Alan
J. McRae
Dispatch Point: Canton, NC 28716 30 minutes
west of Asheville, NC
Mobile: 828-226-0136
Email: alan.mcrae@charter.net
SUMMARY OF
QUALIFICATIONS:
Field Engineering and IT Technical Support Specialist
with over 25 years of experience in all aspects of personal computers including
hardware & software, network infrastructure, routers, switches, cabling,
telecom (DSL, cable, T1, dialup), on-site & remote technical support &
troubleshooting, new system design & deployment, HD imaging and disaster
recovery, PC/LAN/WAN security technologies, PC configuration/asset inventory
software, system documentation writing, management of change documentation (MOC),
microcomputer-based networks, accounting systems, vertical market applications
including manufacturing, POS, Microsoft Office suite, website authoring w/
Frontpage, and end-user training. A long history of strong team leadership
skills. Expert computer troubleshooting & help desk skills. Willing to
travel.
EXPERIENCE:
|
1997-Present |
Independent Computer Consultant in North
Carolina |
FS24-7:
provide this nationwide field service provider with as-needed
IT technical services, including commercial wifi installation &
troubleshooting, extended demarc troubleshooting, network infrastructure
installation & troubleshooting, network discovery & documentation,
server migrations, and emergency technical support for their Fortune 1000
clients.
Basofil
Fibers, LLC in Enka, NC: assisted the IT Department Director with
a 25 node PC LAN migration & redesign, deployment of new Dell Computers,
routine network administration, development of a custom WAN security system,
custom system documentation, and routine PC troubleshooting. Assisted the
Marketing Director with corporate website development (see www.basofil.com),
visitor traffic analysis, and internet marketing strategy. Recent experience
with computer security, including Symantec Client Security, Norton Internet
Security Suite 2009, GFI S.E.L.M, GFI S.I.M, EagleX IDS, Manhunt, Port Explorer,
Process Monitor, MBSA, HijackThis, SuperScan, SpyBot Search & Destroy,
SNORT, Mandiant First Response, NetworkMonitor, Wireshark, Watchguard SOHO &
ddWrt gateway routers and other security utilities.
Home
& SOHO Computer Users: I currently support several home PC
users who have Windows 95/98/2000/XP/Media PC operating systems. I provide them
with networking & applications support, vulnerability scanning &
security lockdown, Microsoft critical update patching, hardware/software
troubleshooting and repairs, HDD imaging & DR, internet service
troubleshooting and internet security best practices training.
|
1986-96 |
SUN COMPUTERS & SOFTWARE: independent
systems consultant for accounting systems & vertical marketing,
customer needs analysis, proposal writing, software installation, end-user
training and on-site technical support for a computer retail store in East
Northport, NY. Worked with inside/outside sales reps to assess client IT
needs, propose integrated solutions, and implement systems. Worked
extensively with outside consultants, VAR's, ISV's, and tier one hardware
vendors. |
|
1984-85 |
MICROAGE COMPUTER STORE: senior systems
consultant to retail store - specializing in accounting and financial
applications. Sold & implemented FIS Accounting, Open Systems
Accounting, and numerous productivity software packages on commercial
models of IBM/AT&T/Compaq computers to corporate and small business
market, and trained end-users in proper software operation. |
|
1982-84 |
Corporate Computer Consultant:
programmer/consultant to Fleischmann Distilling Company, Julius Wile Sons
& Co., Award Petroleum, Tempo Instrument Inc., Cerro Wire &
Conduit, and many professional/service organizations on Long Island, NY. |
|
1982-84 |
Retail Store Freelance Computer Consultant: sales/support/training consultant to several retail computer
stores, including Entre Computer Center, Sun Computers & Software, and
Computerland. Sold & supported IBM/COMPAQ/NEC computers, HP/EPSON/OKIDATA
printers, with Open Systems accounting and standard office productivity
software. |
|
1981 |
BERLINER COMPUTER CENTER: marketing manager
for a retail computer store under contract.Boosted sales of Apple
Computers to doctors, corporate users, and small business. |
|
1980-81 |
COMPUTERLAND OF CARLE PLACE:
microcomputer sales & implementation consultant specializing in
business applications on Apple II computer. Worked with outside
consultants, programmers and vendors to create, install and support custom
applications. |
|
1979-80 |
CHRISTOPHER THOMAS ADVERTISING ASSOCIATES: provided technical product marketing/advertising support to
firm and their high-tech clients. |
EDUCATION:
|
1998-Present |
Broad-based, hands-on and online technical
training with special emphasis on PC & network security & support,
business computing, business management software, and accounting.
Developing a Knowledgebase on Windows & Linux Operating Systems
and contracted Application Software support, as well as continuing
education in various technical fields of interest.
