Alexis S. Smith
Summary
A distinguished Information Technology Professional current serving in the capacity of IT Architect
Manager at BCBSNC with previous roles as Director of Technology, IT Project Manager, Information
Technology Manager, along with System Administrator and Network Infrastructure roles. Demonstrated
success administering and maintaining networks, client/servers, databases, securities, as well as, business
and data analysis. With 25+ years of experience and expertise in a diverse range of technologies. Well-
organized, self-motivated individual with proven abilities to implement standards, procedures, and
processes, which maximize levels of production within the information technology professional realm.
QUALIFICATION HIGHLIGHTS
WAN/LAN Networks
Windows Servers/ Windows-Mac OS Systems
Server / Client Technology
SCCM Administrator
Office 365 | MS Azure
DB Visualizer
Database Administration
Power BI, Tableau and Smartsheets dashboards
VM Deployment and Maintenance
Budgeting
ERP/CRM
Google Apps Administration
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Information Technology Solution Architect, Manager and Team Lead
Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina
07.2020 - Current
- Lead and coordinate work assignments for a sub-team that provides architecture services to a portion of the enterprise
- Deliver technical solutions that balance business need with adherence to enterprise architecture standards
- Business Development: Use of business analysis tools such as Power BI to create visual dashboards for all leadership and stakeholders to implement and measure projects, IT governance, and other areas within the organization to assist in improving productivity of all users
- System Administration: Scrum master, agile methodology, business intelligence, and data analyst roles using technology tools to enhance knowledge transfer, shared collaboration and create digital technical road maps at a glance
- Time Management: Effectively manage multiple streams of complex tasks, deliverables, and issues to drive completion of projects on time and within budget
- Balance tactical and strategic work as required
- Leadership Attributes: Provide team leadership, mentoring to direct reports and quarterly feedback to managers/director, reporting on sub-team deliverables, providing recommendations and ensuring quality timeliness of all team deliverables under general supervision.
Director of Technology (Infrastructure Administrator)
Montgomery Public Schools
09.2018 - 07.2020
- Manage implementations of large-scale, complex, multi-disciplined, cross- functional and highly visible projects and programs across cross functional teams
- Supervise and evaluate 25 direct and over 50 indirect employees ranging from network engineers network engineers, data analysts, NOC teams, and technology coordinators
- Business Development: Use of Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL) to create baseline to plan, implement and measure services for the organization and improve productivity of IT staff and resources
- Technical document for the MPS Technology Standardization business solution for technical purchases
- Maintain the school district’s technology budget to include E-Rate and technology grants
- Budget Analysis using NextGen Financial Software Platform and management of over $3M budgets to include salaries, software, hardware, and other renewals based on software development life cycle
- Creating documentation in preparation for submission through EPC Portal on USAC (E-rate) to request federal funding to secure millions of dollars using matrix for bid awards
- Instrumental in writing request for proposals (RFPs)
- Alexis S
- Smith
- Email: assmith2@me.com | Phone: (770) 366-0207
- Page 2 of 6
- System Administration: Network Infrastructure maintenance for over 45,000 devices ranging from
- Windows OS, Mac OS, iOS, and Android devices
- Provide support for the district LEA team including but not limited to planning, purchasing, maintenance and repair of the network infrastructure, computer hardware and software, distance learning, virtual schools, computer systems, PRI and SIP phone systems, and maintenance and support on Palo Alto Firewall for cybersecurity reporting and preventative ransomware measures
- Provide support for implementation of ongoing K-12 STEM projects for multiple software platforms and across hundreds of servers providing connectivity to over 35,000 students using Microsoft Network Load
- Balancing Manager to connect machines to provide distribution incoming traffic on the network across servers
- In disaster recovery instances, load balancing redirects requests from SIS servers that are available allows users to remain connected and continue with their daily routine
- Use of round robin load balancing algorithm was chosen to ensure sequential request distribution
- The long-term goal is to select the least connection load balancing algorithm to connect to the first server available with the least connections
- Provide support for Office 365 Deployment, execute, manage, and lead Office 365 migrations district wide for over 45,000 admin, faculty, staff and student accounts for access and use of SSO solutions
- In addition, train staff on use of Office products for shared collaboration and business productivity
