Professional Experience
10+ years of DevSecOps, cloud operations and security, automation, and infrastructure excellence
Sr. DevOps Engineer
Skyward IT Solutions, LLC
Rockville, MD
March 2026 – Present
Key Achievements
- Serving as senior technical lead on an enterprise AI/ML platform at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), supporting generative AI solutions that reduce operational burden across the agency
- Architecting and optimizing secure, scalable cloud-native AWS infrastructure (VPC, EKS, EC2, IAM, KMS, S3) to support high-availability AI workloads and large-scale data processing
- Designing and enforcing enterprise-grade Infrastructure as Code (Terraform, CloudFormation) and configuration management strategies to ensure consistency and repeatability across all environments
- Embedding DevSecOps principles across the full SDLC — integrating SAST/DAST, container scanning, secrets management, IAM governance, and compliance automation in a federally regulated environment
- Leading containerization and orchestration strategy with Docker, Kubernetes (EKS), and Helm, including Helm chart management and production-level cluster optimization
- Partnering with AI/ML engineers, data scientists, and delivery leadership to ensure platform reliability, scalability, observability, and performance at scale
- Mentoring fellow engineers and fostering an automation-first culture focused on documentation excellence, self-service enablement, and continuous improvement
AWS (EKS, VPC, IAM, KMS, Bedrock)
Terraform
CloudFormation
Docker
Kubernetes
Helm
GitHub Actions
DevSecOps
CI/CD
Generative AI
CMS/Federal
IaC
Cloud Security
DevSecOps Team Lead
Skyward IT Solutions, LLC
Rockville, MD
August 2022 – March 2026
Key Achievements
- Containerized SBA CAFS application security module and automated deployment into Amazon EKS using GitHub Actions, Helm, and Helmfiles
- Built relationships with client leadership and garnered buy-in from product owners and stakeholders
- Designed and implemented CI/CD workflows for ColdFusion developers using GitHub Actions and Bamboo Application Server
- Collaborated with principal engineer James Edmundson to design and deliver a Dynatrace observability configuration-as-code pipeline spanning AWS, Azure, and GCP, using Monaco and Terraform — enabling fully automated, repeatable configuration delivery across all cloud tenants
- Built audience-driven management zones, dashboards, and auto-tagging strategies serving Project Managers, DevOps Engineers, RHEL/Windows Admins, and Product Owners, resulting in significantly reduced mean time to detect and resolve incidents
- Engineered a GitHub Actions CI/CD pipeline to provision Dynatrace IAM credentials via Terraform, deploy Monaco configurations, and execute smoke tests — eliminating manual configuration drift across environments
- Established process group availability monitoring for Linux daemons, Windows services, and AAP templates, giving operations teams unified visibility into service health across hybrid cloud infrastructure
- Integrated Dynatrace with Jira to automate incident routing and problem management workflows, reducing alert-to-ticket response time and improving cross-team accountability
- Expanded Application Performance Monitoring to improve application performance, availability, and resiliency through real-time monitoring
- Supported development team of ~40 developers with source control and automated deployment challenges
- Automated recurring Operations activities with Ansible playbooks using Ansible Automation Platform (AAP)
- Leveraged jinja2 templates and custom variables to ensure consistent system configurations
Kubernetes
EKS
GitHub Actions
Helm
Ansible AAP
Terraform
Docker
CI/CD
Dynatrace
Monaco
GitOps
Multi-Cloud
Zero Trust RBAC
Cloud Operations & Security
AI/ML
Sr. Systems Engineer
Skyward IT Solutions, LLC
Rockville, MD
July 2020 – August 2022
Key Achievements
- Implemented GitHub Enterprise for SCM and trained teams for adoption and retention of workflow
- Expanded Application Performance Monitoring with AWS CloudWatch for enhanced visibility and forecasting
- Automated software deployment and configuration management with Ansible and Terraform
- Built solutions with internal teams and vendors including OS, network devices, databases, and application performance dashboards
- Defined system service reliability tools, design, and configuration needed to meet organizational needs
