Tom Russell

Location
hobart, IN (US)
Work Category
Information Technology
Interests
Business partnerships, Job opportunities, References, Ways to stay in touch
Email

About Me

Thomas C. Russell
3830 S Liverpool Road
Hobart, IN 46342
Home: (219) 940-3019
Mobile: (219) 840-0942
tcrussell@tantsolutions.com

Objective: Information Technology Management, where I can lend over 15 years of management and technical experience to contribute to
increased productivity, security and profitability.

Management Experience

* Manage projects, operating budget, expense budget, purchasing, staffing and supply needs. Ensure that all activities adhere to set
Architectural and Internal Controls Standards.
* Create and maintain secure network infrastructures while ensuring compliance with Regulatory and Internal Controls as well as industry best practices.
* Evaluate, communicate, champion and implement appropriate new and emerging technologies that support existing business strategies.
* Pursue new and creative funding sources to facilitate and support IT projects and plans. For example, the USAC E-Rate progam.
* Plan, implement, and maintain operating systems, application programs and office automation.
* Prepare reports and executive summaries for upper management.
* Coordinate the documentation and implementation of Information Technology environments.
* Contract negotiation and manage relationships with multiple vendors and contractors.
* Manage, evaluate, mentor, and train staff on Information Technology asset configurations, tool utilization and troubleshooting.
* Oversee the deployment, monitoring, maintenance, development, and support of all hardware and software based on department and user needs.
* Provide direction by setting Information Technology Architecture Standards and planning for the implementation of new technologies and the retirement of outdated ones.
* Interact with users at all levels including executive management, middle management, supervision and front-line. Administer all equipment, hardware and software upgrades.
* Systems design and capacity planning.
* Research on software and hardware products and trends in support of systems procurement and development efforts.
* Practice network asset management, including maintenance of component inventory and related documentation and technical specifications information.
* Establish and meet service level agreements with end users.
* Recommend, schedule, and perform systems improvements, upgrades, and repairs.

Systems Experience

* Windows Directory Services: Schema, Global Catalog, Organizational Units (OU), forest and tree, Sites, Replication, Security.
* Systems Security: Develop security policies, procedures, configuration standards, and guidelines.
* AS/400: System monitoring and tuning, networking, user and file security, resource and job allocation, integration with third-party systems.
* Operating Systems: Windows NT Server 4.0, 2000, 2003. Windows Vista, XP, 9X. IIS, SMS, WINS, DHCP, DNS, WUS/SUS, RADIUS, and
RAS. OS/2. OS/400.
* Networking Protocols: TCP/IP, IPX/SPX.
* Messaging Systems: MS Exchange Server 5.5, 2000, 2003, 2007. Send Mail Server.
* Telephony: Cisco Call Manager, Cisco Unity, NEC 2000 and 2400 PBX, NeaxMail, Nortel Option 11, Optivity Telephony Manager (OTM).
* Telecommunications: T1, Frame Relay, Cisco Routers, Cisco PIX, Cisco VPN Concentrator.
* Software: Visio, VERITAS BackupExec. Microsoft Office Professional 2007. IBM Client Access. MS SQL Server. Lotus Smart Suite.
* Hardware: IBM Compatible PCs and Servers; Macintosh; Ethernet; Token-Ring; print-servers, switches, multiplexers, bridges, routers; IBM
AS/400; Inkjet, laser, dot-matrix and line printers; Multi-function network copiers.
* Applications: Human Resources, Financial Operations, Financial Accounting, Risk Management, Marketing, Security.

Professional Experience

* DIRECTOR OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY: Civitas Schools, Chicago, IL (2006 - Present).
Direction, management, and oversight of Information Technology systems and staff.
o Expanded use of the USAC E-Rate program.
o Consolidated and relocated systems to a central data center.
o Redesigned, upgraded and economized Wide Area Network serving four locations.
o Redesigned and installed new, centralized, VOIP telephone system for four locations.
o Redesigned Active Directory Forest to consolidate four separate domains.
o Substantially improved user confidence and satisfaction with Information Technology Department systems, personnel and abilities.
o Substantially improved response time to technical issues.
o Reduced trouble calls by over seventy percent through proactive systems management.

* SYSTEMS ADMINISTRATOR: Majestic Star Casino, LLC, Gary, IN (2005 – 2006).
o Support of Agilysys Lodging Management System and all related interfaced systems.
o Support of Bally Systems ACSC Slot Management System.
o Support and administration of InfoGenesis and Micros Point of Sale systems.
o Support, adds, moves and changes of Nortel PBX Option 11, Optivity Telephony Manager (OTM), NEC NEAX2400 IMX (PBX), NEC NEAX2000 (PBX) and NEC Neaxmail.
o Data Analysis and Forensics.
o Development and maintenance of ad-hoc reports and queries; diverse applications utilizing MS Access.
o Developed Multi-user, network based Purchase Order System, Cash Box Tracking System using MS Access.
o AS/400 administration and support.
o Network, server and desktop computer administration and support.
o Support of all Information Technology systems.

* INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY MANAGER: Trump Indiana, Inc., Gary, IN (1998 – 2004).
Management, direction and oversight of Information Technology systems and staff. Disaster Recovery Planning and testing.
o Integration of Player Tracking, Slot Management, Lodging Management, Point of Sale, PBX, credit card processing, and call accounting systems.
o Support, adds, moves and changes of NEC NEAX2400 IMX (PBX), NEC NEAX2000 (PBX), NEC Neaxmail.
o Support and administration of InfoGenesis Point of Sale system.
o Upgraded corporate server/desktop infrastructure from Novell/Windows 3.1 to Windows NT 4.0 Server/Workstation with little disruption in
services to end-users. Employed System Policy for ease of administration and maintenance.
o Migrated to Windows Server 2000 and Windows XP. Deployed a single domain Active Directory model with several sites and appropriate
site management. Employed Group Policy for ease of administration and maintenance.
o Improved reliability of network systems and point of sale system from approximately 60 percent to almost 100 percent availability.

Education

* Master of Science: Information Systems Security, Colorado Technical University (Dec. 2006).
* Professional Certificates: Project Management; Information Systems Security Management; Security Certification and Accreditation; Information Systems Security.
* Microsoft Certified Professional, ID #2697627: Windows 2000 Professional and Server.
* Bachelor of Science: Computer Information Systems, Purdue University.

Work Experience

  • Mar 2009 - present
    blue island, IL (US)
    Director of Technology
    Cook County School District 130
    Direction, management, and oversight of Information Technology systems and staff.
  • Dec 2006 - Mar 2009
    chicago, IL (US)
    Director of Information Technology
    Civitas Schools
    Direction, management, and oversight of Information Technology systems and staff.
    o Expanded use of the USAC E-Rate program.
    o Consolidated and relocated systems to a central data center.
    o Redesigned, upgraded and economized Wide Area Network serving four locations.
    o Redesigned and installed new, centralized, VOIP telephone system for four locations.
    o Redesigned Active Directory Forest to consolidate four separate domains.
    o Substantially improved user confidence and satisfaction with Information Technology Department systems, personnel and abilities.
    o Substantially improved response time to technical issues.
    o Reduced trouble calls by over seventy percent through proactive systems management.
  • Feb 2005 - Dec 2006
    gary, IN (US)
    Systems Administrator
    Majestic Star Casino
    o Support of Agilysys Lodging Management System and all related interfaced systems.
    o Support of Bally Systems ACSC Slot Management System.
    o Support and administration of InfoGenesis and Micros Point of Sale systems.
    o Support, adds, moves and changes of Nortel PBX Option 11, Optivity Telephony Manager (OTM), NEC NEAX2400 IMX (PBX), NEC NEAX2000 (PBX) and NEC Neaxmail.
    o Data Analysis and Forensics.
    o Development and maintenance of ad-hoc reports and queries; diverse applications utilizing MS Access.
    o Developed Multi-user, network based Purchase Order System, Cash Box Tracking System using MS Access.
    o AS/400 administration and support.
    o Network, server and desktop computer administration and support.
    o Support of all Information Technology systems.
  • Jul 2004 - Feb 2005
    palos heights, IL (US)
    Technical Operations Manager
    Paluch & Associates
    Responsible for technical consulting and management of internal technical operations at the data center.
  • Aug 1998 - Jul 2004
    gary, IN (US)
    Information Technology Manager
    Trump Indiana, Inc.
    Management, direction and oversight of Information Technology systems and staff. Disaster Recovery Planning and testing.
    o Integration of Player Tracking, Slot Management, Lodging Management, Point of Sale, PBX, credit card processing, and call accounting systems.
    o Support, adds, moves and changes of NEC NEAX2400 IMX and NEC NEAX2000, NEC Neaxmail.
    o Support and administration of InfoGenesis Point of Sale system.
    o Upgraded corporate server/desktop infrastructure from Novell/Windows 3.1 to Windows NT 4.0 Server/Workstation with little disruption in
    services to end-users. Employed System Policy for ease of administration and maintenance.
    o Migrated to Windows Server 2000 and Windows XP. Deployed a single domain Active Directory model with several sites and appropriate site management.
    o Improved reliability of network systems and point of sale system from approximately 60 percent to almost 100 percent availability.

Education

  • 2006 - 2007
    Master's - Information Systems Security
    Colorado Technical University
    Master of Science in Management of Information Systems Security. Major: Information Systems Security; Minor: Project Management.

    Professional Certificates: Project Management; Information Systems Security Management; Security Certification and Accreditation; Information Systems Security.
  • 1991 - 1995
    Bachelor's - Computer Technology
    Purdue University
    Bachelor of Science in Computer Technology. Major: Information Systems Networking; Minor: Applications Programming.