Derek Wirch
Abstract Overview
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.
In my free time, I enjoy camping, playing video games, and scripting.
Professional Experience
Senior Service Engineering Manager / Microsoft
Dec 2017 - Current
- Built and led a medium-size team of engineers responsible for build and management of a hybrid solution for use by cloud engineers to deploy and manage Azure back-end services.
- Deployment and management of highly secure disconnected administration environment for Azure services
- Provided dialtone services, where Azure in disconnected regions would be deployed from
- Designed and implemented Hydra, a multi-site information dissemination system
- Designed and implemented an automated method for deployment of secure administration workspaces in a virtualized environment.
- Responsible for administration, maintenance, monitoring, and security of multiple disconnected regions
- Tier 2, 3, and 4 support
- Server and workstation hardening of Windows computers utilizing industry best practices, DOD, and Microsoft guidelines for secure computing
- Active Directory architecture planning and administration
- Hyper-V host design, build, and administration
- PowerShell Scripting Subject Matter Expert
Senior Windows System Engineer / Amazon Web Services
Apr 2015 - Dec 2017
- Technical engineering lead
- Organize weekly workloads as Scrum Master
- Mentoring of junior personnel
- Project Coordination
- Implementation, monitoring, and maintenance of server and client systems
- Design and implementation of secure AWS EC2 based lab environments
- Capacity Planning
- Design and implementation of system monitoring solution
- PowerShell based
- WMI and Event Log Monitoring
- Integration with AWS services
- Automation of highly available, remotely managed services utilizing Amazon Web Services
- DOS Batch
- VBScript
- Powershell
- Active Directory administration
- Windows 7/8/10/2003/2008/2012 R2
- Hyper-V host design and build
- Microsoft System Center
- Virtual Machine Manager (SCVMM)
- Operations Manager (SCOM)
- Two-tier, 802.1x based PKI services build with Microsoft Windows Certificate Services
- Design and development of automated configuration management system
- Authoring of custom workstation security management applications and services
Senior System Engineer / Satori Software
Nov 2013 - Apr 2015
- Design, implementation, and administration of cloud services
- Geographically dispersed resources
- HP and Dell Servers
- Windows Server 2012 Hyper-V
- Self-service automation (users can deploy their own VMs via a web-based portal)
- Repair and deployment of SharePoint 2013 installation
- Multiple namespaces
- Digital asset library (Marketing department)
- Subject matter expert for scripting and automation on IT Operations team
- Batch files
- VBScript
- Powershell
- Implementation and administration of remote, lights-out datacenter services
- HP Server Hardware
- MS Windows 2012 Hyper-V Cluster
- SQL Clustering
- System Center Operations Manager (SCOM) 2012
- System Center Virtual Machine Manager (SCVMM) 2012
- Project Management
- Migrations
- Hardware and software retirement, replacement, and/or upgrade
- Deployments
- SQL Server Administration
- Provisioning
- Backup/restore
- Permissions and maintenance management
- Performance monitoring and tuning
- Mentoring and leadership of junior IT personnel
- Technical documentation of new and existing resources
IT Infrastructure Architect / TrueBlue, Inc.
Apr 2007 - Nov 2013
- Design of:
- System Center Operations Manager (SCOM) 2012, production and test
- Completely virtualized infrastructure utilizing VMware products (vSphere, vCloud, etc.)
- Lab and Production environments, maintaining separation of both environments, as well as between lab environments
- Implementation of Wiki for System Administration team for central documentation repository
- Worked closely with development teams for infrastructure requirements of upcoming projects.
- Process and guidelines discovery and documentation
- Hardware/software/configuration standardization
- Build process, guidelines and conventions for hardware and operating systems (Windows 2008, 2008 R2, 2012)
- Subject Matter Expert for Active Directory, VMware products, best practices, scripting and automation
- Mentoring and/or training of junior system administrators
- Prepare RFQs for submission to vendors, allowing for budgetary constraints
- Interaction with vendors and partners for sales and support, as well as to stay abreast of industry standards, best practices, and emerging technologies
- Active Directory administration, troubleshooting and maintenance for two domains
- Administration of both internal and external DNS systems for corporate and child companies
- Work closely with Shared Services support specialists in troubleshooting custom applications
- Review of new technologies for possible use by True Blue, Inc.
