Professional History and Accomplishments:
Epoch Concepts LLC, Senior Solutions Architect – Dept. of Veterans Affairs and Federal Aviation Authority, 2022-Present
As a trusted, vendor-neutral technical advisor, I have delivered strategic guidance to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on a wide range of mission-critical modernization initiatives. I established strategic alliances with leading technology providers to architect, deploy, and secure diverse IT environments fully aligned with rigorous federal standards, from high-performance computing and GPU-accelerated platforms to enterprise networking, telecommunications infrastructure, and comprehensive cybersecurity frameworks.
My work spans the full spectrum of VA needs, including healthcare systems, genomics initiatives, electronic health record integration, infrastructure upgrades, and beyond, while incorporating HIPAA-compliant PHI safeguards, FIPS 140-2 encryption, role-based access controls, NIST-aligned security controls, zero-trust principles, continuous monitoring, secure segmentation, and FedRAMP authorization requirements. Concurrently, I directed FAA telecommunications modernization, delivering next-generation architectures with robust network hardening and compliance features.
Leveraging in-depth provider collaboration, I authored RFI and RFP responses, represented technical capabilities objectively in customer engagements to articulate mission-aligned value while preventing vendor lock-in, and assumed end-to-end accountability, from solution architecture and deployment oversight through post-implementation support. Across these high-stakes federal programs, I consistently delivered secure, compliant, high-performance systems that advanced agency priorities, reduced risk exposure, and optimized long-term operational and security outcomes.
Key Responsibilities and Accomplishments:
· Forged strategic technical partnerships with leading OEMs and enterprise customers, serving as a vendor-neutral technical authority to design, harden, and deploy optimized high-performance computing solutions for mission-critical PHI-protected healthcare and AI workloads; integrated confidential computing (hardware-enforced trusted execution environments), in-use encryption, FIPS-compliant cryptographic modules, zero-trust access controls, continuous vulnerability assessment, and layered threat mitigation strategies to achieve robust defense-in-depth against advanced persistent threats.
· Architected and delivered large-scale, secure HPC and GPU-accelerated clusters for the Department of Veterans Affairs, incorporating compute, high-throughput storage, endpoint-to-cloud security telemetry, and integrated software stacks to support massive healthcare AI initiatives; led the design and implementation of secure LLM infrastructure using Llama-family models on air-gapped or high-assurance clusters, enabling advanced NLP for protected health data while enforcing strict RBAC, data-at-rest/in-transit/in-use encryption, anomaly-based behavioral detection, and full lifecycle oversight—including on-site hardening, installation validation, continuous monitoring integration, and weekly cross-functional security syncs to ensure compliance and threat resilience.
· Served as a trusted technical advisor in multi-vendor collaborations (FAA, L3Harris, Juniper Networks) to modernize legacy telecommunications infrastructure to resilient, next-generation SD-WAN architectures; provided deep expertise in secure network segmentation, zero-trust policy enforcement, encrypted traffic inspection, threat visibility across distributed endpoints, and integration of advanced endpoint/network detection capabilities to protect critical aviation systems against sophisticated cyber threats and ensure mission continuity.
· Authored and refined highly technical RFI/RFP responses with precise alignment to customer security and compliance requirements (e.g., NIST, FedRAMP, HIPAA); collaborated closely with OEMs to engineer differentiated, threat-resilient solutions that exceeded baseline specifications—incorporating advanced indicators of compromise (IOCs), behavioral analytics, automated response orchestration, and exposure prioritization—frequently securing awards through rigorous technical differentiation, risk reduction demonstrations, and meticulous attention to security controls and auditability.
· Partnered with OEMs to deliver customer-facing technical presentations and value demonstrations, translating complex security capabilities into mission-aligned outcomes; identified critical endpoint and workload protection gaps, articulated how integrated prevention (NGAV-like behavioral blocking), real-time detection/response (EDR-style telemetry and hunting), threat intelligence enrichment, and automated remediation would reduce breach risk, accelerate incident containment, and enhance overall security posture to achieve organizational objectives.
