Nick Elliott

Director of IT

Knoxville CUSD #202 | May 2021 - Present (4 years)

• Led migration to open-source solutions, cutting costs while maintaining quality
• Architected Docker-based infrastructure for services like help desk (Zammad), network management (UniFi), and asset tracking (Snipe-IT)
• Implemented Caddy server with reverse proxy for secure service delivery
• Migrated from VMware to XCP-ng/Xen Orchestra, optimizing virtualization
• Developed a Next.js asset tracking app on Vercel with MongoDB and AD integration
• Created IT policies and led a 2-person team supporting district-wide initiatives
• Managed Google Workspace and Active Directory with PowerShell and Python
• Ensured compliance with ISBE SIS state reporting requirements

Systems Administrator & Software Engineer

NAEIR | Oct 2018 - Apr 2021 (2 years 7 months)

Played a pivotal role in modernizing IT infrastructure, enhancing system performance, and developing robust software solutions. Leveraged a diverse skill set to manage enterprise systems, streamline operations, and deliver innovative applications.

• Cloud Migration & Email Systems: Successfully orchestrated the migration of an Exchange 2010 server to a fully integrated Office 365 environment, implementing Active Directory synchronization to ensure seamless user authentication and email continuity across the organization.
• Infrastructure Modernization: Consolidated and upgraded physical servers to Windows Server 2019, optimizing resource utilization and enhancing system reliability. Transitioned VMware vSphere from an outdated Windows Server installation to a streamlined vSphere 6.7 OVA, integrating vMotion for live migration and upgrading networking with a 10G switch and NICs to connect the SAN, significantly boosting performance.
• Storage & Hardware Enhancements: Reconfigured Dell server storage arrays from RAID 5 to RAID 10 for improved redundancy and speed, proactively replacing failed drives to maintain uptime. Upgraded CPUs in legacy servers to higher clock-rate models, accelerating performance on single-core-dependent AlphaServer systems.
• Network Optimization: Partially overhauled the network by deploying Ubiquiti switches and configuring VLANs to segregate traffic types, enhancing security and efficiency. Extended VLAN configurations to existing HP switches for consistent network segmentation.
• Legacy Systems Expertise: Mastered OpenVMS on a virtualized AlphaServer 1200, authoring DCL scripts to automate tasks and gaining hands-on experience with RMS databases to support critical legacy operations.
• Security & Monitoring: Implemented a Graylog server to centralize and simplify log analysis for internally developed applications and websites. Configured and maintained a Fortigate firewall to safeguard network integrity, and managed a Symantec Enterprise Protection server to ensure robust endpoint security.
• DNS & Proxy Services: Converted an on-premises DNS server to a cloud-based DNS service for improved scalability and uptime. Established an Nginx reverse proxy with a Let’s Encrypt wildcard certificate, reducing the need for multiple static IPs while securing external services.
• Software Development: Designed and developed C# applications, including an ASP.NET Core website with modern CSS and JavaScript frontends. Co-developed a .NET Framework WPF application using DevExpress MVVM modules for enhanced UI functionality, and scheduled synchronization tasks with .NET-based services.
• Database Management: Utilized Oracle 12c as the backend for custom applications, writing and compiling stored procedures to optimize data access in .NET apps. Executed SQL queries to maintain data integrity and resolve issues, leveraging DevArt adapters for seamless integration.
• Automation & Scripting: Authored PowerShell scripts to automate Windows administration tasks, including restarting all computers in an Active Directory OU, retrieving ClickOnce .NET app versions across specific OUs, and managing file backups for operational continuity.
• Version Control & DevOps: Employed Azure DevOps and SourceTree’s GUI for efficient Git version control, streamlining collaborative development workflows and ensuring code quality across repositories.
• Backup & Recovery: Managed and monitored Veeam Backup & Replication 10 to oversee comprehensive backup strategies, ensuring data protection and rapid recovery capabilities for all critical systems.
• Network Monitoring: Deployed PRTG software to monitor network devices, providing real-time insights into performance and potential issues across the infrastructure.
• Telephony & ISP Transition: Administered the Mitel phone server, updating and installing phones as needed, and guided a seamless switchover to a new ISP and telephony provider, minimizing downtime and ensuring service continuity.
• Support & Legacy Maintenance: Troubleshot and maintained a legacy ColdFusion server and its applications, addressed employee inquiries regarding IT systems, and repaired, upgraded, and configured PCs and peripherals to meet operational needs.
• Helpdesk & User Support: Implemented OsTicket as a helpdesk system, encouraging adoption among users to streamline support requests and improve response times.
• Cloud Services & Email: Leveraged AWS services, including Amazon SES for mass email campaigns and CloudFront for efficient website image hosting, alongside managing a hosted WordPress site for organizational presence.
• Additional Responsibilities: Managed a Postfix SMTP relay server, administered Active Directory with group policies, installed network cabling as required, and influenced process improvements to enhance overall IT efficiency.

Information Systems Technician

City of Galesburg | Apr 2013 - Oct 2018 (5 years 7 months)

• Utilized Python, PLC, and SCADA to enhance system performance
• Designed an Android app to optimize information processing
• Set up Microsoft WDS for efficient software deployments
• Provided technical support and led system migrations

Computer Support Technician

Office Specialists, Inc. | Dec 2013 - Jan 2014 (2 months)

• Supported imaging, networking, and equipment troubleshooting
• Reduced imaging time from 12 hours to 3 hours through process improvements