Jason M. Pavalon
Brandon
Summary
Results-focused, professional with several years of proven success in developing and leading cross-functional technical teams to execute and deliver major technology initiatives. Demonstrates expertise in desktop, remote access, thin clients and video conferencing. Highly-effective communication facilitator and contributor to key partnerships, projects and collective team objectives across, telecom, network, hosting, security, governance and vendor management to achieve positive impact on all business outcomes.
Seasoned Information Technology Consultant with strong background in managing complex IT projects and providing strategic guidance to businesses. Possess deep understanding of various IT infrastructures and systems, with skills in problem-solving, project management, and team leadership. Known for driving operational efficiency through implementing technology solutions that align with business goals. Previously led teams in successful system integrations and improvements, consistently ensuring client satisfaction.
Overview
1
1
Certification
29
29
years of professional experience
Work History
Sr. IT Consultant
DEFINATIVE RESOURCES
Westchester
09.2022 - Current
- Collaborated with strategic business partners to implement Desktop and Server OS, AntiVirus and Cyber defense, Key Card Access/Camera Solutions, while ensuring uptime and workflow of clients’ proprietary applications.
- Led technical sales for customer base, managed in-house technical staff, and coordinated onboarding of new customers.
- Developed new business through trade shows and industry events to present solutions to current and prospective customers.
IT Director
HOWARD ORLOFF IMPORTS
Chicago
11.2011 - 09.2022
- Negotiated with IT vendors, managed projects, ensured building security, implemented digital marketing strategies, oversaw day-to-day support operations, built teams, and planned budgets.
- IT account payables reduced by 6k per month after first year through strategic vendor management and consolidations.
- Constructed modern conference room featuring 70’’ LED TV, DirecTV, PC, and wireless presentation system to facilitate management meetings, training seminars, vendor negotiations, and employee reviews.
- Redesigned data center to include new wire management, identified and labeled over 150 CAT5e/6/fiber data runs, decommissioned old wiring, hardware and outdated communication circuits and refreshed with new circuits. New circuits have faster speeds, carrier and demarcation diversity.
- Designed a 5 virtual and 2 physical HP Server environment running VCenter and Windows Server 2012, Local NAS Backup with incremental nightly backups offsite. Deployed 120 new HP Desktops to this newly built 2012 domain.
- Designed a 5 virtual and 2 physical HP Server environment running VCenter and Windows Server 2012, Local NAS Backup with incremental nightly backups offsite. Deployed 120 new HP Desktops to this newly built 2012 domain.
- Responsible for department reviews, mentoring, training and increasing department SLAs and trend analysis of nearly 600 devices. Such devices include PCs, mobile devices, application support.
- Advisory Board member AutoPoint’s suite of automotive service products. Included in their product offerings are Multipoint, Retentionpoint, Ownerpoint and Welcomepoint. Our direct feedback is incorporated in the next 12-18 months of development and enhancements to all products.
Executive Support Analyst
NORTHERN TRUST
Chicago
07.2011 - 10.2011
- Identified technology challenges and solutions for High Touch Service (HTS). The HTS business unit supports technology requests generated by Rick Waddell (CEO) and his top two tiers of senior management.
- Identified and remedied global carrier provisioning incidents when executive’s travel overseas. Highlighted several global participation efforts and recommendations in final output presented to Sr. Management.
- Identified and remedied global carrier provisioning incidents when executive's travel overseas. Highlighted several global participation efforts and recommendations in final output presented to Sr. Management.
IT Manager
BREWER INVESTMENT GROUP, LLC.
Chicago
06.2008 - 11.2010
- Planned and implemented two redundant firewalls, with two Cisco routers utilizing two separate circuits for 99.999 percent uptime across all divisions.
- Planned and implemented two redundant firewalls, with two Cisco routers utilizing two separate circuits for 99.999% uptime across all divisions.
- Managed network and PC technicians, overseeing technical documentation including flow charts, diagrams, user profiles, and internal processes.
- Designed and implemented custom CRM (InsideSales/Salesforce) for all divisions, integrating real-time inbound HTTP leads for insurance division.
- Planned and executed short-term relocation of 85 users from 200 South Michigan to 303 East Wacker Drive, ensuring operational data and phone circuits prior to move and confirming CAT5e connectivity to workstations.
Project Manager
CHI NETWORKS, INC.
Chicago
11.2004 - 06.2008
- Planned, organized, secured, and managed resources to complete specific project goals and objectives from start to finish; managed multiple programs.
- Planned and executed data center relocation project. Consisted of twelve 40 amp full cabinets with Dell and HP brand servers, all with monitored PDU’s that hosted MS Exchange 2003, Quickbooks, virtual office servers, file servers, SQL 2005 and proprietary backup servers.
- Managed 45+ SMB networks, 2 data centers, 14 engineers. Overall 75% Windows and 25% Linux environments. Servicing anywhere from 3-80 users at each location.
- Managed all hardware and software, including Windows/Linux, MS Exchange, BES, BlackBerrys, iPhones, Android devices, Windows 7/Vista/XP, and Cisco/OpenVPN/Juniper VPN clients.
- Planned and executed data center relocation project. Consisted of twelve 40 amp full cabinets with Dell and HP brand servers, all with monitored PDUs that hosted MS Exchange 2003, Quickbooks, virtual office servers, file servers, SQL 2005 and proprietary backup servers.
