Marcin Zgola
Sarasota,FL
Summary
Seasoned IT consultant and technical leader with 20+ years of expertise in network security, cloud computing, and infrastructure solutions for Fortune 500 enterprises and government organizations. As a CCIE-certified (Security, Data Center, Service Provider) professional with deep knowledge of Cisco, Palo Alto, Fortinet, and cloud architectures, I design and implement large-scale, high-availability network solutions. I specialize in pre-sales and post-sales consulting, cybersecurity strategy, and cloud migration while leading engineering teams to optimize IT operations. Currently leading Nexthop LLC, a consulting firm delivering customized network security and IT solutions, including talent acquisition services. Previously founded Wage Development, Inc., a $1.5M VC-funded startup and served as AVP at LaSalle Solutions, driving security and network practice growth.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Principal IT Consultant
Nexthop LLC
01.2021 - Current
- Founded a consulting practice assisting with pre-sales and post-sales projects for large enterprises and government organizations
- Primary work involves collaboration with major VARs in the U.S
- And E.U., as well as direct customers
- Specialized in advanced routing, data center VXLAN, ACI, and security solutions with Cisco and Palo Alto
- Experts in the documentation process, including LLD, HLD, BoM creation, diagrams, technical documentation, and as-built reports
- Deep understanding of the project lifecycle, supporting engagements from pre-purchase planning to final implementation
Founder & CEO
Wage Development, Inc.
01.2021 - 01.2023
- Secured $1.5M in VC funding for a mobile app designed for gig economy workers
- Led global engineering teams (USA, India, Poland) to develop and launch SaaS solutions
AVP, Security & Network Practice
LaSalle Solutions
01.2020 - 01.2021
- Reported directly to the President of the company, overseeing pre-sales and post-sales technical execution
- Managed contractors and internal engineering teams, ensuring successful post-sales project delivery
- Led pre-sales efforts, working with sales teams to create designs, BoMs, and technical proposals
- Delivered architecture and design solutions for complex cybersecurity and data center deployments for Fortune 100 companies
- Drove technical strategy for Palo Alto and Cisco-based security solutions, ensuring alignment with business objectives
Director, Network & Security Practice
LaSalle Solutions
01.2017 - 01.2020
- Led project execution, ensuring seamless delivery of network, security, and data center projects
- Built BoMs, worked closely with contractors, and provided technical support for successful project implementation
- Oversaw company compliance efforts, enabling LaSalle Solutions to maintain and achieve key industry certifications, including Cisco Gold Partner, Cisco Master Security Partner, and other compliance standards
- Managed cross-functional engineering teams, optimizing operational efficiency and reducing costs by 20%
- Led enterprise data center migration projects for Fortune 500 clients, ensuring high-availability and security compliance
Senior Network Security Engineer
LaSalle Solutions
01.2014 - 01.2017
- Served as a delivery engineer, working directly with customers on pre-sales and post-sales engagements
- Conducted audits, network designs, configurations, and project execution for enterprise clients
- Collaborated with vendors, including Palo Alto, CrowdStrike, and Cisco, to execute Proof of Value (PoV) testing and technology evaluations
- Played a key role in the early adoption of Cisco ISE and Cisco ACI, helping clients integrate and deploy next-generation security and data center solutions
- Provided hands-on technical support for network security architecture implementations, ensuring compliance and operational excellence
Vice President of Engineering
5th Column LLC
01.2012 - 01.2014
- Co-founded a cybersecurity-focused VAR, providing customer management and project execution services
- Led security-first initiatives, overseeing pre-sales engagements, project management, and technology implementations
- Managed full project lifecycles, from customer requirements gathering to security architecture delivery
- Focused on cybersecurity solutions, helping enterprises adopt next-generation security frameworks and best practices
- Developed SaaS-based security platforms, ensuring compliance and scalable network protection for enterprise clients
Internetwork Engineer
Netrix, LLC
01.2004 - 01.2012
- First IT role after college, working as a System Engineer and Network Engineer
- Led Microsoft NT 4.0 to Windows 2000 and Exchange migrations for enterprise clients
- Installed and configured Cisco PIX firewalls, ensuring secure network access for SMB customers in the Chicago area
- Provided network maintenance and support for SMB clients, handling troubleshooting, upgrades, and performance optimization
- Worked on hosted telephony services, managing MPLS, VRFs, routing protocols, QoS for voice services, and SLAs
- Designed and supported ISP-grade networks using MPLS, BGP, and OC192, ensuring high availability and performance for enterprise customers
Education
Associate's Degree - Computer Science & Programming
Triton College
River Grove, IL2002
Information Technology -
Computer System Institute
Skokie, IL2004
Cisco Certification - Information And Computer Systems
Cisco Network Academy, Oakton College
Chicago, IL2004
Skills
- Networking: Cisco Nexus/Catalyst
- SD-WAN
- VXLAN
- BGP
- MPLS
- OSPF
- Security: Palo Alto, Cisco, Fortinet Firewalls
- Anyconnect VPN, Global Protect
- SIEM
- CrowdStrike
- NAC: Cisco ISE
- AWS
- Azure
- Terraform
- Ansible
- DevOps CI/CD
- Data Center: High-Availability Design VXLAN, ACI
- Virtualization VMWARE
- Cisco ACI
- Nexus Dashboard NDFC
- IT Strategy & Architecture
- Pre-Sales & Post-Sales Support
- Team Leadership & Client Engagement
- Regulatory Compliance
Websites
Certification
- CCIE x3 (Security, Data Center, Service Provider), #18676, 18+ years
- CCDE Candidate, Advanced Cisco Design Expertise
- PCNSA, Palo Alto Networks Certified Network Security Administrator
- Cisco Certified Specialist, 25+ certifications in networking, security, and cloud
- Compliance & Frameworks, HIPAA, PCI DSS, NIST, ISO 27001
Key Skills
Networking: Cisco Nexus/Catalyst, SD-WAN, VXLAN, BGP, MPLS, OSPF, Security: Palo Alto Firewalls, VPN, SIEM, CrowdStrike, Cisco ISE, NAC, Cloud & Automation: AWS, Azure, Terraform, Ansible, DevOps CI/CD, Data Center: High-Availability Design, Virtualization, Cisco ACI, Nexus Dashboard, Compliance & Security Frameworks: HIPAA, PCI DSS, NIST, ISO 27001, IT Strategy & Architecture, Pre-Sales & Post-Sales Support, Team Leadership & Client Engagement, Regulatory Compliance
Personal Information
- U.S.
- E.U.
- Poland
Languages
English
Full Professional
Polish
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
Principal IT Consultant
Nexthop LLC
01.2021 - Current
Founder & CEO
Wage Development, Inc.
01.2021 - 01.2023
AVP, Security & Network Practice
LaSalle Solutions
01.2020 - 01.2021
Director, Network & Security Practice
LaSalle Solutions
01.2017 - 01.2020
Senior Network Security Engineer
LaSalle Solutions
01.2014 - 01.2017
Vice President of Engineering
5th Column LLC
01.2012 - 01.2014
Internetwork Engineer
Netrix, LLC
01.2004 - 01.2012
Associate's Degree - Computer Science & Programming
Triton College
Information Technology -
Computer System Institute
Cisco Certification - Information And Computer Systems
Cisco Network Academy, Oakton College
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