Introduction

  • Hello! I'm Gilbert, an IT professional with experience in technical support, system administration, and application development, with a growing focus on cloud technologies and identity management. I enjoy solving complex problems, improving processes, and building reliable solutions that create meaningful impact.

    This site serves as a place to highlight my professional experience and document my continued growth in Microsoft Azure, cloud computing, and infrastructure technologies.

    Core Technologies

    • Windows Server
    • Active Directory
    • Microsoft Azure
    • Microsoft Entra ID
    • Microsoft 365
    • Windows OS
    • Hyper-V
    • Networking Fundamentals
    • IT Support & Administration Tools

Experience

  • California Closets

    IT Systems Administrator / IT Support Technician

    August 2023 - Present

    • Windows Server 2022
    • Windows Server 2019
    • Windows Server 2012
    • Active Directory
    • Hyper-V
    • Microsoft 365
    • Microsoft Entra ID
    • Power Automate
    • Windows 11 Pro
    • Windows 10 Pro
    • Android
    • iOS
    • Bitdefender
    • ThreatDown
    • Microsoft Admin Center
    • ClickUp
    • RemotePC
    • Macrium Reflect
    • SonicWall
    • Synology NAS
    • Ubiquiti
    • 8x8 VoIP
    • Support and maintain multiple Windows Server virtual machines in a Hyper-V environment and manage five Active Directory domains supporting over 200 users across 14 offices as part of a four-member team
    • Oversee authentication, access, and identity events for over 150 user accounts in Microsoft 365 and Microsoft Entra ID
    • Resolved an authentication issue between Entra ID and a third-party application in under 20 minutes; prevented disruption to business operations supporting over $200,000 in projected revenue
    • Developed automated onboarding workflows using Power Automate and Microsoft Forms to create Entra ID accounts and assign security groups; reduced manual tasks by 85%
    • Review Bitdefender endpoint security coverage and revise protection policies to improve compliance and endpoint protection; uncovered six unused agents for reallocation
    • Configured static DHCP reservations on a SonicWall firewall and improved network reliability for 13 remote users
    • Serve as the primary point of contact for service requests across all support levels and resolve technical issues while maintaining an average resolution time of under 20 minutes
    • Coordinate with a printer vendor to manage service requests and maintain uptime for 15 Xerox printers
    • Assisted in and completed 13 projects while meeting deadlines and quality standards. Projects include:
      • migrating a critical business application server from Windows Server 2019 to 2022 with zero post-migration incidents
      • planning and enforcing Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) across the entire organization
      • a company-wide Windows 11 upgrade for over 40 workstations
      • building a server rack and patching over 60 network cables for a new office

  • Independent IT Consultant

    • IT Consulting

    • Network and Home Security Installation

    February 2022 - November 2024

    • Windows 10 Pro
    • Windows 10 Home
    • Android
    • iOS
    • eero
    • Lorex
    • Quick Assist
    • Macrium Reflect
    • Established and maintain five home networks, guaranteeing optimal functionality and security
    • Assessed environments and deployed home office setups, network configurations, and connectivity solutions
    • Guided users through Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) enrollment and remote access setup across personal and company-managed devices
    • Earned the Microsoft Certified Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900) certification with a score of 880/1000

  • Vie Networks

    • IT Help Desk Technician

    • Application Developer

    October 2020 - February 2022

    • Held a hybrid role in IT Support and Application Development
    • Supported over 20 Windows-based client environments, managed domain services, system configurations, and resolved environment-specific issues as part of a three-member team
    • Used ConnectWise Control for remote access and ConnectWise Manage to document requests and resolutions

  • IT Help Desk Technician

    October 2020 - February 2022

    • Windows Server 2016
    • Windows Server 2012
    • Windows Server 2008
    • Active Directory
    • Microsoft 365
    • Windows 10 Pro
    • Windows 7 Pro
    • Android
    • iOS
    • SentinelOne
    • Microsoft Admin Center
    • ConnectWise Control
    • Connectwise Manage
    • Macrium Reflect
    • Acronis
    • SonicWall
    • Synology NAS
    • Rockus
    • Ubiquiti
    • Delivered on-site and remote support across 20 Windows-based environments as part of a three-member IT operations team
    • Administered user provisioning for an Active Directory domain supporting over 100 endpoints, including SonicWall VPN access, Microsoft 365 license management, and workstation deployment
    • Integrated and supported an internal business application with a multi-user database on Windows Server 2016 to enable secure concurrent access while maintaining 99% uptime
    • Completed over 30 hardware upgrades, including memory and storage upgrades; maintained a 98% success rate in returning systems to operational status within a 45-minute maintenance window
    • Identified root causes of recurring system and application service incidents and created documented support procedures that reduced repeat incidents and improved operational stability
    • Monitored Synology NAS units for disk failures and storage issues while maintaining a 99% backup job success rate
    • Participated in eight IT projects, including:
      • restructuring Microsoft 365 security groups and distribution lists across three tenants
      • migrating 13 network printers from Windows Server 2012 to 2019
      • upgrading SentinelOne agents across endpoints while ensuring uninterrupted security coverage and minimal user impact
      • Deployed and configured VoIP phones while maintaining uninterrupted communication and minimizing operational disruptions.
      • installation and configuration of RUCKUS wireless access points during a renovation of an office complex with over 30 offices

