ABOUT ME

Hi, I'm Brad Gravesen, A production service engineer at Blackbaud and an aspring cloud engineer working toward improving my skills.

I built this page as part of the Azure Cloud Resume Challenge.

Certifications

Azure Fundamentals - AZ900

October 2023

Azure Administrator - AZ104

May 2025

Work

Blackbaud

  • Role: Production Service Engineer - April 2022 - Present
  • Responsibilities:
    • Manage VMware and UCS infrastructure across multiple data centers.
    • Collaborate with a team of engineers to upgrade, update, and optimize virtual infrastructure and compute hardware.
    • Upgrade UCS servers and infrastructure with the engineering team.
    • Keep the virtualization platform up to date and running optimally for staff, developers, and users.
    • Assist in managing Active Directory infrastructure and Windows clustering services.
    • Help with security remediation through audit cycles.
    • Automate tasks in the core data center and Active Directory using PowerShell scripting.
    • Serve as an additional scrum master to manage the intake and tracking of work using Azure DevOps.
    • Regularly facilitate standups, retrospectives, and other scrum ceremonies within the team.

Yakima Valley College

  • Role: Senior System Administrator - November 2019 - March 2022
  • Responsibilities:
    • Technical design, planning, implementation, performance tuning, and recovery procedures for all college servers and network systems.
    • Utilized technical expertise in designing, upgrading, and troubleshooting complex systems and networks.
    • Management, implementation, and supervision of configuration and installation of operating systems, services, and applications.
  • Environment Overview:
    • Managed around 70+ virtual production servers with a DR site.
    • Oversaw 700+ virtual desktops on a VDI cluster of ESXi servers.
    • Supported 700+ staff and faculty, and 4000+ students online and remotely.
  • Cyber Security and IT Operations:
    • Collaborated with the Cyber Security Engineer to implement changes for security compliance.
    • Worked on the deployment of a Graylog cloud instance using on-premise data collectors and Logstash for data cleanup.
    • Deployed Defender Endpoint to clients using Intune and SCCM for enhanced security.
    • Implemented CheckMK for full hardware and software performance monitoring and alerting.
    • Enabled improved remote access by building an Always-On VPN connection using Windows RRAS.
    • Initiated the deployment of Intune and set up the Autopilot service to increase turnaround time for student loaned laptops and new staff systems.

Allan Bros, Inc

  • Role: IT Manager - April 2017 - November 2019
  • Responsibilities:
    • Oversaw day-to-day IT operations and ensured systems availability for warehouse and business operations.
    • Managed a team of IT operations technicians and developers.
    • Ensured smooth and functional access to business and packing line systems and data.
    • Led projects to successful completion.
    • Collaborated with groups like shipping, production, and field operations to meet their IT needs.
  • Major Project: Implementation of IT Ticketing System:
    • Implemented a new IT ticketing system using ServiceDesk Plus.
    • Previous ticket system was limited and accessible only to internal staff.
    • ServiceDesk Plus enabled the rollout of a mobile-friendly product, allowing all company staff (regardless of location) to access support and request IT services.

Allan Bros, Inc

  • Role: System Administrator - March 2016 - April 2017
  • Responsibilities:
    • Managed IT servers and network for warehouse and packing line operations.
    • Ensured uptime and availability.
  • Major Projects:
    • Upgraded all server hardware and virtualization software.
    • Installed new high-end server hardware and storage.
    • Achieved a 100% improvement in performance.
    • Implemented a fully replicated DR site.
    • Deployed failover and backup services using Veeam Backup and Replication.
  • Security Responsibilities:
    • Implemented security awareness and training.
    • Utilized KnowBe4 phishing testing and training software.

Yakima Valley College

  • Role: System Administrator - August 2003 - February 2016
  • Background: Starting as the System Administrator, took over 20 old and neglected physical servers running Windows NT 4.
  • Major Upgrades:
    • Upgraded aging Windows NT domain to Windows Server 2003 and Active Directory.
    • Managed and migrated legacy Exchange 5.5 to 2000 and then into the cloud
    • Implemented VMware Vcenter, ESX and Horizon VDI
    • Implemented SharePoint server farm enviornment for college web services and sites
  • Virtualization Transition:
    • Cnsolidating 20 physical servers minimizing physical foot print to 3 VMware servers.
    • Lead efforts to grow virtualization into a major component of the college IT operations.
    • Managed over 100 virtual servers consisting of Microsoft enterprise applications, third party web servcies and data systems.
  • Automation Implementation:
    • Implemented SCCM (System Center Configuration Manager) to automate changes, deploy software, and image operating systems.
  • VDI Implementation:
    • Designed and implementated VDI enviornment using VMware Horizon View.
  • Hybrid Connectivity:
    • Laid the groundwork for hybrid on-premises and cloud connectivity and authentication using ADFS.
    • Migrated email from on-premises Exchange to Exchange Online.