Observe
Know what the network is doing — and why.
NMS architecture, SNMP/SNMPv3, traps, polling, MIBs/OIDs, OpenTelemetry, Prometheus, Grafana, Splunk and event management.
NMSSNMPTelemetryObservability
Enterprise NetOps & Observability Architect
I turn large, multi-vendor operational networks into observable, automated, reliable platforms.
I bridge technical and business audiences, turning deep systems work into clear outcomes leaders can act on.
25+ Years
75,000+ Devices
99.999% Availability
Idea → POC → Prod Delivery
I raise the waterline — building systems, standards, and teams that operate better after I leave.
Three operating disciplines
Observe. Automate. Operationalize.
Foundational network-management depth meets modern automation and observability. The tools change; the operating model stays disciplined.
Automate
Turn operational knowledge into repeatable execution.
Python, Ansible, APIs, F5, Nautobot, GitOps and source-of-truth workflows across complex multi-vendor estates.
PythonAnsibleAPIsNautobot
Operationalize
Move the design from whiteboard to production.
POCs, HA/DR, validation, rollback, runbooks, handoff and mentoring — with production operations designed in from day one.
POC → ProdHA / DRValidationMentoring
Code-enabled architecture
When architecture needs code, I build the missing piece.
Development is part of the architecture toolkit: integrations, automation, validation, data handling and the glue between platforms.
Flagship work
Five enterprise patterns. Real implementation depth.
Built as an interview proof deck: fast to scan, with enough architecture detail to go deep when the conversation does.
01
Platform / Observe / Automate
Enterprise NetOps & Observability Platform
Modernized the operational backbone around source-of-truth, automation, telemetry and resilient data services for a global enterprise environment.
- Source-of-truth and IPAM/DNS modernization
- Automation and application-integration standards
- HA/DR, documentation and operational handoff
NautobotAnsibleKafkaGrafanaSplunkPostgreSQL
ScaleGlobal back office
OutcomeIntegrated operations
02
Observe / Operations
Grafana / NMS Operations Command Center
Built an operations experience that brought heterogeneous infrastructure and business data into a secure, actionable command surface.
- Reusable dashboards and NOC/kiosk views
- Topology, geography and real-time alerting
- Secure reverse-proxy and resilient data architecture
GrafanaOpenNMSNGINXKafkaCassandraSplunk
Scale99.999% availability
Outcome8 minute MTTR
03
Automate / Network
F5 Automation Sentinel
A production-grade automation pattern for safe BIG-IP lifecycle work: discover first, validate before and after, preserve rollback, and make every change auditable.
- HA-aware discovery and orchestration
- Precheck/postcheck validation gates
- Rollback, auditability and declarative patterns
F5 BIG-IPAnsibleiControl RESTAS3GitOpsPython
ScaleLifecycle automation
OutcomeSafety + repeatability
04
Platform / Automate
Nautobot Secure Source-of-Truth Lab
A hardened, automation-ready Nautobot implementation pattern connecting network intent, APIs and operational workflows.
- Secure deployment and hardening guidance
- Source-of-truth workflow design
- API-driven automation and extensibility
NautobotRHELPostgreSQLSELinuxAnsibleREST APIs
View implementation guide → ScaleProduction pattern
OutcomeMachine-readable intent
05
Observe / Network
NMS Modernization at Scale
Deep network-management fundamentals applied across generations of tooling — from protocol-level telemetry to service-aware observability and automation.
- Multi-vendor monitoring architecture
- Collection strategy: polling, traps and counters
- Modernization from device monitoring to operational intelligence
SNMPv3TrapsPollingMIBs/OIDsSolarWindsOpenNMS
Scale75,000+ devices
Outcome6 vendor families
Proof of trust
Trusted by leaders, managers & peers.
The technical story is stronger when the people who worked alongside it independently say the same thing.
“Adaptable, intellectually curious and self-directed — equally willing to work across cutting-edge and legacy systems.”
