Gary Willis Email & Phone Number

Lenexa, Kansas, United States

Managed comprehensive IT operations, including System Administration, Network Administration, and Database Administration. Managed a team of internal resources responsible for all IT operations enabling DevOps and the business. Responsible for ensuring optimal performance and security. ● Revamped access control to improve cybersecurity.● Implemented recurring pen testing to further improve performance and cybersecurity.● Responsible for all network administration and the build out of a completely new company network.● Responsible for asset management including server, laptop, DB, network and cellular components.● Implemented KPIs to improve change management and defect resolution.● Directed rollout of 24x7 on call schedule for the business.

Overland Park, Ks

In my most recent role, I managed comprehensive IT operations, including system administration for over 25,000 servers across VMWARE environments, ensuring optimal performance and security. I made several key contributions including:• Automated patching processes, significantly improving system maintenance efficiency and reducing manual intervention.• Successfully decommissioned multiple data centers, streamlining IT assets and operations with minimal disruption.• Managed a geographically dispersed staff, fostering a cohesive and effective remote workforce.• Integrated T-Mobile and Sprint data centers and processes post-merger, ensuring seamless support for hardware and operating systems.• Utilized Power BI for insightful reporting on ticket management and financials, driving data-driven decision-making.• Implemented KPIs for staff performance, focusing on MTTR and ticket resolution times. Implemented agile process for managing various tasks efficiently.• Oversaw technical projects involving data center migrations and vital infrastructure initiatives as a hands-on Technical Project Manager.• Oversaw financial aspects of IT Data Center operations, including budgeting, finance, and vendor contract management. • Directed a skilled team in the architecture and connectivity for critical billing and provisioning systems, enhancing efficiency and reliability. • Led change implementation for UNIX, AIX, and Windows systems, coordinating updates across a vast array of server images. • Spearheaded security measures, conducting rigorous vulnerability assessments and remediation strategies to safeguard infrastructure integrity. • Managed support for Microsoft, Redhat Linux technologies, and patching for workstations and servers.

Overland Park

Managed cross-functional teams to enhance platform infrastructure and spearhead new technology integration for a telematics platform serving OEMs. I made several key contributions including:• Delivered over-the-air provisioning technology, advancing the platform's capabilities and customer experience.• Successfully implemented multiple head units with industry leaders Pioneer and Harman, enhancing the platform's market position.• Led and supported a team responsible for testing and production support, ensuring high-quality deliverables.• Owned and nurtured key relationships with OEMs and vendors, securing and maintaining valuable contracts.• Designed and architected plans for Over the Air firmware upgrades, significantly improving product functionality and user satisfaction.• Championed innovation by introducing MQTT and SDP 2.0 telematics solutions into the product portfolio.• Led product management for the development of a new connected vehicle program, collaborating with Sprint and Chrysler. • Directed responses to RFI/RFQs to secure new business for the platform and executed technical sales demonstrations for various product lines. • Oversaw vendor relationships, including Tier 2 vendors, and coordinated with Amdocs for billing solutions and backend API integration.

Overland Park, Kansas, United States

Managed IT work requests for marketing and web departments, liaising directly with business VPs to expedite the development of IT solutions critical to reducing customer churn. I made several key contributions including:• Drove implementation of 'Care Touch Point Notification' to mitigate churn during IDEN Shutdown, streamlining customer communication.• Spearheaded 'Web to Retail' integrated solution, enabling seamless inventory management and shopping experience across sales channels.• Led Offer Management initiatives, recovering subsidy losses and improving inventory control.• Actively participated in preliminary NBA (Next Best Action) studies, assessing the PEGA product and exploring rules engine tools for enhanced decision-making.• Developed backend APIs, supporting web and marketing strategies for improved customer care by coordinating with Amdocs.• Oversaw project requests from initiation to implementation, ensuring alignment with business objectives and customer satisfaction. • Collaborated with cross-functional teams to integrate systems and processes, enhancing the customer experience across various touchpoints.

