IT Director

**** *. *****

Chicago, IL *****

Phone 773-***-****

E-mail *********@*****.***

Kevon Ward

OBJECTIVE

I am seeking an IT Management position where I can showcase my 12 plus years of IT experience. I am knowledgeable in all aspects of IT and I am ready to contribute right away. I have a proven record of developing IT strategic direction and influencing the success of projects by providing resources if necessary.

Core Strengths

Management and Leadership of the IT Department and Help Desk Administration

IT Staff Development and Training

Proficient with EMC Hardware

IT Project Management

CMMI, ITIL, EUP, RUP Best Practices

EMV Deployment and Compliance

Experienced in managing large enterprise strategic initiatives involving legacy, client-server, and web technologies

PCI compliance and PCI Network Design

Microsoft Server 2008/2012 Design, Administration, and Support

Microsoft O365/Azure Administration and Deployment

Cisco Hardware (Switches, Voice Gateways, and ASA’s)

Palo Alto Firewalls

Amazon Web Services

Barracuda Spam Firewall

Fortinet Firewalls

Disaster Recovery Planning

Virtualization implementation (VMware)

Advanced understanding of Client/Server architecture, Active Directory etc

Proficient in Windows NT,Windows 2K- Windows 2012 Server, Windows XP, Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows 10

Excellent customer service, communication, analytical & problem solving skills

Proficient with Mac OS Sierra, Tiger, and Leopard

MS Sharepoint Administration and Design

Hosted VOIP phone Systems such as One Talk and Ring Central

Aruba Wireless Configuration and Deployment

Cisco Meraki Wireless Configuration and Deployment

Cisco Call Manager and Unity Voicemail System Administration

Proficient with FAS and Sage Products

Proficient with ADP and Reportsmith applications

Programming Languages: .Net, Java, SAS, C++, Javaswing

Database applications: Microsoft Sql Server 2012/2016, Oracle 9i, Condor, Focus

ERP/Business: Microsoft Great Plains, FRx Reports, EDI, Microsoft NAV

Proficient in Linux and Unix

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Akira Chicago,IL September 2016- Present

Director of Information Technology

Manages 4 staff members with yearly 1.1M IT budget

Initiated move from Fortinet network infrastructure to Cisco environment

Created Corporate IT Policies and training materials for field team

Created Disaster Recovery plan and implemented road path for the future state of IT Infrastructure.

Microsoft Azure deployment with VMware Horizon Desktops

Disaster Recovery Planning and Implementation for Corporate Office and Corporate Stores

Oracle/Micros XStore Deployment and Security Configuration Implementation

Cisco Meraki Wireless Deployment for Corporate

Verizon One Call Phone Deployment for HQ and Stores

Developed plan to deploy EMV for the retail shops and assisted with EMV training for the field team.

Developed a 5 Year Road Map for System Upgrades and Migration to the Cloud

Established vendor relationships with Cisco, Microsoft, Insight, CDW, Verizon and Sentinel Technologies

Amazon Web Services Deployment/Management for Winretail and Magento

Developed the concept of smart stores and deployed cutting edge hardware to the retail shops

Managed and Deployed Network core consisting of Fortinet and Cisco devices

Implemented IT Help Desk and deployed Zen Desk for ticket management

Created MDM solution with Meraki and deployed HP Elite Pads for retail units

Established PCI Compliance throughout enterprise and corporate stores. Also provided PCI training for field support team

Developed a training plan for IT staff members

Website Upgrade with ADA compliance completed

Naf Naf Grill Chicago,IL October 2015- September 2016

Director of Information Technology

Microsoft O365 Deployment and migration from Google Business

Managed 15 staff members with yearly 850k IT budget

IT Budget Guidelines created and implemented for CFO

Microsoft Azure deployment with Microsoft GP integration.

Disaster Recovery Planning and Implementation for Corporate Office and Corporate Stores

Aloha NCR Deployment and Security Configuration Implementation

Cisco Meraki Wireless Deployment for Corporate and 18 Stores

Cisco Call Manager/Unity Deployment

Developed a 5 Year Road Map for Network and Software deployment for upcoming 40 new Corporate Stores

Established vendor relationships with Cisco, Microsoft, Insight, CDW, and Software One

Amazon Web Services Deployment and Management

Created Corporate IT Policies and training materials for field team

Implemented IT Help Desk and deployed Zen Desk for ticket management

Created MDM solution with Airwatch and deployed iPads to a fastgrowing Store deployments

Established PCI Compliance throughout enterprise and corporate stores. Also provided PCI training for field support team

Currently building IT Corporate and Field Team for massive Corporate store roll outs for the East coast.

Website Upgrade with ADA compliance objectives and Mobile APP Development for IOS/Android

East Bank Club Chicago, IL July 2011- October 2015

IT Manager

Oversee company’s information technology systems which includes Cisco telephone system, multiple member pos systems, parking systems and Food/Beverage Systems

Manages 3 staff members with yearly 950k IT budget

Multi-Year Enterprise planning

Manage the pre/post sales support for vendor relationships

Initiated and managed relationships with vendors such as Cisco, Microsoft, Netgear, Symantec, AT&T, CBeyond, Appriver, HP, and Dell. Procured Hardware and Software, implemented security and system monitoring solutions

