TAQUAVH COPELAND
Senior System Administrator
Schertz,TX
Summary
Results-oriented Systems Administrator with 7+ years of experience in all aspects of IT operations, encompassing network administration, desktop and technical support, and security engineering within both the Windows and Linux/Unix environment. Possess a comprehensive background in Information Systems Management and Network Security derived from conducting domestic operations supporting national defense initiatives. Managed risk upon multiple lines to protect assets, property, and equipment valued over $40M while exceeding the expectations of senior leadership. Diligent troubleshooter, with strong communication skills to interact effectively with employees and departments various IT environments. Flexible with positive work attitude focused on producing results under tight deadlines.
Overview
7
7
years of professional experience
2
2
years of post-secondary education
3
3
Certifications
Work History
Senior Systems Administrator
Department Of Defense-Army
Daegu, South Korea
02.2020 - 11.2021
- Directly and extensively collaborated with network teams throughout Korea, Japan, Hawaii, and Arizona to successfully meet and exceed all project goals.
- Performed Red Hat Linux kernel, memory upgrades and facilitated Red Hat Linux Kick-start installations.
- Built RedHat systems from configuration, application installation, system testing, issue resolution, production-ready certification process, and final deployment for operational enterprise use.
- Provided comprehensive training to internal and off-site users to optimize systems maintenance and resolve recurring issues.
- Coached and mentored employees and offered constructive feedback for performance improvement.
- Orchestrated integration and communication of software upgrades.
- Kept software licenses current for computers and mobile devices.
- Monitored networks and network devices to resolve technical problems quickly.
- Resolved issues and escalated problems with knowledgeable support and quality service.
- Maintained flexible schedule and responded to after-hours and weekend emergencies.
- Maintained customer satisfaction with forward-thinking strategies focused on addressing customer needs and resolving concerns.
- Provided primary customer support to internal and external customers.
- Served as technical liaison, supporting engineering, management, procurement, sales and marketing, quality assurance and supply base.
- Produced reports and updated customers and senior leaders on progress and roadblocks.
- Installed system-wide hardware components, confirming interoperation and compatibility with Linux-based software distros.
- Created and serviced administrator and user accounts on Linux-based systems, managing 36 deployments.
- Coordinated cross-site installation of networked systems, confirming post-install connectivity.
- Preserved system documentation accuracy via regular data updates and graphical refreshes.
- Resolved trouble tickets to reduce backlog from 55 unresolved tickets to 2.
- Configured and maintained web servers with 300+ end users.
- Lead, and facilitated process improvement initiatives and projects, including assessment, planning, event facilitation, and follow-up for cross-functional teams in the use of process improvement methodologies to achieve operational excellence, budget performance, and intermediate deliverables.
- Developed and maintained comprehensive and detailed project plans, summarizing critical short and long-term tasks, cost target.
- Developed life-cycle cost analysis of projects/performed cost-benefit and economic evaluations of current or projected programs.
- Led upgrade of 30 Red Hat Enterprise Level 6 servers to Red Hat Enterprise Level 7 within a 14 day hard deadline; passing Command Cyber Readiness Inspection with 90% system compliance
- Monitored CPU, Memory, Disk space and Swap space daily to avoid system performance issues.
System Administrator
Ka’ala Systems Technology Corp
11.2018 - 02.2020
- Monitored and resolved status of critical system services reporting performance and server health.
- Developed mutually beneficial working relationships with customers.
- Monitored production systems, applications, and network performance through various Network Management and Application.
- Oversaw the installation of patches, hardware, software, and firmware updates.
- Provided hardware and software engineering support for Information Systems utilizing object-oriented programming and client-server applications.
- Managed project deployment lifecycle, defined requirements, researched solutions, designed systems, supported testing, and oversaw live implementation.
- Ensured the efficient flow of the company's information systems to provide top-level support and maximum performance of client accounts.
- Coordinated with clients (local and remote) and IT support teams to document technical issues and implement solutions supporting 24/7 systems uptime.
- Planned and implemented upgrades to the system hardware and software; ensured network, system, and data availability and integrity through preventative maintenance and upgrades.
- Analyzed systems network topology and prepared a set of recommendations to improve integration efficiency among multiple systems.
