Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Senior Company Leadership: As a stand out candidate and to give “you” the incentive to read more than this paragraph – this very detailed resume exhibits my very broad and complementary technology background as well as my concentrated specialties in the Cloud – AWS and GCP. This material is for you to see the strategic value of bringing someone like me on board – someone with an insatiable hunger / taste for technology. This site, which leverages my career – is provided in case the recruiter stripped most of the content from my 3-part resume – cover, resume and technical background.

This is not for Recruiters: This is the game changer where companies who do review this CV end up bringing me on-board. Over time, I discovered many previous recruiters dilute my info so much when presenting to clients that I appear to be JUST another run of the mill candidate.

And, I am not.

My strategic aim is to first move into a AWS Cloud Architect/AWS Data Engineer role, then later into AI/ML – preferably in a private/commercial world rather than federal (but still willing to work in fed spaces for now).

Why? Because I have always wanted to work in Data (more data) for Strategic and Business Intelligence purposes. But due to DIA and IC contract issues, my path has been disrupted multiple times for the past several years.

My aptitude, attitude and drive are there and evident in my current AWS Data Engineer and recent Google Cloud Platform Pro Data Engineer certification efforts – for which I have taken off over eight (8) months to accomplish. That, along with my previous AWS Cloud & AWS Data Analytics & Azure Cloud Engineer growth path. I want to be part of creative and strategic cloud efforts – that is my driving goal for the next 5 – 10 years and maybe gain a doctorate as well…

(Be prepared, while extensive, this is a broad online CV answering ‘MANY’ aspects of my drive, aptitude, ambition and self-starter character. However, if it is too much, then whomever is reading this is not likely to be the type of curious and inquisitive team I want to be part of.)

NOTE: I have not yet managed any $20-50 million projects, only ones under $3 million in the past (see ‘Projects’ below).

====== ==== UPDATES: ====== ======

Time in AWS and Google Cloud Professional (GCP):

    • Later in 2024, will make time soon to jump back on AI / Machine Learning to enhance my skill set  more
      • plus return to refreshing my Linear Algebra & Multivariable Calculus
  • Sept 2023 –
      • But, not having 1, 2, 5 years of Data Engineer experience is hampering me
      • Stopped refreshing my Linear Algebra knowledge to return to work
  • June 2023 –
  • Feb 2022 – AWS Cloud Architect Pro cert renewal
  • Dec 2021 – AWS Data Analytics Engineer certification.
  • Dec 2021 ==> My goal of getting into a AWS Data Analytics Engineer role at this company fell through. Company’s April 2021 promise to switch me over to Big Data in December did not happen (the role did not exist on new contract). Due to that failure, I resigned for another company
    • It did not matter as it turns out – DIA de-scoped/canceled the Redshift cloud contract – the IC (intelligence community) members each wanted to maintain independent data silos…

====== ====== ====== ====== ======

To save you valuable time – as much as it pains me to say it, I do not yet have that explicit 1 – 5 years (or more) of ‘day-to-day, hands-on’ Data Engineer work experience to start with on day 1 of a new job.

But, IF your firm is forward AND long-range thinking and not looking through the lenses of ‘must have 5 or 10 years of hands-on work experience’ to start with, I am your new hire. I can do the job – I am not worried or scared of it. I want to get my hands dirty so to speak.

My AWS Cloud knowledge, training and experience was gained the hard way over the past few years – at work and outside of my regular day job as I can make time:

  • in the morning hours before work; the hours at night after work and weekends,
  • IN-person classes // MULTIPLE online courses with many, MANY labs
  • plus several AWS certs & gaining more at this point

As to pay, I know I will earn more, just have to find the right place to call home. My aim is to move into a AWS Cloud/Big Data Engineer role for the next decade or more as I have successfully moved out of the Information Assurance (IA) Oversight & Policy arena. Additionally, some people are overly concerned about my coming in and taking over their leadership role (this concern happened while at NSA/CYBERCOMMAND when I was a federal employee {blue badge}). When instead, anyone with good to Great leadership skills would bring me on and welcome my desire to help make the team and the leadership and the firm successful.

