DAVID SICKLES
Albuquerque,NM
Summary
IT operations leader with deep experience in systems administration, policy planning, virtualization, storage, and security compliance. Background includes advising on enterprise IT decisions, writing SOPs and policies, supporting disaster recovery, and improving operational efficiency through clear communication and reliable technical support.
Overview
1
1
Certification
20
20
years of professional experience
Work History
Network/System Administrator III (NSA III)
Department of the Air Force - Hanscom AFB - TS/SCI
Hanscom AFB, MA
03.2026 - 06.2026
- Delivered STIG requirements and utilized SCAP and NESSUS to generate BoE artifacts, supporting security compliance
- Collaborated with information security team on IT functions and design for SAP projects, enhancing system integrity
- Advised on IT operations systems for Justified contract at Hanscom AFB, ensuring compliance and efficiency
IT Specialist (SYSADMIN/PLCYPLN)
Department of the Air Force - 48CS/SCOO
RAF Lakenheath, UK
06.2024 - 06.2025
- Led project to re-architect SIPR virtual environment, enhancing system performance and security
- Collaborated with 48 Communications Squadron (48CS) to deliver comprehensive IT support to all base customers
- Senior advisor for IT operations systems at 48 CS/SCOO, RAF Lakenheath, UK
IT Specialist (SYSADMIN/Policy Planning)
Department of the Space Force - AFRL Phillips Research Site
Kirtland AFB, NM
01.2022 - 06.2024
- Authored and updated IT policies and developed Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) to align with project and directive requirements
- Streamlined IT operations, improving efficiency by 50%, and advising on software and hardware solutions for AFRL's RV and RD directorates
- Coordinated system asset upgrades and refreshes to enhance operational consistency across the organization
IT Specialist (Enterprise Architecture/Policy Planning)
Department of the Air Force - USAFE/A6
Ramstein AFB, Germany
05.2018 - 01.2022
- Perform system evaluations, feasibility assessments, and cost analyses related to emerging technologies fitting for the USAFE-AFAFRICA theater
- Conduct system evaluations, feasibility assessments, and cost analyses for emerging technologies aligning with USAFE-AFARICA theater objectives
- Execute OS installation, management, patching, and hardening to ensure system security and reliability
Lead Storage Engineer
Cherokee Nation Technologies
Albuquerque, NM
07.2015 - 05.2018
- Principal administrator of NetApp and Dell Compellent storage systems across multiple remote sites, managing approximately 1.5PB of usable storage
- Led technical efforts on proof-of-concept VDI initiatives, enhancing evaluation of virtualization solutions
- Developed comprehensive documentation, including SOPs and detailed reports, to support operational consistency and knowledge transfer
Systems Team Lead
CSC
Lenexa, KS
01.2014 - 07.2015
- Acted as SME for VMware ESX, managing host and VM environment that supported State applications
- Managed SAN environment, enhancing storage efficiency through advanced provisioning and administration
- Streamlined large-scale SAN data migration projects, ensuring minimal downtime
Senior Systems Administrator
Department of Veterans Affairs
Topeka, KS
09.2012 - 01.2014
- Designed, implemented, and managed VMware Horizon VDI solution supporting up to 800 remote users
- Managed installation, maintenance, and administration of VA-approved server and storage platforms, ensuring high availability and performance for Dell, HP, VMware, and Broadcom systems
- Oversaw complex ESXi environments and primary storage assets, optimizing resources across multiple arrays and fabrics
- Ensured compliance through patch management via SCCM, maintaining security standards and reducing vulnerabilities
IT Specialist (SYSADMIN)
Department of the Army
Fort Leonard Wood, United States
10.2010 - 09.2012
- Increased server uptime by 100% by administering 8 SIPRNET servers, enhancing security and availability
- Led virtualization initiatives to optimize data center footprint and bolster system resiliency
