Hershel Jones
Dexter,United States
Summary
Experienced Scrum Master with proven track record of successfully leading teams in developing high-quality software solutions on time and within budget. Skilled in multiple Agile methodologies, stakeholder management and sprint planning. Highly organized in managing complex projects with multiple deadlines.
Overview
38
38
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Senior Scrum Master
Ventech Solutions
07.2015 - 10.2023
- Lead multiple diverse & distributed development teams with between 3-15 engineers
- Facilitate all Scrum/SAFe ceremonies to include daily standup, backlog refinement, sprint retrospective, sprint planning & PI planning
- Facilitate communication utilizing several tools such as Teams, SLACK & Confluence to provide total transparency
- Utilize JIRA for managing team progress, gathering metrics, and identifying/managing team risks
- Utilize Confluence to establish/maintain team pages, team working agreements, checklists, and other processes
- Identify and remove impediments
- Increase Flow metrics by identifying team value streams and applying value stream mapping
- Coach team members in agile methodologies
- Conflict Management and resolution
- Resource Management
- Service Level Agreement enforcement.
- Planned Agile best practices and encouraged team cohesion, overcoming impediments, and hurdles to productivity.
- Applied agile methodology to shorten cycle time and achieve target margins.
- Managed product backlog and supported Scrum framework for monthly sprint releases.
- Created and implemented contingency plans to address potential risks.
- Managed various IT projects to meet deadlines and customer requirements.
- Resolved staff conflicts and identified potential areas of improvement.
- Established and enforced project timelines and deadlines.
- Developed and introduced IT strategies to improve operational efficiency.
- Identified and implemented cost-saving measures in IT projects.
- Coached teams in Agile practices and provided necessary training to create positive mindset to Agile methodologies
- Facilitated Scrum framework – sprint planning, backlog grooming, daily scrums, sprint reviews, and sprint retrospectives
- Collaborated with product owners, team members, technologists, and other scrum masters to define solutions and drive progress
- Led sprint reviews and planning meetings to promote full team engagement
- Worked closely and listened to team members' feedback to identify issues and resolve conflicts
- Streamlined and optimized workflow and communication by implementing Agile frameworks
- Managed product backlog and supported Scrum framework for monthly sprint releases
Sr. Systems Engineer
General Dynamics IT
06.2003 - 07.2015
- Designed, implemented and/or maintain systems such as Symantec NetBackup, Symantec Backup Exec, Sync Sort Backup Express, Symantec Endpoint Protection, Check Point Full Disk Encryption and Microsoft Exchange
- Designed wireless solution to allow and control remote connectivity
- Deployed/managed Windows and Red Hat servers
- Created and maintained process documentation
- Provided day to day end user support for remote users.
- Documented system configuration, mapping and processes
- Maintained stability, integrity and efficient operation of information systems supporting organizational functions
- Supported system users, educating employees on troubleshooting and problem-solving protocols
- Collaborated with executive team to define business requirements and systems goals
- Delivered helpdesk service and support to customers
- Streamlined troubleshooting processes to improve system support and enhance communication between support team and end-users
- Created flowcharts, diagrams and other documentation
- Configured, installed and upgraded SQL databases
- Verified compliance with applicable performance metrics and compatibility expectations
- Optimized networked software and operating systems by applying updates and patches
- Designed tailored disaster recovery solutions to maintain uptime
Technical Manager
National Defense University
06.1997 - 06.2003
- Managed daily operations team of 10 engineers
- Established policies and procedures outlining project operations
- Defined business requirements and facilitated bi-weekly project meetings
- Responsible for all Local Area Network (LAN), Wide Area Network (WAN), and Virtual Private Network (VPN) design and implementation for multiple projects
- Managed NDU's hybrid network, which consisted of both Novell and Microsoft operating systems
- Managed Novell GroupWise and Microsoft Exchange messaging systems.
- Worked closely with customers to evaluate various types of risks such as impact, reputation and regulatory.
- Managed implementation of new technological improvements resulting in increased efficiency.
- Guided, coached and lead project teams, delegating tasks and evaluating performance and progression of project pace.
- Developed suggestions for technical process improvements to optimize resources.
- Managed deliverable estimates, negotiated resource conflicts and allocated resources.
- Communicated project status, delivering audience messages and change management with clients.
- Gathered requirements and maintained communication between project teams, internal clients and external stakeholders.
- Recruited and trained IT team members.
- Met with clients to gather and understand requirements and coordinated with system administrators and directors to plan and schedule project activities.
Systems Engineer
Pinkerton Computer Consultants
11.1995 - 06.1997
- On-site customer support for Arms Control and Disarmament agency
- Managed Novell NetWare network for State Department
- Managed the agencies Novell GroupWise messaging system
- Implemented and managed the projects internal classified LAN.
Systems Administrator
TRW Incorporated
05.1988 - 11.1995
- Designed and managed internal Novell Net Ware LAN at TRW headquarters consisting of Windows and Macintosh clients
- Implemented and managed the headquarters Novell GroupWise email system
- Provided all end user support to staff members
- Provided network and end user support on other off-site projects as required
- Designed and managed an isolated Macintosh AppleTalk network for internal project at TRW headquarters and provided all end user support.
Administrator
United States Army
05.1985 - 05.1988
- Responsible for evaluating and recommending new software and technology for the staff
- Documented and trained the commander’s staff in newly implemented software
- All other duties as assigned.
Education
Some College (No Degree) - Information Technology
Northern Virginia Community College
Alexandria, VASkills
- SAFe
- Scrum
- Kanban
- Agile
- Jira
- Risk Management
- Confluence
- AWS/Cloud Computing
- Communication
- Project Management
- Workflow Analysis
- Presentation Skills
- Technology Implementation
- Schedule Management
- Conflict Resolution
- Team Leadership
- Root Cause Analysis
- Change Management
- Customer Service
- Coaching and Mentoring
- MS Office
- Requirements Gathering
- Work Planning and Prioritization
- Project Management Software
Certification
- Certified Scrum Master (CSM)
- Certified SAFe Advanced Scrum Master (SASM)
- Certified SAFe Practitioner (SP)
- AWS Certified Solutions Architect-Associate
- MCP - Microsoft Certified Professional
Personal Information
- Military Service Branch: United States Army
- Military Service Rank: E-4
Timeline
Senior Scrum Master
Ventech Solutions
07.2015 - 10.2023
Sr. Systems Engineer
General Dynamics IT
06.2003 - 07.2015
Technical Manager
National Defense University
06.1997 - 06.2003
Systems Engineer
Pinkerton Computer Consultants
11.1995 - 06.1997
Systems Administrator
TRW Incorporated
05.1988 - 11.1995
Administrator
United States Army
05.1985 - 05.1988
Some College (No Degree) - Information Technology
Northern Virginia Community College
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