Alston Shields

About Alston Shields

I am an innovative process leader. I have over 15 years of experience in project management, configuration management, and client engagement in the I.T. security domain, Software/Hardware engineering. I hold CompTIA Security+, Network+, and A+ certifications.My core competencies include overseeing the delivery of high-quality cybersecurity solutions, research, design, test, and development of software and hardware products, managing project scope, budget, resources, and creating and maintaining trusting relationships with stakeholders. I am adept at managing multiple design configuration of hardware and software through the entire development to production life cycle.I also leverage my background in education, teaching, and military leadership to coach and mentor teams to foster a collaborative and learning-oriented culture. My mission is to drive improvement at all levels while developing stronger visibility for stake-holders to understand how a project is progressing.

Experience

1. Senior Configuration Management Lead

   The Applied Research Laboratory at Penn State University

   Jun 2025 — Present · State College, PA, US

   Administer configuration management (CM) of developmental and operational systemsFacilitate and collaborate with investigators and project stakeholders to create and maintain configuration management baselines (development, test, production, etc.) supporting developmental or operational systemsCoordinate with project teams and investigators to create and maintain hardware and software version control processes, policies, and procedures, culminating in delivery of a Technical Data Package (TDP)Use or recommend automated CM tools to implement CM policies and proceduresMaintain and update CM policy, plans, and procedures through the Configuration Management PlanAudit CM processes, policies, and procedures to ensure adherence by sponsored programs and projects throughout development and prior to final deliveryDevelop and maintain software configuration management tools to support configuration identification, control, reporting, and delivery of both internally developed and externally purchased commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) software productsCollaborate with Systems Engineers and Investigators to conduct reviews of CM documents to ensure product configurations/deliverables are documentedDefine and create CM audit reportsDesign and establish configuration management documentationSupervise staff members, including hiring, development, and performance management

Education

• University of Utah

  Master's degree, Secondary Education and Teaching

  2021 — 2024

• Penn State University

  Bachelor’s Degree, Security Risk Analysis: Intelligence Analysis and Modeling

  2010 — 2013

Skills

• Intelligence Analysis
• Readiness
• Physical Security
• Organizational Leadership
• Military Training
• Military Experience
• Military Logistics
• Weapons
• Interagency Coordination
• Force Protection
• Comptia a+
• Operational Planning
• Dod
• National Security
• Security Clearance
• Program Management
• Data Analysis
• Counterterrorism
• Defense
• Intelligence
• Project Management
• Homeland Security
• Weapons Training
• Army
• Tactics
• Marksmanship
• Counterinsurgency
• Public Speaking
• Customer Service
• Leadership
• Training
• Analysis
• Reconnaissance
• Security
• Comptia Network+
• Military Operations
• Microsoft Office
• A++
• Active Dod Secret Clearance
• Government