Professional Profile

I am a tenacious and energetic IT professional with a varied experience of many aspects of the dynamic information technology marketplace. From an initial beginning as a junior programmer, I have progressed through systems analysis into end user support. Utilising my programming background I have developed IT solutions for major UK banks and multi-national organisations utilising Microsoft Windows client and server technologies, UNIX and mainframe environments. This has included evaluating hardware and software from 3^rd parties, testing and evaluating solutions to meet end customer requirements and specifying solutions to meet an end customer need. Most recently I have been at the leading edge of the development of the next Microsoft innovations in the industry, including engaging with CEOs and CIOs to highlight the business benefits of solutions

Education

Industry related training: Microsoft Windows service and support courses (3.1, NT, Windows 2000, SMS, SQL), Novell Netware service and support courses (3.11, 4), Cisco IOS, Citrix Winframe and Metaframe, Microsoft Virtualisation Technologies to support AMD Pacifica and Intel VT processors

Qualifications: Novell Service and Support CNE, Microsoft MCSE (NT4) 

Further education: Rhydyfelin Technical College, Pontypridd, South WalesQualifications: OND Computer Studies 

Secondary education: Bedwas Comprehensive School, Bedwas, South WalesQualifications: ‘O’ Level Mathematics, Computer Studies and Geography

Personal Profile

I am happily married  we share a home in [snip] with our two cats and I have a full, clean UK driving license. I am an adrenaline junkie and feel that life is to be lived. My current passion is competing in triathlons, but rollercoasters, my long time passion, is still in my blood.

Previous Roles

October 2006 – today

Employer: [snip]

Role: Managing Director 

Role overview:

My company offers consulting services to Microsoft OEM customers and enterprises to aid the rollout and management of the Microsoft Windows client and server operating systems and applications. This includes specifying and installing end to end solutions with appropriate networking architectures to accommodate the customers requirements. 

Role highlight:

Preparing a major UK OEM to ship Windows Vista pre-installed on their new hardware from January 2007 with guidance and assistance in re-designing their production line servers and networking solution.

March 2001 – October 2006

Employer: [snip]

Role: EMEA OEM Systems Engineer 

Role overview:

Ensuring that Dell, HP, IBM, Sony, Acer, Toshiba, Packard Bell, Lenovo and smaller OEMs in Europe were technically ready to adopt the next version of Microsoft’s client and server operating systems and applications. This involved evangelising the products currently in development and working with the Microsoft US HQ in removing or resolving technical issues with the code which would affect the ability of Microsoft’s business partners to take the products to market. Microsoft is a global organisation which required being involved in conference calls and live meetings out of business hours. My most recent work has been with Windows Vista, Office 2007 and Windows Server codename ’Longhorn’.

Role highlight:

I have had many highlights in the role, but my proudest is that without my specific assistance by tenaciously pursuing a technical resolution to an issue experienced by Packard Bell in late 2001, the majority of their new Windows XP systems would not have made it to market and this would not only have given a massive customer dissatisfaction, but would also have dramatically affected their financial bottom line. 

November 2000 – March 2001

Employer: [snip]

Role: Network Operations Manager 

Role overview:

Maintaining and monitoring the network infrastructure of [snip] European distribution facility in Amsterdam which processes over $7m of product every hour in conjunction with the worldwide networking HQ in the US. All product flow through the facility was monitored and controlled through networked devices, it was my responsibility to ensure this was fully functional and efficient all hours of the day and night. This involved using Cisco IOS to configure efficient network architectures using VPNs and subnet structures to remotely monitor the status of the network integrated to the buildings telephone network using desk and DECT telephones. 

Role highlight:

Successfully working with the worldwide networking HQ in the US and local network services providers to utilise the Amsterdam-wide fibre network securely. This involved thorough testing prior to switch-over, controlling the switch-overs to limit downtime, router and switch reconfigurations with full documentation and labelling.

April 1999  – November 2000

Employer: [snip] UK

Role: Microsoft Solutions Consultant 

Role overview:

Designing, specifying and installing Windows client and server solutions for [snip] customers including [snip]. Utilising Compaq server hardware and Cisco networking components in conjunction with Microsoft SMS, Microsoft SQL Server and Oracle 8. 

Role highlight:

Migrating the whole [snip] of car companies to a modular client/server infrastructure based on Windows 2000 Professional with install on demand application deployments utilising InstallShield technologies to add and remove applications without affecting the stability of remaining applications with shared components.

August 1994  – April 1999

Employer: [snip]

Role: Microsoft Solutions Specialist 

Role overview:

Design, deploy and manage the client desktop environment of [snip] Mortgage Services division with 1500 desktops and 1000 laptop devices. Initially utilising Windows for Workgroups 3.11, but then migrating to Windows NT 4.0. I qualified as a Microsoft MCSE during this role. I used Visual Basic extensively during this role utilising my programming background to maintain a single image environment with a common development platform. SMS deployment and Citrix product evaluation and testing were a key part of the success of this enterprise deployment 

Role highlight:

Creating a portable network logon environment for Windows for Workgroups 3.11 using network based profiles, something that Microsoft said could not be done.

October 1989 – August 1994

Employer: [snip] Wales

Role: Systems Engineer 

Role overview:

Working with the sales executives, designed and specified standalone and network based solutions in the early days of cost-effective Ethernet installations. Customers were within the private and public sectors, including banks, hospitals and government facilities. Installing Windows 2.x systems and then the boom of the Windows 3.x generation of operating systems and Microsoft applications. Also did some work on Apple devices. 

Role highlight:

Installing and deploying the largest network of 250 systems for the company using thick and thin Ethernet and Windows 3.0 clients across multiple sites.

May 1986 – October 1989

Employer: [snip]

Role: Junior Programmer, Programmer, Analyst Programmer 

Role overview:

As a junior programmer, just out of college with experience of BASIC and COBOL, this company introduced me to 4GLs (4^th generation languages). Using a database as a source, default input forms and reports could be generated simply and then modified. As my experience grew, I was given the task to review manual processes around the company to see where computer programs could be used to benefit the company. I also installed my first network and the first for the company using MSNET and Apricot and Compaq computers. I also gained experience of UNIX and XENIX 

Role highlight:

My first network installation of 35 client and server systems throughout a large factory environment