Michael Kelly
Miramar Beach
Summary
Transformational infrastructure leader with over 20 years of experience in architecting enterprise-scale solutions across on-premises, cloud, and HCI platforms. Drives modernization initiatives from design to decommissioning, ensuring resilience, compliance, and cost efficiency. Engages effectively with executive stakeholders, aligning infrastructure strategy with organizational goals to achieve measurable risk reduction.
Overview
1
1
Certification
24
24
years of professional experience
Work History
Enterprise Operational Storage and Virtualization Infrastructure Architect
IBM/Encode
Radford
08.2022 - 05.2025
- Supported the U.S. Army's largest private cloud data center infrastructure encompassing VMware, Nutanix, Cisco UCS, Cisco Nexus 9000 Series and Cisco MDS switches, HPE, NetApp, Pure Storage, IBM SVC, Hitachi, and Tintri platforms.
- Delivered IT infrastructure services, application data migration, application lifecycle management, and end-user support for over 2.5 million Department of Defense (DoD) private cloud users and affiliated government agencies.
- Implemented NetApp best practices for data deduplication and SnapMirror replication, increasing effective storage capacity by 38%.
- Guided storage team in adapting NetApp PowerShell Toolkit for enhanced storage management.
- Led integration of NetApp System Manager SAML SSO across all storage clusters, resolving multiple STIG compliance gaps.
- Achieved $3 million in cost savings by consolidating/migrating a fragmented multi-vendor storage environment into a unified Pure Storage C and X FlashArray platform.
- Supported IBM contract for U.S. Army at Radford, VA
Enterprise Architect Nutanix AHV/ESXi HCI, NetApp Storage, Commvault Backup Infrastructure
US Treasury FinCEN
Vienna
03.2022 - 06.2022
- Managed Nutanix AHV/ESX HCI, NetApp Storage, and Commvault Simpana Backup Infrastructure to ensure optimal performance and reliability.
- Spearheaded best practice implementation across HCI, data, and backup systems, achieving a 36% improvement in NetApp storage utilization via advanced optimization techniques.
- Streamlined Nutanix cluster consolidation and standardized hypervisor usage, achieving an 18% reduction in proposed CAPEX budget for 2023.
- Consolidated Nutanix clusters and standardized hypervisor usage, resulting in a 18% reduction in the proposed CAPEX budget for 2023.
- Contract - Vienna, VA
NetApp NAS Storage Engineer
PNC Financial
Pittsburgh
02.2020 - 04.2021
- Led enterprise NAS operations across 272 AFF/FAS controllers, managing 21+ PB of storage across 47 sites, ensuring high availability and performance for mission-critical banking systems.
- Directed OnCommand Insight lifecycle management - installation, configuration, data source integration, upgrades, patching, and administration - delivering custom dashboards and data warehouse reporting to enhance visibility and inform decision-making.
- Directed OnCommand Insight lifecycle management - installation, configuration, data source integration, upgrades, patching, and administration - while delivering custom dashboards, queries, and data warehouse reporting to improve visibility and decision-making.
- Oversaw daily data protection operations - validating and reactivating clones, mirrors, snapshots, and vaults - ensuring compliance and operational resilience for critical data services.
- Delivered training and knowledge transfer to engineering teams, enhancing operational efficiency and minimizing escalations.
- Site Recovery Center, Pittsburgh, PA
NetApp Storage/AWS Commvault Backup Engineer
IBM
Crystal City
02.2018 - 09.2019
- Spearheaded the design and deployment of AWS-based Commvault backup infrastructure for 1,000+ Windows/RHEL servers, resulting in a 70% reduction in backup time window.
- Designed and implemented scalable backup infrastructure during AWS migration, enhancing performance and reliability for 1,000+ Windows/RHEL workloads.
- Executed data migration from 100+ physical servers via Commvault ObjectStore, facilitating decommissioning of legacy NetBackup systems.
- Leveraged AWS/AWS GovCloud services including EBS, S3, and Glacier to meet stringent federal data retention and security mandates.
