Peg Ritz

Results-driven professional with an extensive background in managing relationships with customers and employees. Agile and adaptable with 14+ years of experience in providing support, solutions, training, and processes for a variety of technology and business platforms.  14+ years of experience in triage and resolution of customer issues pertaining to desktop, server, and machining environments using a ticket-based incident response system.  Areas of competency include:

• Excellent ability to multi-task while retaining attention to detail.
• Consistent attention to detail in meeting compliance goals for audit purposes.
• Proven leadership skills in tactical and strategic situations.
• Proficiency with server and workstation operating systems.
• Strong background in deploying and utilizing software systems.
• Experience managing and monitoring system and network health.
• Strong analytical skills with proven ability in problem solving.
• Highly dedicated to continued process evaluation and improvement.
• Outstanding verbal and written communication skills.

Civilian Experience

Ideal Integrations – Pittsburgh, PA

11/2021 – Present

Systems Engineer II

• Technical liaison/engineer for client environments, working closely with Project Management on analysis, development, implementation and support for project work related to servers, virtualization, storage, networking and voice projects. 
• Build, manage, integrate, and upgrade IT infrastructure to include servers, workstations, storage, networks, and software applications.
• Implementation of Multifactor Authentication for a variety of environments and applications (Duo and M365 MFA) 
• Migration from on-premises Exchange to M365 (Hybrid and Cloud)
• Active Directory/Exchange/DNS/DHCP/DFS/File/Print/WSUS/Terminal services/RDS
• Virtualization environments VMware (ESXi 8.x, Horizon DaaS products)/Nutanix/Hyper-V
• Cloud services Microsoft 365/AWS
• Storage Pure/Nimble
• Vulnerability Remediation post penetration testing.

Verity Credit Union – Seattle, WA

12/2017 – 05/21/2021

Systems Engineer

• Daily support for all technology needs encompassing eight branches and the Headquarters office in the Greater Seattle area
• Build and maintain server environments encompassing multiple business services for the organization
• Manage servers at DR site in Liberty Lake, WA
• Ensure compliance with IT regulations for annual audit process
  • Patching and vulnerability management for OS and 3rd party software
  • Upgrade of end-of-life products
• Manage VMWare environment for servers and virtual desktops
  • vCenter server and VM management on ESXi platform
  • Horizon VDI environment using golden images
• Manage storage and backup environment built on Nimble platform
• Manage and program Mitel phone system/RingCentral phone system
  • Server and appliance maintenance
  • auto attendant menus, ring group routings (hunt groups and work groups), contact center IVR/IRN programming
• Programming and management of Cisco switches, routers, and ASA

Significant Achievements

• Upgrade/migration from legacy Shoretel phone system to Mitel versioning
• Upgrade from Mitel to RingCentral phone system
• Develop comprehensive documentation pertaining to both user access and backend management/troubleshooting of Mitel phone system.
• Instrumental participant in moving 99% of Verity’s HQ workforce to remote access in 5 days

TECT Aerospace – Everett, WA

11/2015 – 10/2017

Systems Engineer

• Daily support for all technology needs encompassing three manufacturing facilities in the Greater Seattle area.
• Address all IT requests according to SLA (Tier 1, 2, and 3)
  • Windows environment encompassing Win2K through Windows 10
  • Citrix
  • Vantage ERP system 
  • Dell PC/HP Thin Client 
  • Avaya
• Manage and maintain server rooms at all three locations
  • Dell and HP Domain Controllers, Print Servers, Backup Servers, File Servers, and License Servers
  • HP ProCurve switch management and maintenance
• Ensure continuous functional environment for loading programs to 3, 4, and 5 Axis milling machines to include Okuma, Mori-Seiki, Makino, LeBlond, Haas, and HPUX machining.
  • Spectrum Multi-DNC 
  • DigiPort/RocketPort ethernet to RS232 connections
• Manage and maintain functional test equipment for Boeing parts on National Instruments specialized platform.
  • Identified and resolved single point of failure for specialized functional test environment resulting in greater flexibility for recovery and restoration.
• Configure and deploy new equipment (servers, switches, firewalls, workstations, laptops, thin clients, desk phones, cell phones, printers, scanners, etc.)
• Provision installation of network cabling and infrastructure required for expansion or relocation of networked assets to foster improved production flow.
• Recover, troubleshoot, and repair existing equipment.
• Provide 24/7 on-call support for all users.

Significant Achievements

• Implement server-based machine monitoring system for 19 milling platforms to provide base-line information regarding machine utilization. 
• Install NeatPatch cable management to improve visibility/access to rack devices and increase efficiency in troubleshooting/resolving network issues.
• Fibre installation/upgrade for three locations resulting in improved bandwidth/reduced latency across the entire network.