Riverbed Technology Inc., Federal Solutions Engineer – US Dept. of Veterans Affairs, 2018-2022
As a Federal Solutions Engineer at Riverbed Technology, I cultivated strategic, trusted relationships with key federal accounts—including the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs—while delivering exceptional pre-sales technical leadership and customer-centric support in highly secure, mission-critical environments.
Leveraged deep expertise in network performance management (NPM), end-user experience monitoring (EUX), full-stack observability, and Riverbed's unified platform (including Aternity, NPM+, and related solutions) to architect secure, scalable, and compliant solutions that provide real-time visibility across hybrid networks, applications, and endpoints—ensuring optimal performance, rapid issue resolution, and enhanced digital experiences for federal agencies.
Directed end-to-end technical proposal development, pre-sales engineering processes, and strategic account planning; collaborated closely with cross-functional teams to align Riverbed capabilities with stringent federal requirements (e.g., FedRAMP High in-process, DISA IL5 candidate standards, and agency-specific compliance mandates), resulting in accelerated pipeline progression, increased win rates, measurable revenue growth, and consistently elevated customer satisfaction metrics through proactive value demonstration and post-engagement support.
Key Responsibilities and Accomplishments:
· Managed the technical proposal process, ensuring that all technical information and recommendations addressed customer requirements accurately. Led technical activities, such as demos, proof of concepts, and value confirmations, to progress sales opportunities.
· Designed technical solutions that met our customers' needs and tracked activities for business analysis and reporting. Led technical and healthcare conferences, showcasing our technology and its positive impact on customer experience.
Riverbed Technology Inc., Senior Professional Services Consultant, 2014-2018
As a Senior Professional Services Engineer at Riverbed Technology serving as the resident consultant and Subject Matter Expert for Federal Accounts, providing consulting services for Riverbed products that aligned with critical US Dept. of VA network infrastructure and Hospitals. My responsibilities included upgrading monitoring infrastructure, moving to cloud services, and improving visibility for Cloud and Office 365. I also played a vital role in troubleshooting and improving slow or problematic networks and applications using Riverbed products and Wireshark.
· Trusted resident consultant and Subject Matter Expert for Federal Accounts on all Riverbed appliances including upgrading monitoring infrastructure and moving to cloud services. Consulting on Riverbed products that align with the critical US Dept. of VA network infrastructure and transition to cloud and Office 365.
· Conduct site surveys to understand customer’s needs, planning and recommendations, and how to better improve their networks in a pre-sale’s role for selected customers.
· Understanding a vast array of network designs and how Riverbed can improve speed, latency and gin insight into network and application issues.
· Troubleshooting slow or problematic networks and applications using Riverbed products and Wireshark.
AECOM, Network Architect, 2012 – 2014
As a senior network architect and global WAN leader, I spearheaded the upgrade and optimization of over 200 branch offices and data centers worldwide, deploying advanced Riverbed SteelHead solutions alongside high-speed Ethernet and 10 Gbps circuits to significantly enhance application performance, reduce latency, and achieve substantial bandwidth cost savings. I directed WAN strategy, architecture, and troubleshooting across the US, EMEA, and APAC regions, while making key decisions on equipment procurement, office network design, and enterprise-wide connectivity strategies. My responsibilities included engineering site-specific WAN architectures in collaboration with AT&T, configuring BGP/OSPF routing, implementing Internet-based backup paths, and optimizing traffic with Riverbed acceleration. I designed and rolled out a resilient company-wide WAN backup solution using Cisco ISR routers with GRE tunnels for high availability. Additionally, I managed the full lifecycle of 190 Riverbed SteelHead appliances for WAN optimization, oversaw global deployment of Riverbed Cascade Profiler and Shark for NetFlow analysis and packet-level visibility, and administered security and connectivity for 200 VPN sites utilizing Cisco ISR routers and ASA firewalls. Culminating these efforts, I led the seamless planning, coordination, and execution of a major global data center relocation from Tampa to Austin, ensuring minimal disruption and uninterrupted business operations.
