Professional Experience:
BioHorizons
Birmingham, AL
Director, Information Technology
As IT Director, my job spans across many responsibilities. From a high level, this includes the direction, planning and management of all IT operations for the entire company and consulting for other companies owned by the same private equity firm that currently owns BioHorizons. Also included, is a variety of business/IT alignment responsibilities, essentially ensuring that IT investments are effective in meeting business processes or redefining processes where cost and efficiency gains are available through technology.
This isn't a theory-based, management only position. I spend time delving into each of the skill-sets I am responsible for directing. I am hands-on in everything from network administration to .NET development. Of course, to be effective in leading such a diverse team requires spending a great deal of time with the end users of all the technology for which I'm responsible. This includes everyone in the company. On any given day I can be found in a cubicle in accounting going over a spreadsheet with the goal of converting it to a web application and later meeting with the CEO and COO to map out potential issues with a new business partnership. In this position, I also travel on an as-needed basis. My domestic travel has generally been due to consulting with sister companies concerning their technology needs and efforts. Internationally, I generally attend all of the company's major sales meetings. Of course I help with technology aspects of the meetings, but this also gives me an opportunity to meet with various international office managers and BioHorizons distributors. In the past eighteen months I have travelled to Europe, South America, and the Middle East.
With the above said, I can't emphasize enough the importance my team. My management style is rather simple. It's my job to make sure that each member of my department is better at what they do than I am at what they do. I know it isn't standard practice to mention this in a job description, but I will in no way take credit from the amazing group working for me in order to sell myself. Currently, I have a staff of five, with three new hires on the budget for 2011. Over my tenure, the department started with a staff of three, went up to twelve and then sized back down to five, soon to be eight.
Once a week, I meet with the departments heads. This operations meeting is led by the COO. This provides an opportunity to monitor each department, their needs and projects. Using this information, IT can work to be proactive in planning for and meeting the needs of the company as well as help to direct the implementation of new business processes. Whether it's the social media marketing plan, a new series of financial reports, or a customer loyalty program, this time is invaluable for not only making IT aware of the business, but also for making the business aware of IT and what potential benefit it holds for them.
It's difficult to quantify the activities of the position. IT is a core component of BioHorizons. It touches every person, in every department, in every office of the company as well as its customers and distributors. With BioHorizons selling in eighty countries, IT's performance is felt around the globe.
Major Projects: (most recent or current projects in italics)
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Disaster Recovery Site & Disaster Recovery/Business Continuity Plan - in development
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Upgraded Windows Networking environment from 2003 to 2008R2
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Migration of clustered Exchange 2003 email system to Exchange 2010
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Upgraded Blackberry Enterprise Server in support of Exchange upgrade
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Implemented VMWare based development and testing environment
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Designed and implemented the new financial reporting infrastructure in support of IPO preparation
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Implemented VMWare in the data center
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Moved office to new physical location. – Redesign/buildout of network infrastructure
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Implemented BlackBerry Enterprise Server in the organization
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Redesigned Active Directory structure to match organization
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Created new company Intranet – over 2200 reports and web applications all with custom directory services programming for access approval and audit-ability. Reports and applications are tied directly to corporate ERP system for real time business intelligence.
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Redesign/Rebuild of company’s Microsoft CRM instance
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Redesign/rebuild of network infrastructure of merged companies using Foundry Networks equipment
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Installation of Mitel VOIP phone system
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Redsign of datacenter.
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Installed MPLS WAN connection between Birmingham, AL and Dublin, CA offices
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Designed and built application to manage warranty registration program
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Designed and built application to manage customer loyalty program
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Implementation of Track-Wise Quality Management System
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Design/Build of .NET Help Desk Web application
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Design/Build of A/V systems for conference rooms and training room in new facility
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Design/Build of mobile network and kiosk stations for Marketing/Tradeshows
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Design/Build of wireless network in both new facility and merged companies. Authentication tied to Radius server to allow Active Directory accounts to be used for wireless network login
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Standardized laptop/PC builds using Acronis True Image Enterprise Sever
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Integration of MAC laptops into company network
Infinity Insurance
Birmingham, AL
Systems Engineer
Member of five person team responsible for over 200 Microsoft based servers. Handled day to day management of the servers. Chosen to be key member of document management system replacement. Designed and built .NET based web interface for Active Directory to allow Help Desk team to manage users without giving them direct access to Active Directory Users and Computers.
