IT Professional

I am a versatile IT professional with repeated accomplishments administrating and overseeing IT operations, directing complex projects, and training/supporting users and clients. Skilled at maintaining technology resources at performance levels necessary to support business vision and goals.  Expertise ensuring IT systems are reliable, available, scalable, and secure, leading technological innovations to drive competitive advantage. Equally capable of contributing effectively to high-performing project teams or working independently to enhance performance and increase profitability.

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

  • IT Management
  • Project Management
  • System Administration
  • Network Administration
  • Cost / Expense Reduction
  • Budgeting & Forecasting
  • Technical / User Support
  • Testing / Troubleshooting
  • Documentation: Environment / Policies / Procedures
  • Information Architecture
  • Disaster Recovery
  • Client / Vendor Relations
  • Staff / User Training
  • Conflict / Issue Resolution

TECHNOLOGIES

  • Windows 95 / 98 / XP / Vista / 7 / 8 / 10 / 11
  • Windows Server NT 4.0 / 2000 / 2003 / 2008 / 2012 / 2016 / 2019 / 2022
  • Microsoft Office 95 / 97 / 2000 / XP / 2003 / 2007 / 2010 / 2013 / 2016 / 2019
  • Microsoft 365 / Office 365
  • Microsoft Project
  • Microsoft Visio
  • Microsoft Active Directory Domain Services
  • DNS, TCP/IP, DHCP, VPN, RDP, WSUS, Group Policy
  • Microsoft Exchange 2003 / 2007 / 2010 / 2013 / 2016
  • Microsoft Hyper-V 2008 / 2012 / 2016 / 2019 / 2022
  • Microsoft SQL Administration: Server Uptime / SQL Installation / Instance Creation / SQL Patching
  • Microsoft SharePoint 2003 / 2007 / 2010 / 2013 / 2016 / Online
  • Microsoft Windows Sever Update Services
  • Microsoft Forefront Threat Management Gateway
  • Microsoft Internet Security and Acceleration Server 2000 / 2006
  • ERP: Acumatica / Expandable / QAD
  • VMWare ESXi / VCenter
  • Backup Software: Symantec BackupExec / Veeam / AppAssure / Backblaze / Data Guardian / MSP360
  • Anti-Virus Software: Sophos / Symantec Endpoint Protection / Vipre Enterprise / McAfee ePolicy Orchestrator / Carbon Black
  • Imaging Software: Clonezilla / Acronis / Macrium Reflect
  • Partition Software: Partition Manager Business / EaseUS Partition Master.
  • Transfer / Migration Software: EaseUS Todo PCTrans
  • Malwarebytes‎ Anti-Malware
  • Equallogic SAN
  • Sonology Rackstation / Diskstation
  • Dell Kace K1000
  • Barracuda Email Security Gateway
  • Cyren Web Filtering
  • Enterprise Monitoring: PRTG / FrameFlow
  • SolidWorks PDM Server
  • RDPGuard
  • Mac OS X
  • Android/iOS Phones & Tablets
  • Audio/Video Setup, Management & Training

EDUCATION & CERTIFICATIONS

  • Colorado State University, Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Information Technology
  • Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA)
  • Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician (MCDST)
  • Microsoft Certified Installation Specialist (MCIS)

EMPLOYMENT HISTORY

Tjoapack
Clinton, TN
05/2023 – 09/2024

IT Manager

Responsible for every aspect of IT supporting American operations for a multi-national pharmaceutical packaging organization.

  • Manage the IT department including the hiring, supervision, and performance reviews for the entire team.
  • Overseeing departmental finances, including budgeting and forecasting to support $40m in annual revenue.
  • Work with stakeholders across the organization to identify business and technology needs.
  • Authored complete system documentation of the hardware, software, and network.
  • Implemented IT ticketing system and knowledge base for system wide use.
  • Implemented an IT responsibility matrix to identify primary, secondary, and tertiary team member responsibilities.
  • Implemented facility wide modernization of user experience.
  • Created, updated & maintained work instructions and process documentation to meet FDA guidelines.
  • Designed & coordinated the installation of facility wide Wi-Fi access.
  • Identified and onboarded an MSP to offer IT support 24×7 to backup the internal team after hours.
  • Represent the IT Team for an ADP implementation.
  • Implemented systems monitors to proactively alert administrators of possible environmental issues.
  • Member of: Global Leadership Team | Change Control Committee | Daily Production Team

Marine Accessories Corporation
Knoxville, TN
11/2019 – 05/2023

Director of IT Southeast Region

Responsible for every aspect of IT supporting a multi-facility manufacturing environment for the market leader in the boating industry.

