I started my career in the computer industry in 1992 as an entry-level technician with a small computer consulting company called Image Solutions, Inc. in N. Providence, RI.  It was at Image Solutions that I got my first taste of "cutting edge" computing.  I was responsible for building, configuring, troubleshooting, and repairing the AT clones sold by the company to their customers.  Once I had mastered the basic troubleshooting and repair skills, my duties were expanded to include creating custom configurations to match client specifications, new product development and testing, and network cabling.  I learned how to install CAT-5 cable, and how to design a functional topology for the networks I was working on.  Shortly thereafter, I was introduced to my first Network Operating System: Artisoft LANtastic.  LANtastic proved to be a valuable tool for teaching myself about the inner workings of NETBIOS compatible networks due to its simple-language methods, adherence to NETBIOS standards, and interactive management interface.  Before long, I was installing 25-node LANtastic networks with dedicated servers without assistance.  From there, it was a natural progression to Novell Netware.  I started with Netware 2.x, but had very little exposure to it.  When Netware 3.11 was released, customer demand for networks was up and Image Solutions was selling and installing Novell networks like crazy.  I was spending routinely 40-50 hours a week on-site installing and servicing networks, handling at least 25 clients on my own, and managing one other technician.  With the advent of Netware 3.12, I was installing 3 or 4 networks a month, handling every aspect of network engineering, and loving every minute of it.  I might have stayed with Image Solutions for quite some time, but my salary was not advancing as fast as my responsibilities, so I started looking for jobs elsewhere.

After a short stint as Network Manager for a jewelry company, I went to work for DXM Computer, Inc.  DXM is a distributor and reseller of IBM-compatible computers and components in East Providence, RI.  It was at DXM that I got my first taste of comprehensive project management.  From providing sales support at customer meetings, to designing the networks, to installing the servers and workstations, I was fully immersed in the integration process, start to finish.  I installed my first Windows NT systems and networks while working for DXM, starting with the very first version released, Windows NT version 3.1.  I was much more impressed with Windows NT Advanced Server when it came out, and I spent a lot of time developing application and small-network servers on that platform.  I also saw my first WAN installation while working for DXM, a 56k leased-line remote LAN.  Being the only network engineer on staff made me the last line of defense when it came to network problems, a challenge that presented several unique and interesting situations.  I learned very quickly how to get support from vendors and manufacturers without incurring additional cost to the customer or the company.  Since my duties included building servers for the reseller distribution portion of the business, I was able to hone my server installation skills on the 100+ Netware and NT servers I built for the company during my employment.  I was also responsible for representing the company at the many bid meetings that we attended for the municipal and state government contracts we pursued, which exposed me to many different kinds of people in the computing industry.

It was at one of those bid meetings that I was approached by a representative from Raytheon's Support Services Company (RSSC).  He told me that Raytheon had started up a consulting business in Portsmouth, RI, and asked if I would like to interview for a position in the company.  I interviewed for a Senior Field Engineer position, and was offered the job quickly.  It was while working for Raytheon that I got my first taste of large-network management and installation.  As you can see from my resume, I was exposed to many different aspects of large-network engineering.  I did a lot of traveling while working for RSSC.  Some of the highlights of my employment there included the project management of a completely new network of 200+ nodes at a local high school, installation and management of a 500+ node network at a private school in Avon, CT, and the design and installation of an ISDN WAN for a municipal town hall and its police and fire departments.  I also traveled to other parts of Raytheon performing installation and network services.

One of the other Raytheon locations I visited eventually led to a transfer within the company to my second position with Raytheon as Senior Network Systems Engineer for Raytheon's Range Systems Engineering (RSE) company at the United States Army Kwajalein Atoll/Kwajalein Missile Range (USAKA/KMR) in the Marshall Islands.  Working for RSE provided me with the opportunity to see many different kinds of computer systems that I otherwise might not have had the opportunity to see.  I was also able to work on some exciting WAN technologies, including T1, Frame Relay, and several different kinds of ISDN, that I had not been exposed to previously.  The design and implementation of an Internet Service Provider (ISP) style Internet access service for both community and business use was particularly exciting.  As the mail system administrator at USAKA/KMR, I was able to design, install, and support multiple e-mail systems for several different departments, including the inter-connectivity between the Department of Defense (DoD) and contractor e-mail systems.  I also received considerable exposure to several firewall technologies, and did considerable configuration work on several different network firewall products from Secure Computing.  I performed a lot of work with the network security and routers on the several networks at USAKA/KMR, and attended to several training classes, including training on Microsoft and Cisco products, as well as security-specific training as part of the DoD's Information Assurance Program.