I have been focused on learning all of the AWS skill sets necessary to gain the different certifications – no time yet to focus only on 1 or 2 subsets within AWS to become a guru in those 1 or 2 areas. I gained the AWS pro cert for Cloud Solutions Architect but hit the wall for other certifications due to time constraints.

The AWS Specialty cert for Big Data Engineer was on my plate in order to move over into AWS Big Data and/or FinTech. However, that was not enough. Now, I’ve completed the additional Google Cloud Platform Pro cert: Data Engineering.

  • You or another forward thinker should take a quick look at a paper I wrote after being asked multiple times, “Why is it so hard to learn AWS?” Part I… it was to help others on some things they should do (along with what I did) to move to a cloud role 
  • And the follow-on Part II paper
  • Because of my drive and putting out the previous papers and my move into Big Data (Data Analytics), you now should take a quick look at a paper I wrote to help others (in addition to helping me) on some things they should do to move to this role: This time – “I” asked “Why is it so hard to become a Big Data Engineer” Part I…
  • Another paper: “Cloud Architecture Strategy, Success & ROI from junior Sys Admin to CEO” 

So, “What’s in it for you, the Senior Manager / Executive decision maker (if you are the VERY forward & long range thinker I hope you are)?” 

What’s in it if for you is a stellar employee for your firm/agency, one with drive, as you benefit from the significant amount of effort I’ve poured into my cloud growth to move into a cloud role. As one recruiter put it (in good terms), I am a jack-of-all-trades, while master of none. Actually, it is a “LOT” of IT trades, “all” interrelated (PC, networks, data communication, InfoSec, Cybersecurity, Linux, etc.), which is a good thing.

My unfettered aim is working in “THE Cloud“, specifically ==>> an AWS or GCP Data Engineer / Data Analyst role

  a} to work in the areas of: cloud architecture, Big Data Engineering, Data Analysis & strategy

to take advantage of my complementary skills: AWS Cloud Solutions Architect & Strategy, Intelligence roles, IT (several areas), Cyber security, and dual graduate degrees.  

In working in the cloud, I will be a Bridge, due to my “Ambivert” nature {combination of Introvert & Extrovert, which is a real thing} By that I mean, I will be a bridge (between executive to operational levels of individuals in the firm and the different areas of technology) by combining and using all of the multiple areas of my background: IT (see career), Cloud, Cyber Security, Intelligence (national security & human), Strategy and Creativity/Innovation. It is the combination of my skill sets, as they are complementary in many areas that makes being a bridge possible.

For me, Cloud Solutions Architect / Big Data Engineer is an excellent fit since IT has been the primary thrust for most of my career in non-cloud roles (voice & data communication (networking), routers, firewalls, PC Support, InfoSec/Cyber security, etc). Troubleshooting role is more along my lines – troubleshooting, problem solving & improving – figuring out where snags out and making whatever better and I want to do this in the Cloud…

To be clear, I had no reluctance or reticence in my goal of ‘moving out of‘ Information Assurance roles (specifically, C & A, Governance or A & A) and never again work at DIA.

*****  NOTE:  Here on, will need to further update the content… *****

Overview

Intentional Break (for you to stop)

What I Bring (what sets me apart)

My Brand

My Goal

My Story

Current / Past Tech (cloud) Efforts

Previous IT Projects a) b) & c)  ($ 3/4 million & $2.5 million) – as Nationwide Manager of Mainframe/Network Security, Data Communications, PC Support & Help Desk

Links (My papers – virtualization, strategy, tech, cyber security, intelligence, more)

Overview

You ‘must‘ use your considerable insight and look at my recent background in totality with ‘all’ of my background. Look at it in conjunction with what I’ve done these few years outside of work (learning virtualization / cloud / DevOps, Big Data and DLT/Blockchain) to move forward. It is my innate adaptability to move into something new and rapidly move ahead of other members of any team and bringing them with me.