  • Manage the IT department including the hiring, supervision and performance reviews for a team responsible for $100m in revenue.
  • Overseeing departmental finances, including budgeting and forecasting.
  • Work with stakeholders across the organization to identify business and technology needs.
  • Work to integrate acquisitions into the IT environment.
  • Renegotiated data service contract to realize 10% in annual savings for one facility.
  • Transitioned data services to a new vendor to realize 20% in annual saving while doubling circuit speed for one facility.
  • Renegotiated copier leases to realize 15% in annual savings.
  • Renegotiated hosted mail server licensing to realize 20% in annual savings.
  • Standardized desktop & laptop hardware on one manufacturer to realize savings and longer warranty periods.
  • Transitioned engineering group to cloud based software solution for better group collaboration.
  • Actively transitioning one manufacturing group to a new ERP software package.
  • Introduced & implemented various SharePoint sites to enable better collaboration for internal and external users.
  • Devised & implemented a complete departmental plan to enable work from home in anticipation of Covid 19 shut down & quarantine.
  • Led a system wide Microsoft 365 implementation.
  • Implemented IT ticketing system and knowledge base for system wide use.
  • Implemented a change management plan.
  • Implemented SharePoint sites for company-wide & individual departmental use.
  • Authored basic disaster plan for IT Department use as a more complete plan is developed.
  • Implemented a system wide patching solution to ensure the security of the laptops and desktops throughout the environment.
  • Develop, author and maintain corporate IT departmental policies and procedures.
  • Restructured manufacturing Wi-Fi and implemented changes to increase efficiency.
  • Restructured directory security on all file servers to leverage Active Directory.
  • Implemented systems monitors to proactively alert administrators of possible environmental issues.
  • Work to ensure 99.9999% uptime for technologies used by the production lines.

Midwest LP
Knoxville, TN
09/2018 – 03/2019

IT Manager

Responsible for planning, organizing and executing the IT goals for a multinational construction firm by supporting the users directly or serving as the liaison between the user community and a previously engaged third party IT firm in place in Calgary, Alberta.  Ultimately responsible for supporting and maintaining the existing IT infrastructure while developing and implementing new technical solutions as necessary.  Also serves as the technical liaison between the IT Department and other departments within the organization.

  • Develop the methodology for keeping corporate hardware and software up to date through hardware refresh cycles, software maintenance and software upgrades.
  • Evaluate desired outcomes and anticipate organizational requirements, recommend strategies to overcome problems and increase efficiencies where possible.
  • Develop, author and maintain corporate IT departmental policies, procedures or technical documentation to ensure consistency in standards and processes that protect the IT environment while enabling the productivity of the users.
  • Actively monitor the environment to proactively maintain system availability. In the event of an unforeseen outage, ensure resources and appropriate plans are in place to restore system availability.
  • Works closely with vendors and suppliers to obtain best price and on time delivery to complete projects on time and within budget constraints.
  • Actively evaluates and maintains hardware and software solutions along with all applicable vendor contracts with the goal of meeting or exceeding departmental requirements while seeking opportunities to implement new technical solutions.
  • Author, maintain and test the a disaster recovery plan to ensure business continuity.