“Deep understanding of complex technical challenges, paired with creativity, precision and a collaborative learning mindset.”
“Mentoring, knowledge sharing and proactive ownership that elevates the capability of the organization around him.”
Professional Experience
25+ years driving infrastructure reliability and automation excellence
✓ Current Position
Senior Automation Engineer
Foresight Tech Sourcing Inc.
January 2025 - Present
Remote
- Serving as technical lead and architect driving innovative automation engineering solutions
- Leveraging cutting-edge technology to enhance site reliability and performance
- Leading CI/CD pipeline development and DevOps transformation initiatives
- Fostering excellence in every project through innovative automation strategies
Continuous Integration (CI) DevOps Automation Engineering Site Reliability
Technical Lead, Automation DevOps
Transaction Network Services
January 2022 - September 2025
Virginia, United States (Remote)
- Spearheaded comprehensive transformation of DevOps core structure
- Overhauled source of truth data repositories (IPAM, DNS, SOT, Code Revision)
- Implemented standardized DevOps orchestrations using Ansible and MuleSoft
- Established documentation standards through GitLab and MkDocs
- Led large-scale implementation aligning with zero-touch provisioning strategy
- Maintained stringent high-security standards for data integrity
Network Automation DevOps Ansible GitLab MuleSoft Splunk
⭐ Achieved Five 9s (99.999%) Uptime
Sr. NMS Engineer
Transaction Network Services
January 2015 - January 2021
Reston, Virginia (Hybrid)
- Deployed SolarWinds solution for SNMP/ICMP polling and NCM management
- Developed Network Automation engine with MongoDB asynchronous communication
- Achieved 99.999% availability for enterprise monitoring platform
- Designed and deployed OpenNMS (v22.01 → v27.0.1) with DR/HA architecture
- Built Grafana integration with 6+ data sources (Remedy, Cassandra, Kafka, Splunk)
- Implemented Cassandra 3-node cluster and PostgreSQL 12 cluster with DR failover
- Reduced MTTR from 45 minutes to 8 minutes (82% improvement)
- Provided 24/7 operational support for mission-critical financial systems
OpenNMS Grafana SolarWinds PostgreSQL Cassandra Apache Kafka BMC Remedy Network Management
Senior Application Architect
Transaction Network Services
June 2000 - March 2015
Reston, Virginia (Hybrid)
- Deployed IT solutions for financial and operations sectors
- Primary integration developer for 6+ major applications
- Provided consultative guidance to junior architects
- Managed end-to-end website development for custom applications
- Maintained applications with 24/7 support for SLA commitments
Integration Full-Stack Development Architecture Database Management
Certifications & Professional Development
Automating Networks with Python II
Network to Code
April 2025 • Current
ID: 193_5_13317_1744980730
Automating Nautobot with Python & Ansible Workshop
Network to Code
December 2024 • Current
ID: 155_5_13317_1734473903
Nautobot Config Compliance & Remediation w/ Golden Config
Network to Code
December 2024 • Expires December 2034
ID: I-D19PVG
Nautobot Extensibility Workshop
Network to Code
December 2024 • Current
ID: 154_5_13317_1734447661
ITIL 4 Foundation Certificate in IT Service Management
PeopleCert
November 2024 • Expires November 2027
ID: GR67170837OWL
ITIL-4 Foundation CertifiedCollaborative Workflows with Git and GitHub
Network to Code
October 2023 • Current
Network Programming and Automation
Network to Code
October 2023 • Current
SolarWinds Certified Professional
SolarWinds
October 2015 • Expired October 2020
ID: SCP4816
Continuous Learning Path
Currently expanding expertise in MLOps, Kubernetes (CKA certification path), and Platform Engineering to stay at the forefront of SRE evolution.
Get In Touch
Interested in discussing SRE challenges, DevOps transformation, or potential collaboration? Let's connect.
GitHub
github.com/willyd61Location
Carolina Beach, NC