Vera Jones

• Manage the day-to-day operations for server teams across a hyperscale data center.
• Lead and mentor a team of twelve direct reports responsible for building turn up's, network repairs and media management, ensuring high performance and operational uptime.
• Align data center operational priorities with overarching company objectives and key results.
• Established and drove a site-wide safety culture, while fostering an inclusive, diverse, and collaborative team environment.
• Successfully turned up and currently manage Data Security Rooms at the largest data center globally.
• Provide resource estimations and capacity planning to senior management to meet complex, multi-quarter objectives.
• Investigate and resolve post-mortem issues within Data Security operations to prevent recurrence and improve future processes.

• Engaged and led a team of Digital Transformation Leads at DuPont’s largest global manufacturing site.
• Defined and executed the digital transformation strategy in collaboration with key external vendors.
• Identified and prioritized opportunities for business process improvements and automation using cutting-edge digital technologies.
• Collaborated with cross-functional teams to develop and execute technology projects that drove innovation, improved operational efficiency, enhanced customer experience, and provided critical business insights.
• Managed the $2 billion chemical manufacturing site's budget and oversaw infrastructure upgrades.

Cluster IT Leader ⋅\cdot Richmond, VA 2022 – 2024

• Managed 35 manufacturing and warehouse sites across 14 states in North America.
• Directed a team of five Site IT Leaders responsible for 24x7 operations.
• Served as the second-level escalation point of contact for all IT infrastructure and hardware issues, ensuring rapid resolution.
• Ensured disaster recovery plans were current and tested across all managed sites.
• Coordinated response during all outages and blackout events to quickly and efficiently restore service.
• Communicated DuPont’s strategic vision, ensuring performance and safety objectives were consistently met.
• Onboarded new employees to the DuPont culture, processes, compliance requirements, and business procedures.

• Led a team of twelve engineers and technicians for a Federal ISS program focused on operating, managing, and advancing critical IT infrastructure.
• Provided technical and management leadership across all enterprise tasks and technology assignments.
• Served as the focal point for all concerns, establishing goals and plans to meet project objectives on time.
• Ensured a timely process for problem control, recognition, research, and escalation within the Enterprise Operation Center (EOC).
• Coordinated, reviewed, and updated all EOC operational documentation.
• Onboarded new employees to the GDIT culture, rules, processes, and compliance requirements.
• Led employee relations investigations related to attendance, diversity, and performance.

• Led a team of engineers in a Network Operations Center (NOC) environment, supporting customer network technologies.
• Ensured customer projects were completed on time, with high quality, and zero impact on existing operations.
• Supported the development and launch of in-house tools for network automation and business process efficiency.
• Analyzed network incidents to determine taxonomy and improved outcome predictability.
• Experienced in launching new operational networks, systems, and equipment tools.
• Applied deep knowledge of the ITIL framework for service delivery and process management.
• Participated in recruitment and performance appraisal processes for team members.
• Provided operational support for configuring network devices, including switches and routers.
• Directed and transformed a newly created provisioning center in Ashburn, VA.
• Developed performance matrices, scheduling, and career development programs for a 24x7 team of network engineers.
• Managed Layer 2 technical provisioning and maintenance support for Ethernet business customers.
• Onboarded new employees to the Verizon culture, rules, processes, and compliance requirements.
• Empowered and led a highly technical, top-performing team that resulted in a 95% improvement in network efficiencyand a 90% reduction in critical application downtime.
• Initiated and implemented training programs, and supported culture/diversity programs with management employees.
• Ensured IT configuration control, network/system administrative services, and information assurance.
• Examined connectivity and routing for MPLS (Multiprotocol Label Switching) circuits.
• Served as the Emergency Preparedness Office SME, conducting monthly drills and holding responsibility for a building housing over 500 employees.
• Successfully resolved a union grievance related to employee work hours and overtime pay, improving relations between the union and management.
• Led negotiations with union representatives to reach mutually agreeable solutions, demonstrating strong communication and collaboration skills.