Independent IT Consultant
Loudon, TN
04/2018 – 09/2018

  • Gather requirements, specify, install and train users to use a private on premises cloud solution.
  • Demo, test and implement Carbon Black to replace Symantec Antivirus.
  • Spec, show proof of concept and implement Cyren for web filtering and security.
  • Analyze back office environment to recommend necessary hardware and software improvements to meet the desired requirements while keeping recommendations within the proposed budget.
  • Replace Backup Exec with Veeam for VMWare based environment.
  • Conducted an analysis of security protocols within the entire environment to investigate areas of concern and recommend necessary improvements.
  • Purchased new laptops and worked with users to address questions and train users how to work within Windows 10 & Office 365.
  • Review existing aging disaster recovery plan to identify issues and evolve the plan into a current, executable plan.
  • Review backup process, procedures and storage locations to ensure proper data backup, recovery and retention plans are in place.
  • Conducted remote technical support as needed via phone, Skype text or Skype video calls to address issues and resolving with little to no downtime.

BWSC
Knoxville, TN
10/2017 – Present

IT Project Manager & Systems Administrator

Responsible for the assembling project stakeholders to establish project goals to design and lead the deployment team toward implementation of a given solution. Additionally responsible for system administration of the existing infrastructure while planning and implementing necessary growth and changes to meet the goals of IT projects and the overall growth objectives of the firm.

  • Leads the IT Department in all aspects of project planning and deployment to ensure completed projects exceed expectations & organizational goals.
  • Prepares project financial budgets that outline expenditures.
  • Works closely with vendors and suppliers to obtain best price and on time delivery to complete projects on time and within budget constraints.
  • Actively evaluates and maintains hardware and software solutions along with all applicable vendor contracts with the goal of meeting or exceeding departmental requirements while seeking opportunities to implement new technical solutions.
  • Author and maintain all post project documentation and training materials.
  • Lead post project user training sessions as necessary.
  • Maintain and test the existing disaster recovery plan to ensure business continuity

EnerNex
Knoxville, TN
04/2010 – 09/2017

Director of IT & Facilities (09/2016 – 09/2017)

Responsible for the overall planning, organizing, and execution of all IT functions for the organization by providing the vision and leadership to design, develop and implement the necessary infrastructure and applications to meet the needs of the organization applying change, growth and flexibility as necessary.

  • Selects, installs, ensures the operation, supports, and maintains the IT infrastructure including but not limited to hardware, operating systems, network devices and access, telecommunications, and peripherals.
  • Actively evaluates and maintains hardware and software solutions along with all applicable vendor contracts with the goal to meet or exceed user requirements while looking for opportunities to implement new technical solutions through research and recommendation.
  • Represents the IT Department at business development and project planning meetings to ensure departmental resources are in alignment with customer expectations, organizational goals & human resource needs.
  • Prepares annual departmental financial budgets that outline departmental expenditures for system upgrades, maintenance, planned corporate growth and licensing expenses.
  • Develop, author and maintain corporate IT departmental policies and procedures based on ensuring consistency in standards and processes that protect the IT environment while enabling the productivity of the users.
  • Researches, authors and maintains a comprehensive disaster recovery plan to ensure business continuity.
  • Effectively communicates organizational needs and goals to developers to ensure accurate software design, modification or trouble shooting.

IT & Facilities Manager (02/2015 – 09/2016)

Manages all aspects of IT operations within the company, including the planning and implementation of additions, deletions, and modifications to the infrastructure. Identifies opportunities for improvement, makes constructive suggestions for change, and communicates relevant IT-related information to superiors to meet the needs of the organization.

  • Oversees troubleshooting, systems backups, archiving, and disaster recovery.
  • Ensures the security, maintenance, and services of work facilities.
  • Minimizes costs and expenses by cultivating and nurturing vendor relationships and negotiating / managing the purchase of hardware and software products.
  • Ensures 100% uninterrupted system availability by recommending appropriate maintenance strategies.
  • Establish and enforce organizational standards to ensure system performance.
  • Attend educational workshops, read professional publications and review state-of-the-art practices all to maintain professional and technical knowledge.

