Leonard Dannatt
Columbia,NJ
Summary
Dynamic IT leader with a proven track record at The Connection, enhancing security posture and optimizing infrastructure. Expertise in Windows Server 2022 and IT project management, driving significant cost savings and efficiency improvements. Adept at user training and support, fostering collaboration across teams to achieve organizational goals.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Director of Information Technology
The Connection
Summit, NJ
07.2022 - 03.2025
- Secured $15,000 equipment donation from Lakeland Bank to upgraded pre-COVID era desktops, laptop, and monitors.
- Upgraded all endpoints to SSD hard drives and Windows 11, to avoid Windows 10 expiring support in year 2025.
- In house upgrade of Windows 2008 Domain Controller to Windows 2022 DC, updated schema and hardware, VM running on ESXi (Dell Hardware). Saved $8000 over MSP quote.
- Upgraded older versions of Microsoft Office (2008) to Microsoft 365 subscriptions and trained users on storage capabilities and use (OneDrive, Teams, SharePoint).
- Completed overhaul of security posture, Check-in system at front desk, external and internal security cameras, installed Coro security software locally to endpoints to cover malware and Coro Saas to cover mailboxes for phishing.
- Added MFA to all 365 accounts, including key fobs for shared accounts.
- Redesigned Audio/Visual systems for fitness center, upgrading to 4K TVs and sound broadcast over WiFi by AudioFetch product.
- Replaced expensive Verizon cable boxes with Hulu + Live Streaming and Spotify accounts.
Level 2 IT Engineer
Frontline Managed Services
08.2021 - 05.2022
- Advanced Troubleshooting: Resolved complex incidents, service requests, and escalations from Level 1 support across various technologies (servers, storage, cloud, network).
- Technical Expertise: Deep knowledge in Windows/Mac OS, Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, virtualization, security, and networking (TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, VPNs).
- Client Interaction: Provided expert-level, professional support (phone, remote, onsite) with strong communication to non-technical users.
- Documentation: Maintained detailed records, knowledge base articles, and track issues within ticketing systems (e.g., Zendesk).
- Escalation & Collaboration: Served as a bridge to L3/DevOps/Compliance teams for unresolved issues, ensuring end-to-end resolution.
- Project Involvement: Participated in client-focused projects, deployments, and digital transformation initiatives.
- Performance: Meet and exceeded KPIs for response times, resolution, and customer satisfaction (CSAT).
IT and AV Support
The Windward School
12.2017 - 08.2021
- Audio/Visual Support: Troubleshooting AV issues during presentations, events, and classroom sessions.
- Desktop Support: Providing technical support to students and staff for hardware and software (Windows and Mac based).
- Help Desk Operations: Responding to tickets in a timely manner, triaging issues, and escalating when appropriate.
- Hardware Management: Configuring new computer hardware and software, and managing break/fix issues for laptops and printers.
- Inventory Management: Maintaining software and hardware inventories.
- Account Administration: Assisting in the administration of Active Directory, Office 365, and SharePoint Online.
- Documentation: Documenting resolutions to common support requests.
System Engineer
Arnold Porter Kaye Scholer
Long Island City, NY
06.2016 - 10.2017
- Analyzed infrastructure for efficiency, troubleshooting incidents, installed and troubleshooting Cisco-based networks, assisted with Disaster Recovery/Business Continuity, performing maintenance, leading projects, and participated in an on-call rotation.
- Rack/Stack new servers, network/storage infrastructure and document hardware changes and upgrades.
Datacenter Engineer
Bloomberg
09.2015 - 06.2016
- Responsible for Windows/ESX/Linux/UNIX Server and VM support, including incident remediation, documentation, and automation of mission critical Enterprise datacenter infrastructure.
Technical Skills Training
AVTECH
03.2015 - 09.2015
- Enrolled in a full time classroom course covering the following exam topics: Cisco CCNA, Microsoft MSCA, CompTIA Security+, Cloud Essentials, Network+, A+.
System Administrator
Cain Brothers
01.2009 - 08.2014
- Supported 100+ employees across New York, San Francisco, Chicago, Orlando and Houston branches in a financial boutique environment.
