Richard (Rick) Knipple
Gettysburg,PA
Summary
Dynamic Senior Systems Engineer recognized for expertise in team leadership and process improvement. Proven success in Windows server configuration and technical documentation, leading projects that ensure compliance with PCI-DSS standards. Committed to fostering innovation and mentoring junior engineers to drive operational excellence.
Overview
38
38
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Systems Engineer II
GEICO
Washington, DC
04.2013 - 12.2025
- Install and configure software on Windows servers, following procedures from the vendor and the application team.
- Document installations and configurations, so other team members can repeat the installs.
- Support end users with issues on their application servers and workstations.
- Create sites and application pools in IIS.
- Write PowerShell scripts to automate basic administrative tasks.
- Mentor junior members of the team with any issues they may have.
- Assumed supervisor duties when the supervisor was on vacation.
- Temporarily supervised a team of eight developers to ensure projects were completed on time.
- Maintained a knowledge database regarding all changes made to the server environment, ensuring full compliance with PCI-DSS and corporate standards.
- Verified stability, security, and scalability of system architecture.
Senior Technical Team Lead
GEICO
Washington, DC
08.2012 - 04.2013
- Supervise a group of four System Engineers, located in remote locations, ranging from junior to senior-level experience.
- Help plan the 5-year strategy for business messaging (Exchange) Team with the team and management.
- Fostered a culture of continuous improvement, encouraging innovation and efficiency.
- Offered training and support to keep team members motivated and working toward objectives.
Senior Technical Team Lead
GEICO
Washington, DC
06.2002 - 08.2012
- Supervise a group of 4 to 8 System Engineers, both local and remote, ranging from junior to senior-level experience.
- Review the work completed to ensure that SOPs are followed.
- Conduct meetings to discuss current SOPs, and changes.
- Review new hardware and software, and recommend corporate standards.
- Provide technical support, both oral and written, to 13 regional offices.
- Created and supervised the project to convert the companies' 30,000+ clients from Windows NT to Windows 2000, and from Windows 2000 to Windows XP.
- Created and supervised multiple projects for GEICO’s Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards (PCI-DSS) compliance.
- Ensured compliance with legal and regulatory requirements in all team activities.
Senior Systems Engineer
GEICO
Washington, DC
06.2000 - 06.2002
- Build SOPs on how to install and configure software.
- Build corporate standard images for GEICO’s 13 regional locations.
- Evaluate new hardware and software, and make recommendations for corporate standards.
- Provide technical support, both oral and written, to the 13 Regional Offices.
- Maintained documentation regarding all changes made to the server environment ensuring full compliance with corporate standards.
- Led cross-functional teams in systems integration projects.
LAN Administrator
GEICO
Iowa
10.1997 - 06.2000
- Help set up the office to become a new call center, which included building workstations and servers.
- Ran, connected, and terminated CAT 3 and CAT 5 cables for phone and networking.
- Troubleshoot and fix hardware and software issues
- End-user support.
- Build new workstations, as needed, for new counselors being hired.
- Maintain office infrastructure to ensure 100% availability.
- Basic Exchange Administration.
- Managed user accounts on the local area network.
Associate Systems Engineer
GEICO
Washington, DC
03.1997 - 10.1997
- Troubleshoot and fix hardware and software issues.
- Install and configure hardware and software.
- Build workstations following the standards given by other departments.
Systems Engineer
PB Farradyne, Inc.
Rockville, MD
01.1993 - 01.1997
- Provide hardware, software, and technical support to local and remote users
- Write base install and configuration procedures for Operating Systems and software installs
- Order hardware, software, and provide alternative solutions for projects
- Run, connect, and terminate CAT 3 and CAT 5 cable for phone and networking
- Build network, null modem, and straight thru cables from schematics
Systems Engineer, Intern
IBM
Rockville, MD
01.1988 - 12.1988
- Troubleshoot hardware issues and replace defective parts as needed
- Maintained the inventory in a parts replacement room
Education
Bachelors of Science - Information Systems Management
University of MD. Global Campus
12-2021
Associate of Arts - Business Administration
Frederick Community College
Frederick, MD01.2007
Skills
- Management
- Standard operating procedures
- Troubleshooting and analysis
- Software
- Hardware
- Technical documentation
- Team leadership
- Hardware evaluation
- Server administration
- Windows server configuration
- User support
- Process improvement
- Training and mentoring
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Senior Systems Engineer II
GEICO
04.2013 - 12.2025
Senior Technical Team Lead
GEICO
08.2012 - 04.2013
Senior Technical Team Lead
GEICO
06.2002 - 08.2012
Senior Systems Engineer
GEICO
06.2000 - 06.2002
LAN Administrator
GEICO
10.1997 - 06.2000
Associate Systems Engineer
GEICO
03.1997 - 10.1997
Systems Engineer
PB Farradyne, Inc.
01.1993 - 01.1997
Systems Engineer, Intern
IBM
01.1988 - 12.1988
Bachelors of Science - Information Systems Management
University of MD. Global Campus
Associate of Arts - Business Administration
Frederick Community College