Nicholas Aquilante

Senior-Level IT Role
Location: Mount Braddock, Pennsylvania (with travel to local Pennsylvania, Colorado, Germany, & France)
Responsibilities:

• Led IT infrastructure & operations across multiple U.S. & European locations in a fast-paced, clad-welded steel manufacturing environment
• Oversaw network, data centers, cloud infrastructure, & cybersecurity implementation
• Managed Office 365, Azure, Local & Cloud AD, & software licensing
• Was involved in SOX Audits. The company is on NYSE as BOOM.
• Handled Help Desk escalations & ticket flow using FreshService
• Administered backups via DropBox & Synology
• Set up & maintained printers, computers, monitors, & AV equipment
• Managed procurement of Dell, Amazon, & network equipment
• Oversaw Microsoft Exchange, email management, phishing protection, & spam filtering
• Maintained GoToResolve, Remote Desktop Services, VPN (SSL/IPSec), AnyDesk, TeamViewer, & BitWarden
• Troubleshot Microsoft 365, Outlook, Teams, Zoom, DropBox,
• OneDrive, & SharePoint via GUI &PowerShell
• Worked with HP servers/printers, Xerox, Meraki switches/wireless, Palo Alto firewalls, vSphere, VMware, Office365, Autodesk, Adobe, Barracuda email filtering, Dell laptops, MS Active Directory, Azure Entra ID, Synology, iOS, & Zoom
• Managed Group Policy, DNS, DHCP, LAN/WAN, & MDT imaging
• Introduced Microsoft AutoPilot & managed Apple Business Manager, Mobile Devices (MDM), Verizon, AT&T, & Skynet backups
• Ensured IT compliance, vendor relationships, SLAs, system performance, & disaster recovery
• Collaborated with corporate IT to implement enterprise security frameworks
• Managed server infrastructure, patching (Rapid7), cybersecurity compliance, & asset lifecycle
• Provided escalated support & troubleshooting for corporate applications
• Delivered after-hours/on-call assistance & IT support
• Traveled up to 25% for IT operations across company locations
• As sole on-site technical staff, managed AV equipment, secure entry, & conference rooms

Responsibilities:

• Managed IT asset inventory, ensuring accurate tracking & timely upgrades/replacements
• Migrated business from local MS Office to Microsoft 365, including Exchange migration
• Transitioned SharePoint sites to OneDrive
• Used NinjaOne for patch management & vulnerability management
• Set up conference rooms & AV equipment for presentations
• Provided strategic input for technology refresh cycles to align IT with business needs
• Troubleshot connectivity issues across Wi-Fi, cellular, & Ethernet networks
• Reduced support tickets through proactive hardware, software, & system maintenance
• Served as sole IT support for clients and staff, handling help desk, remote support, servers, & devices
• Managed VOIP systems, email services, security cameras, IT service/maintenance, & data backups
• Administered MDM using JAMF & Synology backups
  Set up desktops, laptops, & all company technology

Responsibilities:

• Directed the successful sale and closure of a long-standing business with two operational locations, ensuring a smooth and compliant wind-down process.
• Collaborated closely with the founder (father) to support his retirement after 17+ years of successful business ownership.
• Facilitated the seamless transition of clients to new Managed Service Providers (MSPs), maintaining service continuity and client satisfaction.
• Oversaw inventory management, vendor coordination, and staff support during the transition period.
• Managed client communications and asset disposition to ensure a respectful and efficient business exit.
• Balanced operational responsibilities with personal and family support, demonstrating adaptability, discretion, and strong organizational skills.
• Contributed to preserving the business’s legacy and reputation while supporting long-term family and professional goals.

Responsibilities:

• Managed AD, Virtualization, Group Policy, DNS, DHCP, Windows Servers, Windows Desktops, & VPN for the enterprise
• Administered Microsoft 365, Outlook, Exchange, OneDrive, SharePoint, Teams, & Teams Channels
• Completed high-level break/fix repairs, service, & maintenance tasks escalated by technicians
• Served as one of two IT Project Managers on-site, ensuring IT-related aspects of projects were addressed
• Completed internal Microsoft AutoPilot training
• Acted as the primary liaison between UPMC & third-party vendors, including software development companies & construction firms
• Collaborated with administration & financial teams to develop an Enterprise Architecture & Security Plan for new software, hardware, or device integration into the UPMC IT environment
• Managed & maintained the ticket/task queue assigned to PC Support technicians & the help desk, serving as an escalation point

Responsibilities:

• Served as a Tier 3 help desk agent, handling on-demand calls & ticket log troubleshooting, installation, and configuration of computer-related issues
• Supported multiple users across various devices accessing different servers
• Ensured minimal impact on patient care while resolving technical issues
• Documented new issues, setups, & hardware configurations for the PSD team
• Provided resolutions within SLA using Cherwell
• Delivered excellent customer service while troubleshooting & communicating through technological issues
• Experienced with SCCM, Remote Desktop, MyApps, MFA setups, TeamViewer, & other support programs
• Set up emergency call centers from the ground up during the COVID-19 pandemic

Responsibilities:

• Provided comprehensive MSP IT support for small to mid-sized businesses for 10+ years
• Managed vendor relationships, resolving issues with third-party providers
• Oversaw 24/7 help desk operations
• Managed employee certifications, including CompTIA
• Directed day-to-day company operations, including management, finance, administration, & technology
• Supported Windows, Mac, Linux, & UNIX environments in both break/fix and MSP settings across commercial, government, & residential sectors
• Established a performance- & merit-based evaluation system for staff assessment
• Negotiated with suppliers & delivery workers, forecasting customer demand for material orders
• Managed partnerships & strategic business relationships, handling contract negotiations & conflict resolution
• Developed technology plans for end-users, serving as their MSP
• Delivered comprehensive IT, networking, & AV solutions tailored to client needs