Professional Profile:

Business-focused and collaborative IT leader with demonstrated experience managing high performance IT teams that – operate critical business services, applications and IT infrastructure including data centers, networks, security,  storage, VM infrastructure/servers, telephony and end user computing – provide the highest levels of security, availability, reliability and scalability to the business. 

§ Strategic business partner that ensures business-IT alignment and provides thought leadership in IT strategy, operations, cost-optimization, innovation and efficiency improvement.

§ A leader who motivates and instills in team members a mindset and passion for applying technology to collaboratively solve problems and develop innovative solutions.

§ Broad industry experience at top companies includes: Walgreens Boots Alliance Corp, Blue Cross Blue Shield of IL/TX/NM/OK/MT, American Medical Association, Brunswick Corp and Canadian Institute for Health Information. Thorough understanding in ITIL disciplines and IT security with B.Eng. Electrical and Computer Engineering, Ryerson Polytechnic University.

Technical Skills and Abilities:

§ Strong knowledge of network security protocols and software such as Firewall, NAT/PAT, Authentication, intrusion detection, wireless security, IPSec, Anti-virus software. Able to secure systems to safeguard infrastructure and data from breaches.

§ Strong system and network administration skills: installing, securing, and maintaining LAN/WAN networks using Cisco, Unix, and Windows hardware.

§ Experienced in web application server infrastructure technologies and architecture.

§ Ability to competently communicate complex technical information and procedures in business terms to end-users.

§ Strong analytical and problem solving skills, with excellent communication and leadership skills.  Comfortable working in a fast paced environment, deadline and team oriented.

Operating Systems	Linux (Redhat, SuSe, Ubuntu), IBM AIX, Solaris, Windows (2003, 2007, Win7 and Win8), Cisco IOS, JunOS, Aruba IOS
Programming Languages	Unix Scripting (ksh, bash, perl, python, awk, sed) PLSQL, NoSQL
Infrastructure and Security	Cisco (UCS, Nexus, 6500), Juniper (EX, MX), Aruba Wireless, NAS, SAN (EMC, Brocade), Load-Balancers (F5), Virtualization (IBM LPARs, PureApps), VMware, Cloud Infrastructure (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS), Amazon AWS, Azure, IBM SoftLayer, OpenStack, Firewalls
Technology Stack	Big Data (Hadoop), Hive, Pig, HBase, HDFS, Ambari, EMC Control Center, Nagios Monitoring, DB2, Oracle, IBM WebSphere, Apache, Web Logic, OHS, OIM, OAM
Protocols and Services	TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, FTP, SFTP, SSH, RAS, SNMP, STMP, OSPF, IGRP, RIP, PPP, ISDN, Frame Relay, HTTP, HTTPS, IPSec, MPLS, VPLS

Professional Experience:

 

Enterprise Technology Solutions Architect (Consultant)                                                        September 2014 – Present

Walgreens Boots Alliance. 2 Overlook Point, Lincolnshire, IL, 60069

Projects:

1.                       Hadoop Implementation (Proof of Concept) on Amazon Web Services (AWS) Cloud.

2.                       WebSphere 6.1 to WebSphere 8.5 Migration Project

 

Working as an Enterprise Technology Solutions Architect with Cognizant, providing Infrastructure Architecture related consulting services for our client "Walgreens Boots Alliance".

 

§ Hadoop BigData solution best practices consultation.

·         Installation and optimization of Hadoop Cluster (1.x/2.x HA/Federation)

·         Requirement gathering, scoping, high level architecture proposal.

·         Leading projects POCs and the solution production deployments.

·         Hadoop clusters Installation, configuration, tuning of full stacks (Linux, Hadoop (through 2.x,

·         Hortonworks HDP, and Cloudera) with multiple 10-100+ node servers (Physical and AWS cloud).

·         Installation of a local MIT KDC, OpenLDAP integration and Hadoop security configuration on Hortonworks HDP cluster. Installed OS and Hadoop updates, patches, version upgrades. Planned and managed HDFS storage capacity.

