Overseeing day-to-day cybersecurity operations, risk management, and compliance within the healthcare sector, ensuring the protection of sensitive data and critical infrastructure. Managing security monitoring, incident response, and threat mitigation while optimizing cloud security frameworks and integrating DevOps practices for scalable, resilient systems. Collaborating with cross-functional teams to enforce security policies, conduct risk assessments, and maintain regulatory compliance with standards like HIPAA. Beyond cybersecurity, a deep commitment to humanitarian efforts and adventure fuels my leadership—whether responding to emergencies as an EMT, instructing SCUBA diving, or leading wilderness rescues, bringing a unique blend of technical expertise, adaptability, and crisis management to every challenge.

― Leadership

In my previous roles, I've consistently demonstrated ownership by taking initiative and responsibility for both the strategic and technical aspects of cybersecurity in healthcare. As a senior engineer specializing in cloud architecture and software development, I've led projects to design secure and scalable cloud solutions. This not only involved hands-on development and deployment but also required proactive risk management and adherence to compliance standards, ensuring that every facet of our systems was robust against potential threats.

Beyond the technical, my commitment to ownership extends into my personal life, where I serve as a wilderness EMT and a scuba instructor. These roles demand a high level of personal accountability, decisiveness, and the ability to lead and educate others in high-stakes environments. For instance, as a wilderness EMT, I am responsible for making critical medical and logistical decisions during emergencies, directly impacting the safety and well-being of others. As a scuba instructor, I ensure that safety protocols are strictly followed and that my students are well-prepared to handle the challenges of diving.

These experiences have ingrained a strong sense of ownership in all facets of my life, ensuring that I bring a comprehensive, responsible, and proactive approach to every project and team I lead.

― My background

Throughout my dynamic career, I've embraced various phases, each shaping my approach and work philosophy today. My journey has not only shaped my professional ethos—it has also guided my personal commitments. I became a licensed EMT, and advanced to Wilderness-EMT, to fulfill a deep-seated desire to help others in critical times, blending my problem-solving skills with compassionate care. Passionate about maintaining a healthy work-life balance, I also pursued SCUBA diving, becoming an Open Water Specialty Instructor. These experiences enrich my life and work, enabling me to inspire and lead with resilience and adaptability.

― Skills

Leadership
Communication
Critical thinking
Strategic planning
Risk management
Cost management
Team development

― Work experience

Cloud Architect

T-Mobile / 2018 - 2023

Spearheaded cloud initiatives that modernized infrastructure architecture to enhance security. Formulated and executed comprehensive AWS cloud strategies, ensuring the deployment of scalable, secure, and cost-effective solutions. Involved in elevating team proficiency by delivering tailored training in basic cloud computing skills, effectively aligning staff capabilities with evolving cloud objectives. This comprehensive approach allowed for continuous improvement in cloud deployment strategies, optimization of resource utilization, and the cultivation of a forward-thinking, security-conscious team environment. Leadership in these areas not only strengthened cloud infrastructure but also supported a broader business goals by improving system reliability and performance.

― Education

American InterContinental University

Master's degree, Business Administration / 2004 - 2006

― PERSONAL

Wilderness-Emergency Medical Technician (W-EMT)

Issued Dec 2022 · Expires Mar 2028
Credential ID B-76507

Information System Security Officer

Western Missouri Medical Center  / 2021 - Present

Responsibilities included drafting and implementing security strategies and policies to protect critical health-related data and systems, while leading cybersecurity teams to execute initiatives that bolster infrastructure robustness and resource management. Prioritizing risk management and ensuring compliance with HIPAA standards, as well as fostering a security-centric culture. The position also entails managing external vendor risks to enhance the overall security posture, monitoring IT systems for vulnerabilities, and developing resilient infrastructure against potential breaches. Direct collaboration with the C-Level team aligns security strategies with organizational goals, and involves working closely with CISA and other agencies to maintain national security standards and effective incident responses.

"Big"

Big Brothers/Big Sisters / 2021

Senior Operations Manager

NETSCOUT / 2015 - 2018

Transformed and automated data center operations using Infrastructure as Code (IaC), managing the platform with Terraform for infrastructure orchestration and Ansible for configuration management to guarantee uniform and dependable deployments. Led cross-departmental collaborations to align IT infrastructure initiatives with broader business objectives. Drove continuous improvement practices in operational processes, significantly reducing costs and increasing efficiency. Developed and mentored a team of IT professionals, enhancing their skills in automation technologies and agile methodologies. Championed a proactive approach to system security and compliance, ensuring all operations adhered to industry standards and company policies.

Principal Architect

Comcast / 2008 - 2014

Fostered close collaboration with cross-functional teams to ensure the resilience of systems and delivered clear communications across all organizational levels. Spearheaded strategic initiatives to drive architectural excellence and innovation. Mentored and guided technical teams, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and skill enhancement. Led the development and implementation of best practices in system design and integration, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and industry standards.

West Texas A&M University

Bachelor's degree, Computer Science / 1998 - 2004

Amarillo College

Associate's degree, Architecture [Machine Design] / 1993 - 1995

Amarillo College

Associate's degree, Architecture / 1992 - 1994

Open Water Specialty SCUBA Instructor

Issued Feb 2024
Pro ID: 108266

Wilderness First Responder

Issued Jul 2024 · Expires Jul 2026
Credential ID: NOLS 24-WMIN-F2-4179

Speaker: Missouri Association of Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons

Physician's Guide to Cyber-Safety and Social Media

Founder: Parental Alienation Support & Education Database

PASEDB: Parental Alienation Support/Education Database is designed to bring awareness to the atrocities of Parental Alienation. Help parents and families find some footing and obtain a basic understanding of Parental Alienation while being stuck in horrific family courts with out of touch, corrupt attorneys and judges. The site is non-profit and all of the software is freely available under the GPL-3 license.

Chief Information Security Officer

Western Missouri Medical Center  / 2025- Present

Leading enterprise-wide cybersecurity initiatives to align security strategies with business objectives, regulatory compliance, and risk management. Driving the adoption of cutting-edge security technologies, ensuring adherence to HIPAA and GDPR, and fostering a security-first culture through awareness programs. Enhancing risk management frameworks, directing incident response efforts, and shaping cybersecurity strategies to mitigate evolving threats while safeguarding the organization’s digital assets.

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