Network Applications Administrator (04/2010 – 01/2015)

  • Administered 18 physical Dell Windows based and 15 Hyper-V servers.
  • Administered two EqualLogic SANs.
  • Administered Active Directory to support the users, groups, and objects with the environment.
  • Administered all network-related services (DHCP, DNS, WSUS, etc.).
  • Authored and maintained complete documentation of all network objects.
  • Authored policies and procedures for departmental and end-user utilization.
  • Maintained an Asterisk VoIP phone system and Cisco 7940 phones while also providing technical support for internal and external users.
  • Deployed and maintained all end-user and server hardware/software.
  • Led the design and deployment of corporate antivirus solutions, including both Vipre Enterprise AntiVirus and Symantec EndPoint Protection.
  • Accomplishments / Implementations:
    • Two EqualLogic SANs.
    • Barracuda antispam solution.
    • Dell K1000 management appliance.
    • Contact policies and alternate email accounts for all employees for use in the event of a disaster.
    • Converted seven physical servers to Hyper-V virtual machines.

US Farathane Corporation
Sterling Heights, MI
07/2007 – 01/2009

Network Administrator

  • Administered servers / network infrastructure for eight locations in Michigan and Tennessee
  • Active Directory to support the 1,000 users / groups / objects.
  • Administered all network-related services:
    • Microsoft Exchange
    • DHCP
    • DNS
    • WSUS
    • Barracuda Networks web filter
    • AppRiver spam filter
  • Administered Backup Exec for all data backup
  • Administered enterprise antivirus solutions.
  • Provided technical support for 100 internal users and 850 external users throughout all locations.
  • Utilized MS Virtual Server and MS Virtual PC for testing and deployment of various solutions within the environment.
  • Accomplishments / Implementations:
    • Authored, implemented, and maintained a disaster recovery plan.
    • Restructured directory security on all file servers to leverage Active Directory and remove permissions based on user accounts directory by directory.
    • Authored and implemented a corporate password policy and electronic data storage policy based on industry best practices.
    • Authored and maintained complete documentation of all network objects.
    • Transitioned the corporate antivirus solution to Vipre Enterprise Antivirus from Symantec EndPoint Protection.

Michigan Basic Property Insurance Association (MBPIA)
Detroit, MI
07/2005 – 07/2007

Network & Systems Administrator

  • Administered servers / network infrastructure to support 100+ users in a Microsoft and Citrix environment
  • Administered all network-related services:
    • Active Directory
    • Microsoft Exchange 2003
    • DHCP
    • DNS
    • Trend Micro Antivirus
  • Utilized Microsoft Virtual Server 2005, VMWare ESXi Virtual Server 3.0, and Microsoft Virtual PC 2004 to virtualize components of the business for live and disaster recovery environments.
  • Maintained the established disaster recovery documentation.
  • Provided daily Tier II and III technical support for all end users.
  • Accomplishments / Implementations:
    • Upgraded server hardware from Compaq DL360 Windows 2000 servers to Dell 2950 Windows 2003 servers.

BeneSys
Troy, MI
03/2002 – 07/2005

Network & Systems Administrator

  • Administered servers and network infrastructure to support 125 local users and 5,000 additional users in four corporate locations and customer sites.
  • Provided technical support for all end users in a Microsoft / Citrix environment.
  • Recommended hardware and software improvements and provided project quotations for corporate or client implementation.
  • Accomplishments / Implementations:
    • Server upgrade from Windows NT 4 to Windows Server 2000 or Server 2003.
    • Workstation upgrade from Windows 9x to Windows 2000 or XP.
    • Deployed McAfee ePolicy Orchestrator antivirus solution.
    • Authored and maintained a comprehensive disaster recovery plan
    • Authored and maintained complete documentation of all departmental procedures.

CQ Serve Computer Solutions
Shelby Township, MI
01/1998 – 03/2002

IT Operations Manager

  • Directed the formulation of internal IT goals, project budgets, and project management duties.
  • Coordinated technical staff resources based on the priority level as determined by the project manager or support call log.
  • Provided Tier I, II and III support for 15 local users and approximately 1,000 users at various customer sites.
  • Performed the remote administration of client servers, desktop PCs, or other network hardware as needed.
  • Ensured client reached their goals and objectives by recommending hardware / software solutions and providing project quotations.