Please stop here if you’re ‘automatically thinking’ the content used throughout this cover letter is comprised of buzz words, phrases or glib statements being bandied about. ‘They are not.’ The content all embodies my passions, and for those who look will see this is what is gained in having me onboard. The content is all explicitly considered to convey to you, ‘I am what I say’ (written or spoken).

Intentional Break — Otherwise, please read on to see if you value a ‘richer & fuller‘ individual. 

If you are at this point, thanks for your due diligence – I look forward to working with you.

‘What I bring‘, this combination of my make up is what sets me apart:

  • Mindset for ‘Success’ for everyone (from junior members to executive staff)
  • Role model
  • ‘Energy‘ and ‘Integrity‘
  • Adept, Adaptive & Strategic
  • Learner
  • Communicator
  • Thinker – of other, hopefully better solutions/possibilities – Enough so for example that junior intelligence analysts on other teams came to me be their intelligence mentor – because I try to think of and use solutions which include multiple aspects, related or not
  • Deep & Multilateral Thinker (multiple vectors at once), not just linearly (sequentially)
  • Problem solver & Trouble shooter
  • Ability to extrapolate (looking at the trees AND forest at the same time)
  • Collaboration
  • Seeing the weak spots as well as the strong points in various settings
  • Assist everyone respectfully, no matter their color, gender, religion, age or position
  • Able to easily work under pressure (I become very serious & focused when this happens – and it annoys folks that I do not joke around or take it ‘easy’ at this stage)

‘I am looking‘ to become a key player, now – and later, a significant key player in multiple cloud/virtualization areas.

My Brand – Technologist & People Person with a GREAT attitude; Deep Cognitive Diversity (* see below) and an AUTONOMIC Reflex to improve efforts with successful outcomes. My Brand is due to being a THINKER & DOER (because I like challenging issues) — I am the type person you want (and need) as part of your team. It is also due to my thirst for knowledge and using it in areas such as in business knowledge, Windows, Linux (even IBM of the past) and Thinking.

My Goal — AWS Cloud Architect & AWS Data Engineer (had to bail out on Google Data Engineer path – not enough years of GCP hands on experience) while working in Cloud Architect/Strategy for the next 10 years. Technology, virtualization, is where I am meant to be… even if I do not currently have 2 – 5 years of Data Engineering experience. After the considerable effort and expenses laid out to learn Data Engineering and Cloud technologies, I have shown I have the drive and inclination to make any team successful in ‘the Cloud.’

In shifting to Data Engineer roles, specifically ‘Cloud Data Engineer,’ I am looking at combining my background of:

  • AWS Cloud Architect/Engineer
  • MBA & MSc – specifically relating to doing more strategic efforts
  • Intelligence Analyst & Intelligence Officer efforts (strategy & tactical)
  • Previous tech work: MSSP (SOC & NOC) for Routers & Firewalls; IT Level III PC & Tech Support; voice & data communications; mainframes with some Mobile Comms (BYOD) knowledge;
  • InfoSec & Cybersecurity as secondary/tertiary roles

My Story

Experience & Leadership:

