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Simon Bruce Raiford

Senior Systems & Network Engineer

Professional Summary

25+ years of hands-on experience delivering secure, scalable infrastructure in enterprise, MSP, and ISP settings. Adept at managing hybrid environments and cloud identity with Microsoft 365, Entra ID, Exchange Online, Intune, and Defender XDR. Strong focus on voice and UCaaS, leading large-scale migrations to platforms like Dialpad with IVR automation and CRM integration. Between projects I like to build automation and monitoring tools with PowerShell and REST APIs that streamline processes and improve visibility.

Technical Skills

Networking: Fortinet, Cisco, Ubiquiti, Fiber to the home/business, VPN, Wi-Fi
Systems: Windows Server/Desktop, Linux, Azure, Oracle Cloud, O365, Exchange
Voice: Dialpad UC/CCXaaS, Zultys, MetaSwitch, Cisco UCS/CCX, RingCentral
Security: Microsoft Defender XDR, Intune, Purview, VPN, Firewall/IDS/IPS
Scripting & Dev: PowerShell, REST API, Bash, HTML, JavaScript, Power BI
Monitoring & RMM: ManageEngine, PRTG, Ninja RMM, ConnectWise, Zendesk
Certificationss: CCNA (Cisco), MCSE (Microsoft), NRS I (Nokia/Alcatel), VMware VCP

Professional Experience

Senior Systems Administrator

Trident Transport | Chattanooga, TN | Jul 2021 – Present
Nationwide 3PL logistics Brokerage (Inc. 5000), Approx. 300 employees across 5 locations and offshore call centers.

  • Microsoft 365, Entra, Azure, Exchange Online, and Intune administration.
  • Manage hybrid cloud infrastructure across Azure, Oracle Cloud, VMware, Hyper-V, and Windows 365.
  • Migrated UC/CCX from Zultys to Dialpad UCaaS, implementing IVR automation and API call routing.
  • Deployed and managed Fortinet SD-WAN, switching, and wireless networks.
  • Build in-house management and reporting tools with PowerShell and REST API for Azure/M365 and UC/CCX.

Network Operations Engineer I

EPB Fiber Optics | Chattanooga, TN | Jul 2016 – Feb 2021
Municipal ISP serving 150,000+ customers with Fiber Internet, Hosted Voice, TV and Managed Wi-Fi Services.

  • Configured and maintained Internet, Hosted Voice, TV, and Managed Wi-Fi for commercial customers.
  • Administered MetaSwitch multi-tenant UC/CCX services for commercial accounts.
  • Tier II/III installation and troubleshooting support for field technicians and business clients in a NOC environment.
  • NOC monitoring, and maintenance across Fiber (FTTH/FTTB), Internet, Hosted Voice, TV and Managed Wi-Fi services.

Senior Systems Engineer

NetGain Technologies | Chattanooga, TN | Jul 2009 – Jul 2016
Regional MSP delivering consulting, deployment, and support services to SMB accounts with Cisco, Microsoft, and VMware solutions.

  • Designed, deployed, and managed custom solutions for route/switch, voice, security, and virtualization projects to meet client business objectives.
  • Lead engineer for the Tennessee office providing engineering guidance and project oversight.
  • Virtual CIO for business clients as part of NetGain MSP program.
  • Specialized in Cisco UC/CCX, Microsoft Exchange and VMware solutions.

Senior Network Engineer

Intelligent Systems & Networking | Chattanooga, TN | May 1998 – Jul 2009
SMB-focused IT consulting firm; acquired by NetGain Technologies in 2009.

  • Delivered infrastructure consulting and support across Microsoft, VMware and Cisco platforms.
  • Specialized in Exchange, VMware, Cisco route/switch and security solutions.

Recent Projects

  • Enterprise UC/CCX migration and implementation covering 300+ users, porting 400+ numbers, 5 national offices, offshore call centers, and advanced API-based call routing.
  • Developed in-house administrative tools using PowerShell, REST API and JavaScript including tools for Dialpad user and license management, large mailbox tracking, and distribution group maintenance.
  • Implemented API-driven call routing solution that checks caller ID against a national carrier identity and fraud database to reduce identity and asset theft in freight brokerage.
  • Created domain typo-squatting awareness tool using DNSTwist and PowerShell that focuses on homoglyph abuse used to impersonate legitimate domains.

Soft Skills & Strengths

Careful Troubleshooting · Root Cause Analysis · Detailed Project Planning and Implementation · Detailed Technical Documentation · Client Communication · Team Leadership · Budget-Conscious Solution Design