Clay Marable

Systems Engineer

marable@novaone.net

214-232-2269

469-330-0773

 

 

Summary

I’m a Career Technology Consultant spending the past 15+ years in the data solutions realm with a Primary focus in the Financial Services industries.  I have extensive experience in large Enterprise Level mixed platform environments consisting of Windows and Unix-Linux such as Red Hat, SUSE and CENTOS, in data heavy, Production, Development, Testing, QA environments containing Public, Private/Sensitive data covered under SOX, HIPPA, PPI, PCA information for both the Private Sector and Government.  My experience includes performing system conversion, consolidation and upgrade projects involving most flavors of VMware through ESXi 5.5, Windows OS and email systems.  Over the span of my career, I have served not only as an active contributing team member in various capacities ranging from Systems Administrator and Engineer, Sr. System Engineer, and occasionally as Team Lead, as well as coordinating with multiple teams to help drive projects to completion.  Currently I am working to renew my VCP5DCA certification which has recently expired.

 

 

Skills

VMware ESX, ESXi 3.x, 4.x, 5x, vSphere, VCOPS, VROPS, VConverter, P2V, HA/DRS, SRM, vMotion, PowerPath, HP and Dell hardware, Cisco UCS Manager,  Windows up to 2012, Linux – Red Hat, SUSE, CentOS, Windows Active Directory, MS. Exchange, Windows IIS, Barracuda Anti-Spam, MS SharePoint 2007-2010, Active Experts Monitoring tool, Verizon-Terremark Cloud Services.

 

 

Professional Experience

Capital Group - (Contract)         December 2015 - Present

VMware Systems Engineer

·   Build, Support and upgrade ESXi Hosts from 5.0, 5.1, to 5.5 on HP Proliant Servers and Cisco UCS Blades.

·               Performed system migrations of vm servers between hosts, clusters and Data-Centers in Linked-Mode VCenters.

·               Setup and configuration of Std. Virtual Switches and migration to and from Distributed virtual Switches.

·               Connected and extended Storage Luns to hosts and clusters in vSphere. 

·               Creation and applying Host profiles, ensured system compliance via critical patching of environment using VUM.

·               Interact with various Vendors such as EMC, HP, VMware, VCE to resolve critical issues.

·               Implemented approved system improvements, participated in enhancement guidance and suggestions for improvement.

·              Coordinated with various hardware, OS and software application teams to resolve VMware side performance problems.

·              Performed daily environmental checks for alerts and potential issues and provided status reports to management.

 

 

Concentra Health Services - (Contract)         July 2014 – December 2015

VMware Systems Engineer

·   Built and Supported  ESXi Hosts v.4.x, 5.0, 5.1, 5.5 on Cisco UCS Blade Chassis

·   Installed, right-sized and supported Windows and Unix Virtual servers in 3 non-linked Virtual Data Centers.

·   Utilized vSphere Thin and Thick Provisioning, Resource Pools, Host rules, vShpere Std. and Distributed switches.

·   Performed System Host and Storage Migrations, P2V conversions, Host and Windows Server Patching.

·   Working knowledge of Cisco UCS, VLANs, vMotion, HA, DRS, SRM, vCenter Operations Manager.

·   Setup virtual Distributed Switches, Connected Storage LUNS, PowerPath storage management installations on hosts.

·   Problem analysis and resolution of System Issues, RCA of failures, Performance Monitoring, vCenter Alerts, Host affinity. Rules.

 

 

Verizon Terremark Worldwide - (Contract) August 2013 – July 2014

Virtualization/Cloud Engineer

·  Resolved Virtual Server, VPN, Investigation and resolution of Cloud Services and Managed Services issues.

·  Supported upwards of 6000 ESX and ESXi 4.x/ 5.1 VMware hosts in 120 Virtual Centers.

·  Created templates for virtual builds in vSphere.

 

·  Migrated Virtual Machines, Setup v Distributed Switches, Connected Storage LUNS

·  Performed RCA on critical issues for both internal and external customers.

·  Problem Management and escalation of issues until resolution.

·  Escalate Trouble Tickets to other support teams and developers for system failures.

·  ESXi, VPN and Network Troubleshooting.

·  Working knowledge of Cisco UCS, Std virtual Switches, Dristrubted Switches, VLANs, DRS, VMotion and Server Patching.

 

 

NationStar Mortgage – (Perm but company re-org)June 2012 – March 2013

VMware Systems Engineer

·  Monitor, resolve issues with Servers and Storage in the DataCenter with regards to Virtual - Physical machines.

·  Create templates for virtual builds, created Storage LUNS for hostsLoad Balance virtual systems via DRS and Vip.

·  ESX and ESXi Troubleshooting, including resolving orphaned VM’s, DRS and HA errors, network errors.Physical to Virtual (P2V) and Virtual to Virtual (V2V) migrations.

