Dec 31, 2011 is NOT that far away

Back on Feb 14th, I found out my company was loosing it's contract with Ameren to provide IT services.  I wrote this blog post the next day http://pscherry.blogspot.com/2011/02/looking-for-new-job.html.

Since then, there have been hundreds of job applications, some interviews, lots of consulting firms & phone calls.  I've considered buying a winery, and opening a restaurant; and even starting my own IT consulting firm.

Still, I sit here today not knowing what the future brings, because GCT (Guaranteed Computer Technology) is closing effective Dec 31, 2011.  I'm going to be honest, it scares the crap out of me because I don't know where this thing is going.

What can you do?  HELP is what I really need at this point.  Help to get in touch with someone who can give me the opportunity to show what I can do.  Help at looking at the next step.  Help knowing what I am not doing right, and why I continue to get passed over for opportunities.
My current resume can be found at: https://www.sugarsync.com/pf/D6980407_8807174_13730

All suggestions are helpful, no matter how small.

BTW: My brother-in-law has been unemployed since last Thanksgiving & could use some help too.

Project Manager Resume for Philip Scherry

SUMMARY:A highly experienced professional with over 12 years of experience supporting customers with widely differing needs. Seeking an opportunity to utilize my organizational strengths, and ability to direct a group toward completion of a common project. Work best at directing a team of people from different specialties, and other supervisors, to finish a project on time and within reasonable budgetary constraints. Effectively managed my team by empowerment of the individual and making them aware of the importance of customer support, and personal responsibility. Able to analyze the customer's desires and find the best methodology to meet their needs.

WORK EXPERIENCE:

Guaranteed Computer Technology (GCT) St. Louis, Missouri October 1998 – Present

Project Manager

• Designed network, server, workstation, and security hardware and policies based upon customer direction and consultation. While advising of the most efficient, cost effective, and secure configurations to address the current and ongoing needs.
• Evaluated customer expectations for everything from projects to simple repairs. Then communicated contracted agreements and capabilities, and adapted previously developed procedures to meet arranged needs.
• Monitored resources and budget for projects at 5 million plus dollars
• Set a weekly and monthly schedule to keep all parties informed, and publish modifications as necessary so that no one is surprised with changes.
• Led the onsite project team for Ameren’s company wide conversion of 6000+ systems to XP during 2003, while drafting documentation that is both standard and flexible. Automated inventory processes to save approximately 2000 man-hours over the year long project. And then continued the large scale XP conversion, of 2500+ systems, for the newly acquired Ameren CILCO Corporation in early 2004.
• Used MS Project to track tasks to ensure projects stayed on time and in budget.
• Created proposals with budgets for $2000+
• Improved inventory management by utilizing the customer's electronic ticket system (Remedy). This allowed better tracking of PC life-cycle, therefore eliminating unnecessary repair expenses.
• Devised proper configuration settings for printing from Xerox and HP machines. Along with scanning from both Xerox and HP multiple function machines.
• Fully designed and implemented server conversions from Windows server 2000 to server 2003. While minimizing downtime and ensuring data viability.
• Developed more efficient PC build procedures saving anywhere from 1 to 3 hours of physical “touch time” per machine. This economy of scale saved approximately $225,000 of billable time during the Ameren CILCO project.
• Efficiently managed NIMDA virus removal on 1000+ infected PCs in Ameren’s bi-state area.

Business Analyst / Lead Desk-side Service Technician

• Assign service and installation jobs to a team of 8+ technicians on a daily basis. Coordinating technician time with customer needs and expectations. Prioritizing work based upon severity of condition, and persons involved with the resolution.
• Technician for 24hour on-call server hardware support contract
• Addressed customer complaints and issues in a timely manner. Made sure it was beneficial to both the customer and Guaranteed Computer
• Organized and developed efficient policies and procedures, that were then publicized to all technicians and customers. Setting user and technician expectations for the work to be completed, and a standard time frame.
• Implemented and Performed disaster recovery procedures.
• Completed advance work via telephone and remote desktop support, thus leveraging our technician’s time onsite. This resulted in meeting additional customer needs each day.
• Gained security clearance to work in a Nuclear Power plant (Callaway) where I worked power plant outages within a highly stressful environment.
• Trained new technicians on policies and procedures for customer support.

