Rick Brennan Email & Phone Number

Atlanta, Ga, Us

In my capacity as IT Operations Manager, I oversee and manage numerous multifaceted technical projects and operation of IT systems and processes while leading a team of individuals in rapidly changing and fast-paced environment. Leveraging my extensive technical knowledge and expertise, I deliver end-to-end operational and DevOps support for containerized applications, ensuring smooth and optimal performance.Key Accomplishments: ► Improved productivity, streamlined processes, and enhanced overall performance using range of technologies such as Fortinet suite, AWS ECS/EC2 containers, Azure IAM, GCP, Github, Google Workspace, M365, Slack, Jira, and Intune/Jamf MDM, ► Through M&A - Consolidated 30+ applications into a centralized system, reducing the complexity of application management and lowering operational expenses.

Minneapolis, Mn, Us

During this tenure, I streamlined daily technology operations for a 200-person member services association, improving the organization's infrastructure, systems, and network. Furthermore, I directed and supported four individuals on all technology-related matters, while playing a hands-on role in system design, implementation, and management.Key Accomplishments: ► Managed a wide range of technologies, comprising Azure, O365, VOIP, Kubernetes containerization, VMWare, Solarwinds, and network security, with a keen focus on ensuring seamless integration and optimal performance.► Led planning, forecasting, and budgeting processes, while overseeing procurement and vendor relationships to ensure the seamless delivery of IT services.► Upgraded to cutting-edge fiber-optic infrastructure, resulting in a remarkable 10-fold increase in speed without any additional costs.► Overhauled the current proxy system by integrating a rule-based solution, leading to a notable 70% increase in both speed and efficiency► Shifted telecommunication devices from Cisco to Teams, resulting in annual savings of $38K in licensing fees and concurrently enhancing the customer support system.► Migrated all externally accessible databases and servers to Azure, minimizing local downtime concerns, and ensuring a more robust and reliable platform for continuous maintenance operations.► Eliminated Windows 2008 and 2012 within 3 years, transitioning to streamlined Windows 2019 platform.► Applied exceptional financial management acumen in overseeing a $400K budget and consistently achieving an average annual cost-saving of 12%.

As an Infrastructure Engineer, I steered carve-out project that involved migrating servers and services from Hallmark subsidiary to Hallmark corporate, utilizing Windows servers on Nutanix infrastructure, along with VMWare and VEEAM backup solutions.Key Accomplishments: ► Employed peel-off migration technique in transferring all systems from the local data center to the headquarters.► Lowered local server hardware expenses and data center rental costs by integrating IT infrastructure and resources, enhancing efficiency and optimizing management operations.

Minnetonka, Minnesota, Us

As an IT Manager, I spearheaded projects of hardware infrastructure, Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) implementation, and merger & acquisition (M&A), ensuring the completion of projects within time and budget constraints. Moreover, I coordinated and maintained comprehensive IT processes and international frameworks for software development enterprises. Additionally, I achieved set standards for both quantity and quality of service as outlined in SLAs and KPIs.Key Accomplishments: ► Led and directed team of 5 direct reports and 6 indirect reports across 15 offices located around world. ► Created and established AWS and interoffice infrastructure while integrating cutting-edge technologies and industry-leading practices to guarantee exceptional performance, dependability, and availability.► Managed the day-to-day IT operations, including management of O365, SharePoint, OKTA, VOIP, Nutanix/acropolis, KACE MDM, VMWare, Hyper-V, network security, forecasting, budgeting, procurement, and vendor relationships.

Austin, Texas, Us

Manage daily IT operations and 8 direct report administrators in multiple datacenters comprised of 1,100 physical and over 5,000 virtual machines. Integrate acquisitions into the development infrastructure, encompassing policies, procedures and SLAs. Player/coach role with significant hands-on as well as leadership. Consolidated existing hardware footprint to eliminate, retire or virtualize systems as needed, reducing datacenter footprints by 60%. Deployed DevOps platform in multiple development data centers in linux and solaris HV environments.

Started and grew this full service MSP from scratch with 4 employees. We served approximately 30 small businesses in the Twin Cities. Contracted as a unix sysadmin with several Fortune 500 companies during this time including Carlson Companies, United Health Group, Northwest Airlines, Dow Jones Marketwatch, Best Buy, Fingerhut, Star Tribune, and Imation.