Don Shanks

Experience

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  United States Marine Corps

  Jan 1986 - Jan 2006

  Network Manager (Tactical Communications Planning and Engineering Officer)

  •Honorably retired Chief Warrant Officer 2 (CWO2)•Responsible for the Planning, Policy, Coordination, Installation, and Maintenance of Command and Control/Information Systems.•Interacted with multiple agencies in planning the use of Tactical and Garrison communications systems. •Established training plans, tables of organization, tables of equipment for deploying forces and training exercises. •Deployed to Camp Fallujah, Iraq as the Network Planner, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom •Coordinated with multiple agencies in the planning and execution of the transition from Tactical Communications equipment to Commercial off the Shelf equipment for the Marine Corps network in Iraq. •Assigned daily operation tasks and directions to the agencies supporting the network as well as assisting higher headquarters in the Planning and engineering of multiple communications nodes. •Designed and managed multiple switched and routed networks including the use of radio systems, satellite networks, multiplexors, routers and switches and the integration of technologies.•Worked with other engineers, systems analysts, programmers, technicians, and top-level managers in the design, testing and evaluation of Information Technology systems. •Maintained needed files by adding and deleting files on the network server and backing up files to guarantee their safety in the event of problems with the network. •Tested and evaluated hardware and software to determine efficiency, reliability, and compatibility with existing system, and made purchase recommendations. •Identified areas of operation that needed upgraded equipment such as modems, fiber optic cables, telephone wires, servers, routers and switches. •Monitored system performance, provided security measures, troubleshooting and maintenance in a Deployed Network Operations Center. •Serve as the Subject Matter Expert for creation and exercise of the Continuity of Operations (COOP) Plan. Show less

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  Young Marines of the Marine Corps League

  Nov 2006 - Oct 2009

  Deputy Director

  •Coordinated the National Headquarters Staff and a staff of over 3,000 volunteers nationally.•Coordinated external annual audits. •Management of annual operating budget, and provided reports and briefs to the National Executive Director/CEO.•Interacted with Program Managers from Headquarters US Marine Corps. •Provided training and education to the National Headquarters Staff and over 3,000 volunteers nationally.

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  Marine Special Operations Command

  Oct 2009 - Aug 2010

  Information Systems Specialist

  •Performed desktop support to over 360 users. •Assisted with user account creation, and updating permissions in Active Directory.•Reviewed procedures and recommended changes to optimize utilization of equipment. •Performed the required maintenance of all IT related communications equipment as well as testing, installing, configuring, and maintaining networks including hardware (servers, hubs, bridges, switches, and routers) and software that permit the sharing and transmission of information.•Served as Subject Matter Expert for all critical infrastructure issues Show less

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  DISA - CONUS

  Aug 2010 - Feb 2011

  Information System Security Analyst

  •Monitor, report, and provide Computer Network Defense and Information Assurance services and support for Defense Information Systems Agency, which supports the Department of Defense network.•Serve as the Alternate Day Shift Lead for Network Assurance •Assist the Day Shift Lead in supervising the daily operations of the Network Assurance department, serve as the Day Shift Lead in the absence of the Shift Lead.•Open and track trouble tickets using the Remedy Reporting tool•Follow the Network Assurance escalation matrix that includes time-lines and points of contacts for the multiple sensors monitored.•Maintain the operational shift log with all substantive events that occur throughout the shift.•Perform quality control on all reports before they are sent to the customer. •Perform network vulnerability analysis and reporting. •Perform network security monitoring and analysis, Identifying suspicious and malicious activities.•Identify and track malicious code (including worms, viruses, trojan horses, etc) enter and track events and incidents. •Support incident escalation and assess probable impact and damages. •Identify damage control, assist in developing course of action and recovery procedures Show less