- Implementation and management of HP C7000 blade enclosures, utilizing a variety of blade models and operating systems (Windows 2003/2008/2012, ESX/ESXi 4.1 and 5.1)
- Primary management of System Center Operations Manager (SCOM) 2007 R2 and 2012 monitoring packages
- Administration of VMWare ESX 3.5 infrastructure
- deployment of new hosts
- deployment of new clients (servers and workstations)
- included both production and lab environments
- server template creation adhering to company standard server build
- Implementation of vSphere (VMWare ESX 4.1) to Hewlett Packard blade servers for all environments
- Redundant HP C7000 blade enclosures, populated with HP BL490c blade servers
- Installation/configuration of vSphere in highly redundant cluster
- Migration of existing production virtual machines to new cluster
- Continuing virtualization of physical resources to the ESX environment
- Successful pilot of Microsoft Hyper-V and System Center Virtual Machine Manager (SCVMM) 2007, Currently beta testing SCVMM 2012
- Build-out of new servers, utilizing HP hardware, MS Windows 2003, 2008, 2008 R2
- Re-use/relocation of current hardware
- Weekly software deployments to multiple environments
- Coordination across several teams in a collaborative team environment
- Design, development, and implementation of custom applications:
- datacenter inventory
- Telecom and Networking vendor tracking
- GEVM (Returns version level of specified software on remote systems)
- MinPro task management
- Centralized password management
- Achieved reduction in power and cooling requirements through virtualization and retirement of aging hardware
- Subject matter expert for scripting, automation, Active Directory, VMWare, Hyper-V, System Center Operations Manager 2007/2012 R2 (SCOM), Group Policy (GPO), Windows security, web services, and performance troubleshooting.
Senior System Administrator / TrueBlue, Inc
6/2008 - 1/2012
- Subject matter expert for Internet Information Services 5, 6, 7, 7.5 and 8. This encompassed provisioning secure and unsecure websites, design and implementation of load-balanced IIS clusters, and troubleshooting of existing web applications and scripts.
- Management and configuration Microsoft System Center Operations Manager (SCOM) 2007 and 2012
- Upgrade of VMware infrastructure through 3 versions (3.5 -> 4.1 -> 5.1)
- Administration of VMWare ESX 4.1 / 5.1 infrastructure
- deployment of new hosts
- deployment of new clients (servers and workstations)
- included both production and lab environments
- Build-out of new servers, utilizing HP hardware, MS Windows 2003, 2008
- Re-use/relocation of current hardware
- Build and configuration of virtual servers and workstations
- Weekly software deployments to multiple environments
- Coordination across several teams in a collaborative team environment
- System Center Configuration Manager 2007 (SCCM) administration
Senior System Administrator / EDS
June 2005 - June 2008
- Administration of Legacy Servers
- Maintenance of Enterprise Email with MS Exchange
- Subject Matter Expert (SME) for all versions of MS Exchange
- Backups utilizing Veritas Backup Exec, ArcServe, and NTBackup
- Administration of Enterprise Antivirus solution (Symantec)
- Mentoring/training of Junior Engineers
- Preparation of Legacy Domains for migration to NMCI
- Provided assistance to deskside support personnel when required
- Software distribution utilizing Microsoft Systems Management Server 2.0
- Consolidated many disparate Windows domains to one domain
- Development of custom software solutions for automation of various processes
Senior System Administrator / LATEOTT/EDS
February 2005 - June 2005
- Administration of Legacy Servers
- Maintenance of Enterprise Email with MS Exchange
- Subject Matter Expert (SME) for all versions of MS Exchange
- Backups utilizing Veritas Backup Exec, ArcServe, and NTBackup
- Administration of Enterprise Antivirus solution (Symantec)
- Mentoring/training of Junior Engineers
- Preparation of Legacy Domains for migration to NMCI
- Provided assistance to deskside support personnel when required
- Software distribution utilizing Microsoft Systems Management Server 2.0
- Consolidated many disparate Windows domains to one domain
- Development of custom software solutions for automation of various processes
MS Project Server Support Engineer, Level 3 / Microsoft/Siemens Contract
July 2004 - September 2004
- Support of MS Project Server 2000/2002/2003
- Administration, maintenance, and troubleshooting of:
- MS SQL Server 7.0/2000
- Windows networking and Active Directory
- MS Sharepoint Portal Server
- Pre-sales technical advice, including topology design, security, and best practices
MS Exchange Support Engineer, Microsoft/Siemens, Contract
January 2004 - July 2004
- Worldwide Level 3 support of MS Exchange 5.5, 2000, 2003
- Disaster Recovery of all Exchange platforms (5.5, 2000, 2003)
- Over the phone and remote control
- troubleshooting, repair and maintenance of Exchange Platforms
- Swing, Forklift, and In-place migrations of all platforms
- Presales Technical Advice, including topology design
- Basic security "Best Practices" advice to clients
Senior System Administrator / Anteon/EDS, Contract
March 2003 - January 2004
- Installation and Maintenance of Enterprise email servers w/MS Exchange (7,000+ Users)
- Mentoring of junior engineers
- Software distribution and inventory with MS Systems Management Server 2.0
- Design, implementation, and maintenance of system/domain policies
- Integration of multiple Windows domains
- Domain migration to Windows 2000/Active Directory
- Maintenance of Symantec Antivirus Enterprise
- Software Update Services (SUS) design and implementation
- Network Security, utilizing best practices and policies
- Intrusion detection utilizing tools present in MS products, as well as utilities I have written
