William Dell

Passionate, driven Air Force veteran who loves Linux, cybersecurity and IT Operations. My time with the Air Force has taught me the importance of integrity and service before self, it has helped me excel in all positions and teams since.


Experience

Linux Systems Administrator

Responsible for all Patching/maintenance and logging/monitoring solutions for METECS corporate offices as well as bash scripting and sysadmin work for NASA’s RFID-enabled Autonomous Logistics Management (REALM) service for the International Space Station

Corporate duties: Patching/maintenance of (primarily) Linux servers, break/fix for developers, implementing centralized logging, Nagios for monitoring/alerting, defense-in-depth planning and implementation with METECS IT team. DevOps project work using Jira, AWS EC2 server management, IAM, and security auditing through CloudTrail, ScoutSuite, and Greenbone Vulnerability Manager.

NASA Project Work: Logging/Monitoring for REALM server/network infrastructure and embedded readers aboard the ISS. Python/Bash log automation solutions to increase situational awareness of the REALM team. Linux OS Development work for embedded readers: custom systemd services, bug-fixing and feature implementation for existing scripts, primarily Bash/python3.

January 2020 - Present

Systems Administrator Intern

Texas A&M University | Division of Student Affairs IT

Primary project: implementing an encrypted file share solution to protect sensitive data and ensure compliance with FERPA and university security controls. Creating Systems documentation for server maintenance, encryption key management, and Service Desk documentation for end-user support and user experience.
Additional Duties: Writing PowerShell scripts to cleanup and automate management of our Active Directory service. Working with our cybersecurity policies analyst to ensure project and division compliance with A&M security controls.

May 2019 - August 2019

Service Desk Technician

Texas A&M University | Division of Student Affairs IT

Resolved tickets submitted to agency Helpdesk, in ServiceNow, hardware/software troubleshooting. Extensive use of SCCM, Active Directory and OU memberships / security groups. Heavily focused on CAC / certificates / encryption issues for active duty service members and civilian contractors supporting A&M’s Corps of Cadets. Created multiple ServiceNow knowledge base articles for standard processes, worked with systems team to automate configuration changes needed for Corps support staff via group policy and OS imaging.

October 2016 - May 2019

Avionics Systems Technician Trainer

United States Air Force

Worked with leadership in creating and establishing a training agenda for new airmen and transitioning airmen from aircraft using different avionics systems. Trained ten new and incoming avionics apprentices in advanced troubleshooting and maintenance skills on communications, navigations and electronic warfare systems, leading to 10 of 10 apprentices obtaining journeyman licensure.

June 2015 - March 2016

C-130J Avionics Systems Technician

United States Air Force

Expert in aircraft avionics systems including communications, navigation, and electronic warfare. Worked independently and as part of a small, focused team to troubleshoot and maintain electrical systems. Integral to 500+ US Air Force missions generated during this time frame.

March 2012 - June 2015

Satellite TV Systems Technician

Dish Network, LLC

Installed and troubleshot home satellite TV systems. Awarded employee of the month 5 times in 22 months. Regularly created new home cable outlets, installed wall-mounted TVs and surround sound systems for customers.

January 2011 - March 2012

Advanced Technical Support Specialist

Dish Network, LLC

Worked with customers to resolve technical support issues from A/V cabling and remote control operations to connectivity issues.

April 2010 - January 2011

Education

Texas A&M University

Bachelor of Science
Major: Technology Management | Double Minors: Business, Cybersecurity
August 2016 - August 2019

Certifications

  • CompTIA Network+ Certification
  • CompTIA Security+ Certification
  • CompTIA CySA+ Certification


Interests

In my free time I'm an avid reader, photographer, hiker and traveler. I'm a huge fan of astrophotography and the stars in general. When indoors I love learning new things, listening to music, and studying history.


Awards & Certifications

  • Voting member of Texas A&M University's Enterprise Applications Committee, a sub-committee of the TAMU IT Governance system. We meet monthly to align enterprise information technology systems based on the prioritized business needs of the university. The goal is to reduce cost, facilitate innovation, and promote efficient communication, and to ensure that the diverse stakeholder needs of the university are recognized. You can read more on the TAMU IT Governance page.
  • Chosen by A&M's Student Spotlight committee to share my story as a non-traditional student, you can read the article on my Student Spotlight page.

  • First ever recipient of the Division of Student Affairs, Department of IT Stellar Student award. Given the honor creating the award description and choosing the traveling trophy that will pass from winner to winner.