Hands-On IT Leader/Manager & Senior Systems Administrator

Hands-On IT Leader/Manager & Senior Systems Administrator | Tri-State Equipment Co. Inc. | Jan 2012 – Present

Sole IT professional with full strategic and operational responsibility for all technology functions supporting 152-employee manufacturing and distribution company across 5 Midwest locations. Independently managed enterprise infrastructure, cybersecurity, vendor relationships, IT budget, and strategic technology planning. Reported directly to ownership with accountability for all IT decisions impacting business operations.

• Enterprise Infrastructure Management: Managed complete technology stack including Windows Server environments (2019/2012 R2), Active Directory (150+ users), DNS, DHCP, IIS, RDS, multi-site networking (5 locations), cloud systems (Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, NetSuite ERP), and 250+ endpoints. Maintained 99.99% system uptime through proactive monitoring, preventive maintenance, and rapid incident response.

• Network Architecture & Security: Designed, deployed, and managed all network infrastructure including Cisco/UniFi switches, Fortinet FortiGate firewalls, site-to-site VPNs, VLANs, and secure remote access. Architected migration from legacy Fortinet to cloud-managed UniFi platform integrating Cloudflare DNS services, eliminating licensing costs while improving scalability and reducing operational complexity with zero downtime.

• Cybersecurity & Risk Management: Served as Information Risk Management Officer (IRMO) with full responsibility for security infrastructure and compliance. Deployed enterprise firewalls, Cloudflare WAF/Proxy DNS, Network Access Control (NAC), VPN systems, and access management. Identified critical PCI compliance gaps, provided executive remediation roadmaps, and commissioned independent CISSP security audit validating infrastructure controls.

• Strategic Technology Leadership: Partnered directly with ownership to align technology strategy with business objectives. Developed and executed multi-year infrastructure roadmaps supporting company growth, acquisitions, and operational expansion. Translated executive vision into technical solutions enabling business scalability and competitive advantage.

• Budget & Vendor Management: Developed and managed annual IT capital budgets averaging $150K-$200K. Negotiated vendor contracts achieving 20-30% cost reductions while improving service quality. Managed relationships with 30+ technology vendors and service providers including SLAs, performance management, and contract renewals.

• Cloud & SaaS Platform Administration: 14+ years expert-level administration of Google Workspace managing 152 users across 6 domains. Administered Microsoft 365, NetSuite ERP/CRM, Apple Business Manager, BigCommerce e-commerce platform, and SharePoint collaboration sites. Full identity lifecycle management, SSO integration, and security policy enforcement across multiple cloud platforms.

• Business Continuity & Disaster Recovery: Orchestrated complete migration of 152 employees to remote work model during COVID-19 with zero operational downtime. Implemented VPN infrastructure, cloud collaboration tools, remote support systems, and security controls enabling distributed workforce while maintaining business operations and productivity.

• Infrastructure Scaling: Independently scaled IT infrastructure from single site to 5 locations supporting company growth from 20 to 152 employees over 13 years. Built infrastructure capacity to accommodate rapid expansion while maintaining service quality, controlling costs, and enabling business agility. Procured and deployed 250+ workstations, servers, and specialized equipment for industrial environments.

• Technology Evaluation & Innovation: Conducted 128 hours of systematic AI tool evaluation and R&D to assess enterprise adoption feasibility. Created formal case studies with research citations analyzing implementation challenges and ROI. Documented strategic recommendations for leadership on emerging technology deployment and organizational integration.

• End User Support & Customer Service: Provided tier 1-3 technical support for all hardware, software, and network issues affecting 152 employees across sales, finance, operations, and manufacturing departments. Troubleshooted and resolved complex problems across Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android platforms. Delivered 99.99% customer satisfaction through clear communication and rapid problem resolution. Available 24/7 for business-critical issues. .

UI/UX Producer & IT Project Manager | VividSites, LLC | March 2006 – December 2011

• Managed web development projects from requirements gathering through deployment and quality assurance.

• Directly supervised three senior developers and two designers on website implementation projects.

• Coordinated with clients on project timelines, technical requirements, budget management, and deliverables.