Matt Spears

Senior Microsoft Exchange Engineer

Phone: 641-***-****

Email: adx9b8@r.postjobfree.com

Professional Summary:

•8+ years’ experience in Microsoft Exchange, Exchange Online, Windows Server, Office 365, Skype Server/Skype-for-Business, and 8+ years’ experience in Information Technology focusing on Microsoft Network Messaging Systems.

•Used built-in message trace to find failed emails.

•Experience in migration of Skype-for-Business and Cisco telephony with Skype Enterprise Voice.

•Skilled in Exchange 2010 CAS array implementation and configuration.

•Expert in end-to-end Automation using PowerShell for User Account/ Mailboxes/ Distribution Group/ Security Group provisioning and management.

•Possess insightful knowledge of ITIL processes and how to apply them in enterprise scenarios.

•Proficiency with the design, implementation, and support of Microsoft Skype for Business and Office 365.

•Experience in deploying and configuring Azure services for coexistence with cloud infrastructures.

•Oversee the maintenance of a library of system-supporting process and procedure documentation using ITIL principles.

•Technical proficiency with Microsoft Exchange Unified Messaging, and SQL 2012, 2014, 2016.

•Asset Management experience with tools and processes.

•Knowledgeable in Information Security principles.

•Coordinated mailbox moves to Microsoft Exchange 2013 databases for users and ensured continued connectivity.

•Fast learner who continually works to improve skills and increase professional knowledge.

•Highly motivated IT professional with over 6 years of industry experience providing technical solutions.

•DNS and WAN protocols related to voice technologies.

•Ability to install various accessories such as Microsoft Office tools, antivirus, and other applications.

•Experience deploying and maintaining Lync server 2010/2013 application server

•Deployed Active Directory environment including file shares and DNS to replace workgroup-based infrastructure.

•Exceptionally detail-oriented, even when multi-tasking, and able to employ strong reasoning and exceptional customer service orientation even under pressure.

•Experience with Microsoft Windows Server, Windows Networks, Messaging Systems, and VOIP.

•External connectivity support through Edge server deployments.

•Reliable team player with excellent communication skills and a “willing to Learn” mindset.

•Experience with the installation, configuration, maintenance, and administration of Windows servers 2003, 2008, 2008R2, and 2012 at a single or multi-level domain platform.

Technical Skills:

Microsoft Exchange Servers

Exchange 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, Exchange Online

Lync/Skype-for-Business

Lync Server 2010, 2013, 2015/Skype-for-Business Server

Skype-for-Business Online

Windows Server

Windows Server 2000, 2008/R2, 2012/R2, Windows Server 2016 and Windows Server 2019

Microsoft Office 365

Azure ADConnect, Active Directory Federation Services (ADFS), Hybrid Configuration Wizard in Exchange Admin Center

Outlook

Outlook Client, Outlook Web App (OWA)/Outlook On the Web (OOTW) for 2016

Microsoft PowerShell

Microsoft PowerShell 2, 3, 4, 5

Microsoft System Management

SCOM, SCCM, Microsoft System Center Orchestration (SCORCH), Exchange Configuration Wizard, Exchange Admin Center (EAC), Exchange management console (EMC), PowerShell, Active Directory, Identity Management (ITIL, MIM)

Server Roles and Configurations

Client Access Server (CAS), CAS Array, Edge Server, Transport Server, DAGS

Skills Load Balancing, Transport pipeline, Managed Availability

Virtualization

Microsoft Hyper-V, VMware vSphere, VMware ESXi hypervisor, VMware vCenter Server Virtual Machine, Oracle VirtualBox

UC

Lync 2013, Lync 2015/Skype-for-Business, VOIP, Chat, SMS

Network

Microsoft Hyper

VMWare/VSphere, VirtualBox, Virtual Machine, Microsoft HyperV

Protocols

TCP/IP, DNS, SIP, MAPI, SMTP, POP, IMAP, DNCP, DNS

Tools

SolarWinds, WireShark, Mobile Iron, Iron Port, Symantec

Professional Experience:

September 2021 – Present Infrastructure System Admin.

Cargill

Eddyville, IA

Synopsis: This project consisted of working with Delta V Automation as a system admin. The goal was to maintain and upgrade server infrastructure, as well as provide support for multiple sites nationwide. The client needed a team member that could be deployed at any time to any site for Patching, Lifecycle management, VM Migration, and conversion, as well as provide software support when systems are down or need immediate attention.

