Ryan Blake
Oxnard,CA
Summary
Results-driven IT Project Leader with a proven track record at Creative Artists Agency, specializing in Cisco unified communications and cloud services. Expertise in troubleshooting complex systems has led to significant enhancements in global communication infrastructures. Recognized for fostering team collaboration and driving successful project outcomes, with a commitment to continuous improvement and innovation.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Unified Communications Architect
Creative Artists Agency
09.2018 - Current
- Company Overview: the world's leading entertainment and sports agency
- Subject Matter Expert (SME) for voice, video, and conferencing technologies, overseeing global services in 7 data centers and 21 offices worldwide
- Lead Engineer responsible for the design, implementation, and support of 56 Telepresence rooms, 29 Microsoft Teams Rooms (MTRs), 2600+ phones, and multiple Cisco Unified Communication solutions, including 4 CUCM/IM&P/Unity clusters, CER clusters, Expressway clusters, UCCX cluster, TMS, TPS with Conductor, CMS with CMM, UACs, Kurmi for voice provisioning, and TIMs Enterprise for CDR billing
- Lead Engineer responsible for the implementation and support of cloud services, including Vyopta for video conferencing monitoring, Logic Monitor for UC service monitoring, Zoom, MS Teams, Webex with hybrid video mesh, and InformaCast Fusion for emergency alerting
- Lead Engineer responsible for the design, implementation, and support of PSTN services through various providers (ATT, China Telecom, China Unicom, Masergy, Lumen, SBCGlobal), including SIP, PRI connections, and Direct Routing for MS Teams
- Lead Engineer responsible for the design, implementation, and support of MS Teams voice/video services, Pexip CVI, Webex CVI, and Ribbon SBCs in Azure with Direct Connect for MS Teams
- Lead Engineer responsible for the design, implementation, and support of Cisco UCS Servers, VMWare ESXi, and VCenter environments
- Serves as the primary escalation point for high-priority (P1/P2) voice, video, and conferencing incidents
- Serves as the Kanban coach for the UC/AV team, overseeing the agile process for continuous improvement and delivery
- Serves as a Change Manager for the change management process
- Performed other engineering duties, including maintaining system security, PowerShell scripting, patching vulnerabilities, managing Windows Servers, PKI certificates, Active Directory, Entra ID, O365, DNS, DHCP, VLANs, and system backups
- The world's leading entertainment and sports agency
Designated Engineer II
Converge One
04.2013 - 09.2018
- Primary engineer responsible for the implementation, management, and maintenance of C1 data centers and cloud services in New York and California
- This includes managing VMware ESXi clusters which hosted a total of 80 virtual servers dedicated to cloud services, EqualLogic PS SAN, ASA 5510 firewalls, Cisco 3750 switch stacks, Cisco 3900/2900 series routers, Cisco Meeting/Acano server featuring customized branding and Lync integration, Cisco VCS Expressways for cloud registration, directory services and password management solutions for authentication related to cloud services, Cisco Telepresence Servers for multipoint conferencing, and Cisco TMS for the cloud management of registered devices
- Managed the onboarding and ongoing support of Managed Services customers, utilizing various technologies such as Cisco CUCM, Unity, IM&P, UCCX (versions 8.6 to 11.5), Cisco TMS with PE and Exchange integration, Cisco TPS, Cisco Conductor, Cisco VCS Expressway, Cisco Meeting Server/Acano with branding and Lync integration, Cisco codecs (MX, SX, DX, IX, and C series), Codian ISDN gateways, Codian MCUs, Polycom codecs (HDX and Group series), and Cisco Telepresence Content Server
- Conduct weekly MVS reviews with customers, addressing project updates, incident reports, bug tracking, and scheduled maintenance windows
- Maintain comprehensive documentation of customer environments throughout the onboarding process and during any management changes
- Served as the primary escalation point for ticketing issues related to assigned Managed Services customers
- Engage in continuous training sessions with colleagues to stay updated on emerging technologies
IT Systems Engineer
Abrisa Technologies - HEF Photonics
11.2011 - 04.2013
- Administered and supported server, network, and workstation infrastructure for a 100-user environment, managing Windows XP/Vista/7 and Windows Server 2003/2008
- Managed and maintained WAN/LAN resources in a multi-domain Active Directory and Exchange environment
- Led migration of 80 workstations from Windows XP to Windows 7 and multiple servers from Windows Server 2003 to 2008
- Researched, evaluated, and deployed hardware and software solutions to enhance operational efficiency
- Configured and deployed new IT hardware, including switches, routers, servers, surveillance systems, and VoIP solutions
- Managed Active Directory, including user account creation, policy enforcement, and security configurations
- Maintained endpoint security, OS patching, and system updates through SCCM 2012 and WSUS
- Configured and maintained SonicWALL NAS 2400 firewalls to ensure network security
- Implemented, managed, and maintained Dell EqualLogic PS4000 SAN (RAID 50), Hyper-V with 11 VMs, Microsoft Exchange 2010, Citrix XenApp 6.5, and MaaS360 MDM
- Managed Avaya IP Office phone system and ADP payroll system
- Administered Symantec Backup Exec 2010 and Microsoft DPM 2012 for data protection and recovery
- Maintained Macola ERP system user accounts and security, SQL Server 2005, and Access databases
IT Generalist
San Miguel Produce, Inc.
