Lee Powell
Columbus,OH
Summary
Results-driven IT leader specializing in enterprise cloud availability and operational improvements. Developed budgets and coached teams to enhance service delivery and executive visibility. Led automation initiatives that boosted throughput and operational maturity while fostering mentorship. Expertise in VDI, desktop remote access, and video conferencing supports strong partnerships and project outcomes.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
IT Manager, Data Center Operations
Amazon Web Services (AWS)
01.2025 - Current
- Lead strategic and operational execution for regional hyperscale data centers supporting enterprise cloud availability and service continuity.
- Managed uptime performance, staffing strategy, operational maturity, and escalation leadership for high-visibility data center events.
- Elevated operational accountability through standardized incident command, escalation frameworks, RCA execution.
- Created leadership-development pipeline accelerating mobility and internal promotion.
- Increased service visibility through analytics-driven workflow redesign.
- Directed multi-million-dollar lifecycle investment planning.
- Sponsored automation efforts improving throughput and event reversal times.
- Modernized documentation for audit readiness and compliance adherence.
IT Manager, Infrastructure & Technology Services
Fort Bend County Government
01.2023 - 01.2025
- Directed infrastructure technology strategy supporting CIO directives serving 82 departments and agencies—including law enforcement, courts, elections, emergency services, and enterprise communication systems.
- Modernized county-wide connectivity, data center capacity, courtroom A/V, and network resiliency.
- Built strategic alignment between CIO directives and operational execution.
- Established KPI reporting improving insight and accountability at the executive level.
- Designed multi-level development pathways increasing retention and performance.
- Built competency tiers tied to compensation and skill progression.
- Elevated succession readiness through formal mentorship programs.
IT Operations Manager (Multi-Site)
Amazon – Operations Technology
01.2019 - 01.2023
- Led technology operations across five fulfillment centers, including robotics-enabled buildings and transportation-critical locations.
- Opened 3 facilities under 120 days while staffing teams and stabilizing operations.
- Reduced outage recurrence through structured root cause governance.
- Managed budget planning for equipment refresh and systems provisioning.
- Rolled out coaching-centered leadership models used across multiple regions.
- Strengthened promotion readiness through structured performance alignment.
Sr. IT Manager Operations & Enterprise Support Services
MISO Energy
01.2018 - 01.2019
- Directed four IT operational divisions (Network, Server Opns, Desktop, Executive support) to enhance grid continuity and secure enterprise operations.
- Built KPI scorecards that enabled leadership visibility into operational risk and delivery trends.
- Led mobility modernization, messaging upgrade strategy, and service-desk automation.
- Implemented leadership forums to strengthen strategic capabilities of IT supervisors.
- Developed advancement readiness planning to boost employee retention.
Division Chief, IT Operations – Enterprise Sites
Defense Logistics Agency – U.S. Department of Defense
01.2015 - 01.2018
- Directed operations across three national enterprise technology centers supporting secure logistics and federal operations.
- Directed network infrastructure connectivity across three continents ensuring secure and reliable operations.
- Unified operations under common governance and SLA structure, enhancing consistency across enterprise technology centers.
- Developed mentorship programs to strengthen supervisory and leadership capabilities within the team.
- Championed culture of psychological safety and shared decision-making, fostering collaborative and supportive work environment.
Education
Doctor of Education - Leadership & Ethics
Olivet Nazarene University
Bourbonnais, IL05-2017
Master of Arts - Religion
Northwestern Nazarene University
Nampa, ID05-2014
Master of Arts - Business Administration
Mount Vernon Nazarene University
Mount Vernon, OH05-2010
Skills
- Enterprise IT leadership and governance
- Multi-site infrastructure operations
- Hybrid and on-premises data center management
- Budget development and capital planning
- Workforce development and leadership coaching
- Cybersecurity risk alignment and partnerships
- Performance metrics analysis
- Service level agreement reporting
- Executive visibility enhancement
- Business continuity planning
- Disaster recovery strategy
- Critical event management
- Vendor strategy development
- Contract negotiation expertise
- Outsourcing oversight and management
- Service delivery optimization strategies
- ITIL implementation
Certification
- Co-Active Executive Leadership Coach – PCC
- ITIL v4 Practitioner
- SANS GSLC & GSTRT Cyber Leadership
- Leadership Certificate – Kelley School of Business, Indiana University
- PMP-aligned Project Management Credential
- Cisco CCNP/CCNA/CCAI
Timeline
IT Manager, Data Center Operations
Amazon Web Services (AWS)
01.2025 - Current
IT Manager, Infrastructure & Technology Services
Fort Bend County Government
01.2023 - 01.2025
IT Operations Manager (Multi-Site)
Amazon – Operations Technology
01.2019 - 01.2023
Sr. IT Manager Operations & Enterprise Support Services
MISO Energy
01.2018 - 01.2019
Division Chief, IT Operations – Enterprise Sites
Defense Logistics Agency – U.S. Department of Defense
01.2015 - 01.2018
Doctor of Education - Leadership & Ethics
Olivet Nazarene University
Master of Arts - Religion
Northwestern Nazarene University
Master of Arts - Business Administration
Mount Vernon Nazarene University