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Dylan Thompson
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Active TS/SCI Clearance
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Vienna, VA, looking to relocate to Arkansas in summer 2025

Professional Summary
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Dedicated Systems Administrator and Navy Veteran with 12 years experience specializing in the design, implementation, and maintenance of secure voice and video teleconferencing systems and associated network infrastructure. Expert in Cisco Unified Communications (VoIP/VTC), secure network operations, troubleshooting, and documentation. Committed to delivering reliable IT support in critical environments. Seeking a challenging IT-related role to leverage extensive experience in complex IT environments.

Work Experience
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BAE Systems, Washington DC (Direct client support)
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2021 - PRESENT

Principal Systems Administrator
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AUGUST 2023 - PRESENT

  • Led major migration and modernization initiatives for secure Voice over IP (VoIP) and Video Teleconferencing (VTC) networks, directly supporting the communication needs of top military and executive officials.
  • Project managed the successful transition of hundreds of Cisco 88XX series VoIP phones across classified/unclassified environments and dozens of Cisco VTC systems within the classified network as part of these modernization efforts.
  • Implemented and configured a highly-isolated, air-gapped Video Teleconferencing (VTC) system to enable secure conferences with external entities while ensuring complete segmentation and protection of the internal network.
  • Developed and implemented standard configuration guidelines for Cisco VTC systems across classified and unclassified networks, training team members on adhering to these standards to prevent configuration drift.
  • Provided mentorship to 13 active duty service members and 5 peers, offering guidance on operational effectiveness, goal achievement, and career advancement.
  • Developed over 25 Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to provide documentation for common and complex tasks, enhancing team consistency and operational efficiency.
  • Collaborated on the design and implementation of a highly-available external routing solution for the secure VoIP network, enabling resilient critical communications with outside entities regardless of internal equipment status.
  • Developed and deployed Cisco VTC macros using XML/JSON to enable “One Button To Push” speed dial functionality, significantly streamlining user access to frequent contacts in secure environments.
  • Identified and implemented automation for Cisco VTC systems by creating XML/JSON macros to enforce ‘mute on entry’ for IVR-based conferences, significantly improving audio clarity and meeting management.
  • Developed a PowerShell script to automate the scrubbing and sanitization of system logs, enhancing data handling efficiency and bolstering compliance efforts.
  • Consistently ranked in the top 15% of the operations team for Jira ticket resolution time and top 5% for quantity of tickets completed each month. Recognized by superiors and peers as a key technical contributor and reliable point of contact for troubleshooting and guidance.

Senior Systems Administrator
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JULY 2021 - AUGUST 2023

  • Maintained secure voice, data, message, and video telecommunications systems, equipment, and circuits for a government agency’s communications command, supporting routine installations, periodic maintenance, and demand maintenance for the Secure Voice Division.
  • Managed changing operational requirements by developing and implementing 3 distinct shift schedules for the team, ensuring consistent 24/7 or 18/5 coverage as needs evolved.
  • Oversaw the installation and testing of 5 new critical communication circuits connecting to external peers and mission partners, utilizing equipment like the UMUX and MDAs.
  • Developed and updated Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for newly implemented equipment, enabling the team to effectively administer and support new systems.
  • Migrated team Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) from OneNote to Confluence, creating a centralized, accessible repository that enhanced knowledge sharing and documentation management.
  • Streamlined the shop shift log by redesigning its format and structure, leveraging Excel automation to reduce manual entry for the team and improve searchability for troubleshooting efforts.
  • Deployed the Ectocrypt voice gateway system as a key component of a network modernization effort, enhancing secure voice communication capabilities.
  • Demonstrated exceptional reliability and commitment by covering shifts on short notice and providing extended support during ongoing outages to ensure continuous operational coverage.
  • Resolved numerous system outages through creative problem-solving, and proactively developed detailed resolution steps to minimize the impact of recurring issues and improve team response time.

United States Navy, Washington DC and various assignments
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July 2013 - July 2021

Petty Officer First Class
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OCTOBER 2019 - JULY 2021

  • Maintained and operated Defense Red Switch Network (DRSN) DSS-2A switches, ensuring high availability of secure voice communications.
  • Provided uninterrupted secure voice communication services to top offices within the executive branch, senior military leaders, and law enforcement.
  • Ensured stringent security compliance during the 2020 pandemic by verifying 0 connected circuits utilized superseded encryption keys.
  • Took initiative to organize and lead weekly virtual morale events, such as trivia nights, significantly strengthening team cohesion and boosting morale during the 2020 pandemic.
  • Performed preventive and corrective maintenance on DRSN DSS-2A switches and associated infrastructure, ensuring system longevity and reliability.
  • Conducted network troubleshooting and fault isolation for issues impacting secure voice communications, minimizing downtime and restoring critical services.

Petty Officer Second Class
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JUNE 2017 - OCTOBER 2019

  • Maintained and mobilized mobile VHF radio systems, providing critical communication support to executive branch and senior military officials in diverse operational environments.
  • Served as a Continental United States (CONUS) Wideband Radio Technician Lead, managing technical support operations across multiple deployed radio sites and supervising subordinates responsible for single site readiness.
  • Provided hands-on maintenance, repair, and deployment of communication equipment for over 250 critical missions, including support during significant world events and disaster response spanning multiple states and nations.

Petty Officer Third Class
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JULY 2013 - JUNE 2017

  • Served as a Radioman aboard U.S. Navy submarine USS Jefferson City, operating and maintaining critical communication systems in a demanding, high-pressure environment.
  • Managed and executed maintenance procedures in accordance with the Navy’s standardized Maintenance and Material Management (3M) program, ensuring operational readiness of technical systems.
  • Gained qualifications including Work Center Supervisor (WCS) and Quality Assurance (QA), demonstrating leadership in overseeing technical tasks and ensuring adherence to maintenance standards.

Education
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  • High School Diploma (2010), Grandview High School, Aurora, CO
  • US Navy Basic Enlisted Submarine School (2012-2013), Groton, CT
  • Defense Red Switch Network (DRSN) System Training (2021), Fort Huachuca, AZ

Certifications
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  • CompTIA Security+ (Recertified) — Valid through November 2027
  • ITIL v4 Foundations — Completed January 2025
  • Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) — Projected Completion August 2025
  • AWS Cloud Practitioner — Projected Completion September 2025

Technical Skills
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Unified Communications & Collaboration:
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Cisco Unified Call Manager (CUCM), Cisco Meeting Server (CMS), Cisco Meeting Manager (CMM), Cisco Unity Connection (Unity), Cisco Emergency Responder (CER), Cisco Unified Contact Center Express (CCX), Cisco Webex, Cisco 88XX/89XX series phones, Cisco VTCs, AMX Systems, Crestron Systems, VQ Communications Conference Manager (VQCM) & Device Management and Automation (DMA)

Networking & Infrastructure:
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Cisco Voice Gateways (VG), Digital Small Switch 2-A (DSS2A), TDM, SIP, T1, IP Networking Concepts, Universal Digital-Loop Transceiver Multiplexer (UMUX), DNS, NTP, DHCP

Security:
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Encryption Devices, Secure Communications, Certificate Management, Security Technical Implementation Guides (STIGs), Authority to Operate (ATO) Processes, Security Compliance

Monitoring & Management:
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Solarwinds, Real-Time Monitoring Tool (RTMT), Elastic Stack, VQCM & DMA, RDP, SecureCRT, Cisco Smart Licensing, Jira

Virtualization:
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VMware ESXi, VMware vSphere

Operating Systems:
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CentOS, Ubuntu, Windows Server

Scripting & Automation:
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PowerShell, XML, JSON