- USAID Federal Contract, Crystal City, VA
Storage/Backup/VDI Architect
Raytheon
Aurora
04.2017 - 11.2017
- Managed a diverse enterprise infrastructure spanning NetApp FAS controllers, EMC VNX/Unity/XtremIO arrays, VMware vSphere ESX 5.5/6.x, Horizon VDI, and NetBackup/Avamar/Data Domain backup appliances, ensuring operational readiness for mission-critical DoD systems.
- Engineered the migration of ~100TB of NetBackup data to Commvault using the ThirdParty Migration app and Commvault ObjectStore, streamlining backup operations and improving recovery capabilities.
- Leveraged Actifio and Veeam for backing up development SQL/Oracle databases, supporting efficient software testing and validation cycles.
- Automated RHEL 6.8 application server builds and COTS deployments with Chef, converting them into VMware 6.0 templates to expedite test and development lab upgrades.
- Supported NetApp AWS Cloud ONTAP 9.0 NFS environment in collaboration with Raytheon AWS engineers, enhancing hybrid cloud storage capabilities.
- Increased storage efficiency by 70% through deduplication, compression, and thin provisioning across Data Domain, NetBackup, and Avamar platforms.
- Collaborated with VMware engineering to optimize VDI Horizon on XtremIO in development environments, significantly reducing equipment costs while enhancing performance.
- GPS OCX Contract, Aurora, CO
Lead Storage Architect
U.S. Military Entrance Processing Command (USMEPCOM)
North Chicago
04.2015 - 09.2016
- Directed enterprise storage strategy and optimization for NetApp cluster-mode/7-mode controllers and EMC arrays, supporting mission-critical DoD processing operations across 65 geographically dispersed MEPS.
- Conducted DISA Nessus STIG scans and implemented remediation for enterprise storage and backup systems, ensuring compliance with stringent DoD cybersecurity mandates.
- Designed and executed migration of 300+ TB of file and block data from legacy EMC and NetApp 7-mode controllers to multiple 2-node NetApp 8040 SAN/NAS clusters using 7MMT, WFA, and SecureCopy, minimizing downtime and risk.
- Architected Disaster Recovery (DR) and Continuity of Operations (COOP) solutions leveraging clustered data protection mirrors, ensuring operational continuity from MEPS sites to USMEPCOM headquarters.
- Partnered with virtualization teams to design VMware SRM DR workflows for 400+ VMs, enhancing recovery time objectives (RTO) and resilience.
- Implemented enterprise-wide aggregate redesign, thin provisioning, and deduplication, achieving a 400% increase in storage efficiency.
- Developed RFI, RFQ, and RFP documentation for procurement of multiple 8040 controllers and Flash Cache modules, achieving 28% CAPEX reduction through strategic vendor negotiations.
- Produced architecture documentation and change orders, supporting governance and operational transparency.
- North Chicago, IL
SAN and Backup Architect
Freeport-McMoRan
Phoenix
02.2015 - 04.2015
- Architected and deployed NetApp SnapMirror, SnapVault, SnapManager, and DFM/OnCommand Suite solutions to strengthen replication, backup, monitoring, and management capabilities.
- Supported deployment, integration, and lifecycle management of new NetApp storage equipment across production environments, enhancing system reliability.
- Executed NetApp 7-Mode to Cluster-Mode migrations supporting Exchange, VMware, and CIFS/NFS workloads, ensuring seamless cutovers with minimal downtime.
- Collaborated with Actifio consultants to install, configure, and administer Actifio CDP for SQL Server and Oracle databases, ensuring recovery time objectives were met.
- Developed standardized Actifio CDP backup and restore documentation, formalizing recovery procedures and establishing operational best practices.
- Authored standardized Actifio CDP backup and restore documentation, formalizing recovery procedures and operational best practices.
- Phoenix, AZ
NetApp SAN Architect
Omnicom/DDB Worldwide Communications Group Inc.
New York
04.2014 - 11.2014
- Led the design, implementation, and management of a tiered NetApp SAN/NAS storage architecture for DDB, transitioning from prior consulting firm CBI Consulting, ensuring scalability and adherence to enterprise best practices.
- Documented global DDB storage environment across 36 sites and 2 data centers, establishing a baseline for operational governance and future planning.
- Planned and executed migration strategy for FAS 31xx, 32xx, and 62xx systems from ONTAP 8.x 7-mode to 8.2 Cluster Mode, minimizing downtime and risk.
