and open source contributions where practical problem solving and continuous learning are valued.