Data Center Disaster Recovery

CAREER SUMMARY

• Executive Technology Leader with 20+ years of experience driving strategic innovation, cybersecurity, and IT infrastructure management, leading high-performing teams, overseeing multi- million-dollar IT budgets, and executing enterprise-wide digital transformations, including statewide application deployments, cloud migrations, and data center modernization.

• Recognized for a change-driven, democratic leadership approach that fosters collective team learning while leveraging deep expertise in operations, security, technologies, disaster recovery, business continuity, and environmental control to ensure preparedness, seamless management, and strong collaboration with high-level officials.

• Served as de facto CIO for South Carolina Judicial Branch (SCJB), overseeing IT operations for 615 employees, managing $30M+ annual budget, and leading high-performing IT team of 54 total (9 direct) while driving long-term technology strategies to enhance judicial efficiency statewide.

• Led data center operations for the SCJB, managing primary and disaster recovery sites, ensuring 24/7/365 uptime, and overseeing infrastructure, cloud platforms, and agency security.

• Provided strategic legal counsel on 15+ M&A transactions, ensuring compliance and seamless integration while optimizing legal and system frameworks to support statewide expansion.

• Solely managed Citrix services for the SCJB, ensuring seamless operation and performance of statewide Trial Court Case Management (CMS), Jury Management Systems (JMS), and Attorney Information Systems (AIS) deployed across 46 counties.

• Managed large-scale transportation logistics for the United States Air Force, coordinating the movement of personnel, equipment, and cargo across air, rail, highway, and water while ensuring compliance with military protocols and accountability through automated tracking systems. PROFESSIONAL WORK EXPERIENCE

SOUTH CAROLINA JUDICIAL BRANCH – COLUMBIA, SC

Director of Information Technology 2017 – 2024

• Served as de facto CIO for South Carolina Judicial Branch (SCJB), overseeing IT operations for 615 employees, managing $30M+ annual budget, and leading high-performing IT team of 54 total (9 direct) while driving long-term technology strategies to enhance judicial efficiency statewide.

• Led large-scale digital transformation initiatives, including the statewide implementation of SMS notifications, CMS, JMS, AIS,, and electronic filing systems, streamlining court processes and enhancing accessibility.

• Strengthened IT infrastructure resilience by rolling out enterprise-wide hardware refreshes, data center environmental controls, deploying 3 backup generators at critical sites, and implementing a comprehensive disaster recovery program without disrupting court operations.

• Modernized communication and collaboration by launching a VoIP phone system for Judicial Branch, integrating Microsoft OneDrive, and equipping 3 locations with cutting-edge conference room technology to include the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals buildings, and Administrative offices.

• Enhanced public access to judicial proceedings by implementing secure live-streaming and Cisco Webex meeting technologies of court cases to reinforce transparency, increase access to justice, and expand digital accessibility across the state.

• Directed IT security initiatives, including a statewide cybersecurity awareness program, proactive risk mitigation strategies, and adherence to compliance standards to safeguard sensitive judicial data.

• Oversaw statewide IT project execution, ensuring the successful deployment of enterprise applications, infrastructure upgrades, and technology policies that aligned with judicial priorities and operational efficiency.

• Served as a trusted advisor to judicial leadership, liaising with the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, and Court Administration to align technology strategies with judiciary goals and policy initiatives.

• Optimized budget management and IT investment planning, identifying cost-saving opportunities, negotiating vendor contracts, and ensuring sustainable long-term technology roadmaps for statewide judicial operations. Infrastructure Services Manager 2011 – 2016

• Led data center operations for the SCJB, managing primary and disaster recovery sites, ensuring 24/7 uptime, and overseeing infrastructure, cloud platforms, and network security.

• Directed an IT team of 8, including firewall specialists, overseeing enterprise infrastructure, environmental controls, cloud migrations, and strategic technology initiatives to support 585+ employees.

