Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
References
Timeline
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George Keaton

George Keaton

Hebron,IN

Summary

Intelligent IT Manager with 30-year record of leadership experience in areas such as infrastructure development and management, application support and security optimization. Focused on satisfying customer needs through robust, innovative and forward-thinking solutions. Demonstrated success as operational leader, articulate communicator and practiced influencer. Collaborates across functions to outline and achieve project targets. Skilled in building solid business solutions based on methodologies and engineering principles. Complex problem-solver skilled in developing proposals, integrating technologies and managing projects.

Overview

19
19
years of professional experience

Work History

Director of Information Technology

Segal McCambridge Singer & Mahoney
Chicago, IL
07.2014 - 04.2020
  • Developed project proposals for new initiatives that included cost estimates, timelines, resource requirements.
  • Identified issues and resolved problems with hardware and software to improve end-user experience.
  • Maintained knowledge of advances in information technology systems and applications.
  • Reviewed and approved project plans prior to implementation.
  • Collaborated with and mentored technology staff, promoting synergetic partnerships, credibility and teamwork.
  • Ensured appropriate licenses were purchased for any third-party software used within the organization.
  • Designed contingency planning, formal training and employee development plan to increase staff quality performance.
  • Developed and implemented an IT strategy to align with the organization's overall business objectives.
  • Negotiated service level agreements with vendors for hardware and software purchases.
  • Installation, implementation and oversight of the migration of 13 million documents and implemented new training program/train the trainers for the firm
  • Restored attorney/team members trust in IT by establishing the solid reputation for regular communication and systems stability with 99.99% up-time
  • Implemented a 'Keep it Simple' and 'Do What It Takes To Get The Job Done' philosophy
  • Introduced a multitude of new cloud technolo
  • Created high level reporting and information for the Executive Committee and created detailed reporting for Technology Committee along with firm-wide IT future goals.
  • Monitored performance metrics such as system uptime, response times, throughputs.
  • Coordinated cross-functional teams to develop innovative solutions that met customer needs.
  • Performed regular system audits to ensure data integrity and security protocols are followed.
  • Managed the installation, configuration, and maintenance of network hardware and software.
  • Assigned and reviewed work of IT project managers, systems analysts and developers.
  • Recruited, trained and supervised IT department staff.
  • Analyzed workflows and established priorities for daily operations.
  • Identified opportunities for process automation through scripting or other methods.
  • Facilitated leadership to community and internal staff by conducting technology trainings and workshops.
  • Procured IT resources for strategic and operational computing requirements.
  • Reviewed vendor contracts related to IT services including cloud hosting providers.
  • Analyzed financial data, developed budget and managed expenditures for technology services.
  • Implemented short-term workarounds and long-term solutions to technical problems.
  • Created policies and procedures for system access, usage, security, backup and recovery, disaster recovery plans, and other related activities.
  • Provided company users with tech support for IT problems and account maintenance.
  • Provided guidance to staff on technical issues and solutions as needed.
  • Attended ongoing seminars, workshops and continuing education courses to remain current in emerging technology and advancements.
  • Controlled operational IT budget and expenditures within department parameters.
  • Collaborated closely with other departments such as HR and Finance when implementing new technologies.
  • Developed data security and disaster recovery procedures.
  • Coordinated, managed and prepared RFPs and RFQs for purchasing department, recommending software and hardware specifications.
  • Documented all changes made to the IT environment including hardware and software upgrades or modifications.
  • Met with users, vendors and technicians to determine computing requirements.
  • Supervised a team of IT professionals in the development of systems architecture designs and applications programming projects.
  • Conducted research on emerging technologies to identify areas of improvement in existing infrastructure.
  • Met with stakeholders to collaborate and resolve problems.