Overland Park, Kansas, United States

Directed a team of project management and system analysis professionals in Enterprise Application Integration (EAI) for a leading telecommunications company. I made several key contributions including:• Successfully eliminated vendor dependencies by managing the implementation of an Amdocs vendor solution, yielding annual savings of $1.2 million.• Played a pivotal role in the production implementation of Amdocs billing system release, including cutover architecture, disaster recovery, and fallback planning.• Led a team of 30 full-time employees in delivering critical functionality to support Apple's business requirements.• Spearheaded the Network Vision initiative, managing the analysis of key application and network elements for the 4G implementation.• Enhanced operational efficiency by managing financial reporting for a large organization of over 200 resources, including HR and hardware/software contracts.• Oversaw the business unit's IT application portfolio, including EKS and OVM, serving as the primary point of contact for key initiatives. • Orchestrated the design and development of middleware layer APIs for Retail RMS and web front ends, ensuring seamless integration and functionality. • Managed financial aspects for a $12 million annual budget, controlling costs and optimizing resource allocation. • Acted as a subject matter expert in architecture for Amdocs APIs, contributing to strategic planning and execution of enterprise-wide projects.

Overland Park, Kansas, United States

Served as staffing manager to the Sr. Vice President of Information Technology (CIO) at Sprint Nextel. Coordinated and led strategic efforts amongst VP and director level executives including budget, staffing, awards, external communication, employee communication, team building, etc. Assisted and owned aspects of the entire IT financial budget. Produced reporting on and led executive VP level staff meetings providing structure and input. Instructed training courses on technology and corporate budget. Served as Project Manager on several key projects visible to CIO level.Key Contributions:• Served as a Project/Program manager on several key IT initiatives• Provided reporting and assisted with management of a $100+ million dollar budget• Led efforts to develop Information Technology’s portion of the 2011 corporate strategic playbook• Delivered presentations to executive management on multiple key initiatives• Worked with HR on staffing plans including ‘High Performing Culture’ and ‘Job Exchange’ programs• Coordinated and contributed input to executive level innovation sessions• Drafted presentations for use by VP team• Developed documentation on IT accomplishments and presented throughout the company• Provided IT accomplishments, financial, and strategic input to documentation presented to the board of directors• Coordinated the presentation of monthly Operations Reviews and reporting of Key Performance Indicators (KPI)• Managed/hosted BLOG sessions with VP teams to promote team building & inter-departmental communications • Reported directly to CIO and assisted in financial management reporting for all of IT Operations at Sprint / Nextel

Managed a diverse staff of resources in Bangalore, India, Reston, VA, Dallas, TX, and Overland Park, KS totaling 60+ staff members proportioned between employee and contract labor. Responsible as the last quality gate to production by owning the Enterprise Functional/Performance Testing of a subset of mission critical applications. Owned and built the practice of Performance Testing all mission critical applications at Sprint Nextel. Managed the Enterprise Tools team which provided enterprise level services to the company including but not limited to: application defect tracking, trouble & configuration management. Instructed training courses in multiple IT technologies. Key Contributions:• Project Management and development of project and test plans• Responsible for building processes and practices of Performance Testing at Sprint Nextel• Responsible for functional and performance testing of full suite of Amdocs API integration into Sprint infrastructure• Budget• Managed delivery of testing on Sprint Web 2.0 platform • 2006/2009 Circle of Excellence Nominee• Managed Performance Testing of all key applications at Sprint• International travel to India to establish teams & implement departmental methods & procedures• Responsible for development of JAVA, C++ scripts implemented in production systems• Enterprise leader for complex database design including replication across 4 data centers• Responsible for providing daily status at the executive level including Sprint CIO• Contributed to application rationalization and architectural design merging Sprint Nextel• Directed Billing system design changes (Amdocs and Convergys P2K)• Executed (HP) Mercury Load Runner testing and completed (HP) Mercury training (Performance Center)• Delivered on a budget ranging from 3.5 to 4 million dollars annually• Responsible for re-usable tools development to maximize ROI & efficiencies within performance testing• Served as ‘Acting’ Director on multiple occasions

Masters, Engineering Management, 4.0

Bachelor'S Degree, Computer Science

Activities and Societies: College Baseball