•Planted-Wide Control System Administration and Management, ensuring its smooth operation and reliability

•Developing and planning infrastructure strategies to meet the organization's technological needs and future growth

•Upgrading Windows and plant control system versions to ensure system compatibility and security enhancements

•Recommending the use of Azure DevOps for migration and conversion planning, enabling efficient and streamlined project management

•Responsible for Automation System Patching, Firewall Management, and Configuration to maintain network security and control access to systems

•Managing virtual machine clusters using Hyper-V and VMware technologies, optimizing resource allocation, and ensuring high availability

•Performing quarterly Windows and Delta V automation patching to keep systems up to date with the latest security and performance updates

•Resolving bug fixes for automation configurations, making necessary adjustments to visual layouts, and improving system functionality

•Configuring and deploying thin clients, enabling efficient and secure access to plant control systems

•Staging servers for simulation systems, ensuring accurate testing and validation of plant processes

•Managing tickets and incidents in Remedy, ensuring timely resolution and documentation of issues

•Utilizing Microsoft Teams/SharePoint for documentation and task management, fostering collaboration and efficient information sharing within the team

•Worked with a team including 7 supervisors, 9 Sites were managed by the team (Memphis TN, Blair NE, Eddyville IA, Cedar Rapids IA, Fort Dodge IA, Dayton OH, Hammond IN, Indianapolis IN, Wahpeton ND)

•Expertise in Life Cycle Management including hardware and software upgrades, maintenance, and retirement

•Providing on-site support to plant sites as needed, addressing technical issues, and ensuring smooth operations

•Managing Emerson, Dell, and Cisco smart switches to maintain network connectivity and optimize performance

•Conducting Weekly Teams Software Calls with Automation Stakeholders (Upper management)

•Utilizing PowerShell scripting for routine database cleanup and purging, ensuring optimal system performance and data integrity

•Reviewing KBA (Knowledge Base Article) updates as Delta V automation systems are updated and patched via the Emerson Guardian System

•Conducting scheduled site walkthroughs to assess client needs and provide quotes from contracted vendors for on-the-ground hardware upgrades.

May 2020 – August 2021 Senior Microsoft Exchange Systems Engineer

Palm Beach Sheriff’s Office

West Palm Beach, FL

The project objective is to prep and migrate Microsoft Exchange 2013 to Exchange 2019, as well as maintain and patch the current Exchange 2013 environment. The initial build of the Environment had remnants of Exchange 2010 that needed to be removed before all the necessary prerequisites could be fulfilled for Exchange 2019 migration. Challenges presented by this project included decommissioning of Exchange 2010 posed issues for legacy app servers, and Carbon Black Security installation interrupted patching plans due to version updates. (CPU Spikes due to exchange scans even after directory whitelists).

Technical points:

•Team Structure:

•22 members:

•Windows System Admins

•Linux System Admins

•Ivanti Ticket System Admins

•UC and UM Admins

•Storage Admins

•Virtualization Admins

•Backup Admins

•System Maintenance Admins (SCCM, SCOM)

•Lync 2010 to Skype 2015 Migration:

•Virtualized OS builds created for Skype 2015 deployment.

•Disabled persistent chat for CJIS compliance.

•Topology Adjusted for a standard edition deployment (Smaller Teams use the application).

•2013 Architecture:

•10 Servers: (6-HQ), (4-DR) in DAG.

•4 Hub Transport Servers.

•2019 Architecture:

•12 Servers: (6-HQ), (6-DR) in DAG.

•2 Dedicated Hub Transport Servers.

•Exchange Migration Prep:

•Exchange 2010 Hub transport uninstallation and decommission.

•Exchange CU12 to CU23 upgrade.

•Enabling TLS Protocol 1.2 from 1.1.

•Exchange SMTP Relay Server Build – Hub Transport replacement.

•Exchange 2019 hardware installation and prep–monitoring agents and operating systems.

•Exchange Server Hitachi LUN provisions.

•Batch planning and distribution.

•Migrating 5000 users and public folders from 36 Databases to 72.

•Creating a randomization formula to distribute users based on database numbers.

•Exchange Disaster Recovery Planning.

•Exchange Daily Maintenance:

•Environment reports of current database allocation and percentages.

•Server version checks after patching.

•Mail flow and server health reports.

October 2018 – May 2020 Senior Microsoft Exchange Engineer

Rubbermaid

Atlanta, GA

Migrated a data center consisting of multiple Microsoft Exchange forests with Windows 2008/R2 and 2012/R2 servers. Some forests were Exchange 2016 and some Exchange 2013. Migrated an Exchange 2013 forest to Exchange 2016 then created a hybrid of forests with Office 365/Exchange 2016.

Prem-Prem

•Analyzed on-premise Exchange metrics and used the Exchange calculator to plan for the Exchange migration.

•Update and patch Windows servers.

•Readied current Exchange email environment for migration to Exchange 2013 on-premises with updates and patches.

