Michael McMurray

I took the initiative to optimize our in-house Filemaker solution by diving into full stack development. Using my expertise, I integrated Filemaker with Azure AD and Exchange via API to enhance its functionality. This system is now responsible for sending out thousands of automated emails each day. I also worked closely with stakeholders to automate time-intensive tasks like purchase requests and assembly instruction revisioning. Additionally, I dockerized various AWS hosted manufacturing LOB apps to improve their performance and efficiency. To ensure the security and integrity of our systems, I drafted comprehensive policies for security, risk mitigation, and hardware lifecycle management. By implementing these changes, I was able to create a more streamlined and secure workflow for our company.

During my first year at Lumencor, I spearheaded several major initiatives. I streamlined the onboarding process by developing a zero-touch provisioning process, saving valuable time for HR, managers, and IT. I also configured and deployed several solutions, including Jamf Pro, Connect and Protect, and Bitwarden, a password management solution, which greatly enhanced our security posture. Additionally, I collaborated with other teams to develop an effective technical training process for ESL employees. I migrated all 108 employees to SharePoint, which improved collaboration and efficiency across the organization. I redesigned our network stack and configured SSO for in-house and SaaS apps to simplify user experience and improve productivity. Finally, I migrated our Active Directory solution to a Hybrid AD solution, which ensured scalability and resilience for our directory. These initiatives transformed our IT infrastructure and laid the foundation for future success and scalability.

As a people person and IT professional, I have extensive experience in managing client expectations and delivering excellent customer service. I developed an advanced understanding of both Microsoft's cloud services and Google's Workspace offerings, allowing me to provide clients with expert advice and solutions tailored to their specific needs. Additionally, I designed complex networks that met the unique requirements of our clients. As a newly promoted junior system administrator, I successfully managed a variety of projects, including security audits, network build-outs, and client on-boarding. By leveraging my expertise and experience, I was able to provide clients with comprehensive solutions that met their needs and exceeded their expectations.

Working at Bellingham IT provided me with the amazing experience of working effectively in small, diverse startup team. I developed a comprehensive understanding of all operating systems, allowing me to respond efficiently to incidents, service requests, and data breaches. Additionally, I was able to provide exceptional service across a range of industries, bringing my expertise to bear in each case. One example of this is my experience conducting HIPAA compliance audits, where I demonstrated a strong commitment to maintaining the highest levels of privacy and security in healthcare environments. Overall, my diverse experience and commitment to excellence have made me a valuable asset to any team.

During my internship at SPIE, I was responsible for several IT tasks. One of my major accomplishments was developing PowerShell scripts that automated and simplified a range of IT related tasks. Additionally, I wrote multilingual KB articles and SOPs that provided staff with clear guidance on how to perform their duties effectively. Due to my interest in cybersecurity, I was allowed to work closely with the network and database administrators to assist in hardening security. This involved implementing various security measures to protect SPIE's data systems from unauthorized access and other security threats. Through my work, I gained valuable experience and skills that have been beneficial to my career in IT.

During my time as a technology consultant for Western Washington University, I provided technical support to students and professors who were learning to use educational technology in elementary and early childhood classrooms. My role was to help them understand how to use technology effectively in the classroom setting, and to troubleshoot any technical issues that they encountered. By providing this support, I was able to help ensure that students and teachers had the tools and resources they needed to succeed in their academic pursuits. I found this work to be incredibly rewarding, as I was able to help students and teachers learn and grow in their use of technology, which is increasingly important in today's digital world.

During high school, I worked as a self-employed IT contractor, providing a range of IT-related services to clients in my local community. This work allowed me to gain valuable experience in a number of areas, including troubleshooting hardware and software issues, building and repairing computers, and setting up networks for small businesses and home users. As an IT contractor, I was responsible for managing my own schedule, finding clients, and delivering high-quality work that met their specific needs. This experience taught me important skills in project management, customer service, and technical expertise, which have been valuable throughout my career. Additionally, it provided me with a solid foundation for pursuing further education and professional development in the IT field. Overall, working as a self-employed IT contractor was an invaluable experience that helped shape my career path and gave me a strong sense of independence and self-motivation.

During my time at WWU, I facilitated talks on cybersecurity and created exercises specific to exploiting vulnerabilities for future cybersecurity students and professors. Additionally, I honed my pen testing skills in WWU's cyber range and gained hands-on experience working with Wireshark. I was a lucky to have the opportunity to learn how to use the ELK stack during a real world security analyst role by working with a non-profit organization in partnership with WWU that monitors network data going to and from government facilities in Washington state. In addition, I spent some of my time in Thailand as a exchange student. That has taught me to be adaptable, flexible, and resilient. These qualities have been extremely valuable in the fast-paced and constantly changing field of IT. I have been able to quickly adapt to new technologies, processes, and methodologies, which has allowed me to stay ahead of the curve and deliver high-quality work in a timely manner.

I was proud to have achieved honor roll status in both years of my studies at Peninsula College. During my time there, I served as President of the Cyber Security Club, where I organized and led various events and activities to promote cyber safety and awareness. Since I was still high school age, I was also able to be a member of my local high school’s FIRST Robotics club where I was the Lead Designer. I was also incredibly lucky to be given the chance to be a Japanese Exchange Student for a few months. The experience gave me a unique perspective on the importance of cultural diversity and global collaboration in the field of IT. Through these experiences, I have developed a passion for using technology to drive positive change.