Aaron Leskiw Email & Phone Number

Reporting to the CTO and SVP of Technology, I provide strategic leadership for a team dedicated to optimizing the digital workplace experience at BCI. My role involves close collaboration with cross-functional teams to identify pain points and develop innovative solutions that enhance communication, collaboration, and overall business outcomes.As a leader in digital transformation, I drive cultural change by promoting a culture of innovation and continuous improvement. I spearhead the implementation of cutting-edge tools, including AI and Microsoft Copilot, to streamline operations and boost productivity.On the technology front, I manage the selection, implementation, and ongoing support of digital tools within the Microsoft 365 suite and hybrid meeting room audio/visual environments. Notably, I led the transition of our entire phone system to Microsoft Teams calling and upgraded meeting room technology across the company, ensuring seamless and efficient communication.

Reporting to the Assistant Deputy Minister as part of the Office of the Chief Information Officer, I am accountable for strategic and operational oversight of over 120 staff, and an operating budget with a $60M annual spend. We deliver mission critical digital workplace services to 40,000 users such as: Email, SharePoint, OneDrive, MS Teams, telephony; and the entire government data network spanning 2000 locations in BC.

Victoria, Bc

Reporting to the Executive Director, I was responsible for strategic planning and operations of services used by more than 40,000 clients across multiple organizations, in an extremely complex multi-vendor environment. I managed a $20m annual operating budget which I was able to reduce to $12M annually through technical innovation.I built up a team of 40 staff and contractors responsible for delivery of critical government infrastructure, including the voice network, conferencing, and call centre applications used by 24x7 clients such as Wildfire and the Ministry of Children and Families. Highlights: In 2020 at the start of the COVID pandemic, I lead the rollout of Microsoft Teams as a collaboration toolset for all BC Government employees in under six weeks. As the Project Director for the Unified Communications project, I was responsible for transforming and modernizing the Province's 55,000 phone lines onto a Skype-based voice-over-IP(VOIP) system that supported mobility strategies, and reduced reliance on an aging, failure-prone phone system.

Office Of The Cio

I lead a team of network architects who plan, design and operate the data network for the Province of BC. We manage a private enterprise network with 2200 locations throughout BC.Reporting to the Executive Director, I was responsible for successfully leading the “Network Modernization” project, a multi-million dollar business and technical transformation project. My team developed and implemented a completely new network architecture that allowed the Province to reduce capital costs and retire a legacy infrastructure that was based on maintaining physical points-of-presence at hundreds of locations.

Victoria, Bc

I lead development of a network architecture used to transform a large enterprise network to a modern MPLS network delivered in partnership with major telecom service providers.

Provide professional IT consulting sevices to small business. Contributing author to IT websites such as Petri's IT Knowledgebase, NetworkManagementSoftware.com, and WindowsNetworking.com.

I lead a team of eleven network consultants. We work with schools, government ministries, and the broader public-sector to gather business requirements, design complex networks, and manage both small and large-scale upgrade projects. Our clients have locations throughout British Columbia, some in well-served urban areas, others in distant, rural places with few network connectivity options. We work in partnership with over 30 telecom vendors to deliver a large private network.Project examples include: *Upgrading 350 schools from low-speed copper networks like ADSL and DS1 to high-speed fibre within a fiscal year and a $1.75M budget.*Implementing client-centric WAN network re-designs to incorporate services like centralized firewalls and virtual private WAN networks.*Redesigning network processes to integrate with new requirements from third-party IT service providers.*Negotiating contracts with new service providers.*Managing installation of temporary WAN and LAN networks for Provincial Elections at 70 offices with short lead-times.

I provide network architecture and design services to approximately 80 clients with over 1800 schools and colleges throughout British Columbia.I meet with clients and gather their business and technical requirements, then design WAN and LAN network solutions to meet their needs. I work closely with our network engineers to finalize and implement designs, then manage projects through to completion.Our network is a large, private, wide-area network providing coverage throughout the Province of British Columbia, and is delivered in partnership with over 30 different telcomm vendors using technologies ranging from Satellite and point-to-point wireless, to traditional copper services like ADSL, DOCSIS, and DS1, to high-speed fibre links.

Supported 1100 workstations, 55 servers, and custom telephony services in a complex and geographically distributed LAN/WAN. Examples include:*Installing, monitoring and supporting a server farm and related network services.*Supporting SANs, blade servers and chassis, and enterprise backup systems.*Manage changes affecting the server and network infrastructure.*Investigate security incidents, recommend firewall changes, and perform proactive security scans.*Provide incident support.*Manage server room facilities: Heating, cooling, UPS, after-hours monitoring, security.

Server, workstation and deskside support, including Microsoft SMS administration and application packaging. Managed application and security patch deployment to approximately 1000 workstations in multiple cities.

Lead a four-person technical IT helpdesk team in a very busy environment. Managed and monitored published service levels to ensure compliance and great customer service.