Thomas Guardino

102 East 3rd Street
Brooklyn, N.Y. 11218
 (Home)  [Send email to request phone number] 54-0466
(Cell) 917-992-6381

SUMMARY

Results oriented IT Operations and QA Manager with hands on trouble-shooting
experience on high-profile business critical financial systems. Demonstrated
superior management of Data Center Operations, Help Desk and Quality Assurance.
Interfaced often with QA, Application Support, Development, Communications and
Network Operations. Extensive experience streamlining and standardizing work
procedures yielding higher quality products and significant cost reductions.

HARDWARE - HP/Compaq, Sun, Stratus Continuum/XA 2000 Systems, Tandem, IBM,
Digital (DEC), Microsoft Servers
SOFTWARE - UNIX, LINUX, Windows NT, Windows 2000/2003, Stratus VOS, Tandem TAL,
IBM RPG2, Digital DCL,
 Autosys, Remedy, Maestro, ITO, Openview, Tekmon, RDC, ILO, Dsview, Vmware,
Remote Anywhere

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

XL CAPITAL INSURANCE CORPORATION STAMFORD, CT
Network Operation Center Consultant 4/2008 - 1/2009
Assigned to assist the NOC in troubleshooting all server and user problems. Help
to ensure a smooth transition of all 2nd, 3rd and weekend data center tasks from
the Stamford office to the Tata Consulting Service center in India. The Data
Center has over 100 applications on 1000 servers worldwide.
 * Resolved server problems by analyzing error logs and rebooting problem remote
servers by using RDC, ILO, Remote Anywhere and various tools supporting UNIX,
LINUX and Microsoft servers. Assisted users with their VPN accounts, resetting
passwords, unlocking their user accounts and re-starting or cancelling their
Autosys jobs.
 * Developed and improved day-to-day documentation, testing and troubleshooting
procedures to aid the TCS Operations staff so that they could work independently
with minimum supervision.
 * Worked rotating and weekend shifts with the current Network Operations staff
to maintain proper coverage during the transition with the TCS staff. Kept
Management informed of all network, server and user issues.

AMERICAN STOCK EXCHANGE / SECURITIES INDUSTRY AUTOMATION CORPORATION NEW YORK,
NY
Operations Manager and Specialist 1/2005 - 1/2008
Managed the 2nd shift computer operations data center for the American Stock
Exchange with a staff of 15 operators. The Data Center consisted of 40
applications running on over 200 servers at three locations.
 * Led migration effort of five key trading applications from HPUX and Sun
Solaris to LINUX to provide increased throughput and improved reliability.
Created and executed Operation test scripts to verify that all existing
procedures worked on the LINUX platform. Coordinated efforts with QA,
development, communications and system engineers to ensure a successful
migration.
 * Managed the project to switch eight Market Data applications to run primary
at the New York office instead of from the Brooklyn location. Worked closely with
QA, operations, development and communication staffs in verifying the reliability
of all hardware and software applications. Created regression test scripts to
check reliability of the switchover.
 * Responsible for Disaster Recovery procedures and ensuring that all
applications can run primary from an alternate site in the event of a hardware or
software failure. Reviewed, validated, updated, enhanced and documented all
disaster recovery procedures for all systems and created additional procedures
when needed.

Application Support Specialist 1/2004 - 12/2004
First line of defense troubleshooting all AMEX Market Data production issues.
Augment and manage time critical Market data development efforts, and apply
leadership to special assignments requiring efficient resolution. Supported
multiple systems providing +98% uptime.
 * Worked with a team of specialists in supporting 30 financial applications
running on 120 machines (UNIX, LINUX, SUN,VOS and Microsoft servers) composing
the core business systems of the American Stock Exchange.
 * Verified the redundancy of the Market Data Distribution systems by testing
with Tibco ci publish/subscribe topology.
 * Tested X-Terminal based Overhead Display system using Tibco Marketsheet for
the Amex trading floor.
 * Assisted QA in testing infrastructure changes and capacity enhancements to
support a 50% increase in quote rates.
Quality Assurance Manager and Specialist 1993 - 2003
Managed System Test activities for all Market Data Systems coordinating among
Quality Assurance (QA), Development, Communications, and Operations staff to
determine test requirements, allocate resources, build and maintain project
schedules and provide management status reports.
 * Supervised QA staff of 5 responsible for testing Market Data Systems
applications. In addition to assigning projects/tasks and monitoring the progress
toward completion, responsibilities also included training and career growth
management.
 * Coordinated System Test activities for testing new and upgraded Market Data
Systems applications. Activities included maintaining project schedules, chairing
project meetings, and providing regular status reports to upper management.
 * Responsible for testing and final certification of decimalization of all
market data systems. Successful implementation prior to industry deadline.
 * Migrated 60% of QA testing to the ITE environment from the Production
environment, increasing available test time by over 500%, reducing production
issues and yielding positive results on product budgets and time to market.
 * Successfully led Y2K Certification & Compliance project team for all Market
Data Systems.
 * Tested over 200 releases for the AMEX Market Data Equity and Options trading
applications. Performed all regression testing, failure analysis, problem
tracking, and documentation.
 * Trained Operations and QA staff to use and administer new Market Data Systems
technology and applications.
 * Coordinated release installations, testing requirements, and cutover
schedules across 3 shifts in a 24/7 operation. Acted as primary liaison between
QA, Operations support staff, customer management and end users. Managed problem
reports and enhancement requests. Assisted Operations with the preparation of
test plans, cutover and fallback procedures.
Operations Manager and Specialist 1978 - 1992
Managed the 2nd and 3rd shift computer operations data center for the American
Stock Exchange with a staff of 6 operators. The Data Center consisted of 6
applications running at three locations.
 * Tested all new applications and software enhancements with quality assurance
to ensure a successful migration.
 * Implemented checkoff sheets for all applications to reduce operator error and
maintain system integrity.
 * Cross-trained all operations personnel by rotating them between the Market
Data and Order Processing applications.
 * Troubleshoot and resolved online production, help desk and end-of-day
problems.
 * Responsible for creating, testing and maintaining Disaster Recovery
procedures and ensuring that all applications can run primary from the Metrotech
or Water Street sites in the event of a hardware of software failure. This
included fallback, fallforward, foldover, unfold, day0, day1, coldstart and
warmstart recovery procedures for all systems.

EDUCATION

UNIX
Certificates: UNIX Fundamentals, Advanced UNIX, Shell Programming
TANDEM SYSTEMS
Certificate: Legent (Automation)
DIGITAL SYSTEMS
Certificate: VMS Utilities and Commands
STRATUS SYSTEMS
Certificates: VOS User, System Administrator
AMERICAN MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION
Certificates: Management, Leadership Skills
NEW YORK UNIVERSITY
Certificate: UNIX System/C Programming
I.B.M
Certificate: RPG2 Programming
ST. AUGUSTINE AND BROOKLYN TECHNICAL H.S.
Graduate of Saint Augustine, Brooklyn, New York