§ Architect the web infrastructure for IBM WAS 6.1 to WAS 8.5 migration with high-availability options using the F5 LTM and GTM load-balancers.

§ Create conceptual architectural diagram of solutions and communicate to key stakeholders with respect to importance and value to the organization.

§ Participate in infrastructure capacity planning with the appropriate SME's and teams.

§ Determine and forecast future capacity requirements based on available historical demand and projected growth

§ Collaborate with Pharmaceutical IT (RxIT) departments and the Infrastructure Services Delivery organization to establish standards and processes.

§ Assess infrastructure and environment needs (current and future) and recommend solutions.

§ Recommend process changes to improve infrastructure management and architecture practices.

 

Sr. Infrastructure Architect (Contract)                                                   May 2012 – September 2014

Health Care Service Corp (BCBL). 300 E. Randolph St. Chicago, IL 60601

Projects:

1.                       Affordable Care Act (ACA) Legislation Infrastructure for BCBSIL.

a.    Traditional Infrastructure Architecture design.

b.    Cloud Infrastructure Architecture design.

2.                       ICD9 to ICD10 Migration.

3.                       Data Center Migration (Naperville to Waukegan).

4.                       Health and Wellness Portal.

 

·   Define architecture focusing on infrastructure, general layout of the systems and technologies not limited to hardware including Mainframe, distributed and virtual systems, software, security, data management, storage, backup/recovery, appliances, messaging, networking, work flow, interoperability, flexibility, scalability, monitoring and reliability including fault tolerance and disaster recovery in collaboration with Enterprise Architect(s), market architectural design and identification of enterprise implications of the designs.

·   Present a holistic view and communicate to others to be able to understand the enterprise view to ensure coherence of all aspects of the project as an integrated system

·   Experienced in leading major infrastructure migration initiatives and data center automation initiatives and multiple data center configurations.

·   The ability to analyze existing systems through an interview process with technology SMEs to develop a complete end-to-end Current State Architecture to drive and define the Future State Architecture.

·   Market architecture best practices, guidelines, standards, principles, and patterns while working with infrastructure and technology project teams.

·   Identified opportunities to cut cost without sacrificing the overall business goals.

 

IT Infrastructure and Network Manager                                July 2008 – May 2012

American Medical Association. 515 N. State St, Chicago, IL 60654

Project 1:  AMA Production Data Center Move (Network) - Analysis, Design and Implementation

 

·   Architect, designed and implemented the network infrastructure using Juniper (EX series) hardware.  The 10GB capable network utilizes Juniper EX-4500 Cores with multiple EX-4200’s in virtual chassis to accommodate VMware infrastructure.

·   Architect, designed and implemented the security infrastructure using Juniper (SRX series) hardware. Designed security zones (Web DMZ, Remote Access, and PCI) on SRX-650 cluster to accommodate AMA’s business critical applications.

·   Designed dynamic routing using OSPF and started conversion from RIP to OSPF one segment at a time to keep the downtime to a minimal.

·   Procured Metro Ethernet point-to-point link (2GB) to connect AMA HQ to the new production data center.

·   Procured VPLS eMesh (100Mb) circuit as a redundant link from AMA HQ to the new production data center.

 

 

 

Project 2:  Aruba Wireless (WiFi) - Analysis, Design and Implementation

· Performed the wireless site survey (Spectrum Analysis, RF Interference, SNR Measurement, Channel Interference, and Channel overlap) to aid in the design of the wireless network.

· After the information gathering and site survey phase, a proof of concept was done to select the appropriate vendor (Cisco Inc., Aruba Networks, and Meru Networks).

· Aruba was chosen as the Vendor of choice and the wireless design phase was started.

· Designed the wireless network with the following elements: Access Point locations as per the site survey, Wireless SSID for the corporate employees to connect to WLAN, and a separate guest wireless as per PCI and HIPAA requirements.