•Prepared virtual servers using VMWare and WM Workstation for testing and interim migration server.

•Worked with networking teams to ensure proper routing, authentication, and communication.

•Ran health checks on the current deployment and reported to management on current infrastructure and needed changes.

•Ran Microsoft Best Practice Analyzer and noted suggested configuration alterations.

•Checked the health of DAG and replication of databases.

•Checked for mailbox corruption on source servers and made repairs before migration.

•Troubleshooting issues with database copies and lag in replication; backups of Active Directory and use of Active Directory to prepare user data for migration.

•Implemented Windows servers and created DAGs for the new Exchange environment.

•Created test batches in a virtual environment and tested migration.

•Created batches of users with PowerShell to move Exchange 2010 mailboxes to Exchange 2013 mailboxes.

•Monitored mailbox moves using migration reporting and addressed issues with bad items and failed moves.

•Modified retention policies, journaling rules, and archiving policies for users and databases.

•Create DAG configuration for High Availability of mailbox databases.

Hybrid

•Used Azure AD Connect to sync the Active Directory credentials to the cloud.

•Used Microsoft Intune Integration with a Security Group for Advance MDM management in the Hybrid Exchange environment.

•Installed Azure AD Connect and configured it to sync with the 0ffice 365 tenants.

•Installed a Passive Azure AD Connect Server to provide High Availability.

•Used IDfix Tool to detect and correct issues on Active Directory before the migration.

•Created PowerShell scripts to change the UPN for multiple groups of users on the Active Directory.

•Set up the hybrid environment and moved mailboxes to 0ffice 365 in a phased migration of 500 mailboxes in a batch, verifying each batch immediately.

•Enabled Skype-for-Business feature for Office 365 migrated users.

November 2017 – September 2018 Microsoft Exchange Engineer

Securus Technologies

Carrollton, TX

Worked on a hybrid to hybrid migration going from Exchange 2013/Office 365 with Skype-for-Business to Exchange 2016/Office 365, Skype-for-Business. Updated Exchange 2013 and migrated users to Exchange 2016, leaving Active Directory connected and synced it, to change over settings to it, and then detached the legacy server.

•Updated and patched Windows 2012/R2 servers and updated Exchange 2013 servers with cumulative updates.

•Continued to maintain the Client Access Server role and Mailbox role.

•Built Exchange 2016 servers and installed them alongside the Exchange 2013 servers.

•Made sure the Azure Active Directory Connector is up to date and verified that the server is joined to the appropriate internal Active Directory domain.

•Prepared third-party certificates on the server by importing them with the MMC snap-in certificates into the server’s personal certificates to help Exchange detect them during the installation. Implemented Exchange 2016 installation on each server.

•Updated the Service Connection Point (SCP) using the old Exchange server name using the Exchange Management Shell.

•Imported the Exchange UCC certificate by exporting the certificate from the source server and importing it on the destination server.

•Updated local DNS entries for mail, Autodiscover, and such, updated firewall rules, and updated send connectors.

•Set up and configured storage volumes and mailbox databases on the new server and migrated any remaining mailbox data.

•Ran several PowerShell commands to prepare the legacy server for uninstall using PowerShell.

•Uninstalled the Legacy Exchange Server; Ran the PoSH snippets Exchange Management Shell as Administrator.

•Using the Exchange Admin Center uninstalled and decommissioned the legacy Exchange server.

•Ran the new hybrid configuration wizard to update the hybrid configuration from Exchange 2013 to Exchange 2016.

November 2016 – October 2017 Microsoft Exchange Engineer

SolarWinds

Lincoln, NE

Migrated Exchange 2013 on-prem farms running on Windows Server 2012/R2 and some on virtual environments using ESXi, to Office 365 and decommissioned on-prem farms leaving one Exchange 2013 authoritative per farm using a hybrid migration.

•Used Exchange Calculator to evaluate current environment against needs set in requirement gathering meeting with Stakeholders.

•Implemented an extra virtual server using a Virtual machine to run test migration and verified migration results.

•Created test accounts and did a pilot migration.

•Rolled-out implementation of Office 365.; Implemented Office 365, verified and configured domain in Office 365.

•Installed Azure AD Connect and configured it to sync with the 0ffice 365 tenants and ADFS for Active Directory synchronization/Federation with Azure Active Directory.

•Utilized the Hybrid Configuration Wizard (HCW) on Exchange 2013 to establish send and receive connectors with Office 365.

•Created migration batches in the Office 365 Admin Center, and used PowerShell to check the status of the migration, and get statistics.

•Troubleshoot migration errors, such as failed mailbox moves, connectivity errors, etc.

•Used IdFix Tool to detect and correct issues on Active Directory before the migration.