- Time Management: Direct the school district in advanced technology training including but not limited to educational technology, professional development, train the trainer and student engagement in technologies by providing leadership in relations between information systems and district-wide schools and departments, establishing and maintaining effective communication, and working closely with each school’s technology coordinator, media specialists, and data entry teams to ensure timely state reporting
- Leadership Attributes: Creating course enrollments to motivate cross functional teams to further their technology education on the LinkedIn Learning online LMCS for the entire district that promotes continued education district-wide for admin, technology staff, and technology coordinators
- Maintain current knowledge of technology industry using journals and periodicals in order to stay abreast of technological developments and trends
- VPN into network to conduct routing monitoring of servers, potential cyber security threat analysis
- Security systems, badge access and internal information system security management
- Access Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center for online resources to ensure the network infrastructure remain intact and quarantine malicious malware and other intrusions
- Remain abreast of intel advisory, especially for the current potential against cyber-attacks following recent strikes against Iranian military officials in case of retaliation
- Continually researching proactive measures to maintain a secure network infrastructure
- Ensure network admin and entire technology staff are trained on all preventive software platforms to secure the network using cloud-based solutions
- Negotiate contracts with vendors such as Cisco for VOIP services, Nutanix for Virtual Servers,
- Network Analysis, and other various 3rd party public and private shareholders.
IT Project Manager, Project Manager / Team
National Information Solutions Cooperative
02.2016 - 09.2018
- Lead for software implementations and conversions using agile methodology in the telecom industry
- Use of smartsheets to record milestones and track project status
- Train clients on use of ERP/CRM software for billing, accounting, customer services
- Java based
- Project Lead on ERP conversions for multiple clients in telecommunications
- Salesforce business solutions to transfer business contacts data from LeadAgent into OSS/BSS software platform (ERP systems)
- Train clients in use of the software during conversion
- Project Management skills including practical usage of Microsoft Project, knowledge of Advanced
- Alexis S
- Smith
- Email: assmith2@me.com | Phone: (770) 366-0207
- Page 3 of 6
- Networking/Systems and Desktop/Peripherals (including operating systems, utilities, Microsoft Office
- Products, etc)
- Strong communication, presentation and customer relation skills
- Travel 12 weeks out of the year for data analysis trips and best practice reviews with existing clients
- Conduct scenario training, process training, and provide Go Live support at onsite locations
- Duties include data analyst and business analyst roles for hands-on and virtual training during software conversions and implementations
- Provide virtual training via scheduled web-ex meetings, host conference calls, and update curriculum via Smartsheets and other project management software
- Access virtual servers for verification and validation of converted data for merged projects with major companies through the United States and other global clients
- DB Visualizer, SQL Server, MS Access and Excel pivot tables and charts used for data collection and analysis
- Technical writing for training manuals to be distributed to clients for professional services coordination
- High level job aid preparation for continued support
- Software conversions team lead on projects for rural organizations
- SQL Server database administration for clients during conversions
- Project Manager role onsite to ensure successful implementation and provide additional support for quality of service to the teams
- Project Management responsibilities to perform software implementations for Members/Customers, managing the implementation project, provided application support to customers, validated and verified the accuracy of the converted data, trained personnel on all aspects of the application, and answering questions on functionality and usage of the product via the telephone, e-mail, or on-site
- This position reported to the Team Leads
- Serve as a project manager: Managed and coordinated project plan, timelines, and milestones
- Coordinated Member/Customer implementation schedules, defined, created, and validated configurations based on business requirements
- Identified, communicated, and mitigated project risks
- Served as liaison between Member/Customer and NISC project staff
- Software used: Online Project Management Software - Smartsheets and MS One Note for shared collaboration
- Use of Agile Methodology
- Focused on scope, time and cost of the project to ensure successful implementation and deployment within a 6 to 8-month period per project
- Provided after-hours Member/Customer support on a rotational basis
- Served as team liaison on projects as business analyst and data analyst using power bi tools and tableau software applications.