• Spearheaded a seamless Office 365 migration, enhancing collaboration, data security, and operational efficiency across all judicial offices. Christopher R. Haley

803- 5 2 8 - 4 9 6 2 I r m o, S C r e e s e c h a l e y @ g m a i l . c o m w w w . l i n k e d i n . c o m / i n / c h r i s t o p h e r - r - h a l e y CORE COMPETENCIES

IT Strategy & Leadership

Enterprise Infrastructure Management

Cybersecurity & Risk Mitigation

Cloud Migration & Integration

Disaster Recovery

Business Continuity

Data Center Operations

Stakeholder Engagement & Influence

Digital Transformation Initiatives

Cross-Functional Collaboration

High-Impact Team Leadership

Budget & Cost Control ($35M+)

Regulatory Compliance

IT Governance

Technology Modernization/Automation

Logistics Expertise

Capital Planning & Investment Controls

• Planned and implemented technology refresh cycles, upgrading hardware and network systems for 585+ employees while minimizing disruptions to critical judicial operations.

• Managed a $10M annual IT budget, optimizing financial resources through cost control measures, strategic licensing, and vendor negotiations.

• Oversaw statewide court technology enhancements, including live video streaming of Supreme Court and Court of Appeals cases, courtroom AV upgrades, mobile court oral arguments, and VoIP system implementation.

• Strengthened business continuity and disaster recovery capabilities, adding 3 generators enhancing environmental controls to critical data center sites and optimizing data replication, virtualization technologies, backup systems, and failover strategies.

• Executed IT compliance and cybersecurity initiatives, ensuring adherence to asset management policies, regulatory requirements, and the security of court systems and sensitive legal data.

Senior Server Administrator (Citrix Administrator) 2008 – 2011

• Solely managed Citrix services for the South Carolina Judicial Branch, ensuring seamless operation and performance of the statewide Trial Court Case Management and Jury Management Systems deployed across 46 counties.

• Led virtualization and infrastructure management, maintaining, upgrading, and optimizing VMware solutions on Cisco UCS chassis while overseeing Citrix server environments to enhance system efficiency and reliability.

• Designed and implemented scalable IT solutions, configuring server hardware and software, conducting feasibility studies, and providing strategic recommendations to leadership on system capacities and operational improvements.

• Provided advanced technical support, serving as the primary escalation point for call center and statewide IT issues, proactively resolving system disruptions to maintain uninterrupted judicial operations. SOUTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION – COLUMBIA, SC Senior Server Administrator 2001 – 2008

• Managed user account administration, overseeing account creation, modifications, and terminations for network and email systems to ensure secure and efficient access control.

• Provided technical support and troubleshooting for agency-wide network infrastructure, including switches, routers, servers, and desktop systems, resolving complex hardware and software issues.

• Led server and network maintenance, assisting in the installation and upkeep of Windows 2003 Servers, Netware 6.5, and GroupWise 6.5 while diagnosing and resolving system conflicts.

• Enhanced data center organization, implementing a structured cable management system, installing CAT5e and crossover cables, and configuring network storage, firewalls, and Cisco routing infrastructure to optimize connectivity. IKON EDUCATIONAL SERVICES – COLUMBIA, SC

Server Lab Technician I 2000 – 2001

• Managed training environment setup and technical support, ensuring seamless weekly onsite classes by preparing equipment, troubleshooting technical issues, and minimizing disruptions during sessions.

• Performed hardware and software installations, including server operating systems and network configurations, to support training courses and optimize classroom technology functionality.

ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE:

UNITED STATES AIR FORCE – SUMTER, SC

Senior Airman 1992 – 1999

• Managed large-scale transportation logistics for the United States Air Force, coordinating the movement of personnel, equipment, and cargo across air, rail, highway, and water while ensuring compliance with military protocols and accountability through automated tracking systems.

• Led and trained a team of 10 personnel, overseeing daily office operations, government personnel relocation, and logistics coordination for military and civilian staff.

• Provided technical support and system maintenance, troubleshooting Cargo Movement Operations System (CMOS) software, performing hardware repairs, and administering Windows NT support for operational efficiency. EDUCATION & CERTIFICATIONS

Bachelor of Science, Technology Support & Training Management University of South Carolina (Columbia, SC) Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) Certified Cloud Security Professional (In Progress) ITIL 4 (In Progress) Digital Audio/Video Training Airman Leadership & Management School MEMBERSHIPS & AFFILIATION

Judicial Branch Crisis Management Team Member National Center for State Courts (NCSC) Member South Carolina Information Technology Director Association (SCITDA) Member Court Information Technology Consortium (CITOC) Member

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