· Delivered presentations and ongoing reports to Senior Management to ensure management buy-in of Wireless Network Design.

· Implemented the wireless network as per design document and statement of work (SOW).

 

Project 3:  Nortel to Juniper Migration - Analysis, Design and Implementation

·   Designed and documented the activities related to migration of the AMA’s Network from Nortel Cores and distribution switches to Juniper EX8202 Cores and EX4500 access layer switches.

·   Designed the conversion of dynamic routing protocols from RIP to OSPF.

·   Designed and documented the conversion of T1 point-to-point links to newer MPLS 100MB links for the AMA remote offices.

·   Designed and documented the redundant point-to-point 150MB circuits between AMA HQ and their remote Disaster Recovery (DR) site.

·   Designed and documented the security architecture at the AMA DR site using the Juniper SRX240H firewalls.

·   Presentation for cost and functional approval front of VP and other Directors.

·   Once approved a detail design was presented with QOS, Dial Plan, Security policies, and redundant routers/switches using advance Juniper EX/SRX series devices using virtual chassis.

·   Hand off process was designed and user acceptance testing was performed by the AMA team supporting and managing this infrastructure after delivery.

 

Project 4:  SAN Migration and VMware Project  - Analysis, Design and Implementation

·   Designed SAN environment utilizing EMC Clariion CX380 and CX480 and Brocade Fabric Switches.

·   Designed DR SAN environment using EMC VNX and VMAX platform using Brocade Fabric Switches.

·   Setup the disaster recovery Datacenter using the EMC Recoverpoint technology by creating consistency groups and block level replication over the 1GB WAN link.

·   Performed the following day to day maintenance tasks on the EMC SAN (Clariion VNX and VMAX) connected via Brocade switches.

-          Created and assigned LUNs (LUN masking) to VMware, Linux, Solaris, Windows, and AIX.

-          Zoning of the new hosts on the Brocade Switches.

-          Actively monitor the IOPS for the storage arrays and compared the performace to the baselined data.

-          Recommended the purchase of new storage hardware as part of the technology refresh.

·   Configured and Documented SAN environment. Prepared a detailed design onfiguration document (Playbook).

 

Project 5:  F5 Load Balancer  - Analysis, Design and Implementation

·   Designed and documented the Web, SSO, and DNS load balancing using F5 BigIP redundant load balancers.

·   Designed, Configured, and documented iRules, SNAT rules and Virtual Gateway interfaces to overcome the asynchronous routing issues.

·   Configured and documented Virtual IP Interfaces (VIP’s) for DNS, HTTP, HTTPS, and TAM (IBM Tivoli Manager SSO).

·   Configured and documented protocol health check monitors for VIPs to failover gracefully.

 

Sr. Technical Solutions Architect – (Contract)                              October 2007 – July 2008

Brunswick Corp. 1 North Field Court Lake Forest, IL 60045-4811

·   Chiefly responsible for conducting requirements and feasibility analyses to ensure that Oracle iAS and the underlying hardware and software meets stated business and project objectives.

·   Coordinate activities with DBA Manager, Technology Architecture Manager, Operations Manager and application owners when applying upgrades and patches.

·   Pro-actively formulate patch and upgrade strategy and communicate the schedule to business

·   Monitor and tune Oracle iAS and Database services and repositories on IBM AIX and RedHat Linux platforms.

·   Serve as an iAS subject matter expert and, working with Oracle, communicate future iAS technological directions to corporate IT staffs.

·   Support Oracle Internet Directory (OID), Oracle's implementation of LDAP.

·   Implement and provide recommendations to enterprise IT controls as they apply to the iAS environments.

·   Design and implement disaster and recovery plans for development and production iAS environments

·   Provide input to Capacity, Availability, and Continuity planning and implementation to develop and fulfill Service Level Agreements (SLA).

·   Work with Brunswick Solution Center to develop and document Level 1 and Level 2 iAS support processes.

·   Provide secondary DBA coverage to the eBusiness Suite install base as required.