  • POINT PERSON providing InfoSec briefings to U.S. Ambassadors abroad (one Ambassador kept me for 1 ½ hours per his engagement and interest despite his Exec. Secretary having asked me to cut scheduled 1 hour briefing to 20 min)
  • Stood up AWS Redshift for Data Scientists, while teaching myself SQL & Python to do so
  • POINT PERSON to gen up JIRA Advanced Roadmaps at NMEC ICC-B and to move all NMEC programs to it and away from the several disparate other collaboration tools
  • DIRECTED 24 x 7 watch floor all-source Intelligence Analysts (contractors & military (enlisted/officer)) on global intelligence and cyber security threats
  • MANAGER of 4 nationwide teams at same time: Computer & Network Security; Comm network (voice & data), PC & Network Support and Help Desk
  • Ability to translate tech-speak for executive leadership and vice versa
  • PROJECT MANAGER role in multiple firms and federal entities
  • Provide briefings up to senior executives and 2 & 3 star officers
  • Languages: Learned to read, write and speak 4 languages
  • Knowledge: Cohort leader in both grad degree programs AND learner of new tech (i.e. Virtualization and Mobile Communication) – as well as writings on multiple topics such as:
    • === Pie in the Sky or Strategic & Creative Moves to Cloud & IoT Tech Success
    • === Magic Beans! Virtualization, Security & Risk, SDN, NFV and Mobile BYOD – A Disruptive “Successful” Future
    • === Risk & Risk Management: Ideas, Thoughts & Perspectives for new CEOs, Presidents, EVPs, CIOs, CTOs, CSOs & Managers
    • === Intelligence: for YOU, for Business Intelligence or for National Security;
    • === Data Breaches; Mobile Communication & Devices and Cybersecurity; & more

Use & understanding of:

  • Intelligence (individual, business & national security) and the need for critical AND creative thinking
  • Strategy and looking at micro / macro (holistic) issues(s) of the moment and also upcoming efforts of tomorrow
  • Creativity to improve processes
  • Working in high pressure/time sensitive environments (from SOCs to CYBERCOMMAND)

* Deep Cognitive Diversity, what I mean: a very broad and somewhat comprehensive knowledge set of multiple areas: technology, intelligence, education, experience, etc. Basically, Cognitive Diversity, as I write in a separate paper, is a combination of everything that makes a person who they are – the broader and richer the background, the more that person can draw on to be successful in whatever they do.

{NOTE: Only looking for this new role, in the D.C. area.  No more 70 – 80 mile round trip commuting as I did to Ft. Meade, MD and Chantilly, VA AND ‘no relocation’ to any city.}

Current  & Past Tech (cloud) Efforts

Prior to “moving out” of my senior Info Assurance & Risk Management oversight role for C & A (A & A) in 2018, I had spent 2 1/2 years of investing a significant amount of time & expense in the classes/courses and learning:

Early cloud certs:

  • Jun 2016 ==> obtained CSA CCSK cloud certification from Cloud Security Alliance 
  • Jul 2016 ==> obtained AWS (Amazon) Cloud Solution Architect associate cert (I’ve had both in-person classes ==> AWS SysOps & AWS Cloud Solutions Architect ) 
  • Aug 2016 ==> this month was spent prepping for VMware NSX cert before I stopped this path  
  • Nov 2016 ==> obtained AWS Certified Developer associate cert  

Continuation (from beginning of page) of my AWS and now GCP cloud efforts:

Aug 2022 – Joined another company (BAH as a subcontractor of a company that I will never recommend) for an AWS Cloud Architect role at NRO with the hope of switching over into a Data Analytics Engineer role. But, here is not working either. Due to doing better at Linux than others – BAH Athena contract had me doing Linux efforts for my last 3 months (2023). Because it is more Linux than AWS – left BAH (and that subcontractor), June 2023.

Jul 2021 – Because of the Dec 2020 DIA de-scoping efforts in last job and that PM role, I took a pay cut to get back to doing hands-on AWS in joining this company. In May, this company made a commitment to bring me on and in December to switch me over into a Data Analytics Engineer role. They have me in a temp AWS Cloud Architect role until the Data Analytics role is fleshed out by end of year in the new contract. — Aug 2022: Leaving company and DIA due to that contract de-scoping. Our company cut many staff members and placed me and another member on a DIA contract primarily NOT AWS. Mostly Cybersecurity because of my background – but I had made it clear that I did not wish to do Cybersecurity – so, resigned this RedArch/DIA role to move on to another ‘AWS’ contract. — Have to leave all association with DIA for good.

May 2021: DIA also de-scoped multiple cloud contracts, also affecting the company I was at. The company wanted to keep me and made me the PM for the Cloud team but it was primarily oversight and guided direction (as I was prohibited from hands-on here as well) efforts. Resigned from VPSI/DIA, Jul 2021.