- Monitored and enhanced OS standards through change control procedures, ensuring compliance and system integrity
- Performed COTS software maintenance while adhering to security advisories to maintain operational security
Systems Analyst 2
Quintiles
Morrisville, NC
05.2006 - 10.2010
- Designed and implemented complex environments for clinical studies across multiple international locations
- Managed worldwide migration and consolidation of storage and server resources
- Ensured availability, integrity, and efficiency of 1300+ servers for global operations
- Authored SOPs for company-wide use
Education
Bachelor's Science Degree - Information Technology
American Public University
Charles Town, WVSkills
- Virtualization technologies and solutions
- Server administration and monitoring
- System hardening and cybersecurity compliance
- Storage administration
- Security standards and policy development
- Microsoft Active Directory and Group Policy
- DNS, DHCP, DFS management
- SQL Server management
- Azure cloud services
- Backup and recovery strategies
- Continuity of operations (COOP)
- Authentication support
- Hardware, software, network troubleshooting
- Continuity of Operations (COOP)
- Authentication support
- Expert hardware, software, network, and peripheral troubleshooting
Certification
CompTIA Security+ CE
PROJECTS
- Technical Lead 48CS, 07/2023 - 06/2024 RAF Lakenheath, UK, Re-architecture of SIPR Virtual Environment, Designed, purchased, and installed new available virtual infrastructure utilizing Dell and VMware technologies, Developed migration plan working closely with critical squadrons and flights across the 48th Fighter Wing and 48th Mission Support Group, Enhanced availability by 100%
- Technical Lead AFRL/RVI, 01/2022 - 07/2022 Phillips Research Site, Development of DREN@HOME Environment, Oversaw technical review of current DREN environment access remotely coordinating meetings with pivotal PRS departments, Prioritized needs of PRS customers in overall design of the infrastructure, Designed and acquired new AFRL PRS DREN@HOME equipment working closely with other SMEs, Assured proper user access through any needed VPN, firewall, and Active Directory in test enclave
- Project Manager USAFE/A6, 02/2020 - 02/2021 USAFE-AFARICA/A6 Ramstein AB, Germany, Development of United States Air Force Europe DevSecOps, Researched and developed project requirements for a DevSecOps system, Coordinated meetings with key players within USAFE Area of Responsibility (AOR), Secretary of Air Force CIO Office (SAF/CN), and various potential vendors, Spearheaded final review with other SMEs in the selection of products to be installed and supported across the theater, Facilitated regular gatherings of critical stakeholders to solidify funds, purchase, installation planning, training, and development of initial DevSecOps application and ATO
- Technical Lead Bureau of Indian Affairs, 10/2017 - 04/2018 Albuquerque, NM, Deployment and migration of New Storage, Formulated migration plan of approximately 1.5PB from legacy NetApp systems to new HPE Nimble hybrid storage across Department of Interior Bureau of Indian Affairs, Validated initial analysis of HPE Nimble setup, installation, and migration of all data, Scripted ROBOCOPY data copy and synchronization from NetApp to HPE Nimble, Developed replication of remote data to ABQ data center with Microsoft Windows DFS
Timeline
Network/System Administrator III (NSA III)
Department of the Air Force - Hanscom AFB - TS/SCI
03.2026 - 06.2026
IT Specialist (SYSADMIN/PLCYPLN)
Department of the Air Force - 48CS/SCOO
06.2024 - 06.2025
IT Specialist (SYSADMIN/Policy Planning)
Department of the Space Force - AFRL Phillips Research Site
01.2022 - 06.2024
IT Specialist (Enterprise Architecture/Policy Planning)
Department of the Air Force - USAFE/A6
05.2018 - 01.2022
Lead Storage Engineer
Cherokee Nation Technologies
07.2015 - 05.2018
Systems Team Lead
CSC
01.2014 - 07.2015
Senior Systems Administrator
Department of Veterans Affairs
09.2012 - 01.2014
IT Specialist (SYSADMIN)
Department of the Army
10.2010 - 09.2012
Systems Analyst 2
Quintiles
05.2006 - 10.2010
Bachelor's Science Degree - Information Technology
American Public University