 

Sr. Solutions Architect                   March 2001 – October 2007

Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI), Toronto, ON

 

Networking:

·   Solutions Architect for the Infrastructure Technology Renewal Project, a multi-million dollar project aimed to renew and replace the aging hardware and software infrastructure at CIHI.

·   Provided final level support for Network and Firewall related issues.

·   Maintained Cisco Routers, Switches, Firewalls, and VPN for CIHI’s remote sites.

·   Maintained Network on OSPF configured Cisco Routers and Switches i.e. Cisco 6509, 2509, 4006, 3560 etc.

·   Designed and implemented new Firewall rules to work with zone (DMZ, SAZ) policies.

·   Updated and monitored IDS/IPS signatures on a daily basis, and provided a quarterly report of network intrusions using Ciscoworks to the higher management.

·   Active team member of the IT Security Management Group.  The group’s function is to define Security architectures, policies, standards, and best practices for IT governance in compliance with the ISO 17799 standard.

 

Application and System Administration:

·   Installed and configured Cisco 9506 MDS fabric switch for Hitachi AMS 4000 and IBM DS4300 SAN attached storage.

·   Designed, planned, and migrated IBM pSeries AIX servers from IBM ESS to Hitachi AMS 4000 SAN.

·   Developed architecture designs for implementation of IBM's Advanced POWER Virtualization providing Logical Partitioning (LPAR), Dynamic LPAR (DLPAR), Micro-partitioning, and Virtual I/O (VIO) enabling on-demand computing and server consolidation.

·   Developed architecture designs for implementation of 3-tier Oracle 9i/10g application server utilizing web-cache, OHS (Oracle HTTP server), and Oracle database backend on Redhat Enterprise Linux 4.

·   Designed the Backup and Recovery architecture using Tivoli Storage Manager.

·   Lead, mentor and coach junior staff and delegate job responsibilities in their day-to-day operation.

·   Prepared Technical and Functional documentation.

 

Team Lead / Sr. System Analyst                                           September 1998 – March 2001

Maksteel Inc., Mississauga, ON

 

·   Designed configured and maintained Ethernet network over TCP/IP with file and print servers.

·   Successfully installed and configured Oracle 8i Database, Baan ERP, and Unix (IBM Aix 4.3.3).

·   Provided all aspects of administration support to developers and implementation team to meet the Go-live dates.

·   Responsibilities included user management, performance issues surrounding the Oracle database and Baan environment, planning of the daily/weekly/monthly backups, IBM RS/6000 server and Aix 4.3.3 operating system support in order to ensure smooth server operation.

·   Troubleshooting of the LAN in case of emergencies and made recommendations in order to improve the speed of the network.

·   Successfully setup and maintained Linux based Corporate Mail-server (sendmail) and Web-server (Apache web server with openssl for secure transactions).

·   Recommended and performed patch upgrades as necessary.

·   Analyzed system performance, identifying performance bottlenecks and recommended management to procure necessary hardware and software.

·   Reduced server and network downtime by taking proactive steps.

 

 

Education Summary:

 

Bachelor of Electrical Engineering, Ryerson Polytechnic University, Toronto, ON                                                        1998

 

Certifications, Workshops, and Training

 

Ambari Cloud – Hadoop Solution Architect

CISSP certification – Currently in progress

CCNA Bootcamp training

Juniper Networks Certified Internet Associate-Junos (JNCIA-Junos) training

Juniper Networks Certified Internet Specialist (JNCIS-SEC) training

EMC - CLARiiON Host Integration and Management with SnapView

EMC - ControlCenter Management

EMC – RecoverPoint Install and Configuration

Symantec - Veritas Cluster Server for UNIX

Redhat Certified Technician, Certificate Number: 604006547496860

Logical Partitioning (LPAR) and Virtualization on System p POWER5 Systems

AIX 5L System Administration II: Performance Management

AIX 5L System Administration II: Problem Determination

Oracle Application Server: Administration

 

Professional References Available Upon Request