HANDS-ON LEARNING: Partnering with a national
service provider to install & support Cisco & Wayport commercial
wireless networks in regional Fortune 1000 locations. Preparing to acquire
Cisco field service certification via online training. Recently I deployed
a Linux-based Untangle UTM appliance, PRTG network sensor, and homemade
Ethernet taps for learning advanced network security training. Also,
I’ve built a Windows XP laptop field engineer network troubleshooting
& security toolset for on-site general network support assignments. |
|
1983- |
PROFESSIONAL SEMINARS: Attended training
seminars on IBM, Compaq, AT&T, NEC, Altos and other microcomputer
systems, as well as Novell Netware, Windows for Workgroups,
Windows95/98/2000/XP, Lantastic, DOS Xenix and Unix operating systems and
ACCPAC, Peachtree, Open Systems, Macola, SBT and other business software
applications.
CERTIFIED INSTALLER CERTIFICATES: Open Systems
and ACCPAC Accounting Software (all modules), EMC ApplicationXtender ECM
system. CERTIFIED SYSTEM ADMINISTRATOR: SCO Xenix/Unix. |
|
1982-83 |
ADELPHI UNIVERSITY: Financial Planning,
Business and Computer Science
courses. |
|
1981-82 |
NEW YORK INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY: Computer
Science and Business
Administration with special emphasis on Marketing Management. |
|
1976 |
GRUMMAN DATA SYSTEMS INSTITUTE: Certificate in
Computer
Programming. |
|
1971-78 |
PROFESSIONAL SEMINARS:
Attended training seminars on self-development,
time management, sales & marketing management, and other
business topics. |
|
1967-70 |
SUNY at STONY BROOK: Physics, Computer Science,
Economics and
Accounting courses.
|
|
1964-67 |
HEMPSTEAD HIGH SCHOOL: Honors student in Math
& Science – National Honor
Society, National Science Foundation, Mathematics League, and
Waldemar Science Foundation Awards. |
KNOWLEDGE:
Familiar with Win95/98/Me/2000/XP/Vista, Windows
Networking, and some Xenix/Unix/Linux/BSD operating systems. Expert knowledge of
new PC deployment, Windows security lockdown procedures & host security
application software, software installation procedures, hard drive imaging &
restoration, computer configuration/inventory utilities, management of change
documentation & procedures, network device installation &
troubleshooting procedures, SMB LAN best practices, and advanced performance
troubleshooting procedures. Recent experience with PC/LAN/WAN security software
& hardware, including vulnerability scanning and forensics investigation.
Extensive personal computer hardware experience as well, including system
assembly, application deployment, troubleshooting, upgrading, and on-site
support.
Expert knowledge of all Accounting Software modules: Accounts Receivable,
Accounts Payable, Inventory, Sales Order, Purchase Order, General Ledger,
Payroll, Job Cost, Bill of Materials, Production Planning, Time & Billing,
Point-of-Sale, and Report Writer. Power user of Microsoft Office Professional,
MS-Frontpage, Visio, PaintShop Pro, and other popular PC application software.
INTERESTS:
I love solving very complex business management
problems that have a strong IT systems component. My current focus is on the
problem of maintaining the high security & high availability of critical
line-of-business IT systems while operating within the budget constraints
required to remain competitive in a rapidly globalizing business environment. To
solve this problem I have access to a peer network of seasoned, hands-on, senior
IT engineers that have extensive experience in the emerging technologies of
Security 2.0, Web 2.0, SOA, Remote Network Monitoring & Management, Managed
Services & Outsourcing, Team Collaboration Tools, Virtualization and other
state-of-the-art IT capabilities. Our principal goal has been to learn to
install, troubleshoot and maintain the next generation of high security &
high availability business network security & management architecture. We
believe that this new architecture will be critical to the success of IT
departments that are being tasked with realignment to support global corporate
business & financial goals in an increasingly cost-constrained environment.
My hobbies include hiking, canoeing, whitewater
rafting, and other outdoor pursuits. I also manage and perform in a classic jazz
band and a Celtic band.
REFERENCES:
Robert D. Yantiss, former Dir. of IT at Basofil Fibers, LLC
828-622-7503 Former IT Supervisor
Stewart Lewis, President of FS24-7 Ltd., 513-321-8181
& 513-237-5535 ASP
Group Supervisor
Ronald Rookstool, US Navy, Chief Petty Officer (retired), 828-400-3805 &
828-926-6090 Client
Mary Grace Lodico, Social Worker (retired/blind), 828-452-9047 Client
Mike Tormey, IBM Corp., sales executive (retired), 828-452-3011 Client
Rikki Kessler, Learning Links executive, (800) 724-2616 Client