International ZOL Technology Director
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated
07.2018 - Current
- Remote position (community service support in the evenings) Manage technology and support for over 200K professional women
- Train women on ERP/LMS system internationally
- Lead a globally diverse team of technology support personnel
- Admin on Cisco WebEx Events platform for tele-town hall meetings and bi-annual reports provided to membership
- Admin on ZOOM Platform for scheduling and hosting executive admin meetings for groups of audiences ranging from 100 to 3000 attendees
- ERP: Learn upon system and batch uploads
- Train network infrastructure team to utilize system
- Use of SCORM and TIN packets, and maintain the system while providing support
- Facilitator at bi-annual leadership training (CVent and CrowdCompass Administrator) Google Classroom Administrator for instruction
- Use of Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL) to create baseline to plan, implement and measure services for the organization and improve productivity of staff and resources.
Information Technology Manager (Infrastructure Engineer)
Opelika Power Services
, AL
11.2012 - 02.2016
- N Maintain IT Infrastructure for Opelika Power Services with Fiber backbone
- N Performed Infrastructure Engineer duties to secure computer platforms, servers and Cisco switch management
- Completed installations, maintained, upgraded, and continuously improve operating systems on all devices to ensure ongoing reliability, performance and support of the infrastructure
- N Monitored the servers, daily backups, responded to incidents and problems
- Also, provided department wide professional development training for growth development
- N Provided infrastructure solutions based on application needs and anticipated growth across the organization
- N Responsible for the overall operation and maintenance of the data center
- N Project Manager / Team Lead for software implementations on three major conversions
- N System Administrator for ERP/CRM software for billing, accounting, customer services, and other business intelligence tools
- N Fiber Inventory uploads, network elements, work with GIS data, MSAG, SmartHub configurations, etc
- N Manage technology infrastructure to include: troubleshooting network connectivity issues; installing & maintaining routers; adding/terminating users through Microsoft Active Directory; assigning rights and access; resetting passwords; establishing e-mail addresses; assess and report operational status updates to 3rd party vendors for support; perform backups and restores of SQL Server 2008 data; etc
- N Technical writer for software applications: provide written technology policy manuals (SOPs) to managers, supervisors, staff and consumers/participants
- N Perform health checks of over 100 Hyper-V servers using SCOM
- Also, deploying software packages using SCCM, while managing and safeguarding software media and associated licenses, and document software versions of windows servers, and other software applications
- N Daily checks using load balancing, event manager, and other windows server applications
- Load balancing monitored using Microsoft Network Load Balancing Manager which connects the servers to allow distribution of workload evenly across servers to efficiently maximize speed and performance
- This allowed users who connected to the servers or application delivery controllers (ADCs) for security, acceleration and authentication
- Overall, used to handle traffic on the network
- N Analyze technology requirements and develop functional specifications through technology assessments of departmental hardware and software needs
- Conduct comparative analysis of software through demonstrations and testing of various software applications
- N Administer and maintain database service of SQL Server 2008 databases on Windows Servers
- Create job schedules and monitor job activities to ensure successfully runs
- N Project Liaison on software conversion implementations; participate on network committees, task forces, and workgroups while facilitate technology conference calls, webinar and user groups meetings to ensure projects remain on schedule
- N Strategic Planning for the network using ITIL fundamentals to ensure security and disaster recover documentation or SOP was created.