EXPERIENCE ON ORGANIZATIONAL BOARDS:

Shining Rivers Waldorf School and Canterbury Enterprises

• Practiced conflict resolution between board members, staff, and members of the public.
• Analyzed departments written budget requests and presentations.
• Promoted organization at public events, and using online resources of: Twitter, Facebook, web pages, and blogging.
• Balanced requested budgetary amounts with available funding sources and income forecasts.
• Debated and compromised with other board members to create policy for staff to implement.
• Monitored budget inflows and outflows, and advised departments where changes may need to be made in order to keep within budget

EDUCATION:

• Webster University, St. Louis, Missouri May 2001
• Bachelor of Science in Computer Science

• St. Louis Community College, St. Louis, Missouri December 1999
• Associate in Applied Science in Information Systems

• Dale Carnegie: Effective Communications and Human Relations/Skills for Success 2009

APPLICATIONS:

• Microsoft Office
• Radia
• Remedy
• Quicken
• Norton Ghost
• Remote Desktop
• Dameware
• Ubuntu
• Novell Netware
• Windows Server 2008 R2 and Hyper-V configurations
• Google Apps (Gmail, Calendar, Docs)
• Dropbox, SugarSync, and Carbonite
• Visio
• EDM
• SCCM

AWARDS AND MEMBERSHIPS:

• CompTIA Server+ Certification
• Boy Scouts of America, Scoutmaster Troop 361, Eagle Scout (1995) 1989 – 2007
• Dell certification on: desktops, laptops, and servers
• Knights of Columbus (3rd degree)

LINKEDIN PROFILE: http://www.linkedin.com/in/pscherry78

TWITTER: http://www.twitter.com/pscherry78

Working late for Scherry Consulting

Why would I be up at 4am?
  Indegestion - NO
  Kids awake - Not tonight
  Party all night - It's been MANY years since it has been this late.
  Is there a server down somewhere - That program (and pay) has ended


I did get some sleep so far (3hr), and plan on getting some more.  But I promised a client their computer back by today (Wed), and I plan on delivering on that promise.
Since I work a full time job during the day (at least for now, see my previous post), and have two kids that want time with daddy, and I love spending time with my wife after the kids are asleep.  So work for clients (the current 2 of them) gets done late.
It was great of my current boss, and owner of Guaranteed Computer. To allow me to pursue these clients on my own.  Relationships have been developed over the years, and the extra income will help.  Plus, it could lead into having my own PC consulting business for many clients.
So tonight, I am rebuilding a clients PC, and it had 2hrs of Windows updates to download.  As I type, it is installing the 2nd round of updates.  
Once this finishes, I'm hoping to make it to bed with my wife, for another hour or two of sleep tonight.  But there could be many more nights in my future.

Friends and the continued job search

I am amazed at what kind of response one can receive just in who he knows.
In February, I posted about how my employer is closing between now and July 1. That same day I e-mailed a list of friends. A few days later, @RizzoTees re-tweeted my post looking for an IT Project Manager position.

Well July 1st has come, and we are still open. Helping with the transition to the new corporation to be providing service and support. There are still some aspects of the job they are not ready to take over, so we will be around until they are.

Since February, I have applied to over 110 companies. All of the consulting companies (head hunters) have called me in for interviews, but most don't seem to go much further than that. A few (Apex Systems and Fast Search) have done a better job of keeping in touch than others. The only company that has given me a face to face interview is Edward Jones (they have since filled the position).

So here I am, still looking for the right opportunity. Could it be as a project manager or business analyst, or could it be running a winery? I know it's out there, just have to figure out where?

If you can help in any way, you can view my current resume here.