Major Projects:
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Planning/discovery for move from IBM FileNet document management system to Mobius document management system.
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Quarterly SOX compliance audit of Active Directory
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Code audit of problematic web application. Application generated 90 million a year in revenues.
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Redesigned Active Directory structure to match organization
Balch & Bingham
Birmingham, AL
Systems Engineer
Work as a member of thirteen person IT team. One of four high level team members that not only handle day to day issues, but also handle design and development of systems, testing of new products, vendor management for 500 person organization. Manage over 50 servers at seven locations around the Southeast.
Major Projects:
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Implementation of SMS 2003
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Rollover Exchange 2000 to Exchange 2003
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Installation of EMC NAS device
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Organization wide upgrade to Outlook 2003
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Organization wide upgrade to XP SP2
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Implementation of VOIP – Shoretel VOIP phone system
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Rollover from ATM Frame WAN to MPLS based WAN - 7 locations to form one mesh network
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Implementation of Frontbridge email protection/archiving services
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Development of desktop Images for deployment via RIS
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Creation/Customization of installs for all firm standard software
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Creation of ASP.NET web application for Active Directory access for remote HelpDesk
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VBScript/WMI scripting to automate systems administration tasks
Chenega Technology Services
Anniston, AL
Network Administrator/Contractor - FEMA Facility
Managed local network at FEMA’s Noble Training Center. Responsible for all staff support of desktop, servers and telephony.
Managed two subordinates, communications with other contractors, local COTR, and department heads based in Emmitsburg, Maryland.
Major Projects:
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Rollover of facility from DHHS’s network to FEMA’s network.
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Upgrade/update of facility telephone system to Cisco VOIP
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Wiring upgrade for both classrooms and student dorms.
USInfrastructure
Birmingham, AL
Manager, Information Systems
Manage all aspects of information systems, including desktop pc’s, servers, printers, scanners, routers, switches, hubs, and backup systems as well as phone systems. Maintain and upgrade entire network as needed. Setup and support networks for new locations as well as support thirteen existing locations. Provide end user support in all areas of information systems. Work with production staff in designing and evaluating programs developed in-house. Managed a staff of IT professionals.
Major Projects:
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Migration of NT 4.0 domain to Active Directory domain in company headquarters.
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Complete setup on remote offices including wiring, computer network and PBX system.
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Brought email in house. Design and setup of Exchange Server 2003, clustered, on Windows Server 2003
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Designed and implemented network security.
Alabama Graphics
Birmingham, AL
Information Technology and Onsite Support
Provide systems technical support for all production departments. Provide printing systems/network technical support at 28 major architectural, engineering and design firms. Install and support database systems for tracking printing at onsite facilities. Support Microsoft Access databases used for sales contact management and billing. Support web and LAN electronic document management systems. Provide end user/ Help Desk support for PC and Macintosh systems. Train users through one on one support and teleconferencing. Set up PC and Macintosh systems and configure software/hardware to meet individual user’s needs. Diagnose software/hardware problems and address compatibility issues across Windows 98, NT 4.0, 2000 and Macintosh systems. Project Lead for research, testing, and customization of LAN and web based electronic document management systems. Beta test new software for vendors.
Major Projects:
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Performed rollover of workstations from Windows 98 to Windows NT 4.0.
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Research, implementation and customization of web and LAN based electronic document management systems.
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Served as project manager for onsite reprographics services during construction of the 1st phase of the Honda plant in Lincoln, AL.