- Configured and tested 300+ vFiler implementations for DDB customer-hosted data, ensuring secure multi-tenancy and optimizing performance.
- Executed migration strategy for FAS 31xx, 32xx, and 62xx systems from ONTAP 8.x 7-mode to 8.2 Cluster Mode, minimizing downtime and risk.
- Documented the global DDB storage environment across 36 sites and 2 data centers, creating a comprehensive baseline for operational governance and future planning.
- New York, NY
NetApp SAN Architect utilizing IBM N Series Controllers
Olam International Limited
College Park
04.2013 - 08.2013
- Led global SAN/NAS capacity utilization and storage efficiency analysis for Olam International, delivering actionable recommendations for strategic upgrades and expansion across multiple regions.
- Provided end-to-end technical engineering support, including implementation, incident resolution, product reporting, and change management, enhancing operational excellence.
- Redesigned aggregate/volume/LUN structures, achieving a 30% improvement in IOPS and latency for mission-critical workloads including SAP, SQL, Exchange, and SharePoint.
- Delivered performance reporting, provisioning, and load management using Operations Manager, OnCommand Core, and System Manager, ensuring optimal resource allocation and system stability.
- Managed performance reporting, provisioning, and load management with Operations Manager, OnCommand Core, and System Manager, ensuring optimal resource allocation and system stability.
- College Park, GA
SAN/NAS Lead Engineer
Ricoh IKON NA
Lawrenceville
05.2012 - 09.2012
- Led migration of CIFS/NFS data for Ricoh North America on IBM N series and IBM DS 30xx V Filers to W2008 Storage Server Failover Clusters.
- Architect migration of NFS/CIFS data residing on multiple NetApp vFilers to the Failover Clusters at four locations nationwide.
- Design, build, and implement 2 and 4 node W2008 Storage Server Clusters.
- Implement migration plans and author documentation using SecureCopy.
- Interfaced with Director of IT and Storage Manager as lead engineer for design and implementation of migration strategy.
- Lawrenceville, GA
SAN/NAS Architect/Engineer
Enterprise Vision Technologies
Santa Monica
01.2012 - 05.2012
- NetApp SAN/NAS consultant for Time Warner, New York migration of 200 TB of FC/iSCSI, NAS and CIFS data from various 30x/32x NetApp controllers to 60x/62x controllers utilizing Qtree SnapMirror.
- Maintained smooth operation of the global backup infrastructure and configured storage/backup systems.
- On-site engineer to maintain, administer, upgrade AIG's Data Center NetApp SAN environment consisting of 40 HA filers.
- Maintained, administered, and upgraded AIG's Data Center NetApp SAN environment with 40 HA filers.
- Santa Monica, CA
Co-lead SAN/NAS Architect and Engineer
General Dynamics/USAF CITS Block 30 Project
Needham
12.2004 - 01.2011
- Co-led SAN architecture and NetBackup design for Combat Information Transport System (CITS) Block 30 redesign of Air Force unclassified and classified network operations/information assurance systems storage area networks.
- Co-developed design, RFI, RFQ, RFP for NetApp FC/iSCSI SAN at 3 Air Force Integrated Management Sites (IMS) and 16 Air Force Base Gateway Sites worldwide.
- Lead team of architects/engineers in implementing, administering, maintaining, upgrading FC/iSCSI NetApp storage infrastructure at 16 AF Bases. Storage was 1.8 PB, both FC and SATA/SAS.
- Designed and implemented NetBackup architecture for 16 AF base backup sites, utilizing policy-driven tiering, BMR, and DR strategies to ensure reliable data protection.
- Executed data backup and recovery plan for COOP functionality across Integrated Management Sites, leveraging NetApp Snap Product Suite and VMware technologies for robust disaster recovery.
- Proposed ILM/storage trending and growth analysis to the AF resulting in 35% capital expenditure reduction.
- Designed, authored, and instructed 3-week NetApp-specific SAN/NAS and Veritas NetBackup 6x/7x Training Course for the AF.
Training Project Manager/Pre and Post Sales Engineer
CommVault Systems
Oceanport
05.2001 - 12.2004
- Designed, implemented and maintained CommVault Systems West Coast SAN/NAS Training facility including design architecture, costing, hiring, and budget appropriations for hardware and software across multiple platforms. Vendor equipment included NetApp, EMC, Hitachi, XioTech, HP, Dell, Cisco, and Brocade. Managed staff of eight system engineers and trainers.