District Technology Coordinator (IT Director)
Bullock County BOE
Union Springs, AL
05.2007 - 11.2012
- N Provided technical assistance on Cisco Wireless LAN Controllers, Cisco switches, routers, and Cisco
- Call Manager servers
- Maintained over 15 servers (Windows Server 2000, 2003, and 2008) and SQL
- Server 2005 databases n Administrator role for Cisco Call Manager
- Provide support for VOIP services district wide
- N Provided software/hardware end-user computer support services to entire staff personnel and student
Technical Support Specialist
Montgomery County Commission
Montgomery, AL
02.2005 - 05.2007
- Body
- Conducted installations, configurations and support of PC, printers and other peripherals, and software applications
- Provided testing, evaluation and installation of software updates, such as MS
- Office Suite with specializations in Outlook 2007, 2010 and MS Office for Mac 2011
- N Administrator of migration of systems: Exchange Server 2003 to Google Apps
- Created and managed user accounts on Microsoft Active Directory under Windows Server 2003 to include Email – Exchange
- Server 2007
- Microsoft Exchange server administrator role
- N Provided installation and maintenance of PC’s with Windows OS 7 and Virtual Machines with deployments of other patches
- Also, using Windows 8 – Consumer Pre-Release now for long-term goal deployment and enforced policies using Windows Server 2008 group policy management on domains and subdomains
- Provided installation and maintenance of Mac OS X Servers and systems with 10.6.8, to include installation of Mac OS X Lion 10.7.4
- Provided configuration, deployment and installation of VMware
- Fusion and Parallels Desktop v.7 virtual machine software for Apple computer and servers
- Remotely managed all servers at off-site locations, especially during extreme weather conditions in case of disaster recovery backup procedures
- N Configured and maintained VMware software on Windows 2003 servers for deployment to departments while conducting daily maintenance checks on allotted space, network connectivity, and health checks
- Also, created VMs for Windows Server 2008 for future collaborative projects and deployments
- N Maintain Network Infrastructure
- N Created Database Maintenance Plans and ensure backup of databases n Maintained over 30 servers and 15 SQL Servers; provided GIS technical support for Mapping in
- Appraisal (ESRI and ArcGIS Software) n Created and manage user accounts on Active Directory under Server 2003 to include Email – Exchange
- Server 2003
- N Provided testing, evaluation and installation of software updates to include updates of computers with
- Windows XP Service Pack 2 and deploy other patches
Education
Doctoral Degree - Organizational Leadership/IST
University of Phoenix
Masters - Information Systems /Management
University of Phoenix
2007
Bachelor’s Degree - Criminal Justice
Alabama State University
1997
Associates Degree - CIS
Troy State University of Montgomery
2002
High School Diploma - undefined
Academy of Richmond County High School
1991
Skills
- TECHNICAL EXPERTISE
- Systems:
- Windows Servers 2019, 2016, 2012, 2008, and 2003 Windows Client- Windows 10, 8, 7,
- Vista, XP Professional Mac OSX, IOS and corresponding Servers for Network Infrastructure
- Administration
- Microsoft Office Suites: Office365, 2019, 2016, 2013, 2010, 2007, 2003-Excel, Access, Word,
- Publisher, PowerPoint, Project, Outlook, Visio, and Microsoft Office for Mac 2016, 2011, 2008
- Courses: Comp TIA A, Microsoft Excel and Word, Designing a MS SQL Server 2012 Infrastructure,
- Maintaining a MS SQL Server 2012 Database, Infrastructures of SQL Server 2012
- Other Software: Nutanix VM, Microsoft Hyper-V (Virtual Machines), Parallels Desktop and Server
Accomplishments
- Page 6 of 6 for Mac, VMware vSphere for Windows and Fusion for Mac, Crystal Reports, SQL Server 2012, 2008, 2005, Dreamweaver MX, Corel WordPerfect, Omni Form, Adobe Acrobat, ESRI ArcGIS 8.3, Mosyle,
- Apple Remote Desktop, Automator, Smartsheets for Project Management, and various others software solutions, Microsoft Load Balancing Manager, Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager
- ACHIEVEMENTS 2020 Power to Fly “Power BI: Data Analysis” Facilitator 2019 Smart Cities Council Readiness Challenge Winner (City and County group partnership) o https://na.smartcitiescouncil.com/article/winning-cities-are-ready
Affiliations
2018 - Alabama Leaders in Educational Technology (ALET)
2014 - Woman of the Year: National Association of Professional Women’s Award
2011 - Distinguished Apple Educators
2011 - Appointed as a member of the STI Advisory Board
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