- Designed proactive preventive maintenance schedules to prevent unnecessary downtime and hardware faults.
- Established network specifications and analyzed workflow, access, information and security requirements.
- Monitored rack-mount hardware metrics such as temperature, power draw and more to immediately detect faults and failures.
- Led complete server suite rebuild consisting of Domain Controllers, Exchange, and Web Servers on rapidly deployable networks.
- Oversaw patching and software updates of 50 Tactically Deployable systems in preparation for Pacific wide military exercise.
- Planned, coordinated and implemented security measures to safeguard information in computer files against accidental or unauthorized damage, modification or disclosure.
- Diagnosed and executed resolution for network and server issues.
- Prepared a variety of different written communications, reports and documents to ensure smooth operations.
System Administrator
United States Air Force
08.2013 - 08.2017
- Coordinated the research and implementation of application installation, software upgrades, and the development of standard operating procedures and policies on Windows 2012 R2 and Solaris 9 servers.
- Coordinated with the business team and end-users for requirement gathering, analysis & preparation of business requirement documents to address reported issues & provide analysis.
- Developed workflow charts and diagrams to ensure production team compliance with client deadlines and optimized system security and performance with proactive changes.
- Ensured the timely management of trouble tickets/work orders documenting all processes, including problem recognition, research, isolation, resolution, and follow-up steps for 40+ requests per day.
- Supervised help desk operation and served as the focal point for customer concerns; analyzed, identified, researched, and resolved technical problems utilizing proper escalation and outsourcing when necessary.
- Ensured Host-Based Security System (HBSS) and Assured Compliance Assessment Solution (ACAS) best practices are implemented and followed according to Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) guidance.
- Planned and implemented upgrades to the system hardware and software; ensured network, system, and data availability and integrity through preventative maintenance and upgrades.
- Proposed technical feasibility solutions for new functional designs and suggested options for performance improvement of technical objects.
- Provided help desk support responding to and diagnosing problems in support of an organization composed of 2000+ personnel resulting in no delays to operational readiness.
- Performed daily system monitoring, verifying the integrity and availability of all hardware, server resources, systems and key processes, reviewing system and application logs, and verifying completion of scheduled jobs such as backups.
- Automated daily backup operation, ensured all required file systems and system data are successfully backed up to the appropriate media.
- Created, changed, and deleted user accounts per request for both Windows and Linux environments.
- Conducted Solaris OS installation and configuration in order to maintain compliance with DoD STIGS.
- Managed program functions, including credentialing, privileged access management, authentication services, and identity authorization management.
- Analyzed information security systems and efforts to ensure compliance with current government standards, guidelines, and regulations.
- Applied IT systems security principles and methods to recommend appropriate technical strategies to resolve complex and persistent IT security challenges.
- Analyzed current information technology performance metrics to improve and forecast future performance improvements.
- Performed cyber defense incident triage, to include determining the scope and potential impact, identifying the specific vulnerability, and making recommendations for remediation.
- Implemented company policies, technical procedures, and standards for preserving the integrity and security of data, reports, and access using Cybersecurity principles.
- Kept software licenses current for computers and mobile devices.
- Provided primary customer support to internal and external customers.
- Maintained customer satisfaction with forward-thinking strategies focused on addressing customer needs and resolving concerns.
- Controlled and managed server room, wireless network, server infrastructure, audiovisual equipment, laptops and video conferencing equipment.
- Created support documentation that enabled user community to extend skills, leverage system features and find resolutions to questions without intervention from support team.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Information Systems Management
University of Maryland - University College
Hyattsville, MD 10.2019 - Current
Skills
Microsoft Office 365 Suite
Certification
CompTIA Security+ CE
Timeline
CompTIA Linux+ CE
06-2021
CompTIA CASP+ CE
08-2020
Senior Systems Administrator
Department Of Defense-Army
02.2020 - 11.2021
Bachelor of Science - Information Systems Management
University of Maryland - University College
10.2019 - Current
System Administrator
Ka’ala Systems Technology Corp
11.2018 - 02.2020
CompTIA Security+ CE
02-2014
System Administrator
United States Air Force
08.2013 - 08.2017
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