Jim Richards

About Jim Richards

Accomplished IT Engineer and Team Leader with two decades of industry expertise, including four years in IT Team management. Adept at orchestrating \"Full IT Stack\" top-to-bottom design, implementation, and maintenance of on-premise and cloud infrastructure. Recognized for expertise in network security, infrastructure design, and disaster recovery protocols. Committed to continuous learning and harnessing cutting-edge technologies. Demonstrated knowledge of PCI, SOX, HIPAA regulatory compliance, and industry best practices. A results-driven professional dedicated to optimizing IT operations and ensuring top-tier performance.

Experience

1. Senior IT Systems Engineer

   Astound

   Jul 2019 — Present · Bothell, WA, US

   Design, deliver, and support enterprise infrastructure solutions that are resilient, scalable, and aligned with business objectives and industry best practices. Lead initiatives that enhance system performance, reliability, and operational efficiency across a multi-site environment.Serve as a senior technical advisor, partnering with stakeholders to assess requirements, architect solutions, and execute projects from concept through implementation. Ensure solutions are well-documented, supportable, and compliant with organizational standards. Proactively identify and implement process improvements across infrastructure and operations.Core Expertise• Virtualization: VMware vCenter, Microsoft Hyper-V, SCVMM• Storage: SAN (HPE Nimble, MSA, TrueNAS)• Networking & Security: Palo Alto Networks, Cisco, routing, DNS/DHCP• Infrastructure: Cisco UCS, HPE ProLiant servers• Backup & Recovery: Rubrik, Microsoft DPM• Remote Access: IPsec VPN, AnyConnect, GlobalProtect• Endpoint Security: Cortex XDR• Identity & Access: Cisco ISE, RSA SecurID & Ping MFA; TACACS+ and RADIUS• Monitoring & Management: Microsoft SCOM, SCCM• Physical Security Systems: Avigilon, ONVIF/RTSP-based platforms

Education

• Clark High School

  High School

  1989 — 1993

• The University of Texas at Austin

  BS, Biochemistry

  1995 — 1999

Skills

• Vsphere
• Microsoft Sql Server
• Hp Networking
• Networking
• Exagrid
• Technical Support
• Storage
• Network Administration
• Data Center Virtualization
• System Administration
• Hyper-V
• Vpn
• Network Architecture
• Sonicwall
• Disaster Recovery
• Active Directory
• Windows Server
• Firewalls
• Equallogic
• Microsoft Office
• Vmware Vsphere
• Hp Procurve
• Hp Proliant
• Windows 7
• Powershell
• San
• Microsoft Exchange
• Virtualization
• Troubleshooting
• Storage Area Networks
• Vmware
• Dell Poweredge Servers
• Servers
• Iscsi
• Data Center
• Cisco Technologies
• Compellent
• Veeam
• Microsoft Cluster
• Backup Exec