Richard Kocielko

About Richard Kocielko

I\'m an experienced IT service and operations leader with a passion for building high-performing teams, modernizing infrastructure, and delivering seamless technology experiences across the enterprise.Over the past 14+ years at Lippert, I’ve led major transformations in global IT service delivery—scaling infrastructure across borders, managing 100K+ IT assets, integrating 50+ acquisitions, and driving millions in cost savings. Whether it’s rolling out remote support across 75+ locations or leading the shift to hyper-converged systems, I thrive at the intersection of strategic planning, hands-on execution, and cross-functional collaboration.Some of my focus areas include:• End-to-end hardware lifecycle management• Cloud migration and disaster recovery strategies (Zerto, Veeam, DPM)• Global IT support mobilization and remote service operations• Vendor contract optimization and international infrastructure scaling• Data center oversight and high-availability systems designI’ve also led complex virtualization environments as a Senior VMware Administrator, managed daily IT operations for 2,500+ users, and implemented cutting-edge technologies to boost performance by up to 25x. Whether I\'m leading a 10-person agile team or a 40-person nationwide support group, my goal is always the same: deliver secure, efficient, and scalable tech solutions that support growth and resilience.Let’s connect if you’re passionate about transforming IT operations, scaling global infrastructure, or driving real results through smart tech leadership.

Experience

1. Senior Service and Support Leader

   Lippert

   Jan 2020 — Present · US

   I lead an incredible cross-functional hardware team that keeps a global, multi-billion-dollar organization running smoothly. From laptops to servers, and everything in between, we manage all IT devices, systems, and accessories with a sharp focus on quality, efficiency, and user experience.Every day, I coordinate purchasing and receiving workflows to make sure each hardware component that enters the business aligns with our standards and inventory processes. But I don’t just work behind the scenes—I also orchestrate remote support efforts, dispatching teams wherever they’re needed to resolve critical issues fast. One of the biggest wins? Implementing Intune Imaging and launching global drop-shipping of pre-configured devices, which slashed deployment times and logistics costs across the board.A few milestones I’m especially proud of:• Migrated assets to ServiceNow, giving the business better visibility and streamlining operations.• Handled 100–200 service requests daily, making sure hardware and software issues were resolved quickly and smoothly for teams across the enterprise.• Managed the full lifecycle of IT assets, from procurement to retirement, all while staying fully compliant.• Built and scaled support teams from the ground up—whether 10 people or 40—shaping each team to meet the unique demands of the job.• Rolled out on-site support to 75+ locations, delivering reliable, in-person solutions that kept the business moving.• Supported 54 corporate acquisitions over 14 years, helping integrate everything from nimble 10-person startups to enterprises.• Led a nationwide support team, managing talent coast-to-coast as the final escalation point for any unresolved remote issues.I thrive on solving problems, streamlining operations, and helping teams do their best work through technology that just works.

Education

• Ivy Tech Community College-Northcentral

  Associate's Degree

Skills

• Dell Poweredge Servers
• Active Directory
• Windows Server
• Vmware Esx
• Security
• Vmware Infrastructure
• Vmware
• San
• Data Center
• Emc Storage
• Storage Solutions
• Storage
• Enterprise Storage
• Process Improvement
• Networking
• Help Desk Support
• Customer Service
• Emt
• Backup Exec
• Infrastructure
• Vsphere