After spending nearly four years overseas, I decided to return to the US to pursue a position in the commercial sector.  After a short search, I accepted a job with Para-Protect Services, Inc., an Internet and Operational Security company in the Washington DC area.  While working for Para-Protect, I was able to greatly expand my Unix and security skills and knowledge, and had the unique opportunity to meet and work with some of the top minds in the emerging Information Security marketplace.  I worked on several exciting projects while employed at Para-Protect, including several security assessments for Fortune 100 companies and active e-business companies.  I was promoted to Senior Network Security Engineer in October, 2000, and led several project teams for assessments, security infrastructure implementations, and general security consulting efforts.  I was officially commended twice for my efforts on customer assignments, and received several written letters of commendation from customers. Unfortunately, Para-Protect had some financial and business problems that prevented me from successfully continuing to work for the company, and I departed in February of 2001.

After leaving Para-Protect, I accepted a position with Network Solutions, Inc., at the time owned by VeriSign, Inc.  From March, 2001 to February 2003, I worked as a Senior Security Engineer in the NSI's production operations department.  I installed and managed the firewall, IDS, and VPN systems for production systems supporting the largest Internet domain name registrar, as well as performed a host of other duties, including security auditing, lockdowns, network architecture design, script/tool development, and system development and integration.  Some highlights of my career at NSI include the introduction and implementation of the company's first high availability (HA) firewall solution, which was subsequently adopted by the company as a standard for firewall systems company-wide, the proliferation of digital certificate-based VPN systems including the customization and development of tools and procedures for implementation of user VPNs, the design, installation, and maintenance of a multi-tiered security architecture that protects production systems from an average of 10,000 attacks per day, and participation in the migration from several data center facilities in the Herndon, VA area to a new facility in Dulles, VA, which occurred without a significant outage or impact to NSI's customers.

In March of 2003, I moved to another position within VeriSign, as Senior Security Engineer for the Operations & Infrastructure division of VeriSign Global Registry Services (also known as VeriSign Naming and Directory Services).  My duties at VeriSign included comprehensive security system design, installation, and management of the VGRS/VNDS production systems, including the .COM, .NET, .CC, .TV, and .NAME registries, as well as a lead engineering role in VeriSign Corporate Security.  The group I worked for was functionally responsible for the security of two of the 13 root name servers on the internet (A-Root and J-Root), as well as the 16 globally-diverse sites in the GTLD name server constellation.  The security group also managed the firewall, VPN, and IDS systems for all of VeriSign's global corporate infrastructure.

In October 2004, I moved to Vermont and accepted a position with National Center for the Study of CounterTerrorism and CyberCrime at Norwich University, providing subject matter expertise to the US Air Force and the Vermont Air National Guard (VTANG) in the area of network security, network defense, and network operations.  The focus of my work was on creating collegiate-level courses that utilize hands-on experiential learning techniques to deliver remote interactive training for Air Force cyber-defenders.  The courseware focused on the subjects of Network Operations, Network Defense, and Network Warfare Operations.  While working in this very unique position, I had the opportunity to collaborate with some of the top minds in Air Force cyberspace defense, and worked closely with the Air Force Communications Agency and several other Air Force organizations to create simulator-based training programs for Air Force network defenders.  I also provided subject matter expertise and instruction at global coordinated simulation training exercises and in online courses.

In May 2006 I moved to Winston Salem, North Carolina for a contract position in the Network Security Services arm of the Corporate Information Security department at Wachovia Corporation.  In October, 2006 I accepted an offer of full time employment at Wachovia, and have since remained quite busy with various firewall deployment projects, including an enterprise-wide rollout of application-layer firewalls, as well as the deployment of firewalls into two newly-constructed data centers in the Southeast region.  My tasks at Wachovia have been primarily related to the design and deployment of firewall solutions across Wachovia's immense network environment.