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  Windstream Communications

  Feb 2011 - May 2011

  Network Analyst

  •Responsible for monitoring and ensuring network quality and reliability by proactively correcting network faults. •Worked directly with internal and external service groups to ensure that high quality products are provided on the network. •Monitored an extensive fiber optic network by utilizing surveillance systems and communicating with field operation groups and vendors. •Responsible for first level communications with customers to ensure resolution of any service issues by working with vendors and internal resources to provide rapid resolution of problems. •Documented all activities utilizing trouble ticketing systems and other operations support software. •Responsible for transport layer service and supports the IP based carrier Ethernet service groups 24X7.•Demonstrated knowledge of EMS systems such as Cisco Transport Manager and Nortel Preside. •Familiar with LEC escalations policies and trouble reporting. Show less

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  Nomad Technology Group

  May 2011 - May 2012

  Systems Analyst

  •Administration of Server 2003 and Server 2008 for multiple clients.•Administration of Microsoft Exchange 2007/2010 for multiple clients.•Worked directly with client to determine network, server and computer requirements. •Maintained Terminal servers for multiple clients.•Maintained File servers for multiple clients.•Worked with Business Owners and Board members to determine the needs of the company.•Familiar with multiple computer operating systems including Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7. •Familiar with Microsoft Office suite of software including Microsoft Word, Excel and Power Point.•Demonstrated knowledge of Active Directory, creating new users, resetting passwords, creating and managing Security and Distribution Groups. •Experience in managing Group Policies •Familiar with multiple Virtual Environments including Citrix and VMware.•Rapidly resolves customer computer issues in a timely manner.•Experience with multiple backup solutions including SAN and Shadow Protect•Managed multiple Antivirus Environments, including AVG, Trend Micro and Symantec.•Managed Primary Domain Controller servers Show less

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  Windstream

  May 2012 - now

  • Manage and direct all Tactical Planning needs for the Transport Network Planning organization, ensuring any revenue generating, cost saving, and/or escalation requests are worked in a timely fashion. • prepare, present and support thoughtful network designs, sometimes a la carte where capital to expense ratio is clearly understood and pieces of design may be pulled back to achieve maximum savings in minimal time• Report to the Director on a monthly basis regarding the amount of cost savings that the team had supported for the month. Highlight this to the Tactical team to make sure all team members stays on point for the Annual Goal.• Produce monthly metrics to demonstrate to management and to the team the quantity of tickets being worked within the shop and what type of tickets they are.• Utilize high level of communication and interpersonal skills to establish and maintain positive and productive working relationships w/in group and with other internal/external groups/vendors.• Represent team by participating in project/vendor meetings.• Determine how best to use resources to meet due dates for internal customers.• Assist, Develop, and Modify team member’s Employee Development Programs to strengthen the overall skill set of the group.• Strive to find ways through anecdotal and statistical evidence to maximize the team’s output potential and minimize planning time -while still delivering quality, executable designs• Gathering and providing feedback to multiple internal customers, including, but not limited to, Access Savings, Network Engineering, TES, and other Planning Organizations, including hosting multi department meetings to keep all players in sync• Assist with individual contributor projects to help increase throughput for the team, as needed.• Maintain open communication concerning corporate/departmental changes with team. Show less •Transport Engineer for Long Haul Fiber Optic networks.•Analyzes requirements to meet demand and performance of products, systems and/or data.•Perform engineering design evaluations including cost-effective utilization of materials as required. •Design, develop, test and implement all components, equipment, and software within the functional area of the organization. •Applies commonly used concepts, practices, and procedures to resolve a variety of issues. •Exercises judgement to plan and accomplish goals.• Identifies issues and provides resolution within the workgroup or to the customer. Show less

  • Staff Manager, Kinetic Transport Planning and Engineering

    Jul 2018 - now

  • Engineer III

    May 2012 - Jul 2018
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  The Trophy Case LLC

  Aug 2013 - now

  Owner

  - Responsible for the day to day operations of the business.- Coordinates with venders to keep current with the latest awards and recognition available.- Maintains constant contact with customers to meet their needs as quickly and affordable as possible.- verifies that every award created meets the quality and attention to detail required.