IT Manager - Washington/Oregon / American Medical Response
May 2002 - March 2003
- Migration of existing Windows NT networks to Windows 2000 (Active Directory)
- User Training
- Interface with vendors for hardware/software purchases
- LAN/WAN administration, troubleshooting and maintenance
- Troubleshooting and maintenance of servers, workstations, and Lucent telephone systems
- Supervision of junior IT staff
- Development of custom software for various departments (dispatch, ops, billing, admin)
- Troubleshooting and maintenance of mission critical Computer Aided Dispatch systems
- Propose and maintain IT Department budgets
Manager of Network Services, Helpdesk Manager / MACROSystems
January 2000 - May 2002
- Manage customer contracts (commercial/government)
- Manage/Mentor Junior Network Engineers
- Migration of existing NT 4.0 Networks to Windows 2000 (AD)
- Implementation and maintenance of Cisco Gigabit switches (3548XL, 4912 L3)
- Implementation and maintenance of streaming media using Windows Media Services
- Backups of on and off site servers utilizing Veritas Backup Exec 7.x and 8.x
- Expansion of server based storage (addition of new drive arrays)
- Web/FTP site maintenance/creation of new sites for developers and users using IIS 4.0 and 5.0
- Decom and preparation for DRMO of obsolete systems for Military Clients (Cyberscrub and Custom Written Software meeting MilSpec & DOD Standards)
- Network monitoring using HP Openview, as well as software written by me
- Implementation of APC UPS for datacenter
- Assist help desk staff
- Migration from SMS 1.2 to SMS 2.0
- Develop and maintain custom applications with MS Visual Basic 6.0
- LAN/WAN Administration
- Helpdesk administration
- Hardware/software acquisition, troubleshooting and maintenance
- Contract negotiations (government/commercial)
- Propose and maintain IT Budgets
- Head of worldwide network operations of MACROsystems
Senior System Engineer / Laplink.com, Contract
August 2000 - October 2000
- Troubleshooting of Exchange Accelerator software, MS Exchange installations, and Windows NT installations on customer sites.
- Development of work-arounds such as registry patches.
- Submittal of code changes to developer department.
- Directly interface with clients for problem solving.
- Tier 2 support of Exchange Accelerator
Senior System Administrator / Avandel, Incorporated
May 1999 - May 2000
- Maintenance/streamlining of existing network
- Mail server migration from Imail to MS Exchange 5.5
- DNS, WINS, DHCP, RAS
- Bay Networks switches and hubs, Cisco routers, Cisco PIX firewall
- Installation and maintenance of web servers using IIS 4.0
- Instituted remote software distribution using SMS 2.0
- Design and implementation of network at new location (all functions except pulling cable to desktops)
- Instituted online training system using streaming media on company intranet
- Maintained software library and associated licenses, including updates of software such as antivirus software
- Plan and implement network security, utilizing hardware firewalls and best practices/policies.
- Plan and implement disaster recovery plan
- Interface with multiple vendors regarding purchase of hardware and software
- Implement and maintain Nortel/Meridian telephone system
- Manage IS Personnel
Support Specialist II / Spokane Falls Community College
May 1998 - May 1999
- Maintenance and repair of networked PC workstations
- Installed and maintained software base on workstations and servers
- Mixed Novell and Windows NT 4.0 Network
- Troubleshoot and repair network anomalies on both the local campus and remote locations
- Implemented Exchange 5.5 Mail Server for limited testing to replace Mercury Mail
- Implemented DNS and WINS Servers utilizing Windows NT 4.0
Senior System Administrator, Help Desk Manager / ProtoStar
July 1997 - May 1998
- Install and maintain computer and phone network in company offices
- Install and maintain NT servers and pc’s as well as networks on customer sites
- Performed warranty service for major PC vendors
- Manage helpdesk personnel
- Remote management and training to customer sites utilizing PC Anywhere and MS SMS
- Performed site surveys for potential clients
Senior Support Specialist / Cascade Computer Maintenance
September 1994 - July 1997
- Troubleshoot and repair Servers, PC’s, Printers, Networks
- Preventive Maintenance for large contract customers
- Installation of NT servers and networks for customers
- Administration and maintenance of NT based networks for contract customers
- Warranty service provider for major vendors
- Phone support for remote clients
- Site Survey for potential clients
- Inventory of large hardware bases, as well as maintenance of inventory database
- Windows NT and networking expert for Eastern Washington region
Electronic Account Processor / Seafirst Bank/Bank of America
September 1993 - September 1994
- Utilized computerized mailing system to process statements and other mailings to customers.
Courier / US Bank
November 1992 - September 1993
- On time pick up and delivery of proof work and inter-office mail to branches, headquarters, and cash services.
Communications Center Operator / MIS Specialist / United States Marine Corps
June 1988 - June 1992
- High speed processing of message traffic received via computer and teletype
- Development of message processing software
- Installation / Maintenance of field computer networks utilizing Banyan Vines and LANtastic
- Installation / Maintenance of field phone networks, including PBX and satellite links
- Maintenance Management NCO for headquarters company (99.99% accuracy record)
- Implementation of dialup and high speed links between multiple locations
Computer Operations Intern / Marina High School
September 1986 - June 1987
- Administration, operations and maintenance on an IBM 370/138 mainframe
Education and Certifications
- 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