- Senior trainer for CommVault System's Channel Partners, including Hitachi Data Systems and Dell, providing sales and engineering training, support, and professional services on the QiNetix ILM software suite of products. QiNetix includes backup/recovery, migration, archiving, replication and storage capacity planning software for enterprise storage area networks. Estimated $40M revenue growth over next 3 years.
- Co-developed and maintained training project plans, coordinated activities and schedules, and reviewed status of critical deliverables to ensure project alignment with organizational goals.
- Supported integration testing, quality assurance, rollout, and training for QiNetix software suite, contributing to successful implementation and user adoption.
- Designed certification program and documentation for QiNetix software suite, enhancing partner and reseller understanding and effectiveness.
- Collaborated with Hardware Certification and Test group for certifying various hardware vendor platforms (SAN,NAS, RAID, Tape Libraries, HBA's, SCSI, Fibre Channel, switches) including firmware and driver revisions. Back end of certification database utilizes Test Director project control software.
- Complete course design, documentation, procedures and presentations. Training methods included classroom, CBT and Web-based.
- Technical editor for 'Windows 2000 Enterprise Storage Solutions', published by Sybex and 'Troubleshooting Microsoft Technologies', published by Addison-Wesley.
- Oceanport, NJ
Education
BS - Mechanical Engineering Technology
Spring Garden College
Philadelphia, PADiploma - Computer Technical Support
Chubb Institute
Springfield, PASkills
- Cloud architecture
- VMware administration
- Infrastructure design
- Storage management
- Virtualization strategies
- Storage architecture
- Data migration
- Storage optimization
Certification
- Google Cloud Certified Professional Cloud Architect
- NetApp Hybrid Cloud Architect Expert
- AZ-305 Microsoft Azure Infrastructure Solutions Expert
- AZ-900 Microsoft Azure Fundamentals
- NetApp NCDA 7-Mode, NCIE 7-Mode SAN Specialist
- NetApp NCDA Cluster Mode, NCIE Cluster Mode Backup Specialist
- NetApp NCIE Cluster Mode SAN Specialist
- EMCISA Information Storage Associate
- NPP Nutanix Platform Professional
- Nutanix Certified Professional-MCI 5.2
- Nutanix Certified Master-MCI 5.15
- CompTIA Security+
- MCP, MCSE, MCT, MCSA, CXE Certified Xiotech Engineer
- Active DoD Top Secret Clearance
Credly
https://www.credly.com/users/michael-kelly.97260eee/badges
Timeline
Enterprise Operational Storage and Virtualization Infrastructure Architect
IBM/Encode
08.2022 - 05.2025
Enterprise Architect Nutanix AHV/ESXi HCI, NetApp Storage, Commvault Backup Infrastructure
US Treasury FinCEN
03.2022 - 06.2022
NetApp NAS Storage Engineer
PNC Financial
02.2020 - 04.2021
NetApp Storage/AWS Commvault Backup Engineer
IBM
02.2018 - 09.2019
Storage/Backup/VDI Architect
Raytheon
04.2017 - 11.2017
Lead Storage Architect
U.S. Military Entrance Processing Command (USMEPCOM)
04.2015 - 09.2016
SAN and Backup Architect
Freeport-McMoRan
02.2015 - 04.2015
NetApp SAN Architect
Omnicom/DDB Worldwide Communications Group Inc.
04.2014 - 11.2014
NetApp SAN Architect utilizing IBM N Series Controllers
Olam International Limited
04.2013 - 08.2013
SAN/NAS Lead Engineer
Ricoh IKON NA
05.2012 - 09.2012
SAN/NAS Architect/Engineer
Enterprise Vision Technologies
01.2012 - 05.2012
Co-lead SAN/NAS Architect and Engineer
General Dynamics/USAF CITS Block 30 Project
12.2004 - 01.2011
Training Project Manager/Pre and Post Sales Engineer
CommVault Systems
05.2001 - 12.2004
BS - Mechanical Engineering Technology
Spring Garden College
Diploma - Computer Technical Support
Chubb Institute