Initiated and deployed Aruba Wireless Network

Initiated a move to Palo Alto Firewalls and Deployed with PCI Configuration

Initiated and deployed Avamar for Disaster Recovery

Manage IT Deployment projects for Athletico, Micros, and CSI

Initiated the virtualization of Servers and VDI Deployment with VMware

Initiated migration from Exchange Server 2007 to Exchange 2010

Created Disaster Recovery plan and backup initiative

Initiated PCI Testing and developed PCI Training for IT Department

Designed and rolled out new Architecture for company website

Initiated Fiber Connection installation

Manage and Maintained Company Website

Provide enterprise support for all mobile and wireless devices

SQL 2012 Administration and Reporting Services Deployment

Developed Customer Service Training Program for IT Department

High Sierra Sport Company Vernon Hills, IL July 2009- July 2011

Director of IT

Oversee company’s information technology systems which includes telephone system and mix-meshed Microsoft/ Unix environment

Manages 3 staff members with yearly 750k IT budget

Multi-Year Enterprise planning

Manage the pre/post sales support for vendor relationships

Initiated and managed relationships with vendors such as Cisco, Microsoft, Netgear, Symantec, ATT, CBeyond, Appriver, HP, and Dell. Procured Hardware and Software, implemented security and system monitoring solutions

Initiated and managed the re-design of the IT Network infrastructure

Initiated complete upgrade of cross departmental IT policies for systems management

Manage IT Deployment projects for Khols, Walmart, TJ Max, Kmart, and Costco

Initiated the virtualization of in Application servers

Initiated migration from Exchange Server 2003 to Exchange 2007

Created Disaster Recovery plan and backup initiative

Avaya Phone System Support

Designed and rolled out new Architecture for company website

Spearheaded co-location initiative to provide extra redundancy for Application Servers

Manage all EDI processes and compliances

Provide enterprise support for all mobile and wireless devices

Moss2k7 Administration and Design

Developed Steering Committee for Microsoft NAV deployments

The Strive Group Chicago, IL April 2005- July 2009

Network Engineer/ Senior IT Support Specialist

Member of the Corporate business unit

Colleague of the Month- January 2008

Network Administrator

Provide support for 1500 plus users at 9 different sites

Blackberry (BES) Administrator and support specialist

Cisco Call Manager Administrator

Gen 2 (Unix AIX) Admin

Database Development and Deployment

Esker Fax Server Admin

Implemented all VOIP phones and ATA devices for sites in US

Planned and executed SQL data migrations for company wide applications

Provided support for Artios cad users and Server maintenance

Created action plans for software/application installations and implementations

Windows product training for end users

Sharepoint Administration and Support

Traveled between different sites providing support

Managed IT projects for customers such as Kraft, GSK, Nestle Purina, and etc

Performed help desk support and supervised help desk agents

Worked exclusively with vendors to resolve IS related issues and concerns

Provide support for Payroll and Accounting services

Linux Fedora Core Support and Setup

04/200 TC Management Chicago, IL April 2004- March 2005

IT Analyst/Network Administrator

Contracted to assist with departmental refresh projects and Active Directory migration

Contracted to design and develop a small business network

Responsibilities included daily, intermediate level hardware support, break/fix duties

Planned and executed Windows NT 4.0/Netware to Windows 2003/Active Directory migration

Microsoft Exchange 5.5 and Exchange 2000 disaster recovery, backup and restore

Responsible for asset management specifically related to refresh projects as well as departmental hardware equipment (HP printers, Scanners, desktops and notebooks)

Cisco Router administration, and Gigabit Switches administration

Daily support of Dell Precision 650,670 and GX-270 Desktops and Dell D600 and D400 laptops

Application support of Windows 2K and XP professional, Office 2003, etc.

Active Directory account creation, activation, migration, and administration

Responsible for administration of Veritas Back-up system for Mail server, Engineering file server, and Research and Development test server

Tools and Utilities: Veritas Backup Exec, Microsoft Office, SQL 2000, Microsoft Project, Remote Access, Apache 2.0, IIS, ACT! 2005, Norton Ghost, Trend-Micro v.7 and Norton Antivirus

Asp.net, Java, Java Swing, SQL, and Object Oriented Programming

Advised on the purchasing and upgrading of new and existing IT hardware and networks

Prepared billing statements for work completed and equipment sold

Virus and spyware removal and prevention using various tools like Norton Antivirus, Ad-aware, and Spybot Search & Destroy.

Exchange 5.5 migration to Exchange 2003

Windows Active Directory setup testing

Scripting for user profiles

Sales team support

Inventory Management

IMAGE Chicago Magazine Support

Employee Training

Network Administration

Customer Service Support

Capital Markets Consulting Chicago, IL October 2000- February 2004

It Analyst

Contracted to design and develop a small business network

Performed a pre-production technical assessment holding a primary focus on future scalability

Primary responsibility was comprehensive PC support for HP xw-6K workstations, running windows XP professional and all associated peripherals

Responsible for the procurement and tracking of technical assets

Assisted with installation and configuration of HP-workstations, HP Proliant G3 servers, and Catalyst 2950 48-port switches operating in an 80 node Windows 2000 environment

Assisted with configuration and support of Windows Exchange 2000 server and administration of Exchange, creating user accounts and configuring Outlook 2000 on workstations

Assisted with on-site application training of a support staff consisting of 25 employees with primary focus on Windows 2000 architecture and MS Office functionality

Software and hardware training

Responsible for the documentation and creation of instructional literature concerning future Active Directory Migration Teams

Performed Helpdesk functions to include Active Directory user account and Exchange 5.5 user management, personal profile manipulation and file recovery, and connectivity troubleshooting

Architected and implemented Microsoft Exchange 5.5 to Microsoft Exchange 2003 migration, including help desk and administrator training for local financial organization

VPN support

ASP.net Development

Education

De Paul University Chicago, Illinois

B.S. Information Systems December 2004

References

Available upon Request

Contact this candidate