Dwayne Rufus
Pensacola,FL
Summary
Accomplished Systems Engineer with extensive experience in large enterprise systems and technical troubleshooting. Demonstrated ability to manage projects and improve processes, resulting in enhanced operational efficiency. Known for strong teamwork and problem-solving skills that drive successful outcomes. Thrives in dynamic settings requiring quick adaptation and precision.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
Work History
Exchange Engineer
Southwest Business Corporation (SWBC)
San Antonio, Texas
06.2022 - 01.2025
- Monitored and responded to alerts, ensuring optimal uptime and continuous operations of the server environment
- Acted as the escalation point for on-call and ticket issues raised by internal employees or external parties
- Configured and administered messaging systems, establishing engineering-defined standards and managing associated applications and systems
- Troubleshot performance issues and assisted in root cause analysis, executing problem resolutions and proactive tuning
- Developed and managed scripts to automate basic tasks, streamlining operations
- Collaborated with architects to ensure messaging system standards met security, system, operational, and business requirements
- Managed Exchange Online and Exchange On-premises in a hybrid configuration
- Administered Proofpoint application servers to enhance security
- Managed Azure Active Directory (AAD) and its corresponding on-premises connector (AADC)
- Administered Active Directory Federated Services (ADFS)
- Managed most aspects of Microsoft Defender for M365 including: Email authentication – DMARC policy management (SPF, hosted SPF, and DKIM)
- Configured and implemented Malware and Spam Policies to better safeguard the enterprise against threats
- Configured monitoring and alerting policies for administrators and stakeholders
- In Microsoft Purview for M365, implemented DPL and data protection policies, including tagging, classification, and retention policies to better protect corporate data
- Utilized Purview tools such as Content Search and eDiscovery to target, parse, and export data for Legal, HR, or compliance related Litigation Hold and investigations
Exchange Engineer
StratasCorp/US Navy
Virginia Beach, Virginia
04.2021 - 01.2022
- Provided Exchange support and troubleshooting for thousands of users across over 100 MSC vessels and multiple MSC NOCs
- Implemented Global Address List (GAL) synchronization between forests using Microsoft MIM
- Submitted Change Requests (CRQs) for procedural changes, approved by Information Assurance (IA)
- Developed Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) documentation for security practices and operational procedures
- Created guidelines for accreditations and Command Cyber Operational Readiness Inspections (CCORI)
- Assisted in disaster recovery, business continuity, and failover/cutover procedures
- Maintained and managed the MSC Microsoft Exchange Server infrastructure, ensuring email functionality for fleet operations
- Monitored and optimized Exchange server performance
- Updated system documentation, installed security patches/updates, planned and performed Exchange server upgrades, and maintained the security posture of Exchange servers
- Provided written and verbal project updates to leadership, resolved customer email issues using the Naval Information Warfare Command (NIWC) ticket system (Remedy)
Messaging Services Specialist Advisor
NTT Data Services / DELL Services
Plano, Texas
11.2016 - 03.2020
- Handled and consulted on escalation and critical infrastructure issues related to Exchange and Office 365
- Deployed tools to monitor the messaging infrastructure
- Monitored the request queue for incidents, service requests, and problem requests
- Implemented tools to generate key analytics and statistics for messaging team members and customers
- Developed and published Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) documentation
- Provided advanced support to tier one and tier two Service Desk and Field Services staff and mentored junior Messaging Team members
- Coordinated with customers to resolve issues
- Developed and maintained system architecture documents
- Provided 24/7 on-call support for Exchange, Office 365, and Azure Active Directory Connect
Systems Administrator - LEAD
CoreLogic Inc.
Santa Ana, CA
05.2010 - 08.2012
- Company Overview: CoreLogic is a company that provides property information and analytics to real estate, governmental, and credit reporting agencies
- I was responsible for designing its messaging infrastructure, purchasing hardware, installing and configuring this hardware, and the associated software involved in the project
- As a steady-state engineer, I was responsible for maintaining CoreLogic's messaging, infrastructure, and employee-facing systems during a knowledge-transfer period
- I led sizing efforts to ensure it could perform properly while handling its 16,000 mailboxes
- While doing so, I also implemented messaging tools to provide crucial real-time statistics and analytics
- Once alerted, we could respond proactively to resolve complex problems which prevented downtime to customer operation
- Windows Server deployment and administration including all services, features, and roles
- Active Directory maintenance and administration
- CoreLogic is a company that provides property information and analytics to real estate, governmental, and credit reporting agencies
Senior Systems Administrator
The First American Corporation
Santa Ana, CA
02.2006 - 05.2010
- Administered Windows services (DHCP, WINS, DNS, File and Print) and Microsoft Exchange 2003
- Led migration and consolidation of over 10 business units into a single Active Directory Forest
- Managed over 50,000 mailboxes and related contacts & Distribution Lists
IT Consultant
ClearCut Solutions, Inc.
Hermosa Beach, CA
09.2001 - 02.2006
- As lead consultant, I integrated new ideas and solutions into Enterprise, small business, and home office networks
- Drafted network architecture scenarios to be integrated at various clients, met with senior officials to discuss implementation, and orchestrated a team of technicians and consultants to complete these tasks
- Supported a client base of over 400 accounts regionally
- Coordinated and installed over 200 Mailboxes etc., and UPS Stores throughout the Southern California Region, which included the physical installation and configuration of POS (point of sale) systems, Manifesting systems, Back Office Machines, and VPN appliances
- Presented new solutions to the ever-so challenging control of various Viruses, Spyware, Malicious-Ware (Malware), and other unauthorized desktop applications
- Operations – Supervised the company’s daily technical functionality
- Built strong relationships with business owners to provide efficient solutions to help their enterprises run smoothly
- Supervised the workflow of in-house support helpdesk calls
Education
Associate of Science - Computer Science
Marymount California University
Palos Verdes, CA05-2002
Skills
- Exchange Server expertise (2003 – 2019)
- Microsoft 365 services management
- Azure AD Connect implementation
- Mailbox migration techniques
- Identity Manager solutions (FIM/MIM)
- User and mailbox migrations
- Federation services (ADFS)
- Quest tools for messaging management
- Windows Server administration (2003 – 2022)
- DNS and DHCP setup and maintenance
- Networking protocol knowledge
- Active Directory infrastructure support
- LDAP directory services management
- Group policy configuration and enforcement
- Security protocols and practices
- Schema updates and system patching
- FSMO role assignments in infrastructure management
- PowerShell automation skills
Certification
- CompTIA Security+
- ITIL v2
- FCRA
- DoDM 8140.03
- DoD Secret Security Clearance
Work Preference
Work Type
Full TimeWork Location
RemoteImportant To Me
Career advancementWork-life balanceWork from home option401k matchCompany CultureTimeline
Exchange Engineer
Southwest Business Corporation (SWBC)
06.2022 - 01.2025
Exchange Engineer
StratasCorp/US Navy
04.2021 - 01.2022
Messaging Services Specialist Advisor
NTT Data Services / DELL Services
11.2016 - 03.2020
Systems Administrator - LEAD
CoreLogic Inc.
05.2010 - 08.2012
Senior Systems Administrator
The First American Corporation
02.2006 - 05.2010
IT Consultant
ClearCut Solutions, Inc.
09.2001 - 02.2006
Associate of Science - Computer Science
Marymount California University
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