TALES OF HOFFMAN
.
.
.
 
Certified Novell Engineer, or CNE

James K. Hoffman
[contact]

Please note: I am in Houston to stay. I do not want to relocate back to Chicago, or to any other city!
For the absolutely latest version of my work history, please visit my LinkedIn profile

OBJECTIVE:

Increasing responsibility in IT Management supported by continuing education and achievement in the field of Information Systems. (Hey, the bottom line here is that I want my career to keep advancing and my "compensation" to reflect that!)

EDUCATION:

  • B.S. in Marketing with a Minor in Psychology: Eastern Illinois University • December 1990 • GPA: 3.16 of 4.0
  • Certified Netware Engineer • August 1994 (Updated to 4.x • August, 1995 Updated to 5.x • March 2000, Updated to 6.x • October 2003)
  • CompTIA Linux+ • May 2003

EXPERIENCE:

Fortna

Client Infrastructure Services Manager

• October 2021 – August 2023
•Led and developed a globally distributed team of six direct reports, overseeing the recruitment and onboarding for new team members across multiple geographical locations, including Scotland and Vietnam. •Strategically managed complex team scheduling during times of quadrupled workload and a significant company merger, coordinating support for both client sites and internal development teams in a global environment. •Enhanced technical project documentation, aligning it with upgraded product stacks and advanced deployment strategies, ensuring uniformity, clarity, and precision throughout. •Updated the Technical Architecture Specification documentation, ensuring it remained in synch with evolving product deployments and maintaining templates that are both comprehensive and targeted. •Presented comprehensive Technical Architecture Specification documentation, both in its developmental and final stages, to clients, customizing content to meet specific client requirements and tailored to specific project solutions. •Streamlined and optimized internal resources and documentation utilizing Microsoft Teams and SharePoint, amplifying resource availability and accessibility across the organization. •Elevated 2nd tier Client Services support effectiveness through a mentorship and training program, significantly reducing escalations to 3rd tier support from the Infrastructure team, ultimately enhancing response time and overall effectiveness. •Acted as a pivotal subject matter expert in client interactions regarding infrastructure, playing a critical role in project planning and execution discussions, supporting both Sales and Project Management teams to achieve successful outcomes. •Renegotiated a long-standing, embedded Oracle licensing agreement, securing a substantial reduction in expenses from 10% to 1.83% of the total Fortna license price, delivering substantial savings for both the organization and its clients. •Proactively managed and delivered regular license usage reports to key software partners, ensuring compliance and adherence to licensing agreements. •Presented the CIO strategic design and implementation solutions aimed at reducing delivery issues and enhancing project reliability, directly contributing to heightened client satisfaction and sustained business success. •Led the Infrastructure team’s initiative to optimize project delivery, stability, and scalability, implementing and refining a series of strategic policies, procedures, and automation tools. •Managed and maintained critical Linux-based servers, including GitHub Enterprise and SonarQube servers, integral to streamlined software deployments. •Managed internal development environment infrastructure resources, creating a cohesive and efficient development environment for enhanced team productivity and operational effectiveness.

ACT Pipe& Supply

IT Infrastructure Manager • January 2017 – October 2021
•Installed, configured, and maintained Spiceworks, implementing both the ticketing system and inventory system.
•Successfully moved company from Open Meetings to Skype for Business for video conferencing, simplifying infrastructure requirements using existing Office 365 licensing.
•Configured and maintained AWS-based offsite backup system which integrated with VEEAM backups.
•Launched and managed SD-WAN project facilitated by Barracuda firewalls providing increased WAN reliability, redundancy, and speed.
•Setup and maintained an internal user-documentation wiki using Mediawiki that integrated with Active Directory for security and user management.
•Provided 2nd level support for Epicor Eclipse ERP system.
•Produced key Accounting reports from Epicor Eclipse ERP system.
•Successfully completed a Microsoft license compliance audit, aided by custom Spiceworks software inventory reports.
•Directly managed two IT Support personnel.

Independent Contractor •March 2016 – January 2017
•Installed and implemented Open Meetings video conferencing server, which reduced required travel costs while increasing participation in key management meetings.
•Installed and configured Veeam backup and replication software to protect VMware-based infrastructure.
•Created, configured, and removed Windows 2008 and 2012 servers on VMware hosts, as needed.
•Performed recovery work in response to attack to total infrastructure, including destruction of backups, which included rebuilding Active Directory, DNS, DHCP, and Windows DFS servers after catastrophic event destroyed client's basic infrastructure.
•Recovered available backups previously unknown to internal IT staff.
•Replaced login scripts with targeted Group Policies.
•Restructured Active Directory for more granular security.
•Provided advice and guidance on infrastructure and security.
•Documented important IT information in a simple wiki.
•Acted as top-tier support on advanced network and security problems brought to the help desk.

