Information Technology Management

KUNAL THAPAR

Phone: 847-***-**** http://www.kunalthapar.com

E-mail: ************@*****.*** http://www.linkedin.com/in/kunalthapar

Summary of Qualifications

Successful information technology professional with over 14 years’ experience in enterprise-level technologies

both open source and proprietary. Strong understanding of application design, complex systems engineering,

and business processes provides a unique advantage when designing and integrating Big Data for analysis and

sharing. Currently managing a multimillion dollar budget (5MM+) and leading a global team of over three

dozen top-notch technical and non-technical staff.

Key Accomplishments

Leading one of the largest big data infrastructures at Sears Holding Corporation. The Emergent Catalogue

(TEC) is SHC’s personalization engine which provides real-time personalization across all channels and for

all types of recommendations and content delivering the most relevant recommendations and content to

the customer.

Designed and developed the World’s first Flash based Innovation and Creativity eTool called the

FlashBrainer and PodBrainer which were nominated for the Chicago Innovation Award in 2006.

Designed and developed a SaaS application called the GoBrainer which was licensed by 150 of the Fortune

500.

Technology space designer for the Thinkubator, recommended by Fast Company & Investor’s Business

Daily as the most creative and innovative meeting space in Chicago.

Designed and developed a fully automated online accreditation system for the medical transportation

industry which has been called the golden standard in the industry.

Skills

Programming Languages: Python, C++, ASP, Java, DHTML, .Net, JQuery and XML. Strong knowledge in

3GL/4GL or high programming languages, relational databases and operating systems.

Databases: Oracle, iMis, NetForums Pro. MYSQL and MS SQL (SQL queries)

Operating Systems: Microsoft Windows, Mac OS, and UNIX / Linux server systems.

Monitoring Tools: Nagios, Graphite, Dash, JIRA, CMDB’s, OpenNMS, Solarwinds, Splunk, Catchpoint and

multiple Web Application Tools.

Extensive knowledge plus experience with LAN/WAN and Networking protocols including IIS, Intranet,

DNS, DHCP, WINS, IIS, hardware from CISCO, F5 Load Balancers, Hyper-V, NetApp, Akamai, NAS, business

continuity planning, HP and Client/Server Applications.

Processes/Technologies: Agile, ITIL, RUP, Use Cases, Workflows and UML

Open Source Technologies: Implemented projects based on LAMP, Plone, and Drupal

Education

Masters of Business Administration – Global Management, June 2008. University of Phoenix.

Bachelor of Science - Information Systems, May 2002. University of Illinois at Chicago.

Certifications

ITIL V3 Foundation – 2013

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Experience

Sears Holding Corporation,

March 2010 – Current Title: Director Infrastructure, Ops & Engineering

Reporting directly to the Chief Science Officer (CSO); I lead one of the largest big data infrastructures at Sears

Holding Corporation. The Emergent Catalogue (TEC) is SHC’s personalization engine which provides real-time

personalization across all channels and for all types of recommendations and content delivering the most

relevant recommendations and content to the customer. Below are some highlights of my current position:

Currently managing a multimillion dollar budget and leading a global team of over three dozen technical

and non-technical staff. Responsible for approximately $300 million in yearly revenue for SHC.

Current databases support 3 trillion rows, 100 million SELECTS and 100K updates (inserts/updates/deletes)

per second.

Production environment support over 20 million emails a day and holiday traffic of over 100 million clicks.

Responsible for 100% up-time of high availability environment (1000+ servers) supported by fiber, cable,

and microwave technologies across three datacenters in a 24x7 environment.

100% open source development and production environment with daily and sometimes multiple

deployments following agile and continuous development methodologies.

Current defined dot-com SLA/OLA range between 500ms to 2 seconds along with a guaranteed 99.999%

uptime.

Develop monitoring tools and procedures such as accumulation programs to gather like data to support

development. Interface with personnel internal and external to department to support and implement

existing production systems or business solutions.

Conduct complex technical or business analyses such as resolving complex syste m problems or business

system procedures in order to maintain efficient operations.

Yearly vendor and technology audit to analyze, determine and control the resources used in systems

programming to ensure efficient resource usage while maintaining system performance level.

Prepare cost benefit analysis summaries of new or enhanced changes for assigned projects in order to cost

justify changes.

Act as the subject matter expert in assisting development work teams or designing systems

documentation.

Coordinate large system tests, conduct walkthroughs or develop and teach technical classes in order to

maintain efficient operations.

The Center for Association Growth (TCAG)

August 2007 – February 2010 Title: Director of IT

Lead TCAG’s technology teams, overseeing the conception, development and delivery of innovative solutions

across a range of technology platforms. Responsible for the entire IT infrastructure including but not limited to

network systems, database management, Web 2.0 development and reporting structures that allow

associations to strategically target and communicate with different constituent member groups.

Anticipated technology demand to provide solutions which were not only appropriately sized to current

business environments, but effectively scaled to meet growing demands.

Developed and implemented technology standards, reducing unnecessary complexity and realizing a

saving of $100K annually on maintenance and recurring costs.

Design and implement Internet infrastructures, including provisioning and security that integrate with

corporate IT environments, including B-to-B solutions, eCRM solutions, and productivity tools.

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Implement comprehensive security architectures, focusing on organizational -wide weaknesses, including

physical and internal network security as well as intrusion detection. Expertise is not limited to Internet

Security issues.

Configured and authorize remote access and VPN for clients and consultants.

Created extensive documentation and whitepapers for all technical functions including maintaining

inventory level of all technical aspects.

Created a viable business continuity plan with daily and hourly backups.

Designed and planned report deployments across associations managed by TCAG usi ng Crystal Reports.

Migrated Association web sites and chapter pages on a single CMS platform which powered all web sites

and maintains brand consistency by bring cost down by 57%.

Designed wire frames to present web page details to board and other stake holders.

Adept at all aspects of the SDLC and utilized both Waterfall and Agile development.

Setup a Web 2.0 collaboration center which replaced basic list serve’s with social networking tools, robust

user profiles and job banks with revenues over 200k annually.

Managed programmers, developers and designers from across the globe to ensur e proper delivery of

products.

Predict and successfully negotiate obstacles without losing track of completion goals, while incorporating

enhanced risk-management techniques throughout the life-span of projects.

Deployed NetForums Pro, an Association Management Software, while working wi th database

administrators, website gurus and staff to migrate all data from old .net/ SQL based database to new

Software as a Service product.

Extensive experience in planning and managing complex codes, projects, employing a collaborative,

team-oriented approach to ensure projects are completed within agreed -upon time and budgetary

constraints.

Designed and developed a fully automated online accreditation system for the medical transportation

industry which will be used as the golden standard in the Country.

SolutionPeople

December, 2001 – August 2007 Title: IT Manager

Responsible for SolutionPeople’s IT infrastructure including network, wireless, e -Commerce, telephony

system, A/V, software, whitepapers, facilitations and backup of key data at SolutionPeople. Managed a team

of employees and interns to get results with-in the given deadline and budget.

Honors and Achievements

Kauffman Grant, 2001-2002

Ameritech Scholarship, 2000-2001

Chancellor's Student Service Award - April 2001

The National Scholars Honor Society, Life member

Recipient for the 2000-2001, Polk Brothers Scholarship

Recipient for the 2000-2001, Café Descartes Scholarship

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