08.2010 - 11.2011
- Provided administration and support for servers, networks, and PC/workstations in a 40-user environment, managing Windows XP/ Vista/ Windows 7, and Windows Server 2000/2003/2008
- Managed and ensured the availability of WAN and LAN resources in a Microsoft Active Directory and Exchange environment
- Researched and implemented networking and application solutions to enhance organizational efficiency
- Imaged, configured, and deployed PCs and laptops to end-users
- Installed and maintained network infrastructure, including switches, routers, surveillance systems, VOIP phones (ShoreTel), and mobile devices (Blackberry, Nextel)
- Administered Active Directory, including user account creation, policy enforcement, and security configurations
- Managed security protocols, including internet filtering, system patches, and operating system updates
- Deployed and maintained enterprise software using SCCM 2007 R3 and WSUS, testing updates in virtual environments before implementation
- Configured and maintained VLANs on ADTRAN, Netgear, Dell Layer 3 switches, and secured the Edgemarc 4552 VOIP router and firewall
- Managed and maintained a Hyper-V virtual environment with 8 VMs
- Administered Blackberry Enterprise Server and Sprint/Nextel mobile accounts
- Oversaw the XORA GPS tracking system for mobile devices
- Managed Hewlett-Packard LaserJet printers and ADP payroll system
- Maintained enterprise backup solutions, including VERITAS Backup Exec 9.1 and Microsoft DPM 2010 R3
- Administered user accounts and security settings within the Famous ERP system
- Managed vendor relations, procurement of IT supplies, and equipment purchasing
Assistant IT Manager / System Administrator
Bordier's Nursery
01.2008 - 02.2010
- Provided administration and support for servers, networks, and workstations in a 100+ user environment, managing Windows XP, Server 2000, NT, and 2003
- Maintained WAN/LAN availability in a multi-domain Microsoft Active Directory and Exchange environment (Server 2000/2003)
- Researched and deployed networking and application solutions to enhance organizational efficiency
- Configured, imaged, and deployed PCs and laptops to end-users
- Managed user accounts, security policies, and group policies within Active Directory
- Implemented and maintained security measures, including internet filtering, OS patches, and system enhancements for workstations and servers
- Administered and maintained SQL Server 2000/2005 databases and Access databases
- Managed enterprise applications, including Vantage and Macola ERP systems, ADP payroll, and Seagate Crystal Reports
- Administered and maintained Avaya VOIP phone systems and Blackberry Enterprise devices
- Administered Cisco 2800/1800 series routers, switches, Adtran 3430 series routers, and Cisco VPN for remote access (30+ users)
Firedog Services Manager
Circuit City
12.2001 - 01.2008
- Operations Management: Managed store operations to achieve daily financial goals and prepared comprehensive daily reports
- Staff Training: Oversaw the training of staff members to ensure efficient store operations and high-quality customer service
- Technical Support and Maintenance: Handled troubleshooting, PC repairs, maintenance, virus and spyware removal, and system upgrades
- Implemented and maintained network and security systems to ensure robust and secure customer networks at customer locations
Education
Bachelor of Science - Information System Security
ITT Technical Institute
Oxnard, CA06-2008
Associates of Science - Computer Network Systems
ITT Technical Institute
Oxnard, CA12-2006
Skills
- Site planning and design
- Cisco unified communications
- Cisco telepresence
- Unified messaging
- Cisco hardware configuration
- Unified communications architecture
- Network server management
- Cloud services
- Windows system administration
- Switches and routers
- Linux system administration
- IT security protocols
- Troubleshooting
- Training and coaching
Certification
- CCIE Collaboration, Cisco, 12/17, 06/26
- CCNA, Cisco, 09/14, 06/26
- Cisco Certified Specialists Collaboration Core, Cisco, 12/17, 06/26
- SBC 1000 / 2000 / Tenor, Sonus
- Microsoft 365 Certified: Teams Voice Engineer Expert, Microsoft, 05/22, 05/25
- Microsoft 365 Certified: Collaboration Communications Systems Engineer Associate, Microsoft, 05/23, 05/25
- Microsoft 365 Certified: Teams Administrator Associate, Microsoft, 03/21, 03/25
Timeline
Unified Communications Architect
Creative Artists Agency
09.2018 - Current
Designated Engineer II
Converge One
04.2013 - 09.2018
IT Systems Engineer
Abrisa Technologies - HEF Photonics
11.2011 - 04.2013
IT Generalist
San Miguel Produce, Inc.
08.2010 - 11.2011
Assistant IT Manager / System Administrator
Bordier's Nursery
01.2008 - 02.2010
Firedog Services Manager
Circuit City
12.2001 - 01.2008
- CCIE Collaboration, Cisco, 12/17, 06/26
- CCNA, Cisco, 09/14, 06/26
- Cisco Certified Specialists Collaboration Core, Cisco, 12/17, 06/26
- SBC 1000 / 2000 / Tenor, Sonus
- Microsoft 365 Certified: Teams Voice Engineer Expert, Microsoft, 05/22, 05/25
- Microsoft 365 Certified: Collaboration Communications Systems Engineer Associate, Microsoft, 05/23, 05/25
- Microsoft 365 Certified: Teams Administrator Associate, Microsoft, 03/21, 03/25
Bachelor of Science - Information System Security
ITT Technical Institute
Associates of Science - Computer Network Systems
ITT Technical Institute
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