TSC [link] - Houston, TX

IT Manager • July 2014 – February 2016
•Regular administration of corporate network, including 3 Windows servers and Windows clients and networked printers and scanner. Also managed several smaller remote sites in Alice, Kilgore and Midland, Texas and Casper, Wyoming.
•Installed complete network at new manufacturing facility in Houston, including a Windows 2012 Server and, with consultant, Cisco 2951 CME VoIP Phone system, Catalyst 2960-X Series switches and ASA 5505 Firewall.
•Setup VMWare host server and installed 7 virtual servers for Microsoft Dynamics ERP system project from China IT department.
•Maintained and managed remotely hosted corporate e-mail via Microsoft Office 365.
•Managed accounts and contracts for AT&T cell phones, internet service and networked copiers and printers.
•Reduced regular monthly corporate mobile costs from $9k to $7k.
•Installed and maintained Spiceworks open source inventory and helpdesk system.
•Determined computer-related needs for entire U.S. operation.
•Administered Salesforce.com instance with 9 users, including data import and custom reports.
•Documented important IT information in a simple wiki.
•Supervised the installation and maintained electronic access control system and cameras.
•Setup mini render farm for Autodesk Maya for in-house sales animation graphics rendering.
•Recovered more than 2.5TB data that was thought lost due to cryptovirus ransomware by previous IT staff.

Seatrax, Inc. [link] - Houston, TX

IT Manager • April 2005 - July 2014
•Regular administration of corporate network, including 3 Windows servers and Windows clients and Mac OS X clients and networked printers and scanner. Also managed remote site in Belle Chasse, Louisiana, and several smaller remote sites.
•Upgraded main corporate server from Windows 2000 Server to Windows 2003 Server and again to Windows 2012 Server.
•Installed a second Windows 2003 Server and Microsoft SQL to run Infor Visual Manufacturing MRP.
•Installed a third Windows 2003 Server to run Sage 50 Accounting Package and host sensitive Accounting and Human Resources files.
•Upgraded external SCSI drive array to an iSCSI storage system.
•Installed and configured Sonicwall AS240 firewall. Installed and configured Cisco 2800 Series router for internet connection.
•Installed and configured a second and third Cisco 2800 Series router to connect two remote locations to main office via T-1 links. Instructed IT staff at remote location on the installation and configuration of Cisco 2800 Series router to complete connection to main office.
•Administered remotely hosted corporate e-mail solution.
•Implemented open source Clonezilla workstation replication system.
•Determined computer-related needs for entire corporation.
•Documented important IT information in a simple wiki.
•Directly managed two IT staff, one local and one remote.

Oceaneering International [link] - Houston, TX

Information Technologist • July 2004 - April 2005
•Developed methodology and procedures for a company-wide IT standardization project including standardization of Windows XP workstation configuration, Linux-based installation system and bootable CD-ROM.
•Created Linux menu system for both installation options and restore options.
•Installed, configured and maintained two test lab environments that included two Novell Netware 6.5 servers running ZENWorks for Servers, ZENWorks for Desktops and GroupWise.
•Installed four RedHat AS 2.1 Linux servers and implmented open source solutions to clone the servers and make an archive of them for disaster recovery.

Loomis, Fargo & Co. [link] - Houston, TX

Network Administrator • October 2002 - July 2004
•Administered 650+ node, 38 server Corporate NOVELL and Windows 2000 network, including 2 Citrix MetaFrame servers and 9 Linux servers.
•Installed, configured and upgraded servers at both the corporate site in Houston and remote sites.
•Performed LAN Administration at both corporate and remote sites. Duties also included the monitoring of projects, high-level trouble shooting, and project coordination with other departments.

Kirby Corporation [link] - Houston, TX

Supervisor, Local Area Network/Desktop Support • August 2000 - October 2001
•Administered 650+ node, 36 server Corporate NOVELL and Windows NT network, including 3 Citrix WinFrame servers, 30 Novell GroupWise installations and 1 Novell BorderManager server.
•Installed, upgraded and managed servers at both the corporate site in Houston and remote sites.
•Performed project management, high-level trouble shooting, and project coordination with other departments.
•Performed disaster recovery planning and tested the disaster recovery plan.
•Supervised up to three employees and contractors directly on a daily basis.

Harbor Financial Mortgage Corporation
(Subsidiary of First City Financial Corporation [link]) - Houston, TX

Senior Network Engineer • June 1998 - August 2000
•Administered 350+ node, 35 server corporate NOVELL and Windows NT network, including 2 Microsoft SQL servers, 2 Citrix WinFrame servers, 2 SAA for Netware servers, 1 Novell GroupWise server and 1 Novell BorderManager server.
•Installed, upgraded and managed servers at both corporate sites in Houston and Dallas. Originally, duties included supervising networks at 20 remote locations.
•Installed and upgraded network switching hardware.
•Performed project management, high-level trouble shooting, and project coordination with other departments, including IT personnel at other locations.
•During bankruptcy and liquidation proceedings, handled the shutdown of all network systems.
•Supervised up to five employees and numerous contractors directly on a daily basis.

