Cliff Titus
Systems Engineer
  • Tucson,
  • Arizona,
  • United States of America
Member Since: 2016/12/25
Industry: Computer & IT
Tech Certifications:
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I am a very detail oriented person.  In order to get something right, you need to know how all the parts work.

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Education
Pima Community College
Associates
General Studies
2007 – 2010
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Professional Background
President and CEO
Titus Source LLC
August 2010 – Present
Tucson
After a great deal of time working in the Information Technology industry, I came to the realization that my skills were needed to help businesses reduce infrastructure costs and remain competitive in the technological age.  Instead of having a sideline business as this was intended when formed in 2010, I decided that in 2016 it was time to make this the primary focus of my activities.  This is when I decided to change the face of my company and start doing business as TitusSource Business IT Solutions.

I can work with a variety of Windows and Linux operating systems.  I am very familiar with VMWare virtualization technologies.  I have a good deal of network experience, and I am capable of working on Cisco Systems networking equipment.  I am also familiar with cloud technologies, and I am fairly adept with GSuite (formerly Google Apps).  I have limited experience with voice over IP technologies, but for smaller solutions I am very capable of providing this service.

Feel free to browse my previous experience.  If you have a special request in mind, feel free to contact me and if I can provide the service you are looking for I will, or I may be able to refer you to someone who has the necessary skillset required.

Primary client focus is the support of small to large businesses, including enterprises.  Home consumer work is generally not performed, but will be performed as long as the consumers are agreeable to service rates - which reflects my skillset and capabilities.  Most often consumers only need a "computer technician" with a relatively low skillset, and as long as the problem does not concern advanced configuration of hardware/software they can perform home services sufficiently at a lower rate.
Network Administrator
Willcox Unified School District
March 2016 – September 2016
Willcox, AZ
Supporting Willcox Unified School District as an on-site network administrator.  This was a small department.  Many jobs performed were not specifically my area of employ, but were to support other members of the team.
•      Configuration and deployment of Cisco Systems networking infrastructure.
•      Salvaging used Cisco equipment in storage to replace failing infrastructure switches....
•      Salvaging used computer equipment in storage to replace failing endpoints and for IT usage....
•      Ubiquiti AirFiber24 configuration and management for extremely short (1700 ft) wireless point-to-point 1Gbps
•      Creation and deployment of group policy
•      Creation and deployment of batch scripts
•      Configuration and management of VMWare vCenter infrastructure
•      Administration of physical and virtual Windows Servers ranging from 2008 to 2012R2
•      Visio documentation of network layout and other endpoints within the campus network.
•      Configuration and management of Sophos Anti-Virus on-premise solution
•      Configuration and management of Sophos Web Appliance for censorship of internet, whitelisting of approved sites, and  
        monitoring of student activity.
•      Configuration and management of Google Application Directory Sync from Microsoft Active Directory Domain.
•      Configuration and management of GMAIL within Google Apps for Education
•      Management of Google Apps enterprise features and limitations for students and staff.
•      Deployment of Google Apps to managed Chromebook and Chromebox devices.
•      Management of file servers and Google Drive for students and staff.
•      Management of iOS and Mac endpoints within a predominantly Microsoft infrastructure.
•      Experimentation with Neverware Cloudready ("normal" computer Chromebox/book conversion)
•      Taking detailed notes of assignments
•      Assigned work by the IT Director of the District in addition to self-assignment to other tickets when time was permitted.
•      Acting as a resource to junior and senior members of the IT Department.
Technical Consultant
Integrated Axis Group, LLC
June 2014 – January 2016
Tucson
Integrated Axis restructured as Integrated Axis Group in 2014.  My duties expanded at our client Watermark Retirement Communities during this time, and some of my previous duties required by the former structure of Integrated Axis were rescinded.