- Identified, analyzed, and facilitated resolution of system performance issues while balancing risks and rewards
GitLab
AWS CloudWatch
Ansible
Terraform
System Reliability
Performance Monitoring
Linux Security Administrator
Qivliq Federal Group LLC
Reston, VA
September 2019 – August 2020
Key Achievements
- System hardening and vulnerability scanning/remediation with OpenScanner and scap-security-guide
- RHEL 8 BIA STIG Baseline formation and integrity checking with aide
- Monitored system health and security through Zabbix, network monitoring through CounterAct and Solarwinds
- Security monitoring through Ossec, Splunk, and threat monitoring with FortiAnalyzer
- Patching and remote management with Spacewalk and RedHat Satellite
- LDAP/FreeIPA server and client configuration, NAS management, and Cuckoo server administration
- Troubleshot Snort sensors and maintained system security according to company standards
STIG Compliance
Zabbix
Splunk
Snort
RedHat Satellite
LDAP/FreeIPA
Security Monitoring
Red Hat Systems Administrator
Beyond Technologies LLC
Sterling, VA
July 2015 – August 2019
Key Achievements
- Managed VMware ESXi 6 infrastructure and monitored system performance and utilization
- Automated processes (application, network, middleware updates) with bash scripting
- Installed, configured, and documented new servers and applications
- Maintained and audited user accounts, managed file server utilization and backup processes
- Tracked vulnerabilities and applied appropriate patches and upgrades
- Worked with Operations Team on security audit processes and long-range planning
- Responded rapidly to system maintenance needs, including weekends and evenings
VMware ESXi
Bash Scripting
System Administration
Security Audits
Backup/Recovery
IT Specialist
Endless Horizons
Harrisonburg, VA
December 2014 – June 2015
Key Achievements
- Analyzed efficiency of detection technology for lateral flow bed bug detection device
- Worked with IT team to set up remote desktop for teleworking with collaborators
- Installed all required application software for research team
- Developed and executed testing protocols for detection devices
- Conducted cross-reactivity studies and relevant data analysis
- Recorded and organized collected data for monthly updates
IT Support
Remote Desktop
Software Installation
Data Analysis
Early Career & Academic Experience
Outdoor Facilitator
Endless Horizons
Harrisonburg, VA
August 2014 – December 2014
Facilitated team building experiences for school groups, girl scout groups, and business groups. Led high ropes course, field initiatives, low ropes course, and cooperative challenges. Facilitated outdoor activities including rock climbing, canoeing, mountain boarding, mountain biking, wilderness skills, and more.
Head Counselor
Horizons Outdoor Learning Center
Harrisonburg, VA
June 2014 – August 2014
Planned and executed evening programs and community meetings. Managed village of male campers ages 6-11, including meal coordination, activity scheduling, incident logging, parent communication, and emergency protocol drills.
Research Assistant
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA
2011 – June 2014
Worked in Dr. Robert McKown's biotechnology research lab studying Lacritin's activity against biofilm formation in E. coli. Designed and executed experiments, analyzed data, and studied antimicrobial activity and protein stability.
Student Associate
SRI International
Harrisonburg, VA
June 2013 – August 2013
Screened Prolyl Oligopeptidase (POP) enzyme against FDA-Approved drugs using FRET Assay to find possible inhibitors for Alzheimer's Disease and neurodegenerative disease progression.
Resident Adviser
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA
August 2011 – February 2012
Organized programs to increase resident awareness of campus resources and introduce new cultures. Built relationships with students and served as a resource for residents.
Resident Adviser & Science Teaching Assistant
Summer Bridge Program
Harrisonburg, VA
June 2011 – July 2011
Planned evening activities for participants and ensured safe environment. Assisted with biology and chemistry labs, set up experiments, and provided academic support.
Education & Certifications
James Madison University
Bachelor of Science, Biology
Minor in Philosophy
Harrisonburg, VA • May 2014
Professional Certifications
- AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate
- Red Hat® Certified System Administrator (RHCSA)