· Upgraded over 200 WAN branch offices and data centers globally with advanced Riverbed WAN optimization solutions and high-speed circuits (Ethernet, 10 Gbps), dramatically improving application performance, reducing latency, and lowering bandwidth costs.
· Led WAN strategy, architecture, and issue resolution across US, EMEA, and APAC regions, driving cohesive global network standards and ensuring mission-critical connectivity for enterprise operations.
· Directed architectural decisions, procurement, and design of new office networking equipment and infrastructure, aligning investments with business requirements and future scalability.
· Designed and implemented enterprise-wide WAN connectivity strategies on a global scale, optimizing performance, reliability, and cost-efficiency across distributed environments.
· Engineered site-specific WAN architectures, coordinating with AT&T on router configurations, BGP/OSPF routing, Internet-based WAN backup, and Riverbed SteelHead optimization to maximize throughput and resilience.
· Architected and deployed company-wide WAN backup solution utilizing Cisco ISR routers with GRE tunnels, providing redundant, high-availability connectivity for critical sites.
· Managed design, deployment, and optimization of 190 Riverbed SteelHead appliances for WAN acceleration, delivering significant bandwidth savings, accelerated application delivery, and enhanced user experience across the enterprise.
· Oversaw global deployment and management of Riverbed Cascade Profiler and Shark appliances for comprehensive NetFlow analysis, packet capture, and network performance monitoring, enabling proactive troubleshooting and visibility.
· Administered and secured 200 global VPN sites using Cisco ISR routers and ASA firewalls, ensuring encrypted, reliable remote access and compliance with enterprise security policies.
· Led planning, coordination, and execution of major global data center relocation from Tampa to Austin, minimizing downtime, ensuring seamless migration of critical infrastructure, and maintaining business continuity.
GTE Federal Credit Union, Senior Network Engineer, 2010 - 2012
· Responsible for company’s main campus, disaster recover campus and branch network LAN and WAN infrastructure, from layer 1 through layer 3
· Core through Access network IOS and CatOS upgrade on 6509 Layer 2 and 3 switches
· Implemented hardening on all devices using IOS, TACACS with Cisco ACS and SSH
· Design cost-saving VPN back-up solution for all branches utilizing broadband, removing costly point to point circuits
· Complete branch network router upgrade to handle VDI infrastructure
· Design new core upgrade from 6509 IOS to Nexus 5000.
· Wireless Implementation using Cisco 5505 controllers
· Planning, design, and engineering Cisco N5K, 2K, 1000v
· Planning, design, and engineering 802.11 technologies, using Cisco access points, wireless LAN controllers, and mobility services.
AT&T, Inc., Network Engineer, 2007 – 2010
· Contract team for The Home Depot – Responsible for Implementation, test, turn-up and maintenance of router and VoIP solution with Avaya PBX
· Implement Cisco 3825 routers with DSP for voice over IP
· Troubleshoot Layer 1, 2 and 3 issues on the data and voice network
· Starbucks Project management and network engineer for AT&T’s Service Delivery team.
· Responsible for United States implementation and turn up of routers and circuits for Starbucks, Inc. from T-Mobile VPN and wireless to AT&T which included 7,500 stores and 100 new stores per month on a 40+ site per-day roll out
· Responsible for testing router, VPN connection and firewall configurations on equipment as well as wireless failover WAN cards for backup IPSec connectivity.
Fieldstone Mortgage Company, Inc., Network Engineer 2003 - 2007
· Lead support and systems administration of Florida, Georgia and Carolina operation centers and southeast sales force totaling 300+ users in a mixed Windows and Novell network.
· Support and project involvement for all US operation centers and sales force totaling 1600+ users.
· Configuration and installation of LAN’s and WAN’s with HP servers, Cisco routers and PIX firewalls, including rack builds, printing, cabling, and UPS configuration.
· Configuration and administration of DNS, DHCP, AD, and LDAP for company domain
· RSA security rollout and administration with integration of Netware and Windows.
· Cisco VPN client rollout on remote laptop users to connect to domain.
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