Automation, security, reliability
Rich Jenkins
IT leader with 20+ years in systems, networks and cloud, and almost 12 years in the fire service. AWS Certified Solutions Architect. I streamline onboarding, harden identity and reduce SaaS waste with automation across Okta, Intune, AWS and Azure.
- Okta Workflows and PowerShell for user lifecycle
- AWS and Azure with Terraform and GitHub Actions
- CIS baselines, CrowdStrike, SSO and SCIM
- License reclamation and cost reporting
20+
years in IT
11.5
years with Hickory Fire Department
1,000+
users and devices supported
5
professional certifications
Tools
- Okta
- Intune
- Meraki
- CrowdStrike
- Terraform
- GitHub Actions
- AWS
- Azure
About
From the fire service to IT
I build reliable IT platforms for growing teams: simpler stacks, cleaner access and a tighter security posture. I document what matters and automate the rest.
I started in IT in 2006 as a network technician at a bank and have spent the years since building and running networks, identity systems and cloud platforms for organizations of every size, from a country club to a nationwide company with more than a thousand users.
For almost 12 years I also served with the Hickory Fire Department, first as a Senior Firefighter and then as a Fire Apparatus Operator who also served as Acting Company Officer. I helped manage the department’s technology budget and advised on technology purchases, installation and maintenance, and in April 2015 I received the Dedicated Service Award from the Western North Carolina Association of Firefighters.
That background shapes how I work: systems people rely on should hold up on the worst day, not only the easy ones. My 11.5 years in the fire service taught me to stay calm under pressure, lead teams in critical situations and adopt new technology quickly, and I carry those skills into IT leadership. I also founded Inferno45, an independent company for mobile apps and IT services.
Experience
IT experience
Application Development Support Supervisor
Current role
IT Systems Administrator
- Supported 1,000+ users and consolidated 10+ offices with Meraki.
- Rolled out CrowdStrike to ~1,000 endpoints and managed 700+ Intune devices.
- Automated onboarding, offboarding and access with Okta Workflows and PowerShell.
- Reduced recurring SaaS spend through audits and deprovisioning.
- Partnered with the Head of IT to develop and run corporate IT strategy focused on security, automation and scalability.
- Owned the nationwide corporate office network, keeping it available for in-office and hybrid work.
- Served as technical owner and subject matter expert for Okta, Google Workspace and Microsoft 365.
- Managed the full endpoint lifecycle for 1,000+ remote macOS and Windows devices with Intune and Kandji.
- Built automation workflows for user lifecycle management, IT operations and system efficiency.
- Managed AWS and Azure virtualization for a hybrid workforce.
- Senior technical escalation point for 1,000+ global users, mentoring junior IT staff and writing technical documentation.
IT Support Specialist
- Resolved technical issues for a worldwide workforce, onsite and remote, while maintaining a campus-wide data, voice and surveillance network.
- Administered SaaS portals across departments, handled user lifecycle tasks and documented IT processes.
- Migrated identity and email platforms and refreshed SOPs.
- Worked with the Chief Technology Officer to plan and drive corporate IT strategy.
Systems and Network Administrator
- Maintained voice and data networks across 5 interconnected buildings, plus data, phone and end-user support at Statesville Country Club.
- Led hardware, software, internet, phone and TV vendor contract negotiations, which saved the club money.
- Ran backups and disaster recovery for all infrastructure, and administered Office 365 including Exchange and SharePoint.
- Delivered the Office 365 migration and a campus Wi-Fi upgrade.
Systems and Network Administrator
- Designed, implemented and maintained point-to-point and point-to-multipoint wireless networks.
- Ran client consultations and wireless site surveys, and supported 1,000 wireless internet clients across western and central North Carolina.
Network Operations Engineer
- Provided software, hardware and network support for clients across several states on the East Coast, onsite and by phone.
- Designed, deployed and maintained wireless networks using Meraki and Ubiquiti, and maintained data centers.