·  Working knowledge of Cisco UCS, VLANs, VMotion and Server Patching.

·  Troubleshooting and right sizing VM environment with VCOPs Manager.

 

 

SourceHov - (Contract)    June 2011 - June 2012

VMware Systems Engineer

·  Active US Confidential/Public Trust Security Clearance.

·  Experience with Dept. Of Defense DIACAP audit of multi-domained and hosted VMware Servers at remote sites.

·  Support and maintain nationwide multi-domained and hosted VMware infrastructure consisting of Linux, Windows 7, XP, 2003 and 2008 virtual machines.

·  Engaged in multiple P2V projects of MS Windows servers to ESX 4.1 and ESX 5.1 environment.

·  Install, setup, migrate and support and patch ESX hosts on HP equipment. 

 

Gainsco- (CTH company re-org)   June 2010 - April 2011

Sr. Systems Engineer

·  Supported a Datacenter of Mostly DELL Servers mixed between 75-100 Virtual Machines consisting of 2.5, 3.X, 4.X VMware versions and 100 Wintel Physical Servers.  Support Existing VM environment using VSphere and VCenter. Implemented P2V conversion projects where I migrated several Physical Systems to Virtual 4.1 ESX hosts. 

·  Implemented VM Server Environment Consolidation from v.2.5 through 4.1.  Used VConverter and VMotion to Migrated numerous VM’s from Host to Host.  Used F5 BigIP for load balancing. 

·  Created several standard templates to simplify future server creation.

·  Administration and support of Windows 2003 and 2008 Servers, over 15 Terminal Servers and several Linux and Red Hat Servers in production and test environments.

·  Assisted in Implementation of Compellent SAN Array, migration of NAS from EMC Clarion to Compellent and Supported DELL Equal Logic Array.

·  Was Project Manager on successful SharePoint 2010 implementation, Wrote project plan for SAN migration of User NAS space from EMC Clarion to Compellent SAN and successfully tested pilot program.

·  Created Updated Systems Support Documentation.

·  Supported MS Exchange 2003, Symantec Mail Security and Barracuda Anti-Spam.

·  Worked with Development in creation of new development and test machines.

·  Supported 12 Windows 2003 WEB IIS Servers in a Corp to Corp support function.

·  Worked with Development and QA teams on implementation of updated process, features and coding of Corporate Internet Sites.

 

PepsiCo - (Contract)        September 2009 - June 2010

Wintel Server Systems Admin 

·  Global Operations Response Team and Datacenter Server Administrator in Enterprise Production and Development systems with daily tasks that included administration for various sites across The US, supporting VMWARE ESX 4.0 HA Systems in VSphere and Virtual Center, HP, IBM and Dell Servers, Windows 2003/ 2008, HP UNIX, IBM AIX and SUSE Linux systems.

·  Administration and support of 3000+ Windows Servers, over 200 UNIX Servers and over 20 Linux Servers in production and test environments.

·  Unix/Linux Administration included but was not limited to starting/stopping of services, deleting core files, adding/removing and reinitializing NAS, monitoring systems for memory and cpu bottlenecks, investigating root login failures, starting/shutting down and re-starting servers, clearing print queues, monitoring system stability, assisting DBA’s and application teams during troubleshooting, maintenance and disaster recovery situations.

·  Co-coordinating system maintenance with Off-shore teams, local applications and Data Base Administrators to ensure system stability and minimize down time and outages. 

·  Investigated system faults and errors through Root Cause Analysis.

·  Support of Control-M Production environment. Active Directory use.

·  Participated in weekly and daily meetings routinely taking the roll of Moderator.

 

 

IBM - (Contract)    September 2006 - August 2009

Server Systems Administrator / Team Lead

·  Led a team of 4 technicians.

·  Global Enterprise and Datacenter Server Administrator with daily tasks that included administration for various sites across North America, supporting IBM, HP and Dell Blade Center Servers, Building, installing, supporting and Administration of Windows 2000, 2003, 2008, Unisys ES7000 Servers, VMWARE ESX 3.5 support in VCenter and Template Creation. Setup and support of HP Unix, IBM Aix, SUSE Linux and Novell v5 - v6 Servers. 

·  Participated in Project Management in several key projects which included the migration and consolidation of several data centers, migration planning for future system consolidation.

·  Attended IBM Change Management Course and preformed functions such as creating, writing changes, approving/denying changes, attending Change Management Meetings.

·  Participated in Project Management meetings with Stake Holders, Upper Corp. Management, Executive Project Managers, Service Delivery Managers, Application and Database teams and vendors in order to provide information concerning key business systems, current status updates of on-going projects, SLA agreements, Project Scope and future system changes.

·  Migrated key support functions to and trained offshore global support Teams located in India, Brazil and Argentina.

