Karl Easterwood
Los Angeles,CA
Summary
Technology leader experienced in optimizing IT infrastructure and enhancing operational efficiency. Skilled in endpoint management, cloud solutions, and security compliance, with a strong focus on process improvements and cost-saving initiatives. Offering abilities in global team management and technology integration to drive business success.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
IT Manager
Guitar Center
Los Angeles, CA
05.2023 - Current
- Architect and Implemented Okta integrating hundreds of applications behind it such as Office365, Slack, Google Workspace
- Designed the RBAC rules within Okta as well as implemented OIE and OIG
- Oversaw budgeting for IT resources, optimizing expenditure while maintaining operational effectiveness.
- Mentored junior staff on technical skills and project management methodologies, fostering professional growth.
- Implemented cybersecurity measures, reducing vulnerabilities and safeguarding sensitive data against threats.
- Manged thousands of iPhones, Macs, and PCs using Jamf, Mosyle, and Intune ensuring hardening and consistency of operating systems
- Managed thousands of thin clients and POS devices across retail stores, ensuring uptime and compliance.
- Saved the company millions of dollars by eliminating unnecessary Java installations.
- Reduced IT ticket volume from 500+ to 40 by establishing SLAs, SOPs, and process improvements.
- Spearheaded networked cash drawer initiative, enabling iPhone-based sales and increasing sales agility.
- Partnered with Security to enforce PCI compliance across all devices.
- Supported diverse POS peripherals (card readers, price poles, pinpads) and collaborated with end-user support to standardize Windows 11 and macOS provisioning.
- Led IT infrastructure projects, enhancing system performance and reliability across organization.
IT MANAGER
Barnes & Noble Education (DSS Division)
San Francisco, CA
04.2022 - 05.2023
- Led a global DevOps team in India, overseeing delivery, mentoring, and performance management.
- Managed IT operations across cloud (AWS, GCP, Azure), networking, and security environments.
- Designed and deployed Okta identity management for centralized provisioning and access control.
- Implemented OpenVPN solution for secure resource access and compliance.
- Directed IT budgeting, vendor management, and contract negotiations.
- Drove risk assessments, data protection, and security policy enforcement.
- Partnered with stakeholders to implement process improvements, improving scalability and productivity.
IT MANAGER
Benefit Cosmetics (LVMH Group)
San Francisco, CA
05.2018 - 04.2022
- Managed IT teams across 5 countries, aligning infrastructure with LVMH parent company standards.
- Designed and implemented global corporate infrastructure systems, including ADFS failover and Okta MFA.
- Hardened Active Directory infrastructure for compliance with modern security practices.
- Implemented AirWatch Workspace ONE to manage iPads/iPhones with security policies.
- Developed corporate device usage policies adopted into the company handbook.
- Assisted with deployment of Cisco ISE for network access control.
- Automated IT tasks via PowerShell scripting.
SYSTEMS ENGINEER
Kids Care Dental
Sacramento, CA
06.2015 - 05.2018
- Administered enterprise IT infrastructure Windows Servers, including AD, SQL, SCCM, DNS, DHCP, LDAP, and Exchange.
- Provided helpdesk support for desktops, laptops, printers, phones, and proprietary apps.
- Installed and maintained servers, routers, switches, and firewalls.
- Ensured uptime through proactive monitoring, upgrades, and documentation of network/server infrastructure.
- Supported VoIP, email, and proprietary healthcare systems in compliance with HIPAA standards.
IT SUPERVISOR / PROJECT MANAGER
Farm Fresh To You
West Sacramento, CA
04.2012 - 05.2015
- Reduced IT costs by $7,000/month migrating from hosted Exchange to Office 365.
- Increased network availability to 99.9% by deploying Cisco Meraki firewalls, switches, and APs across 15 sites.
- Boosted service uptime from 95% to 99.98% by deploying VMware ESXi cluster with EMC SAN.
- Implemented SolarWinds monitoring, enabling SLA creation and better communication with leadership.
- Saved $10,000 annually by introducing MDM to track corporate devices.
- Served as database administrator (Oracle & MS SQL).
- Acted as interim IT Director, interfacing with senior management.
Education
Associate in Science (A.S.) - Computer Science
American River College
Skills
- Cloud Solutions (AWS,Azure,GCP)
- Virtualization (VMware)
- Okta
- Windows Server
- Crowdstrike
- MDM (Intune, Jamf, Workspace One)
- Networking (Meraki, SonicWall)
- SLA & SOP Development
- Ticketing Systems
- Process Automation
- ITIL Practices
- Global Team Management
- Vendor Management
- Budgeting
- Policy Development
- IT asset management
- Network administration
- Technical troubleshooting
- Team development
- Application support
- Team collaboration
- IT procurement
- IT compliance
- IT infrastructure
- Operating system management
- Change management
- IT budgeting
- ITIL framework
Certification
- Okta Professional
- Azure Administrator
CORE COMPETENCIES
- AWS
- Azure
- GCP
- VMware
- Hyper-V
- Nutanix
- Okta
- AD
- ADFS
- MFA
- Jamf
- Mosyle
- Intune
- Workspace ONE
- AirWatch
- Thin Clients
- Card Readers
- Pinpads
- Cash Drawers
- Cisco ISE
- VPN (OpenVPN, Cisco)
- Firewalls (Meraki, SonicWall, Fortinet)
- SLA & SOP Development
- Ticketing Systems
- Process Automation
- ITIL Practices
- Global Team Management
- Vendor Management
- Budgeting
- Policy Development
WEBSITE, PORTFOLIO AND PROFILES
[LinkedIn]
Timeline
IT Manager
Guitar Center
05.2023 - Current
IT MANAGER
Barnes & Noble Education (DSS Division)
04.2022 - 05.2023
IT MANAGER
Benefit Cosmetics (LVMH Group)
05.2018 - 04.2022
SYSTEMS ENGINEER
Kids Care Dental
06.2015 - 05.2018
IT SUPERVISOR / PROJECT MANAGER
Farm Fresh To You
04.2012 - 05.2015
Associate in Science (A.S.) - Computer Science
American River College