With over 35 years of experience in IT, I have developed a diverse skill set that includes Windows Server, Active Directory, PowerShell, Tooling & Automation, Virtualization, Team Management, Infrastructure Architecture, HPE server hardware, and Project Management.
As a Senior Service Engineering Manager at Microsoft, I led a team responsible for building and managing a hybrid solution for cloud engineers to deploy and manage Azure back-end services. I also designed and implemented various secure administration workspaces and multi-site information dissemination systems.
In my previous role as a Senior Windows System Engineer at Amazon Web Services, I was the technical engineering lead, organized weekly workloads as a Scrum Master, and mentored junior personnel. I have expertise in automation, monitoring, and maintenance of server and client systems, as well as implementing secure AWS EC2-based lab environments.
Leadership & Solution Design: Led a team of engineers in the creation and management of a hybrid solution for Azure back-end services deployment. Innovated with designs like 'Hydra', a multi-site information dissemination system, and an automated method for deploying secure administration workspaces in virtual environments.
Azure Expertise: Managed a secure administration environment for Azure, provided essential services for disconnected Azure regions, and oversaw the administration, security, and monitoring of multiple isolated regions.
Support & Maintenance: Delivered Tier 2-4 support, hardened servers and workstations per industry, DOD, and Microsoft standards, and ensured robust Active Directory planning and administration.
Technical Proficiencies: Excelled in Hyper-V host design and administration, and showcased expertise in PowerShell scripting.
Technical Leadership: Served as the engineering lead, adept in project coordination, mentoring junior staff, and Scrum Master responsibilities, ensuring organized weekly workloads.
Systems & Cloud Expertise: Spearheaded the design, implementation, and maintenance of server/client systems and AWS EC2 secure lab environments. Specialized in the automation of high-availability services in Amazon Web Services, and established robust system monitoring solutions integrating WMI, Event Logs, and AWS.
Scripting & Automation: Demonstrated proficiency in scripting with PowerShell, VBScript, and DOS Batch. Developed an automated configuration management system and authored custom workstation security applications.
Infrastructure & Security: Excelled in Active Directory administration across multiple Windows platforms, Hyper-V host creation, and Microsoft System Center tools (SCVMM & SCOM). Implemented advanced two-tier, 802.1x-based PKI services using Microsoft Windows Certificate Services.
Cloud & Datacenter Expertise: Led the design, implementation, and administration of cloud services, specializing in geographically dispersed resources and remote datacenter services. Worked with both HP and Dell servers, notably with Windows Server 2012 Hyper-V and self-service VM deployment through a web portal. Managed repair and deployment of SharePoint 2013 installations, including handling multiple namespaces and digital asset libraries for marketing.
Scripting & Automation: Recognized as the subject matter expert for scripting and automation within the IT Operations team, utilizing Batch files, VBScript, and PowerShell.
Systems Management: Spearheaded the implementation and administration of lights-out datacenter services, including MS Windows 2012 Hyper-V Cluster, SQL Clustering, and Microsoft's System Center suite (SCOM & SCVMM 2012).
Project & SQL Server Management: Demonstrated proficiency in project management, overseeing migrations, hardware/software lifecycle processes, and SQL Server administration from provisioning to performance tuning.
Leadership & Documentation: Provided mentoring to junior IT personnel and ensured thorough technical documentation of both new and existing resources.
System Design & Virtualization: Led the design of System Center Operations Manager (SCOM) 2012 for both test and production. Developed a comprehensive virtualized infrastructure using VMware products and ensured distinct separation between lab and production environments. Oversaw migration and upgrades in VMware infrastructure and consistently championed virtualization to optimize physical resources.
Documentation & Collaboration: Established a centralized Wiki for the System Administration team and standardized hardware/software configurations, processes, and guidelines. Worked closely with development teams to align infrastructure with project requirements and fostered a collaborative team environment through coordination across multiple teams.
Technical Expertise: Recognized as the Subject Matter Expert in areas including Active Directory, VMware, scripting, automation, SCOM, IIS, Group Policy, Windows security, and performance troubleshooting. Managed and configured SCOM 2007 and 2012 and administered VMWare ESX infrastructures across versions.