Spring 2021, started my ‘primary Active‘ goal in moving into a role, somewhere close to home in D.C., for an:

  • AWS Data Analytics (Big Data) Specialist engineer role 

as I find a company to bring me on for AWS Data Analytics Engineer

Dec 2020 – At this point, very disappointed. Due to being made dual hatted on an undesired path. In addition to AWS architecting and ‘limited’ AWS Strategy – DIA de-scoped multiple cloud contracts, also affecting the company I was at. 

May 2020 – Back in an AWS Cloud Architect role (DIA / NMEC at ICC-B) at the Senior Technical Officer level strategic role for DIA NMEC (at the ICC-B). Resigned from previous company who had us doing Azure so I could return to AWS. Here at NMEC, I was also the point man in charge of creating and standing up a JIRA Advanced Roadmaps effort. This was to get all NMEC functional elements to start using it as the primary collaboration and strategic tool, instead of using several other disparate collaboration tools. This effort is why I am looking to work elsewhere – in order to focus on doing more AWS. While this was growth in another area, it was not a growth path I was seeking – I was looking to spend more time on AWS to become an expert in AWS cloud. Even though I had significant oversight and guidance authority, I was prohibited from hands-on…

Feb 2020 – Obtained my Microsoft Azure Cloud certification before the other team members but resigned from the company (May 2020) having us do Azure cloud efforts so I could return to AWS cloud

Jan 2020 – After laying multiple staff, company moved several of us over to State Dept to do Azure cloud work

Dec 2019 – DIA de-scoped multiple cloud contracts, forcing many companies to lay off staff

Thanksgiving 2018 – Obtained my AWS Cloud Solutions Architect Professional certification — hard, HARD work to attain this cert without years of AWS day-to-day/hands-on work experience and funny thing, (hilariously funny [in a painful way] for some of us – AWS, in October 2018, “removed” having Associate level certificates in order to gain the Professional level certifications, ironic….). — Now, it is time to prep for the next two AWS Professional certs ==> Advanced Networking Specialty & DevOps Engineer – see if this can be accomplished by February 2021….

Aug 2018 – Landed a new AWS Cloud Solutions Architect role but we will have to see how it goes in performing actual AWS work. (Jan 2019 update: No, this role is not more AWS Cloud Architect work, it is ~65% agency processes and ~35% AWS cloud work – very disappointing.)  However, very poor corporate culture at this company – toxic. Many members (a few dozen) left in the first few weeks while many of tried to stick it out but I gave up after 3 months. DIA was also dragging their feet on the contract. As a result of the feet dragging, DIA caused the company to lay off a couple hundred individuals.

July 2018 –  Well, sad to say it already but it is time to move on as my career path is in jeopardy due to the lack of AWS access/work at this company. The lack of actual AWS work that I believed I was coming in for caused me to fail my AWS Cloud Solutions Architect professional exam by “2 points”….

May 2018 – Landed an AWS Cloud Solutions Architect role in but we (AWS Architects) have still ‘not’ received AWS accounts to perform AWS work.  Intelligence agency is still holding back funding (so the company says) and no ETA as to when we will gain those AWS accounts to start doing AWS work.

But still not enough – right…??  Companies want even more from their prospective employees. So, we have to continue learning more content to satisfy multiple companies and hope that we ‘then‘ have enough of a cross-blended balance of software knowledge to make it.

Other skill sets:

  • AWS CI/CD / Linux/Unix / Power shell / more coming
  • Statistics is rusty (undergrad courses)

PREVIOUS:

Expired certs –> Cisco routers (CCNA), CheckPoint Firewalls (CCSA & CCSE), Novell network (CNE) Engineer, plus others such as Voice & Data-communication

Courses:

  • VMware (in-person class)
    • VCP-NV (NSX network & security virtualization – in-person class & lab)
    • Plus multiple basic VMware courses Data Center, Cloud, vSphere, etc. (online)
  • Basic SDN/NFV courses
  • Cisco CCNA (refreshing this knowledge set)
  • SPLUNK 
  • ISC2 CCSP (cloud cert from ISC2 – late 2019, possibly)

