IT Director

Jason Zamet

Crystal Lake, IL 815-***-**** *****.*****@*****.***

PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY

Results-driven IT Infrastructure and Cybersecurity Leader with 20+ years of hands-on progressive experience designing, securing, and modernizing enterprise technology environments across multi-site organizations. Proven track record of leading infrastructure, cybersecurity, cloud, disaster recovery, and IT operations initiatives that improve system availability, strengthen security posture, reduce operational risk, and support business growth. Experienced in managing complex Microsoft, Azure, VMware, and hybrid cloud environments, with deep technical expertise spanning network architecture, Cisco Meraki, SonicWall, Barracuda, Juniper, routing and switching, wireless networks, VPNs, identity and access management, endpoint security, vulnerability management, and incident response. Recognized for successfully leading infrastructure transformations, cloud migrations, business continuity planning, and technology modernization efforts while maintaining highly available and secure environments. Combines strategic leadership with hands-on technical expertise, building high-performing teams, establishing operational excellence, and delivering scalable technology solutions aligned with business objectives. Known for solving complex technical challenges, driving continuous improvement, and creating reliable, well-documented IT environments that support long-term organizational success.

CORE COMPETENCIES

Technology Leadership • IT Strategy & Governance • Cybersecurity Leadership • Infrastructure & Operations Management • Enterprise Architecture • Cloud Strategy • Security Operations & Incident Response • Vulnerability & Risk Management • Disaster Recovery & Business Continuity • Microsoft 365 Administration • VMware & Virtualization Strategy • Network & Infrastructure Architecture • Endpoint Security • Technology Modernization • Multi-Site IT Management • Regulatory Compliance • Vendor & Partner Management • Budget Ownership & Cost Optimization • Project & Portfolio Management • Team Building & Leadership

TECHNICAL ENVIRONMENT

Cloud & Collaboration: Microsoft 365 • Azure • Microsoft Entra ID • Intune • Exchange Online • SharePoint Online • Teams • Hybrid Cloud

Infrastructure & Virtualization: VMware vSphere • Hyper-V • Windows Server • Active Directory • Group Policy • SQL Server • Storage Systems • Backup & Recovery Solutions

Networking: Cisco Meraki • Cisco Switching & Routing • TCP/IP • VLANs • Wireless Networking • SD-WAN • VPN Technologies

• DNS • DHCP

Cybersecurity: Microsoft Defender • Endpoint Detection & Response (EDR) • Vulnerability Management Platforms • Identity & Access Management (IAM) • Security Monitoring • SIEM • Incident Response • Security Awareness Network Security: Firewalls • Routers • Intrusion Prevention Systems (IPS) • Secure Remote Access Automation & Administration: PowerShell • Systems Administration • Infrastructure Monitoring • Performance Tuning • Change Management • Documentation & Process Improvement PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Manager, Managed Services

Leapfrog Technology Group Oakbrook Terrace, IL

Dec 2025 – Feb 2026

• Serve as senior escalation point for complex technical issues, coordinating cross-team response and ensuring rapid resolution during high-impact events.

• Oversee daily IT operations, service desk performance, and project execution across multiple client environments, including manufacturing and 24x7 operational sites.

• Lead and mentor technical teams, driving accountability, service quality, and consistent execution of operational standards.

• Support infrastructure upgrades, endpoint deployments, and enterprise OS migrations, ensuring minimal disruption to production and business operations.

• Partner with vendors and third-party support providers to ensure SLA compliance, quality of service, and alignment with organizational expectations.

IT Director

Pinnacle Advertising and Marketing Schaumburg, IL Feb 2022 – Dec 2025

• Delivered $300K+ annual IT cost savings through infrastructure consolidation, vendor renegotiations, and license optimization.

• Reduced IT operational spend by 18% YOY through strategic sourcing and contract restructuring.

• Improved help desk response/resolution times by 60% through implementation of internal IT support team and ticketing system.

• Directed enterprise IT operations across infrastructure, cloud, cybersecurity, and service delivery, ensuring system reliability and operational continuity.

• Functioned as escalation point for critical incidents, providing technical guidance and coordinating response across internal teams and external vendors.

• Managed Microsoft 365 tenant operations, including licensing, compliance, and optimization to reduce cost and improve governance.

• Performed multiple server migrations, network upgrades, and infrastructure refresh projects with minimal downtime.

• Consolidated multi-site infrastructure into a hybrid cloud model, reducing physical footprint by 30% and improving scalability.

• Led infrastructure modernization initiatives, including Windows OS upgrades, cloud migrations, and endpoint management improvements.

• Modernized endpoint management using Intune/Autopilot, reducing deployment time from 3 hours to under 30 minutes.

• Strengthened vendor relationships and contract performance, ensuring service levels were met and operational risks were minimized.

• Implemented IT governance, DR/BC plans, and security controls to support high availability environments. Regional IT Director

CMIT Solutions of Chicagoland North Lake Forest, IL Oct 2020 – Feb 2022

• Served as primary escalation point for complex technical, security, and compliance issues across diverse client environments, including manufacturing and logistics.

• Oversaw IT operations, project delivery, and technology assessments to ensure alignment with client requirements and uptime expectations.

• Managed vendor relationships, ensuring quality service delivery and adherence to SLAs.

• Directed teams supporting critical systems, coordinating resources during outages, upgrades, and high-impact events.

• Provided strategic consulting on risk management, cybersecurity posture, and operational improvements. Director of IT & Managed Services

IMAGETEC L.P. McHenry, IL

Jul 2018 – Oct 2020

• Led multi-site IT operations including networking, servers, virtualization, security, and building systems supporting production and business operations.

• Managed Windows Server, VMware, and Hyper-V environments, ensuring uptime, performance, and scalability.

• Directed onsite support teams and served as escalation point for complex technical issues.

• Oversaw vendor contracts, licensing, and service delivery to ensure operational efficiency and cost control.

• Supported enterprise upgrades, infrastructure refreshes, and technology modernization initiatives.

• Implemented security controls, access management, and compliance frameworks to reduce risk and strengthen governance.

Managed IT Services Director / Owner

Aquarius Technology Solutions, Inc. Crystal Lake, IL June 2014 – Sept 2018

• Manage all aspects of the infrastructure, which includes the technical and daily operation support for all systems.

• Recommend and manage the implementation of information technology strategies and directions.

• Provide system review and analysis for ongoing growth and updates as well as cost projections and estimates.

• Oversee the daily performance of computer systems.

• Ensure proper installation of cables, operating systems, and software.

• Create and maintained databases, network accounts and programs for specific department needs.

• Evaluate and conduct technical and functional research and analysis.

• Participate in special projects, external audits, evaluations and process improvements. Implement and administer advanced Microsoft technologies.

Prior employment experience is available, if necessary. EDUCATION / CERTIFICATIONS / FURTHER EDUCATION

• B.S., Information Technology Management – University of Phoenix

• A.A.S., Business Administration & Management – William Rainey Harper College

• Certificate of Technical Studies – Logistics and Material Management - William Rainey Harper College

• Microsoft Azure Essentials

• Microsoft Azure Professional Certificate (Microsoft / LinkedIn Learning)

• ITIL Service Management

• Ongoing professional development in technology leadership, cybersecurity, and IT management

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