Summary

Skilled VMware Systems Administrator with over 11 years of experience in systems administration, virtualization, project and team management, and technical innovation. Experienced in designing, deploying virtual networks and upgrading systems, including hardware, software, networks, servers, and peripheral equipment. Outstanding customer service skills with proficiency in building relationships, defining technical requirements, and resolving technical issues. Strong communication skills, troubleshooting, performance analysis, and strategy development.

Professional Experience

Senior VMware Systems Administrator

Confidential

• Regained my role as the Senior VMware Systems Administrator for a company
• In my absence, the procedures I put in place prior to my brief hiatus were utilized and the company was able to function without any major issues or incidents as the platform I assisted in designing was sturdy enough to function if I had suddenly because no longer part of the team.
• As they lacked a VMware SME, They were unable to take advantage of increased functionalities provided by VMware that I immediately started the change procedures for to save the company operating costs that were able to be seen and taken advantage of immediately. DRS is one of said functions.
• Updating the images with some applications that were able to be virtualized also saved the company funds by decreasing the server load
• The small help desk team had grown by over 20 and I was able to educate them on some of the newer functions of VMware and they were able to work more efficiently

Network/Systems Administrator

Confidential

• Managed the VMware infrastructure for the entire
• Managed servers for clients that span across the globe using vSphere and vCenter.
• Managed the data backup and restore for areas spanning the globe using CommVault Simpana .
• Daily management of infrastructure using NetApp storage solutions is a large part of our infrastructure.

Senior VMware Systems Administrator

Confidential

• Operated as the Senior VMware Systems Administrator for a company of 350 employees. Managed four separate VMware infrastructures internationally, one at each of call centers located in North Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada, Seminole, Oklahoma, and New Bedford, Massachusetts and the central data center located in Ashburn, Virginia.
• Managed the upgrade of each site from VMware versions 4.x to 5.x. to include three Dell ESXi Hosts, SAN array, and UPS implementation at each site to mirror one another, yet operate as separate entities.
• Utilized Teradici as the remote management console for the thin clients used by the agents.
• Established, supervised, and managed a small help desk team.

Systems Administrator

Confidential

• Lead administrator for virtualizing applications with the use of ThinApp. Managed 200 virtual machines with the use of VMware, Vsphere View, ESX, ESXi and other virtual systems saving untold amounts of money by replacing fat clients with zero clients.
• Worked with seniors, peers, and subordinates, developed requirements and specifications for security and systems that meet business requirements. Advised on the merits of the proposed systems and projects.
• Determined the best approach for implementation within the technical environment while working with engineers and developers to isolate and solve design problems encountered during testing and implementation stages to allow for more efficient production.
• Ensured the operation of virtual workstations to ensure maximum productivity. Coordinated and implemented operations at the sections level designed to ensure, protect, and restore IT systems, services, and capabilities to provide the least amount of downtime possible.
• Evaluated the impact of new guidance on current programs and recommends changes to existing plans and policies to ensure compliance and responsiveness. Drafted IT standard operating procedures and plans for numerous IT applications and systems that were either obsolete or had yet to be created.

Operational Support Specialist

Confidential

• Managed and staffed a 24x7 helpdesk in Norfolk, VA, which acts as a nerve center for the External Business Partner sites providing superior customer service.
• Acted as a single interface point and liaison between external vendors and the various internal Verizon organizations such as NetOps, CMS, CMC, IT, INS Firewall, Network Implementation, and Network Planning , which allowed the technology and business sides to stay informed and focused on the task.
• Provide Tier 2/3 desktop support via remote access and hands-on to over 1,000 Customer Service Analysts nationwide. Receive the complaint, troubleshoot, diagnose the cause, consider possible actions to take, choose best possible course of action, and implement that course of action.

IT Section Lead/LAN Administrator

Confidential

• Supervised a team of three and provided training on new technology. Provided desktop support: hardware and software installation, maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair/replace hardware of over 40 PCs and notebook systems using MS operating systems. Ranging from new to legacy systems that were resurrected from parts of retired systems.
• Regularly instructed end users applications and configuration of the appropriate software settings for the end users. Provided guidance to senior staff guidance on equipment procurement, maintenance plans and programs to increase efficiency and improve quality control.
• Designed and implemented a trouble ticket system, which led to more efficient turn-around of trouble tickets and better preventative maintenance practices.