Network Technician
- Maintained computer and telephone networks and provided desktop support for all 323 employees across 24 offices in western North Carolina.
- Developed teller software training materials for the Training Department.
Highlights
Recent work at Newfront
Numbers from my recent work at Newfront, January 2022 to June 2026.
1,000+
Users supported
10+
Offices consolidated
~1,000
CrowdStrike endpoints
700+
Intune devices
Network consolidation
Standardized Meraki across 10+ offices with SD-WAN and central monitoring.
EDR rollout
CrowdStrike to ~1,000 endpoints, with policy baselines and reporting.
Okta automation
Automated onboarding and access requests with license reclamation.
Selected work
Projects I have delivered
A sample from two decades of hands-on work, from single buildings to teams of more than a thousand.
Newfront
Endpoints and identity
Managed 1,000+ Mac and Windows devices with Intune and Kandji, with Okta, Google Workspace and Microsoft 365 as the core platforms.
Sleepme
Campus network consolidation
Consolidated a campus-wide network with Ubiquiti point-to-point radios and installed surveillance in 2 buildings.
Sleepme
Email and identity conversion
Moved 100+ users from Office 365 to Google Workspace, with MDM and antivirus rolled out to 100+ users and machines.
Rock Barn
Gigabit network and campus Wi-Fi
Converted 5 interconnected buildings to gigabit with Meraki and Ubiquiti, and supported campus Wi-Fi for 1,000+ clients.
Rock Barn
Office 365 and cloud phones
Migrated 60+ Exchange mailboxes and a large file server to SharePoint, and converted 36+ phones from an on-site PBX to a cloud PBX.
HITS TECH
Wireless at scale
Built a 500+ acre wireless-to-home system at a golf community and outdoor downtown Wi-Fi for the cities of High Point and Maiden.
Skills
What I work with
Top skills: system administration, network administration and technical support.
Identity
- Okta SSO, SCIM and Workflows
- Role design and access reviews
- License reclamation
- Google Workspace
- Microsoft 365, Exchange and SharePoint
Device and network
- Intune and Kandji at scale
- Meraki SD-WAN and Wi-Fi
- CrowdStrike policies and reporting
- Ubiquiti
- Point-to-point and point-to-multipoint wireless
- Voice and surveillance
Cloud and automation
- AWS and Azure
- Terraform
- GitHub Actions CI/CD
- PowerShell and Python
Fire service
Hickory Fire Department
11.5 years full time with the City of Hickory Fire Department.
Fire Apparatus Operator
- Operated firefighting vehicles and equipment, drove crews to emergency scenes, operated the fire pump and aerial device, and maintained apparatus.
- Served as Acting Company Officer in the absence of the Company Officer, a fill-in Captain as assigned, leading crews during multi-company incidents.
- Supported incident command and trained firefighters on new equipment and SOP updates.
- Drove technical integrations across stations.
- Helped manage the technology budget and advised on technology purchases, installation and maintenance.
Senior Firefighter
- Front line firefighter and first responder at emergency scenes and at the station.
- Dedicated Service Award, Western North Carolina Association of Firefighters, April 2015, for outstanding leadership and guidance on technical innovations and integrations.
Credentials
Certifications and education
Certifications
- AWS Certified Solutions Architect
- AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner
- Okta Certified Administrator
- Okta Certified Professional
- Certified in Cybersecurity (CC)
AWS certifications cover architecting and operations. Okta certifications cover administration, SSO and SCIM.
Education
Bachelor of Science in Fire Safety Engineering Technology, University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
Honors
Dedicated Service Award, Western North Carolina Association of Firefighters, April 2015.
Side work
Founder of Inferno45
Inferno45 is my independent company in Cornelius, North Carolina. It offers mobile app development, IT consulting, managed IT, cloud services and home IT support around Lake Norman and the Charlotte area.
Inferno45 is separate from my employer. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the City of Charlotte.