Work Experience#

Context:#

I am a skilled Red Hat Certified Engineer with extensive experience in designing and implementing security automation solutions in both traditional and cloud environments. I have expertise in deploying scalable, secure infrastructures using Ansible, Terraform, and Python, with a focus on automation to enhance operational efficiencies. I also administer PostgreSQL in production, including on-premises deployments and Amazon Aurora RDS. Beyond engineering, I have extensive experience in contract negotiations from both sides of the table: as a vendor and as a customer. With nine years of experience in IT and security, including several years of specialized work in solutions architecture and security engineering, I have driven significant improvements in security posture for organizations across SaaS, critical infrastructure, government, education, and banking sectors.

Experience:#

Senior Security & Systems Engineer — AvatarFleet#

Mar 2024 – Present · Full-time · Moscow, Idaho, United States · Remote

  • SOC 2 Type 2 accreditation: Led AvatarFleet through SOC 2 Type 1 and Type 2 accreditation by establishing comprehensive security policies and procedures, strengthening compliance, and building customer trust. Achieved SOC 2 Type 2 two years in a row with no adverse findings.
  • Security program initiation: Developed and implemented AvatarFleet’s initial security program, including foundational policies, procedures, and a security-aware culture, in an early-stage startup environment.
  • Cloud security enforcement: Drove AWS security improvements through Terraform and Ansible, standardizing controls and automating compliance for a stronger security posture.
  • Enterprise infrastructure: Architected and built the organization’s enterprise infrastructure from the ground up, replacing legacy infrastructure with minimal downtime.

Founder & Principal Consultant — Seneca Cyber#

April 2024 – Present · Part-time · Moscow, Idaho, United States · Remote

  • Owner-operated MSP/MSSP: Run Seneca Cyber as an independent managed services and managed security services practice.
  • Cross-sector client delivery: Supported multiple organizations, including a medical practice and the City of Moscow.
  • Security and infrastructure execution: Delivered cybersecurity and IT infrastructure services across both on-premises and cloud environments.

Lead Solutions Architect — Syxsense Inc.#

Mar 2023 – Mar 2024 · Full-time · Moscow, Idaho, United States · Remote

  • Hybrid and multi-cloud expertise: Led the design and implementation of security solutions across hybrid and multi-cloud environments, focusing on automation to streamline operations and enhance security.
  • Technical leadership and automation: Oversaw deployment of automated security solutions using Ansible and Python, reducing manual overhead and improving response times.
  • Strategic development contributions: Helped align product development with emerging cloud security trends and customer needs.
  • Industry advocacy: Served as a technical voice at industry events on security automation in hybrid and multi-cloud settings.

Senior Security Solutions Architect — Syxsense Inc.#

Apr 2022 – Mar 2023 · Full-time · Salt Lake City, Utah, United States

  • Solutions engineering: Designed and implemented tailored security automation solutions in critical infrastructure, leveraging Ansible and Python for integration of AWS-hosted EC2 workloads into the platform.
  • Vulnerability management: Developed vulnerability management frameworks for Linux servers in regulated on-premises environments, supporting customers with tens of thousands of endpoints under management.
  • Product support: Contributed to the platform user guide and technical customer support.
  • Platform engineering: Committed code (mostly Bash and Python) to improve Linux endpoint availability and reliability.

Solutions Architect — Syxsense Inc.#

Apr 2021 – Apr 2022 · Full-time · Salt Lake City, Utah, United States

  • Sales engineering: Helped bring more than 100 new logos to Syxsense through proofs of concept and RFI/RFP responses.
  • Solutions architecture: Co-architected deployments to match client environments.
  • Marketing initiatives: Developed and delivered educational webinars for the marketing team.

Associate Information Technology Analyst — Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories#

Sep 2020 – Apr 2021 · Full-time · Pullman, Washington, United States

  • Operations support: Supported Linux users across the organization.
  • Platform development: Created a standardized, domain-integrated Ubuntu Linux distribution for the company.
  • Security operations: Partnered with Security Operations to apply CIS benchmarks to Linux endpoints using Chef.

Information Technology Technician — Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories#

Aug 2018 – Sep 2020 · Full-time · Pullman, Washington, United States

  • Desktop support and migration: Provided desktop support and played a key role in the organization’s transition from Windows 7 to Windows 10.

IT Technician — Washington State University#

Nov 2016 – Aug 2018 · Part-time · Pullman, Washington, United States · On-site

  • Department IT support: Provided desktop and basic physical networking support in the Chemistry department while completing undergraduate studies.
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