Supporting Watermark Retirement Communities (an Integrated Axis Group client) as onsite Systems Administrator
•       Regional travel for on-site survey of new acquisitions obtained by Watermark Retirement
      Communities to determine what equipment will be needed at new communities to
integrate with our systems.
•      Regional travel to install new equipment at remote locations.
•      Infrastructure wiring
•      Configuration and deployment of physical and virtual servers utilizing both VMWare vCenter and Microsoft Hyper-V virtualization platforms and various Windows Desktop and Server operating systems.
•      Configuration and deployment of Cisco Meraki networking infrastructure
•      Creation and deployment of group policy
•      Documentation of network layout and deployment of hosts and devices within a network environment using Visio.
•      Acting as a resource to other junior members on my team to expedite the resolution of work orders.
•      Training other members of my team on processes or common problems experienced within this environment
•       Installation and removal of software through group policy/batch scripting
•       Configuration and imaging of desktop workstations
•       Troubleshoot problems within Sharepoint 2007
•       Troubleshoot problems within Office Suites 2003‐2013
•       Creating and removing mailboxes within Exchange 2007
•       Remote support through RDP, LogMeIn Rescue, VNC, N-Able and GoToManage.
•       Remote management and configuration of network printers
•       Review and tracking of work orders within BMC TrackIt! Self‐assignment to open work orders
•       Completed trouble‐tickets as assigned
•       Supporting Sharepoint 2007
•       Working with workstations ranging from Windows XP to Windows 8
•       Taking detailed notes of assignments
Onsite Technician
Integrated Axis
December 2010 – June 2014
Tucson
Supporting Watermark Retirement Communities (an Integrated Axis client) as onsite IT Helpdesk
•      Preparation of Windows Servers: SBS2011, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Server 2008
•      Preparation of VMWare ESXi hosts: ESXi 4.1 and ESXi 5.0
•      Creation and deployment of group policy
•      Installation and removal of software through group policy/batch scripting
•      Configuration and imaging of desktop workstations
•      Troubleshoot problems within Sharepoint 2007
•      Troubleshoot problems within Office Suites 2003-2010
•      Creating and terminating employee credentials across multiple domains
•      Creating and removing mailboxes within Exchange 2007
•      Creating mailboxes through other out-sourced e-mail services
•      Remote support through RDP, LogMeIn Rescue, VNC, and GoToManage.
•      Remote management of network printers
•      Review and tracking of work orders within Numara TrackIt!  Self-assignment to open work orders
•      Completed trouble-tickets as assigned
•      Supporting Sharepoint 2007
•      Working with workstations ranging from Windows XP to Windows 7
•      Taking detailed notes of assignments
Field Technician (Temporary)
City of Tucson
September 2010 – December 2010
Tucson
Setting up the network to be easily managed, and assisting in the migration of user login from Novell to Active Directory.  This job was scheduled to be a 2 to 10 week position.
•      Adding computer accounts to the new AD domain with the use of provided .vbe scripts. Manual addition of computer to domain when necessary
•      Ensuring that the "BigFix" (asset management software) client is installed on all machines
•      Ensuring that Symantec Endpoint Security version 11 client is installed on all machines
•      Performing memory upgrades on desktops and laptops
•      Hardware and software troubleshooting
•      Deploying and capturing images using FOG open source imaging software
•      Taking a physical inventory of all computers within the City of Tucson's network; updating spreadsheet list of computers that are known to the City by organizational unit
•      Taking detailed notes of assignments
•      Completing open trouble tickets as assigned
•      Working with workstations ranging from Windows 2000 to Windows 7
•      Assisting temporary and non-temporary Field Technicians as necessary
Technology Maintenance  Technician
Willcox Unified School District
January 2006 – January 2007
Willcox, AZ
Management of Cisco Call Manager.  Solving VoIP telephony problems.  Research on new software and equipment.  Troubleshooting problems on workstation and network levels.  Management of Windows servers.
•      Administration, Maintenance, Deployment, and Management of Windows Servers and their software systems (Under supervision of Network Administrator)
•      Management and administration of users and computers within Active Directory
•      Repair of desktop and laptop computers
•      Installation, maintenance and repair of printers (laserjet and inkjet, local and network installs)
•      Recovery of lost data during system failures when possible
•      Work in a mixed domain environment (Windows 2000 and 2003 servers)
•      Maintenance of computer workstations ranging from Windows 98 to Windows XP.
•      Maintenance and repair of Windows servers (2000 and 2003 servers)
•      Cat-5E cable runs
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Full Biography