Previous IT Projects

a) b) & c) ($ 3/4 million  &  $2.5 million) – as Nationwide Manager of Mainframe/Network Security, Data Communications, PC Support & Help Desk

a) Organizational Move to IBM RACF for Network / User Security Access (built in CapEx at the VP of IT & Finance level)

My responsibility was geared towards:

  • Rolling out new security processes (accesses) for the nationwide enterprise
  • Creating white paper process of:
    • What is happening
    • What to do
    • What is allowed
    • What is not allowed
    • Troubleshooting access issues
  • Creating a troubleshooting tree list for the nationwide Help Desk team
  • Introduce the new process to all VPs, Managers and Supervisors at each site (conference room sessions)
    • Gain stakeholder buy-in was key for this success
    • Explicitly (verbally and written) state that users accounts will be immediately revoked if passwords are left under keyboards, pasted to monitors or other desktop/drawer locations – and that supervisors would have to contact us to reinstate users’ access (managers/supervisors had total buy-in on this)
  • Introduce the new process to all users at each site, via Supervisory staff for each branch/division

b) Mainframe related – Install new network due to Arson in old office

Arson act targeted against another office at N. Hollywood office location unfortunately burned out our remote office in that building.

Budget – $750,000                                    Deadline – one weekend

My responsibility was geared towards:

  • Determining and laying out game plan to restore site functionality at new site (and gaining VP approval of course),
  • Gaining manpower (8 people) from the current work IT operations/programming staff (move equipment),
  • Overtime for those individuals,
  • pulling and laying communication cables (copper) – had a vendor do this,
  • moving equipment for ~200 seats into another temporary office space in a different building
    • Data communication – terminals, controllers, multiplexer, data modems
    • Voice communication – analog PBX and phones
  • Configuring at:
    • New remote site: Data comm controllers, muxes and modems
    • HQ office: Front End Processor had to be re-configured to:
      • Remove old data comm info for the burnt out site and
      • Add new config info to connect to new site
  • Oversee vendor config of new PBX and verify PBX config info
  • Testing to ensure voice and data links all functioned:
    • Verify that users are able to use terminals and phones on their desktops

Slept on couch in lobby of new site in order to ensure “everything” was working by that Monday morning…

c) Mainframe related – Install new data-communication network in new remote two story office structure

Budget – $2.5 million                    Deadline – 3 weeks

My responsibility was geared towards:

  • Determining and laying out game plan to get new site up and running over that time frame (and gaining CEO & IT VP approval of course),
  • Gaining manpower (11 people) from the current work IT operations/programming staff (move equipment & assist in pulling copper),
  • Overtime for those individuals,
  • pulling and laying communication cables (copper) – had a vendor do this (with our people support),
  • moving equipment for ~350 seats into the 2 story office space
    • Data communication – terminals, controllers, multiplexers, data modems
    • Voice communication – analog PBX and phones
  • Configuring at:
    • New remote site – data comm controllers, muxes and modems
    • HQ office: Front End Processor had to be configured to:
      • Add new config info to connect to new site
  • Oversee vendor config of new PBX and verify PBX config info
  • Testing to ensure voice and data links all functioned
    • Verify that users are able to use terminals and phones on their desktops
  • Set up and configure the several Windows PCs we had at the time, primarily for the executive and secretarial staff

No need to sleep on couch for this effort – but massive daily hours on site to ensure everything succeeds as scheduled

Links

Profile & some papers: LinkedIn URL & Slideshare
Papers posted for public consumption @ SITE URL:

~ ~  Topics ranging from: Virtualization (cloud), Cyber security / Information Security, Mobile Communication, Leadership, Communication, Diplomacy, Strategy, Intelligence (Individual, Business & National Security) to Improvements

 —- 
coming soon (as I can make time)—- 
Big Data & Cloud: Analysis & Results, Intelligence & Security