Tom Russell

Director of Technology, Cook County School District 130

Thomas C. Russell 3830 S Liverpool Road Hobart, IN 46342 Mobile: (219) 293-1246 tcrussell@tcrpro.com Objective: I am seeking challenging opportunity in Technology administration and management, where I can employ over 16 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 program. * 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Technology Architecture Standards and planning for the implementation of new technologies and the retirement of outdated ones.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 TECHNOLOGY: Cook County School District 130, Blue Island, IL (2009 - 2010). Direction, management, and oversight of Information Technology systems and staff. * Expanded use of the USAC E-Rate program. * Substantially improved user confidence and satisfaction with Information Technology Department systems, personnel and abilities. * Substantially improved response time to technical issues. * Reduced trouble calls by over seventy percent through proactive systems management. * DIRECTOR OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY: Civitas Schools, Chicago, IL (2006 - 2009). *Direction, management, and oversight of Information Technology systems and staff. * Expanded use of the USAC E-Rate program. * Consolidated and relocated systems to a central data center. * Redesigned, upgraded and economized Wide Area Network serving four locations. * Redesigned and installed new, centralized, VOIP telephone system for four locations. * Redesigned Active Directory Forest to consolidate four separate domains. * Substantially improved user confidence and satisfaction with Information Technology Department systems, personnel and abilities. * Substantially improved response time to technical issues. * Reduced trouble calls by over seventy percent through proactive systems management. * SYSTEMS ADMINISTRATOR: Majestic Star Casino, LLC, Gary, IN (2005 – 2006). * Support of Agilysys Lodging Management System and all related interfaced systems. * Support of Bally Systems ACSC Slot Management System. * Support and administration of InfoGenesis and Micros Point of Sale systems. * Support, adds, moves and changes of Nortel PBX Option 11, Optivity Telephony Manager (OTM), NEC NEAX2400 IMX (PBX), NEC NEAX2000 (PBX) and NEC Neaxmail. * Data Analysis and Forensics. * Development and maintenance of ad-hoc reports/queries; diverse applications utilizing MS Access. * Developed Multi-user, network based Purchase Order System, Cash Box Tracking System using MS Access. * AS/400, network, server and desktop computer administration and support. * Support of all Information Technology systems. * TECHNICAL OPERATIONS MANAGER: Paluch & Associates, Palos Heights, IL (2004-2005, Temporary Position). Technical consulting and management of internal technical operations. * 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. * Integration of Player Tracking, Slot Management, Lodging Management, Point of Sale, PBX, credit card processing, and call accounting systems. * Support, adds, moves and changes of NEC NEAX2400 IMX (PBX), NEC NEAX2000 (PBX), NEC Neaxmail. * Support and administration of InfoGenesis Point of Sale system. * 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. * 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. * 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.