Network Operations Manager

Segal McCambridge Singer & Mahoney
05.2005 - 07.2014
  • Monitored user activity on the network to detect malicious behavior or unauthorized access attempts.
  • Conducted regular maintenance activities on all network devices including routers, switches, firewalls, and load balancers.
  • Kept flexible schedule and resolved after-hours and weekend emergencies quickly and accurately.
  • Performed root cause analysis on complex network problems to identify solutions quickly and efficiently.
  • Planned, tested and supported high-availability infrastructures.
  • Installed and configured various networking components such as routers, switches, firewalls, wireless access points.
  • Assisted with troubleshooting complex technical issues related to the company's networks or systems.
  • Consulted users to determine areas in need of improvement.
  • Maintained open communication with team members and stakeholders, resulting in successful project outcomes.
  • Provided excellent service and attention to customers when face-to-face or through phone conversations.
  • Planned and completed group projects, working smoothly with others.
  • Completed day-to-day duties accurately and efficiently.
  • Displayed strong telephone etiquette, effectively handling difficult calls.
  • Worked successfully with diverse group of coworkers to accomplish goals and address issues related to our products and services.
  • Achieved cost-savings by developing functional solutions to problems.
  • Upgraded the corporate network, Exchange Server migration to Office 365, bundled with network monitoring, cloud email archiving, reducing business risk, increasing inefficiencies and reducing loss of revenue from billing discrepancies with clients
  • Designed, implemented, tested and maintained the Disaster Recovery process and procedures
  • Designed, implemented SSO on Azure, for all major applications to simplify users experience and increase efficiency
  • Implemented a new ticket system as well as a change management system
  • Responsible for data center design (both local and off-site) office space networking, access control; security/alarms, telecommunications, networking design, installation, troubleshooting, disaster recover, risk management, data governance and cyber securities
  • Maintained all WWAN connections using wireless services
  • Managed a lean team providing systems, network, end-user and technical support across 8 states; supported all aspects of law firm and their business model
  • Introduced new technologies, phased out inefficient processes and streamlined the department, call routing, including asset tag integration with our ticketing system; promoted training and development of team members to be self sufficient
  • Responsible for all IT procurement of IT-based hardware and contract renewals
  • Implemented, monitored and maintained all infrastructure aspects within the firm: data storage, telecom, printing solutions, desktop and laptop configuration and repair, network, LAN/WAN, VLAN, security, and disaster recovery
  • Handled all aspects of Active Directory, DNS, DHCP, firewall, network monitoring, and alerts
  • Purchased and tracked all equipment; handled all vendor contracts and renewals
  • Designed several different firm location build outs that included the workflow process; worked diligently with many vendors and carriers to ensure the data and telecom connectivity were correctly installed, tested the connections and implemented this into the firm's' production network
  • Created web-based customer portals to allow the use of form submissions across the organization.
  • Designed, configured and tested computer hardware and operating system software.
  • Monitored and analyzed network performance to identify potential issues or areas of improvement.
  • Developed and managed network operations policies and procedures.
  • Investigated potential security threats by analyzing logs from intrusion detection systems.
  • Spearheaded server infrastructure development, quality control, staging and production operations.
  • Researched emerging trends in technology related to networking operations in order to stay ahead of competition.
  • Promoted continuous improvement for IT governance processes.
  • Designed backup strategies for data storage and retrieval in case of system failure or disaster recovery scenarios.
  • Managed team of engineers responsible for day-to-day network operations tasks.
  • Developed training materials for staff members regarding proper use of the company's networks and systems.
  • Ensured compliance with industry standards such as HIPAA, PCI DSS, SOX.
  • Monitored network performance to determine adjustments needed.

Network Operations Admin

US Steel Corporation Gary Works
03.2001 - 04.2005
  • Maintained all systems and worked with vendors to support new infrastructure
  • Maintained all backups and replications
  • Designed print server failover cluster from the ground up with zero budget
  • Designed, Implemented and Deployed Citrix Virtual Desktop to 7000 user multi plant network
  • Worked with several process control systems that controlled steel output
  • Failure of these systems would result in revenue losses of more than $10,000 dollars a second
  • Configured, implemented many systems and maintained all existing servers
  • Identified weakness in Network Operations hiring process and worked with management for a well rounded training experience
  • Implemented Data Governance event log retention policy for the corporation
  • Learned to accomplish tasks with little or no budgets, by thinking out of the box and coming up with new methods that would accomplish the task at hand
  • Implemented plant wide large routine login scripts to control deployments and security for the entire plant
  • Provided tier two and three support for all software and hardware
  • Created numerous documentation SOPs for the new programs/software and systems that was already implemented
  • Responsible for the creation of master recovery images of servers and workstations
  • Worked with deployment team to roll out 3000 workstations plant wide
  • Worked with tier one support and establish documentation and training events of newly deployed systems.
  • Worked closely with end users to solve problems related to hardware and software.
  • Uploaded, configured, and managed antivirus detection software and email applications.
  • Performed routine troubleshooting and network monitoring.
  • Monitored system upgrades, patches and new configurations.
  • Spearheaded server infrastructure development, quality control, staging and production operations.
  • Managed employee access, security roles and permissions.
  • Installed and supported hardware and software for desktops, servers, and printers.
  • Analyzed intricate server issues and supported large enterprise and business-critical applications.
  • Planned, tested and supported high-availability infrastructures.

Education

High School Diploma -

Valparaiso High School
Valparaiso, IN
01-1987

Skills

  • Technical Research and Problem Solving
  • Team Building & Leadership
  • Customer & User Satisfaction
  • Technical Training & Mentoring
  • Project & Program Management
  • Process & System Improvements
  • Solution Design & Implementation
  • Enhanced Operating Efficiencies
  • System Integration & Consolidation
  • Datacenter Design
  • VMWare vSphere
  • Azure
  • Network Design
  • HP/Broadcom
  • Cisco UCS
  • EMC Networks
  • Account Management Streamlining
  • OpenLDAP
  • MS Active Directory
  • High Availability Data Resources
  • Thin Client Computing
  • VMware Horizon View
  • MS Terminal Services
  • Citrix
  • Polycom
  • Cisco VCS
  • Operating Systems & Services
  • Apple OSX
  • MS Windows
  • Project Management
  • Business Continuity Planning
  • Disaster Recovery
  • Product Lifecycle Management
  • Information Security
  • IT Service Management
  • Network Administration
  • Virtualization Technologies
  • Equipment Procurement
  • Staff Hiring
  • Software Licenses and Patches
  • Project Leadership
  • Expense Analysis
  • Project Coordination
  • Budget Control
  • Infrastructure Planning

References

References available upon request.

Timeline

Director of Information Technology

Segal McCambridge Singer & Mahoney
07.2014 - 04.2020

Network Operations Manager

Segal McCambridge Singer & Mahoney
05.2005 - 07.2014

Network Operations Admin

US Steel Corporation Gary Works
03.2001 - 04.2005

High School Diploma -

Valparaiso High School

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George Keaton