Richard Oliver
Rowlett
Summary
Accomplished Senior Technical Project Manager with over 20 years of experience delivering complex data center infrastructure and high-performance computing (HPC) projects for large-scale enterprise environments. Expertise includes IT infrastructure deployment, server and network engineering, HPC system integration, and cloud-based modernization initiatives. Proven ability to manage Physical-to-Virtual (P2V) migrations, data center buildouts, and AI/ML-driven analytics that support advanced computing workloads. Recognized for exceptional leadership and communication skills, fostering collaboration across cross-functional teams to implement scalable and resilient compute environments while aligning technical strategies with business objectives to enhance performance and drive innovation.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Senior Technical Infrastructure Project Manager
TEKsystems / Bank of America
10.2024 - Current
- Directing the RHEL 7-to-RHEL 9 migration of over 5,000 servers (bare-metal and virtual) across four data centers.
- Overseeing deployment of JVM-based microapps in DEV, Test, and Production environments to support mission-critical banking operations.
- Developing and maintaining Microsoft Project plans to synchronize tasks among application teams, solution architects, and offshore resources.
- Creating advanced Excel trackers with pivot tables for real-time visibility into Linux server upgrade progress.
- Managing Jira documentation to track deliverables, align resources, and produce executive-level progress reports.
Data Center Deployment Project Manager
Applied Digital Corporation
09.2023 - 04.2024
- Led data center whitespace buildouts across Denver, Salt Lake City, Las Vegas, Chaska, and Ellendale, improving both co-location and company-owned facilities.
- Directed installation of hundreds of racks, HPC servers, Weka storage systems, network switches, firewalls, and fiber infrastructure.
- Facilitated weekly review meetings to ensure on-time delivery of infrastructure designs, including rack layouts and network topologies.
- Collaborated with architects, engineers, and data center operations teams on cabling design, server placement, and power management.
- Developed comprehensive project schedules and WBS in MS Project, defining tasks, milestones, resources, and dependencies.
- Designed Visio diagrams to illustrate end-to-end infrastructure workflows for executive presentations.
- Managed installation of power, cooling, RPPs, PDUs, and cable trays, ensuring compliance with performance and safety standards.
- Oversaw procurement of $700M+ in IT infrastructure, including NVIDIA H100 HPCs/GPUs, UFM nodes, switches, storage, and InfiniBand fiber systems.
Senior Technical Project Manager
Artech
07.2021 - 06.2023
- coordinated Linux and Windows server deployments across multiple AT&T data centers.
- Managed VMware ESXi installations in three key data centers.
- Executed infrastructure upgrade and removal of routers, switches, and outdated equipment.
- Teamed with cloud and software architects to integrate infrastructure modernization strategies with organizational goals.
- Implemented continuous improvement methodologies to enhance application network and cloud delivery performance.
Senior Technical Project Manager
IBM
09.2019 - 08.2020
- Led lift-and-shift server migrations of Linux systems among AT&T data centers, impacting upwards of 48,000 end users.
- Instituted process optimization and scalability initiatives to advance operational efficiency.
- Spearheaded $5m multilayer decommissioning initiative, retiring obsolete hardware to decrease costs and boost supportability.
Senior Technical Project Manager
AT&T;
01.2000 - 09.2019
- Delivered end-to-end solutions for software development, data center deployments, and data storage initiatives.
- Managed software installations across 2,300 retail stores for 32,000 devices, overseeing upgrades for JRE, Adobe, Oracle, McAfee, and billing systems.
- Coordinated cross-functional teams of data center managers, engineers, and developers to deploy bare-metal, virtual, and cloud infrastructure.
- Oversaw network configuration and smart rack installations for servers and top-of-rack switches.
Education
Master of Business Administration - MBA
Oklahoma City University
Bachelor of Science - BS
McPherson College
Skills
- Work breakdown structure creation
- Project timeline management
- Milestone planning and coordination
- Collaboration with stakeholders and vendors
- Visual project planning with Gantt charts
- Skilled in project scheduling using Microsoft Project
- Jira project management
- Excel proficiency
- Proficient in Power BI
- Experienced in Visio diagramming
- Conflict resolution
- Influence without authority
Certification
- Project Management Professional (PMP) PMI
- #2934594
- Certified Scrum Master (CSM) #937668
- AWS Cloud Essentials
- ITIL Foundation Certification
Timeline
Senior Technical Infrastructure Project Manager
TEKsystems / Bank of America
10.2024 - Current
Data Center Deployment Project Manager
Applied Digital Corporation
09.2023 - 04.2024
Senior Technical Project Manager
Artech
07.2021 - 06.2023
Senior Technical Project Manager
IBM
09.2019 - 08.2020
Senior Technical Project Manager
AT&T;
01.2000 - 09.2019
Bachelor of Science - BS
McPherson College
Master of Business Administration - MBA
Oklahoma City University