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D.J. Nephew

Director / Architect – Infrastructure, Identity, and Operations

Summary

IT Director and Project Manager with 10+ years of experience leading infrastructure and operations across multi‑site organizations. I modernize legacy environments, build reliable systems, and lead teams through change with clarity and candor. My approach, like Tron's, is straightforward: fight for the users. We have the technology, we just need the will. .

Core Competencies

Experience Highlights

Professional Experience

IT Director
Oliver Fire & Sprinkler Co. • Apr 2022 – Present • King of Prussia, PA
  • Migrated from on‑prem AD/Exchange to Entra ID + Exchange Online.
  • Implemented Intune/Knox/ABM MDM across the business.
  • Managed staff, vendors, and full IT lifecycle operations.
  • Negotiated internet and wireless access plans.
  • Oversaw onboarding/offboarding and identity lifecycle.
  • Managed enterprise software stack: Azure, PowerBI, Spectrum ERP, SugarCRM.
  • Set and audited network security policies (pentesting, MFA, etc.).
IT Director
Lake County School District • Feb 2020 – Feb 2022 • Leadville, CO
  • Responsible for 24/7 operation of A/V, security, network, and telephony systems.
  • Managed $1.5M annual budget + $1.7M COVID special projects budget.
  • Led $1.2M classroom technology upgrade and new school building deployment.
  • Managed 5 staff and 14 vendors supporting ~1600 users across 5 locations.
  • Presented to Board of Education and executive stakeholders.
  • Wrote grant proposals and managed IT upgrade projects.
  • Negotiated contracts, licenses, and purchases for district IT needs.
Technology Director
Quantitative Finance Solutions • Oct 2019 – Jan 2020 • Aspen, CO
  • Provided concierge‑level IT for high‑net‑worth principal, business, and family.
  • Managed contractors and staff assigned to projects.
  • Oversaw IT resource acquisition, allocation, and retirement.
  • Ensured system availability, stability, scalability, and security.
  • Evaluated emerging technologies and best practices.
Director of Surfing & Sushi (Sabbatical)
Worldwide • Aug 2018 – Sept 2019
  • Earned PMP certification.
  • Completed multi‑continent travel and logistics planning.
  • Led off‑road expedition across Iceland’s glaciers and lava fields.
  • Piloted glider aircraft for snowpack inspection in New Zealand.
Independent Consultant
Futurum Communications • Sept 2017 – Aug 2018 • Denver, CO
  • 12‑month project contract supporting telecom modernization initiatives.
IT Project Manager / Sr. System Administrator
Colorado Mesa University • Sept 2013 – June 2017 • Grand Junction, CO
  • Responsible for 24/7 operation of A/V, security, network, and telephony systems.
  • Administered Windows Server, Exchange, and M365 environments.
  • Managed LAN/WAN infrastructure including firewall, WiFi, PRI, and cabling.
Supercomputing Network Manager
UW–Madison, Lane Neuroimaging Lab • Jan 2008 – Sept 2013 • Madison, WI
  • Managed 500TB storage array and 188‑processor (~800‑core) HPC cluster.
  • Supported 70+ neuroimaging research projects.
  • Twice elected Representative to UW‑Madison Academic Staff Assembly.

Education & Certifications

About Me (The Human Part)

Before I started in IT, I fought forest fires, managed a Chinese seafood restaurant, and for a glorious few months worked road crew for Def Leppard. I’m a world traveler, outdoorsman, and adventurist who brings that same resilience and curiosity to complex technology environments.

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