Life, the Universe and Everything
None of us are getting out of here alive!
Life, the Universe and Everything
None of us are getting out of here alive!
Hello
Welcome
I am a driven, focused technology innovator who always puts integrity and honesty first. I am technically experienced in a wide range of fields, I know how important fitting technology together is. Effectively presenting to audiences, ensuring the clarity of technology supporting and driving business goals.
Who am I? not 24601
Up to this point
I started with electronics when I was 10 or 11 years old. I was, and continue to be, fascinated by "how things go together" to provide the desired result. I built amplifiers and sodered connections to produce my desired result. I quickly graduated to HF, VHF, and UHF communications, opening my world view by establishing connections with characters from all over the world. From New York taxi drivers to Polar scientists, in retrospect, those connections shaped my future way more than I knew they would at the time.
I started work at the age of 12 1/2 gathering funds to feed my technology dreams. By the age of 15, I was heavily involved with DJ equipment, working with early sound to lightboxes, digital effects, and improving sound systems.
I learned early in life that customer service was very important and a repeat customer was always more valuable than a one-off customer. Working with multiple customers to make sure their events were as trouble-free and fun as possible stood me in great stead for future business.
I borrowed to purchase my first set of DJ equipment and earned enough money in the first 2 weeks to fully repay the loan. I have always been taught that hard work pays off.
Physics, Engineering Science, History, and Geography were my favorite subjects at school. I was lucky to have great teachers who brought the subjects to life and reinforced my early passions. I also really enjoyed performing in school musicals and was part of a group of entertainers who raised enough money to purchase 2 Kidney Dialysis machines for one of our local hospitals. Family and community have always been part of my life in different measures at different times. I was awarded my Duke of Edinburgh bronze award which is similar to the Eagle Scout award in the USA.
Leaving school at 15 1/2, I took a job as an apprentice draughtsman studying engineering drawing, welding, sheet metal work, metal machine work(milling and turning), and electrical theory. I was 6 months away from completing my apprenticeship when I got an overwhelming desire to serve in the British Army. I am sure what I saw of the Falklands War on TV drove my sudden need to serve my country.
Much to my father's disappointment, not finishing my apprenticeship, I joined the British Army on Jan 6th, 1983 serving in the Gordon Highlanders regiment. I served for a total of 12 1/2 years, during which time I specialized in Signalling, building on my previous experience with HF, VHF, and UHF communications mediums. I continued by adding antenna propagation, equipment repair, morse code, burst satellite communications, Top Secret encryption methodology, and many other skills to my toolbox. I also discovered a new passion, passing on knowledge. I quickly became a certified instructor in a multitude of fields and ended my Army career teaching instructors how to instruct at the Infantry School of Signals.
This was also the time where my passion for computers was fostered. I helped civilian contractors lay coax cable and terminate 50ohm resistors for the first Army "campus" network. Programming using punch cards then Fortran and Pascal, I was capable but quickly discovered that programming was not my forte.
I attended Dalkeith College for Computer Programming. Plymouth College of Further Education for Administrative Management, Computing, and Management Information Systems. I also received certification from the British Technical Educational Council for Planning and Control skills for supervisors.
I emigrated to the USA in 1995, starting work as a computer technician with a local company blending my previous experience with new skills. Building LAN's, WAN's and PAN's, configuring firewalls, VPN's, Servers(Novell, NT4 version of Windows up to 2019); and continuing my industry education whenever opportunities presented themselves. Work was plentiful and there was little opportunity for extending my formal education. I worked for many companies and eventually started my own Technology Consulting company, serving hundreds of local and national customers with a staff of up to 7 over an 18 + year period. In fact, one of those customers, I still maintain not only their technology infrastructure but their friendship and hope to continue until they retire. If you are reading this you know who you are :)
I have Database administrator experience with SQL, Advantage, and Access mainly working with medical billing, Electronic Medical records, and CRM vendors. Standardization of data types over the years has helped simplify data collection and management. Todays API's are way easier to understand and use effectively than earlier versions.
For the last 4 years, I have been working with Washoe County School District as their Information Security Officer. This position allows me to satisfy the "community" part of my life by applying my years of experience to help students, families, and staff be as "digitally" secure as resources allow. As off August 31st 2020, I have been appointed as Chief Information Officer for the State of Nevada
I continue my industry education by reading and researching daily within my field of expertise. I have studied for and been awarded the following industry certifications:
Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
https://www.isc2.org/Certifications/CISSP
GIAC Strategic Planning, Policy, and Leadership (GSTRT)
https://www.giac.org/certification/strategic-planning-policy-leadership-gstrt
Auditing & Monitoring Networks, Perimeters, and Systems (GSNA)
https://www.giac.org/certification/systems-network-auditor-gsna
I am also a graduate from the Washoe Academy of School leaders
https://www.washoeschools.net/Page/823
I am currently a member of:
International Information System Security Certification Consortium (ISC2), Member # 474440
Global Information Assurance Certification (GIAC), Member #465
The State of Nevada Technological Crimes Committee
MS-ISAC Mentorship program
I continue my love of imparting knowledge by not only presenting to students and staff on behalf of WCSD, but I also teach safer motorcycle riding to students at track events, again combining my love of community with imparting knowledge. I have been an avid motorcycle rider since I was 15 and have raced internationally culminating in 4 appearances at the Manx GP on the Isle of Man. 3 finisher's medals and some extra hardware in my upper spine are some of the physical mementos I have from motorcycle racing. Much more valuable are the experiences and friendships from those years. I apply the focus learned from racing to work situations, making them much easier to deal with.
I hold both US and British passports and am willing to work anywhere in the world
I am happily married to my soulmate, Beth, who continues to make me a better person. I have so far used up 3 of my 9 lives and hope to not use any more of them in the foreseeable future.
Skills
Network Security
Network Security
Network Security
From end point devices to server to firewalls to VPN's. no matter how you are connected I can assist with security and planning
Device Security
Network Security
Network Security
Desktop, laptop, tablets, and phones all require a security lens. If you are worried about DPL it usually ends here
Budget planning
Network Security
Business Continuity Planning
Budgeting for all types of resources is integral to successful project planning and completion. I have successfully completed many projects
Business Continuity Planning
Business Continuity Planning
Business Continuity Planning
Have you carried out any "what if" planning? The majority of businesses cease to exist after an incident. Don't let that be you
Account Management
Business Continuity Planning
Policy's and Procedures
Repeat customers are more valuable than one-time customers. It also costs up to 7 times more to gain a new customer than to keep one.
Policy's and Procedures
Business Continuity Planning
Policy's and Procedures
Do you need IT policies and procedures designed and produced for your company? I am certified and experienced in designing and implementing both
Strategic Auditing
Strategic Auditing
Strategic Auditing
What do your audits tell you? How do you use audit results to assist with strategic planning? I can help with both
Contact me
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