  • Application Developer

    October 2020 - February 2022

    • SceneBuilder
    • Microsoft Access
    • Pivotal Tracker
    • diagrams.net (draw.io)
    • Developed and implemented Graphical User Interface (GUI) applications as the sole developer
    • Collaboratively led requirements gathering and prioritization with clients and management while managing product backlogs using Pivotal Tracker
    • Designed Entity-Relationship (ER) diagrams and UML diagrams to ensure seamless integration between database and application development efforts
    • Accelerated development by creating four functional GUI prototypes using SceneBuilder; completed tasks 12% faster than assigned target dates
    • Presented project plans to clients, developed schedules, and negotiated deliverables and deadlines with both clients and management
    • Reduced development costs by incorporating open-source tools and libraries into the development process
    • Key Project: Purchase Order Manager

  • Ace Hardware

    • Head of Electrical

    • Sales Associate

    • Desktop Support

    June 2012 - October 2020

    • Collaborated with colleagues to deliver customer service across all departments, providing assistance to 40 customers daily in-person and over the phone
    • Oversaw customer service and inventory for the electrical department and facilitated inter-store transfers in collaboration with the parent store
    • Voluntarily troubleshot hardware, network, and software issues across 12 Windows (7 and 10) workstations
    • Improved workforce productivity by configuring eight locally connected Dymo printers as network printers

Continuing Education

Education

  • University at Albany, State University of New York

    • Bachelor of Science in Computer Science

    2018 - 2020

    While attending the University at Albany, I built a strong foundation in software development and strengthened my teamwork, communication, and project management skills through collaborative projects and team-based assignments. I graduated cum laude with a cumulative GPA of 3.49 and was honored with the Spellman Academic Achievement Award.

    Throughout my studies, I gained exposure to various technologies and projects that expanded my technical knowledge and practical experience. I also collaborated on a Software Engineering project called "Test Maker," where my team developed a web application while gaining hands-on experience with Microsoft Azure and modern development practices.

    Cloud and Systems

    • Microsoft Azure
    • Microsoft Entra ID (Formerly Azure AD)
    • Azure App Service
    • Azure SQL Database
    • Windows OS

    Programming and Development

    • Java
    • C#
    • C
    • C++
    • ASP.NET
    • SQL Server
    • Visual Studio
    • Eclipse
    • Android Studio
    • Git

Projects

  • Purchase Order Manager

    github.com/gil-alvarado/PO_MANAGER
    • Java
    • JavaFX
    • SQL
    • Microsoft Access
    • UCanAccess
    • Apache Maven
    • Apache POI
    • Microsoft Word
    • Windows 10
    • Windows 7
    • Windows Server 2016
    • Built an internal GUI application using the Model-View-Controller (MVC) design pattern to streamline purchasing operations across Windows 7 and Windows 10 platforms
    • Designed and deployed a shared Microsoft Access database on Windows Server 2016 to enable secure multi-user access and centralized data management
    • Integrated the UCanAccess JDBC driver to support application-level validation and optimize PO data access and management within the Access database
    • Improved end user productivity by implementing unidirectional data binding to dynamically search, tabulate, and filter PO data based on user-specified parameters
    • Developed a custom reporting module that used over 20 SQL queries and Apache POI, an open-source Java API for handling Microsoft Office file formats, to generate summary reports
    • Built a custom reporting module leveraging SQL queries and Apache POI (Java API for Microsoft Office formats) to produce operational summary reports
    • Installed, configured, and maintained the application on 12 on-site and remote Windows 10 and Windows 7 workstations; maintained 99% system uptime over a 14-month period
    • Fulfilled all functional and supplemental requirements as specified by the client

  • Test Maker

    github.com/gil-alvarado/Opon-Source-418
    • MS Azure
    • Azure App Service
    • Azure SQL Database
    • Azure Active Directory
    • Azure Application Insights
    • C#
    • SQL
    • MS SQL Server
    • Collaborated with a team of six developers to implement an open-source ASP.NET MVC web application with a user base of 40 students
    • Managed the setup of an Azure environment and migrated an SQL Server database to Azure SQL Database to deploy a fully functional application on Azure App Service
    • Integrated Azure Active Directory for secure authentication and authorization of users accessing the application
    • Used Application Insights for performance monitoring and maintained a 99.99% uptime over eight months
    • Used Cost Management for real-time spending tracking and configured budget alerts using Cost Alerts

A Little More About Me

  • Soccer/Football Enthusiast

    Soccer has been a passion of mine since childhood. I love playing the game and following my favorite team, Liverpool FC. Whether watching live matches or participating in friendly competitions, soccer brings me joy. Check out this video of LFC during their visit to the States.

  • Lamp Repair Specialist

    One of my unique skills is lamp repair. I have honed my craftsmanship and attention to detail to bring new life to old or damaged lamps. From rewiring to replacing components, I enjoy restoring functionality and beauty to these cherished pieces.