Josh Ballard Email & Phone Number

Falls Church, Virginia, US

I help busy dads reclaim time, energy, and connection, so they can show up better for themselves and their families.

Falls Church, VA, US

• Oversee efficient system administration for 3 major networks, 5 different sites, and ~300 users.
• Implement continuous improvement by creating documentation, processes, and workflows to create standard work.
• Standardized new machine imaging for computer updates by rebuilding WDS Server and configuring MDT to capture/deploy Windows 10 21H2 images.
• Showcased organizational leadership skills by mentoring 2 L2 System Administrators on server knowledge and coaching a new ISSO on system security plans.
• Partnered cross-functionally with Information Assurance Team to build Nessus Pro for sustainable, effective vulnerability scanning.
• Strengthened compliance with NIST standards by configuring PDQ Deploy and updating third-party applications across the network.

Cincinnati, OH, US

• Headed IT infrastructure management and operations by implementing new documentation and executing cross-functional knowledge sharing.
• Established a new streamlined IT helpdesk solution by researching/demoing several products, integrating self-help articles and more user-friendly IT ticket issue inputs, and orchestrating a successful rollout.
• Pioneered the company's first $500K IT budget by conducting organization-wide research and establishing a better system for tracking purchases, planning for future projects, and preparing for large software contract.
• Fostered continuous business process improvement by providing recommendations on new tools, emerging technologies, documentation, firewalls, and network services.
• Facilitated new employee onboarding/offboarding by setting up computers/systems, assigning appropriate access, and maintaining sensitive information.
• Operated as the company's ISSO and System Administrator on an air-gapped network by maintaining RMF Compliance and preparing for ATO renewal.

Cincinnati, OH, US

• Optimized the project management system by establishing point values for prioritization, organizing planning sessions, and presenting data in a clear way to stakeholders of all levels.
• Utilized a "people-first, customer-focused" leadership style to train a 4-person helpdesk team and guide a deployment team of 5 specializing in networking, storage, VMware, and Linus OS.
• Contributed as an operational lead on all standalone lab environments by maintaining optimal levels of network security and communicating key updates to customers (C-level, information security, and IT infrastructure.
• Ensured availability of 300+ cluster nodes within a high-performance computing environment.
• Elevated network security and compliance by scheduling recurring security updates and adhering to JSIG directives.
• Conducted a successful migration of services from Windows 7 and RHEL 5/6 to Windows 10 and RHEL 7.

Washington, DC, US

• Coached, led, and supervised 12 employees by monitoring training requirements, maximizing their strengths, and enhancing personal/professional development.
• Served as the Classified Material Control Chief (CMCC) by protecting 278 secret devices and achieving a 100% success rate.
• Collaborated with foreign countries' Armed Forces to establish medium-sized networks, while supplying network services to ~150 users and training/supervising 5 team members.
• Configured 1000+ user accounts in Active Directory by implementing different security groups/group policies and maintaining network security.
• Achieved consistent imaging for 300+ computers/end users across 3 locations.