•Created PowerShell scripts to change the UPN for multiple groups of users on the Active Directory.

•Matched the Primary SMTP Address with the new UPN using scripts on the Active Directory.

•Enabled Skype-for-Business feature for Office 365 migrated users.

•Architected a new messaging environment to include a dual DAG for high availability and failover scenarios.

•Migrated users from Skype on-prem server 2015 to Skype online in hybrid for key executives with the use of Microsoft Exchange 2013 on-prem synchronized to Office 365.

•Troubleshoot migration errors, and validated the integrity of all data and files.

•Provided knowledge transfer and training for I.T. help desk staff, L3 engineering support, and assistance with Outlook, InTune, and end-users.

•After a sufficient period decommissioned legacy on-prem Exchange servers, leaving one Exchange 2013 to sync with Office 365 and Skype for Business.

January 2016 – October 2016 Microsoft Exchange Engineer

Best Buy

Minneapolis, MN

•Analyzed current environment consisting of Windows server 2012R2, Exchange 2013 with Outlook client.

•Created test accounts and did a pilot migration.

•Rolled-out implementation of Office 365.; Implemented Office 365, verified and configured domain in Office 365.

•Configured Azure AD Connect and ADFS for Active Directory synchronization/Federation with Azure Active Directory.

•Utilized the Hybrid Configuration Wizard (HCW) on Exchange 2013 to establish send and receive connectors with Office 365.

•Created migration batches in the Office 365 Admin Center, and used PowerShell to check the status of the migration, and get statistics.

•Troubleshoot migration errors, such as failed mailbox moves, connectivity errors, etc.

•Assigned licenses in Office 365.

•Used Azure AD Connect to sync the Active Directory credentials to the cloud, replacing the Barracuda and ZixGateway.

•Replicated the policies to EOP for DLP and encryption for compliance.

•Used Microsoft Intune Integration with a Security Group for Advance MDM management in the Hybrid Exchange environment.

•Installed Azure AD Connect and configured it to sync with the 0ffice 365 tenants.

•Installed a Passive Azure AD Connect Server to provide High Availability.

•Used IdFix Tool to detect and correct issues on Active Directory before the migration.

•Decommissioned legacy servers after a period of shut-down.

Sep 2014 – Dec 2015 Microsoft Exchange Engineer & Systems Administrator

Mutual Mobile

Austin, TX

Responsible for Exchange 2013 on-prem email messaging environment with DAGs configured for high availability and Lync server pool. Performance tuning, optimization, working with the network team, and managing day-to-day messaging system administration.

•Designed, tested, and implemented Active Directory domains in a secured environment.

•Designed, tested, and implemented the Exchange 2013 messaging system.

•Developed the migration strategy from the legacy Exchange 2010 system.

•Tested and implemented a baseline workstation image running Windows XP and Office 2003 using Windows Deployment Services and PXE boot.

•Created and managed Group Policy Objects, OU's, Users, Groups, Computers, and permissions in Active Directory.

•Installed and configured Windows Server Update Services in a secured environment.

•Assisted with the Design, testing, and implementation of upgrading workstations from Windows XP to Windows 7.

•Assisted with the preparation and upgrade of the existing Active Directory network from Windows 2008 to Windows 2012/R2.

•Specialized in troubleshooting, configuring, maintenance, installations, imaging, and deployment of Microsoft Exchange.

•Implemented and tested the new MS Exchange 2013 Server along with Archiving systems,

•Verified network and server configurations, tested virtual implementation, and readied servers for application deployment.

•Performance-tuned and optimized Exchange 2013 Server for maximum performance and continued operation.

•Managed Servers using Scripting, PowerShell, & Active Directory tools.

•Monitored and Managed Microsoft Exchange Server 2010/2013.

•Troubleshooting Exchange Database problems and performing restores.

•Implemented Windows Server Clustering for Exchange 2013 high availability with SCR, LCR, and CCR.

•Migration of Windows Server 2008 to Windows Server 2012 R2 and Active Directory components.

•Installing and configuring Windows […] Advance Server, converting the Server as a Domain controller, and installing Active Directory.

•Installation, configuration, and Troubleshooting of server with Windows 2008/2012 Active Directory.

•Windows Server Administration including Active Directory and Exchange

•Implementation and configuration of Windows servers.

•Utilized email security tools such as DKIM, SPF, and DMARC.

•Perform large email searches for Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests, malicious emails, and security violations

•Monitored email security using IronPort

•Ensured all servers are up to date with the latest security updates and software upgrades

Education

North Carolina A&T State University

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science

Certification

Red Hat Certified

CompTIA Network +

CompTIA Security +

CompTIA A+

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