·  Provided guidance, delegation of projects, and supervision for contract employees and offshore staff.

·  Unix Support included, starting stopping print services, clearing print queues, starting, stopping application and NAS services, shutdown and restarting servers.

·  Installed, configured and supported Windows 2000, 2003, 2008, SQL, Unisys, Linux and Novell Servers and performed break/fix for Datacenter Servers as well as adds/ moves/ and changes on existing systems and

·  Installed, administered and supported MS SQL server in collaboration with SQL DBA’s.

·  Performed Monthly OS Patch and Hot fix Management and server hardening in enterprise environments according to schedules for all Server Systems.

·  Implemented server maintenance schedule for Operating System and application updates as well as security patch evaluation, distribution and installation on Production and Lab (Development) servers.

·  Performed problem analysis and Root Cause Analysis when failures occurred.

·  Performed creation of accounts, implemented file, folder and group policy security access and assisted Active Directory Admins with creation and support of ACTIVE DIRECTORY.  Supported, created and populated NDS.

·  Maintained various infrastructure hardware platforms which included IBM Std. Servers and Blade Centers, HP/Compaq Servers, various Telecommunication services, and multi-processing servers and ensured network and system stability as well as monitored and responded to system, application and hardware alerts.

·  Achieved complete migration to the IBM Tivoli TSM Backup solution by removing various older backup solutions from the environment and improving performance and reliability.

·  Participated in the implementation of several new SAN Storage projects including installation, design, and migration.

 

 

CompUSA - (Contract)        June 2006 - September 2006                    

Lotus Notes/Domino Administrator

·  Engaged as Notes Domino R5 Admin during Notes to Exchange 2003 Migration and cutover project using Quest Migration Mgr. Tools. 

·  Environment is Windows XP/NT/2003, Lotus Notes R5, ACTIVE DIRECTORY, MS Office 2003, MS Outlook-Exchange 2003, Siebel 7, and SMS. 

·  Provided 3rd level Support for internal corporate wide end-users, QA new servers, investigated Routing issues. 

 

 

Blue Cross Blue Shield - (Contract)   May 2005 - April 2006

Network Security Administrator

·  Environment was Novell, Windows 2K/XP and AS400 PMHS, TSS Server.

·  Utilized NDS, Active Directory, and TSS Mainframe.

·  Performed Novell Account administration using Console One, AS400 and Top Secret Server account administration and MS SQL Security administration.

·  Responsible for general Network Security Access control such as adding/deleting acids, resetting passwords and adding Novell id’s and monitoring accounts.

·  VPN access ACE Server administration.

 

United Central Bank - (Contract)   October 2004 - December 2004

System Administrator / Tech Support

·  Novell and Windows Administrator. 

·  First point of contact for all technical support issues. 

·  Provided desktop application support, and network connectivity and administration support on Win 2000 / Novell environment utilizing Active Directory and NDS.  

·  Analyzed and approved OS patches and hot fixes as well as other OS configuration changes and updates. 

·  Created and standardized system configuration images with Ghost.

·  Multi-Site inventory and cataloging. 

·  Server and rack device relocation/teardown/reconnect, Policy and Procedural Documentation for technical manuals and VOIP telephone administration.   

 

IBM - (Contract)      October 2003 - October 2004

Network Support Engineer

·  Duties included but not limited to enterprise account administration, resolving local and remote connectivity issues from LAN, VPN and WIFI corporate Windows clients as well as standard MS Exchange 2003 mail and MS Office application support utilizing ACTIVE DIRECTORY, Tivoli Remote Management software, Remedy, MS NetMeeting, Pointsec, Ace Server and various client verification procedures. 

·  Number 1 performer several months running.

 

TAC World Wide - (Contract)    January 2003 - February 2003

IT Support Technician

Clients:  CNA Insurance, Eagle Logistics, Fidelity Investments

·  Performed Desktop and Laptop upgrades, system migrations and deployments from Windows 95/98 and NT to Windows 2000 and Windows XP, utilizing Altiris Backup/Restore tool on Dell Laptops and Desktops.

 

 

Avizion Technologies - (Consultant from June 2001- January 2003)

Abbott Laboratories - (Sub- Contract)              May 2002 - January 2003

Windows Desktop Support

·  Provided call center, desktop, laptop and network connectivity support, through SMS and MS Active Directory for 1500 local users on a 3 building campus site with assorted remote end-users, on Windows NT/2000 domains.

·  Participated in corporate wide system migration projects to move Windows 95 and NT clients to Windows 2000 utilizing Active Directory. 

·  Assisted in Creating Active Directory Structure and populating AD with User accounts and printers and workstations.

·  Processed escalated trouble tickets.

·  Provided direct dedicated support for 250+ end users. 

·  Created standardized system images with Symantec Ghost. 