Infrastructure & Server Management: Drove the implementation of HP C7000 blade enclosures, populated with varied blade models and operating systems. Conducted weekly software deployments to multiple environments and managed the build-out and relocation of servers using HP hardware and MS Windows platforms.
Custom Solutions & Application Support: Pioneered the design, development, and implementation of custom applications to streamline operations, such as datacenter inventory and centralized password management. Collaborated closely with Shared Services specialists to troubleshoot custom applications and continuously reviewed emerging technologies for potential adoption.
Vendor Relations & Training: Prepared RFQs aligning with budget constraints and engaged with vendors for sales, support, and industry insights. Provided mentorship and training to junior system administrators, underscoring best practices and emerging technologies.
Operational Efficiency: Achieved marked reductions in power and cooling needs through strategic hardware virtualization and retirement.
Server & Email Management: Administered legacy servers and maintained enterprise-level email systems, establishing expertise as the Subject Matter Expert for all MS Exchange versions.
Data Protection & Security: Managed backups using Veritas Backup Exec, ArcServe, and NTBackup, alongside the administration of the enterprise antivirus solution with Symantec.
Mentorship & Support: Guided and trained junior engineers and provided advanced support to deskside personnel as needed.
Migration & Consolidation: Prepared legacy domains for NMCI migration and streamlined numerous disparate Windows domains into a single domain.
Software & Automation: Leveraged Microsoft Systems Management Server 2.0 for software distribution and developed custom software solutions to automate various processes.
IT Administration & Email Management: Oversaw legacy servers and specialized in maintaining the enterprise email system using MS Exchange, recognized as the Subject Matter Expert across all its versions.
Data Security & Software Management: Implemented backups using tools like Veritas Backup Exec, ArcServe, and NTBackup. Administered Symantec's enterprise antivirus solution and utilized Microsoft Systems Management Server 2.0 for software distribution.
Team Leadership & Support: Mentored junior engineers and provided critical support to deskside personnel, ensuring smooth operations.
Migration & Systems Optimization: Led the preparation of legacy domains for NMCI migration, consolidated multiple Windows domains into a unified domain, and developed custom software solutions to automate various processes.
Technical Support & Administration: Specialized in supporting MS Project Server (2000-2003) and expertly managed MS SQL Server (7.0/2000), Windows networking, Active Directory, and MS SharePoint Portal Server.
Consultative Role: Offered pre-sales technical guidance encompassing topology design, security measures, and industry best practices.
Expert Exchange Support: Provided global Level 3 support for MS Exchange (5.5, 2000, 2003) and led disaster recovery for these platforms. Specialized in remote troubleshooting, repair, and maintenance.
Migration Expertise: Managed swing, forklift, and in-place migrations across all Exchange platforms.
Consultative Role: Offered pre-sales technical guidance on topology design and advised clients on fundamental security best practices.
Enterprise Email Management: Oversaw the installation and maintenance of MS Exchange email servers for a user base of 7,000+.
Leadership & Mentorship: Guided junior engineers and provided expertise in software distribution using MS Systems Management Server 2.0.
System Design & Integration: Spearheaded the integration of multiple Windows domains, domain migration to Windows 2000/Active Directory, and designed both system/domain policies and Software Update Services (SUS) infrastructure.
Security & Intrusion Detection: Maintained Symantec Antivirus Enterprise, championed best practices in network security, and utilized MS products along with custom utilities for advanced intrusion detection.
System Migration & Maintenance: Led the transition from Windows NT networks to Windows 2000 (Active Directory) and ensured the optimal performance of LAN/WAN, servers, workstations, and Lucent telephone systems, including mission-critical Computer Aided Dispatch systems.
Leadership & Training: Supervised junior IT staff, facilitated user training sessions, and collaborated with vendors for strategic hardware and software acquisitions.
Software Development: Designed custom software tailored to various departmental needs, including dispatch, operations, billing, and administration.
Budget Management: Formulated and managed the IT Department's budgets, ensuring optimal resource allocation.
Leadership & Contract Management: Oversaw worldwide network operations for MACROsystems, managed both commercial and government customer contracts, and mentored Junior Network Engineers.