- Responsible for installation, configuration, and maintenance of Windows Servers/VMs, SonicWALL routers, desktop support, network and voice-over-IP troubleshooting, Active Directory/DNS updates, wireless access points.
- Tasked with technical writing for a wide variety of audiences.
- Key Contributions:
- Upgraded wireless network in five offices to Adtran Bluesocket wireless system, greater compatibility with mobile devices, increased bandwidth, and created separate networks for guest/public devices and corporate laptops for enhanced security.
- Project Lead for Windows XP to Windows 7 migration project, 100 client endpoints upgraded over three months, including application testing and user training.
- Researched, recommended and implemented network enhancements that improved system reliability and performance.
- Managed Linux based PBX and Aastra 6739i VOIP phones for firm, including upgrades, failover testing.
- Trained employees across multiple departments on network operations including login procedures, network management software, permissions, printing issues, security and use of software.
Network Services Engineer
Sanofi
08.2009 - 12.2009
- Assigned to project team tasked with migrating thousands of departmental user shares from EMC storage to NetApp NAS storage.
- The project was a success, and allowed outdated hardware to be retired, freeing up data center space and savings in contract support costs. (Staffed through PRO Unlimited)
Storage Administrator - Backup/Recovery Engineer
Sanofi
03.2008 - 12.2008
- Configured and provisioned new NetApp 3020c filers in the environment, gathered requirements for user shares, quotas, and migrating user data from other storage systems.
- Supported daily backup and restore requirements for Research and Development department, using IBM Tivoli Service Manager and EMC Legato backup software. (Staffed through NewAgeSys)
Field Engineer, Team Lead
IBM
07.2007 - 03.2008
- IBM Global Services Field Service Engineer responsible for mass desktop/laptop rollouts for IBM clients under the instruction of IBM Site Project Managers.
- Assigned Team Lead responsibilities to coordinate the actions of other IBM and contracted engineers.
Operations Manager
Pfizer
07.2003 - 07.2007
- Managed engineer workflow in the 24x7 Pfizer Global Network Operations Center.
- Promoted to Operations Manager in January 2007 (Staffed through CompuCom, Inc.)
- Key Contributions:
- Ensured maximum server uptime and documentation for all system outages.
- Trained new data center engineers on client communications, escalation procedures, change management and ITIL best practices.
- Authored company-wide Server Build process, reducing delivery time for new servers from two weeks to three days.
- Ensured that 98% of tickets were handled within their service level agreements, in a high-volume, high-pressure environment (32,000 tickets/month).
Education
Associate of Science - Computer Science
Essex County College
Newark, New Jersey, NJSkills
- Windows Server 2022/2016/2012/2008
- Routers (Cisco, SonicWall, WatchGuard, Ubiquiti)
- Switches (Cisco, Dell, Netgear, Ubiquiti, HP)
- Windows 11/10
- VMware ESXi
- Microsoft Azure, Entra ID, 365
- End Point Security (Sentinel One, Coro, Bitdefender, McAfee)
- ITIL 4 Foundation
- Google Workspace
- Zendesk, Remedy, ServiceNow
- IT project management
- Cloud services integration
- Infrastructure optimization
- User training and support
- Documentation skills
- IT budgeting
- Virtualization
- IT asset management
- Project management
- Network administration
Certification
- ITIL 4 Foundation
- Cisco CCNA
- Microsoft MCP
- CompTia Network+
- CompTia A+
Timeline
Director of Information Technology
The Connection
07.2022 - 03.2025
Level 2 IT Engineer
Frontline Managed Services
08.2021 - 05.2022
IT and AV Support
The Windward School
12.2017 - 08.2021
System Engineer
Arnold Porter Kaye Scholer
06.2016 - 10.2017
Datacenter Engineer
Bloomberg
09.2015 - 06.2016
Technical Skills Training
AVTECH
03.2015 - 09.2015
Network Services Engineer
Sanofi
08.2009 - 12.2009
System Administrator
Cain Brothers
01.2009 - 08.2014
Storage Administrator - Backup/Recovery Engineer
Sanofi
03.2008 - 12.2008
Field Engineer, Team Lead
IBM
07.2007 - 03.2008
Operations Manager
Pfizer
07.2003 - 07.2007
Associate of Science - Computer Science
Essex County College