I started "working in IT" when I was a teenager, repairing personal computers for people where I grew up.  It was the third job I took as a teen.  The first two were in restaurants...  Over the course of a year or so working in restaurants at near minimum wage circa 2002, I realized that this was a dead end for me long before many adults make the same realization.  I possessed novice computer skills because I was into computer gaming; and when my computer broke, it was me that had to fix it in order to keep playing.  I possessed novice networking skills...  This was before the common availability of high-speed internet, and I lived in rural Willcox, AZ with an old copper phone wire that would only support 24-26 kbps of data transfer on a 56k dial-up modem.  So when we played computer games back then; we lugged them around to LAN parties.  Willcox Highschool from I believe 2002 to about 2006 that district employed a great man; Carlton "Mike" Wilson Jr.  He worked as the systems/network administrator for the district, but also taught a computer class two periods of the school day.  He was a great mentor to me and many students who went through his class.  He was certified to teach the Cisco NetAcad courses for college credit at my high school...  In a BIG way he was the person who started me on this path in a truly professional manner and he taught me many of the skills that served as a foundation for later in my career.  Willcox Unified lost a priceless resource when they did not court him, and allowed him to leave for bigger and better things in his career.

Since that time I've worked for several companies over the last 10 years, and I'm sure that most of those who managed me were greatly impressed with my ability to own a project to completion regardless of my knowledge in the area ahead of the project.  I have a technical mind, a natural knack for figuring out problems with machines and electronics...  I believe this was instilled in me as a child by my father who is a GENIUS mechanic (not by trade, he was a Railroad Engineer for Southern Pacific and then later Northern Pacific railroads, but he obtained his degree from the University of Arizona as a Zoologist and for that reason had the scientific method impressed into the way he approaches ANY problem).  For me, IT made sense.  The problems weren't the same as with a mechanical system, but in my mind they work the same.  Instead of a physical failure due to wear and tear on a component, the "physical" wear is something that breaks over time due to a feature update or security update.  Components on computers burn out just like sensors in modern automobiles (which collect data for THEIR onboard computers...); just because something has failed doesn't mean it's time to replace it...  but it takes someone knowledgeable in hardware to know when it IS time to replace it so you aren't "nickel and  dimed" to death by expensive and increasingly unavailable parts with the added negative of potentially being unable to utilize innovative and cutting edge technologies and software in your environment.  There are MANY software and service providers out there who offer services or products with very similar goals in mind, or items that are nearly identical to other leaders in the market.  It can be very difficult for someone without the necessary technical skills to assess new tools and be able to apply them to your own business environment.  I pride myself in being able to provide several cost-effective options and allowing a customer to make an informed decision on how they would want their business to evolve.

Thankfully the trend I have noticed is that if you are not a large enterprise operation, you can start outsourcing your infrastructure to cloud services like AWS at a rate that is much lower overall than an investment in new physical architecture for your business.  Even large enterprises can explore the option of cloud infrastructure, but in many cases cloud infrastructure is billed according to how much it is used.  The more load on those cloud based infrastructures, the higher the cost for that service.  In many cases the higher the availability of your cloud based resources, the higher cost  for that service as well.

My personal interests include working on classic cars, marksmanship based sports, hiking, the outdoors in general, spending time with my girlfriend and family, and my passion is paintball..

Check out my professional profile if you'd like more career specific information, http://www.linkedin.com/in/crtitusiii

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Languages
English
Native or Bilingual Proficiency

Level Progress

Current: Level 1
Cliff needs 5,782 points to level up.
LVL 2
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