System Migrations & Maintenance: Spearheaded the migration from NT 4.0 Networks to Windows 2000 (AD), implemented Cisco Gigabit switches, and championed the use of Windows Media Services for streaming media. Assisted in server storage expansion, website management using IIS, and the decommissioning of obsolete military systems with adherence to MilSpec & DOD standards.
Software & Network Administration: Managed backups using Veritas Backup Exec, conducted network monitoring with HP Openview and custom software, oversaw LAN/WAN, and aided help desk staff. Led migration initiatives like transitioning from SMS 1.2 to SMS 2.0 and developed custom applications using MS Visual Basic 6.0.
Operational Strategy & Budgeting: Played a pivotal role in hardware/software acquisition, troubleshooting, and maintenance. Expertly navigated contract negotiations and was responsible for proposing and overseeing IT budgets.
Innovative Solutions: Implemented APC UPS for the data center and took the initiative in developing custom monitoring software.
Software Troubleshooting & Development: Specialized in diagnosing issues with Exchange Accelerator software, MS Exchange, and Windows NT installations. Developed solutions, including registry patches, and liaised directly with the developer department for code modifications.
Client Interaction & Support: Directly engaged with clients to resolve challenges and provided Tier 2 support for Exchange Accelerator.
Network Management & Implementation: Streamlined existing network operations, spearheaded a mail server migration to MS Exchange 5.5, and designed the network infrastructure for a new location (excluding direct cabling). Integrated key network services including DNS, WINS, DHCP, and RAS, and handled equipment such as Bay Networks switches, Cisco routers, and the Cisco PIX firewall.
Server & Software Maintenance: Oversaw the installation and upkeep of web servers using IIS 4.0. Established remote software distribution through SMS 2.0 and maintained an organized software library, ensuring license compliance and timely updates, including antivirus solutions.
Innovative Solutions: Launched an online training platform leveraging streaming media on the company intranet.
Security & Disaster Recovery: Developed comprehensive network security strategies, utilizing hardware firewalls and best practice policies. Formulated and executed a robust disaster recovery plan.
Vendor Relations & Personnel Management: Coordinated with various vendors for hardware and software acquisitions, implemented the Nortel/Meridian telephone system, and managed the IS team.
Network Maintenance & Troubleshooting: Managed and repaired networked PC workstations within a mixed Novell and Windows NT 4.0 environment. Addressed network anomalies both on-site and at remote locations.
Software & Server Implementation: Oversaw the installation and upkeep of software on workstations and servers. Piloted the integration of Exchange 5.5 Mail Server as a potential replacement for Mercury Mail and established DNS and WINS Servers using Windows NT 4.0.
IT Infrastructure & Customer Support: Spearheaded the installation and maintenance of the company's computer and phone network, along with managing NT servers, PCs, and networks at client sites. Delivered warranty services for leading PC vendors.
Team Management & Remote Assistance: Supervised helpdesk personnel and provided remote management and training to client sites using tools like PC Anywhere and MS SMS.
Client Engagement: Conducted site surveys for prospective clients to assess and address their needs.
Mailing System Management: Leveraged computerized systems to efficiently process and dispatch statements and communications to customers.
Logistics Coordination: Ensured punctual pick-up and delivery of proof work and inter-office mail across branches, headquarters, and cash services.
Communication & Software Development: Spearheaded high-speed processing of computer and teletype message traffic while also developing message processing software.
Network Management: Installed and maintained field computer networks using Banyan Vines and LANtastic, alongside phone networks, encompassing PBX and satellite connections.
Operational Excellence: Served as the Maintenance Management NCO for headquarters, boasting a 99.99% accuracy record, and implemented both dial-up and high-speed connections across various locations.
Mainframe Management: Oversaw the administration, operations, and maintenance of an IBM 370/138 mainframe.
Marine Corps Institute, Camp Pendleton, CA
SQLSoft, Bellevue, WA
Productivity Point International, Spokane, WA
Business Computer Training Institute
Microsoft Certified Professional + Internet (MCP+I)
Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE)
COMPTIA A+ Certified Hardware Technician (A+)
COMPTIA Network+ Authorized Technician (Network+)
Current TS/SCI, with Polygraph