Network Administrator
CALAMOS INVESTMENTS
Naperville
06.2000 - 01.2004
- Responsible for planning, installing, customizing, testing, and monitoring all Windows and in-house proprietary financial applications for the CEO, CIO, Portfolio Managers, Traders and Portfolio Assistants.
- Monitored performance of network and made recommendations if performance fell below acceptable guidelines. Monitored Help Desk tickets and insured we met performance benchmarks. Maintained records and prepared and documented system configurations. Maintained virus protections on a continuing basis. Designed and implemented network user account structure for staff. Identified technical troubles on network and made recommendations accordingly. Recommended and installed hardware and software applications and performed other duties as assigned.
- Maintained skill set by managing current technologies and applications, including Windows 2000, MS Exchange 5.5 & 2000, Cisco routers, Cisco switches, and other systems with potential impact on infrastructure.
- Acted as Disaster Recovery Project Manager, assisting with the implementation, maintenance, and execution of business recovery plans while evaluating software products and options for all departments. Conducted daily backups.
- Monitored performance of network and made recommendations if performance fell below acceptable guidelines. Monitored Help Desk tickets and ensured we met performance benchmarks. Maintained records and prepared and documented system configurations. Maintained virus protections on a continuing basis. Designed and implemented network user account structure for staff. Identified technical troubles on network and made recommendations accordingly. Recommended and installed hardware and software applications.
Senior Consulting Technician
ADIVI
Chicago
01.1999 - 04.2000
- Supported a wide variety of client infrastructures, including installation and implementation of servers, networking equipment, workstations, peripherals, and ongoing support and administration.
- Stepped in as a System Administrator for a major real estate holding company. Provided server support and administration for 9 locations on a point-to-point frame-relay network. Increased network security by auditing passwords and recommended procedural changes to management. Reorganized user accounts after defining written standards to make them consistent. Created templates to provide new administrators with a simple way of adding users and mailboxes.
- Served as System Administrator for major real estate holding company, providing server support and administration across 9 locations on point-to-point frame-relay network. Enhanced network security by auditing passwords, recommending procedural changes, and reorganizing user accounts to standardize practices. Developed templates for new administrators to streamline user and mailbox setup.
- Helped engineer and install a small network for a private investing firm in Chicago. Including installation and configuration of Compaq servers, Windows NT 4.0, Microsoft Exchange, installation and configuration of workstations, installation of Open Bloomberg and a variety of software applications. Additional support included the Internet, wiring, and reorganization of everyone’s home directories and profiles.
Network Support Technician
R.H. Donnelley
Chicago
07.1997 - 01.1999
- Provided MS Exchange Server administration support on a daily basis.
- Utilized SMS Ver 1.0 for user support and statewide equipment inventory management.
- Responsible for day-to-day user and mail account administration (Exchange 4.0/5.0) for 700+ users.
- Administered user and mail accounts daily (Exchange 4.0/5.0) for over 700 users.
- Provided comprehensive network support including cabling, helpdesk, workstation, and server support.
- Developed and managed support rotation schedule for Illinois offices.
- Daily management of I.P. addresses for all peripherals.
Education
Liberal Arts -
DePaul University
ChicagoSkills
- IT consulting
- Project management
- Program management
- Client engagement
- Client relationship management
- Team leadership
- Change management
- Strategic planning
- IT strategy
- IT governance
- IT service management
- IT asset management
- Effective communication
- Data center design
- Cybersecurity
- Cybersecurity expertise
- Enterprise architecture
- Solution architecture
- API management
- DevOps practices
- ITIL framework
- Technical writing
- Machine learning
- Market research
- Process facilitation
- Information security
- Programming languages
- Linux certification
- Enterprise software
- Software licenses and patches
- IT Project Lifecycle
- Oracle certified professional
- Third-party integration
- End point configurations
- Network security
- IT compliance
- IT risk management
- Infrastructure planning
- Cloud computing
- Virtualization technologies
- Virtualization
- Windows Core Administration
- Exchange 2007 Administration
- Exchange 2010 Administration
- Exchange 365 Administration
- Network administration
- System design
- Data management
- Data governance
- Data analytics
- Trend analysis
- Technical installations
- Testing scenarios
- Technical documentation
- Technical concepts
- Acceptance criteria
- Process improvement
- Reliability
- Multitasking
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Analytical thinking
- Effective communication
- Conflict resolution
- Training mentorship
- Client management
- Relationship building
- Service management
- Budget administration
- Continuity planning
- IT capacity planning
- Problem solving
- Project lifecycle
- Project leadership
- IT vendor negotiation
- Trend analysis
- IT roadmap
- Training mentorship
- Change management
- Technical sales
Certification
- Microsoft Certified Professional
- Networking Essentials
- Cisco Administration
- Firewall/VPN Admin
- Cisco Unity Voicemail
- Windows 2K/2K3/08/12 Administration
Timeline
Sr. IT Consultant
DEFINATIVE RESOURCES
09.2022 - Current
IT Director
HOWARD ORLOFF IMPORTS
11.2011 - 09.2022
Executive Support Analyst
NORTHERN TRUST
07.2011 - 10.2011
IT Manager
BREWER INVESTMENT GROUP, LLC.
06.2008 - 11.2010
Project Manager
CHI NETWORKS, INC.
11.2004 - 06.2008
Network Administrator
CALAMOS INVESTMENTS
06.2000 - 01.2004
Senior Consulting Technician
ADIVI
01.1999 - 04.2000
Network Support Technician
R.H. Donnelley
07.1997 - 01.1999
Liberal Arts -
DePaul University