JP Morgan Chase Bank - (Sub-Contract)         January 2002 – March 2002

Network Administrator / Lotus Notes

·  Provided Lotus Notes Administration on 4 clustered Notes servers for 1500 employees and Novell/Windows LAN Administration for same including but not limited to account creation, password resets, file restores, printer object creations and general network application support through Zenworks During New York office relocation to Dallas due to the 9/11 disaster.

 

Verizon- (Sub-Contract)         June 2001 – November 2001

Systems and Field Technician

·   Provided end user support for MS OS, Apps, and Banyan Vines. 

·   Re-Imaged laptops with Norton Ghost and set up the computers with the latest Anti - Virus software as well as PC Anywhere and IntelliSell (AMDOCS).

·   Reconfigured network printers on the entire WAN from Banyan to NT. 

·   Backed up the users data via Banyan set drive command and restored to the computer after the re-image by a hand–written batch file. 

·   Backed-up and retrieved users data from laptops to a networked server. 

·   Configured MS Outlook 2000.

·   Loaded Verizon proprietary applications on laptops.

·   Troubleshot network and remote connectivity issues.

 

 

TekSystems (Consultant from August 1999-Febuary 2001)

Carter Burgess Corp - (Sub-Contract)     January 2001 - February 2001

Windows Admin / Support Lead / Team Lead    

·  Team lead for 7 technicians during office augmentation and relocation project of Windows 98/NT/2000 machines. 

·  Successfully relocated 500 windows workstations. 

·  Documented work processes and resources. 

·  Completed project ahead of schedule and acquired additional business from clients associated companies.

 

 

Exxon Mobil Corp - (Sub-Contract)             June 2000 - January 2001

Tech Support

·  Provided systems support for their Corporate Headquarters Standardization Project. 

·  Migrated existing infrastructure from Windows 95 to Windows NT. 

·  Imaged new machines using IC3 image cast and Ghost. 

·  Rolled out Lotus Notes R5, migrated existing MS Outlook Clients to Lotus Notes and supported deployed operating systems and third party software, resolved escalated trouble tickets using Remedy Tracking Software, and maintain network stability. 

·  Installed, configured, upgraded hardware such as scanners, Palm III & V devices, and network printers.   

 

Nextel Communications - (Sub-Contract)    April 2000 - May 2000

Novel Network Admin

·   Novell Network Administrator brought in to Work System Rollout Project and deploys workstations; resolves trouble tickets, and maintain network stability, reset passwords, unlocked accounts, created & changed user ids for 250 users. 

·   Relocated, installed, connected NT/ Novell Servers and related equipment from Dallas to Richardson Engineering offices. 

·   Mounted and connected Cisco Switches and Routers on racks in IDF closets and Server rooms.

 

Citi Group - (Sub-Contract)      September 1999 - March 2000

Network Administration / Support Team Lead

Team Lead 

·   Managed 5 technicians during flood Disaster Recovery operation – effectively salvaging 65% of lost workstations. 

·   Provided Windows ACTIVE DIRECTORY Administration and Desktop support in 500 client Windows Ethernet network environment.

·   Performed data backups/recovery, used Arc Serve, VERITAS Backup Exec on Compaq RAID array. 

·   Installed and configured NT RAS server for IT troubleshooting needs. 

·   Documented work processes used and inventoried network and workstation resources.

 

Bank of America - (Sub-Contract)     August 1999 - September 1999

Network Engineer

·   Assisted in the improvement of network load balances by redistributing nodes onto adjacent subnets. 

·   Rollout and deployment of workstations, resolved escalated trouble tickets. 

·   Assisted in upgrade from Clientele to Scopus help desk reporting systems.

·   Provided multi-tier technical support for various banking and financial applications in an Intel based network.

 

 

Bank One Corp- (Contract)           January 1999 - August 1999

Novell Network Administrator

Team Lead

·  Novell Network administrator and Team Lead.  Managed team of 6 technicians.

·  Reported Directly to Senior Project Manager for the State of Texas implementation of national multi-million dollar Y2K standardization. 

·  Supervised six technical staff and ensured continuous network and end-user support in a multi-tree, 500+ Novell/NT Server mixed Ethernet and Token Ring environment with 32,000+ users. 

·  Created, managed and populated domain and network/tree structures using NDS. 

·  Used Zenworks to install/updated NT and Novell Workstations and Servers including anti-virus software, service packs, patches and fixes.  

·  Traveled to install, configure and support Servers, Desktop systems and Network equipment. 

·  Created, Administered and maintained user accounts, reset passwords, changed login profiles and print queues. 

·  Processed and resolved general network and resource access related technical issues.

·  Email migration from CCMail to Lotus Notes R4

 

 

Education

Mission College Santa Clara, CA          1993-1995

Evergreen College San Jose, CA        1990-1992

Numerous IT related Training Classes         1998-Pres.