VMC/Volt – Redmond, WA

09/2012 – 11/2015

System Engineer for LeX IT Operations/Microsoft

• Coordinate with Lex IT Operations team to manage and maintain operations for 300+ physical and virtual servers supporting environments including SQL, SharePoint, and clustered servers.
• Deploy and manage System Center Virtual Machine Manager for more effective management of virtual servers.
• Management of network infrastructure including Brocade Fiber Channel switches and fabrics.
• Ensure consistent and accurate backups of 300+ physical and virtual servers using Symantec Backup Exec 2010 R3.
• Deploy and evaluate virtual environments for Lex IT Beta courses.
• Monitor storage system health – 3Par, Compellent, and DataDomain.
• Provide timely response and corrective action for software, hardware, and network issues in environments ranging from Windows 10 through XP to Server 2012 through Server 2003.

Significant Achievements

• Engage in the design and implementation process of an upgraded Backup Exec server system to improve reliability and consistency in backups for critical servers and systems.
• Research and reclaim storage space on DataDomain to facilitate successful backup process.
• Restructure the deployment process of virtual environments for Beta classes resulting in at least 40% reduction in the required time to deploy.
• Provision and implement System Center Configuration Manager environment to further improve the deployment process for Beta classes and address the limitations of End of Life software.
• Key participant in development and authoring of processes and documentation to ensure consistent training and service levels for the LeX IT Operations team.

Sterling Reference Laboratories – Tacoma, WA

02/2011 – 09/2012

Network/System Administrator

• Manage and maintain software, hardware, and networking for 25 servers
  • Server roles include Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) servers, Web server, Exchange server, BlackBerry Enterprise Server, file servers, and test environments.
  • Server Operating Systems ranged from Server 2008 through Windows 2000.
• Manage Active Directory and Group Policies.
• Manage health and connectivity of WatchGuard Firewall device.
• Manage VPN connection for 4 remote locations as well as 5 outside sales representatives.
• Ensure all data systems, networking, and technology processes meet College of American Pathologists (CAP), Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Association (SAMHSA), and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) requirements.
• Manage and monitor Antivirus solutions for all devices on the Sterling Reference Laboratories network.
• Ensure consistent and accurate backups for all servers using Yosemite backup software.
• Support approx. 150 workstations and laptops both on-site and remote: 
• Identify and correct software and hardware issues.
  • Ensure all Operating System, software, and firmware updates are applied in a timely fashion.
  • Provide timely response and corrective action to user requests for approximately 200 users at Tier 1, 2, and 3 support levels.
  • Evaluate and advise management regarding software and hardware purchases and upgrades.
  • Provision, image, and configure new hardware for users.

Significant Achievements

• Research, test, and implement new antivirus solution to reduce network traffic and workstation footprint with the additional benefit of 20% savings on subscription costs over prior solution.
• Integrate additional networking and phone system infrastructure with existing facilities for expansion of business: 
  • Design and install physical infrastructure.
  • Ensure full functionality of communication and connectivity to network and phone system.
• Research and apply corrective measures to enable custom LIMS system software to run on an update operating system platform.
• Integrate iDevices (iPhone, iPad, Macbook) with existing Exchange Server 2003 to provide more reliable connectivity to senior management and enable additional presentation platforms for sales personnel.
• Create comprehensive process documentation for:
  • Preventative maintenance processes necessary for LIMS system health.
  • Deployment and configuration of standardized user operating system.
  • Management of Yosemite backup system.
  • Daily tasks related to the management of server and system health.

Military Service

U.S. Army Reserve – A Co 3 Bn 414 Rgt, JBLM, WA

01/2010 – Present

Sergeant First Class 

00G – Instructor / 88M – Motor Transport Operator / 92A – Automated Logistical Specialist

• Act as instructor/SME for warrior tasks/battle drills for annual Cadet Summer Training at Ft. Knox, KY
• Plan, develop, and deliver Unit Driver Training program to license new drivers on Army vehicles
• Provide hands-on training and experience in HEAT/MET roll-over training to unit
• Direct and supervise groups of Soldiers engaged in tasks in the motor pool, warehouse, or other designated areas as directed by the Chain of Command.
• Ensure all directives from Chain of Command are accomplished in a timely and accurate fashion.
• Engage in training in Military Occupational Specialties related to convoy operations and vehicle movement, vehicle maintenance and inspections, warehouse operations, basic emergency combat medical procedures, warrior tasks and battle drills, military customs and courtesy, drill and ceremony, and physical fitness training.

BSBA IT

Colorado Technical University, Colorado Springs, Colorado

Graduated September 29, 2007, Summa Cum Laude, Chancellor's List/Dean's List

VMware Certified Professional – DCV

Nutanix Certified Associate 6