Washington International Insurance Company
Former subsidiary of The Roanoke Companies - Itasca, IL

Network Administrator • January 1996 - June 1998
•Administered 175 node, 9 server corporate NOVELL network, including 1 Citrix WinFrame server.
•Installed, upgraded and managed servers for NOVELL LANs at 9 remote sites.
•Maintained WAN connecting remote sites and Corporate network.
•Managed corporate Microsoft Mail e-mail network, including an AT&T Internet e-mail gateway.
•After reorganization, the LAN was reduced to 85 nodes, 4 servers, and one WAN connection, as well as IT staff reduction by 50% resulting in promotion to supervisory role.

LinksCorp [link] - Northfield, IL

MIS Systems Analyst • January 1995 - December 1995
•Administered corporate NOVELL Network. Performed LAN Administration.
•Implemented and upgraded NOVELL LANs at 17 remote sites.
•Installed custom point-of-sale system at 17 remote sites.
•Managed corporate Lotus cc:Mail e-mail network.
•Maintained corporate SBT Accounting package.
•Determined computer-related needs for entire corporation.

Hyatt Regency Chicago [link] - Chicago, IL

MIS Analyst • October 1992 - January 1995
•Administered 250 node, three server NOVELL Local Area Network.
•Configured one server for Netware and moved ADACO purchasing inventory system to new server.
•Developed Guest Request Database in AlphaFour and installed application on new server.
•Installed and configured approximately 100 workstations for LAN.
•Maintained HP-UX mini-mainframe, NCR 2160 Point-of-Sale systems, and stand-alone P.C.s
Front Desk Clerk • January 1991 - October 1992
Performed guest check-in, check-out, and guest accounting functions.

Eastern Illinois University [link] - Charleston, IL

Night Assistant • August 1989 - December 1990
Part-time Student Security Aide to Housing Department.

HONORS AND ACTIVITIES:

Eagle Scout Award from B.S.A.
Citizenship Award from the Optimist Club of Glenview, IL.
Master of Glenview United Lodge #1058 A.F. & A.M. - 1997-98

INTERESTS:

Writing fiction (mainly science-fiction, but some horror, too), philosophy (Western and Eastern, but mostly Eastern), swords and fencing, computer security, web development, PERL programming, linguistics, cartography, Asian culture, mythology, martial arts, and all things Japanese
(Have you seen my List O' Links, too?)

Skill Set:

Software: DOS through v 6.22, Windows 3.x, Windows 95, 98, NT 4.0, 2000, XP, and XP Professional, UNIX, Netware 3.x, 4.x, and 5.x, BorderManager, Netware for SAA v2.x and v3.x, GroupWise, including GroupWise Internet Agent, OS/2 Warp, TCP/IP setup and configuration, Telnet, FTP, HTML authoring, Lanalyzer, Java programming, Lotus 1-2-3, Lotus cc:Mail, Norton's PCAnywhere, WordPerfect (DOS and Windows versions), Microsoft Word for Windows, Microsoft Excel for Windows, Microsoft Access for Windows, Btrieve 6.15 and 7.0, FAX Works Pro (including FAX server module), ModemAssist Plus, Crosstalk serial communications software (DOS and Windows versions), Citrix WinFrame and MetaFrame, Attachmate Extraa, Palindrome Backup software, Seagate's BackupExec software, and Cheyenne's ArcServe software.

Hardware: Also, familiar with most modern PC hardware including Acer PC line, AST PC line, Compaq PC, laptop and ProLiant Server lines, Dell PC and server lines, Hewlett-Packard printers and NetServer line, EISA server architecture, SCSI architecture, U.S. Robotics modems, Hayes modems, Palm IIIx, Cisco 1600 Series Routers, Bay Networks AN Routers, IBM LanStreamer switches, NuSwitch FE series switches, Shiva AccessPort ISDN Router, Shiva LanRover/8e modem server, 3Com intelligent MAUs/hubs, Madge token-ring cards, 10baseT cabling requirements, Coax cabling requirements, Ethernet, Token-Ring, and basic public telephone technology.

And, I'm learning more and more as I try to make the impossible possible without going over budget! It's amazing what you can do with batch files and old DOS utilities!! Not to mention DOS windows in Windows!

If you're a CNE (Certified Novell Engineer), don't forget to join the CNE Resume Webring!

 
.
.
.