Open to new opportunities

Senior IT Leader &
IT Manager

Get in touch → View my experience

$0K

Annual licensing savings

Faster ticket response

0K+

Users supported globally

Background

Built for enterprise.
Shaped by the Navy.

I came up through military service and spent the last decade fixing IT operations that weren't working - and making sure they stay working.

I came up through the Navy, which taught me that operational discipline and clear accountability aren't negotiable. That mindset has guided every IT role I've had since. When I see a broken process, I fix it. When I see a team struggling, I invest in them.

My background spans distributed SaaS companies, global multi-site manufacturing operations, and everything in between. I've led teams supporting thousands of users across thousands of systems. I've rebuilt helpdesks from scratch. I've designed identity infrastructure that actually keeps the bad guys out. I've automated away the kind of tedious manual work that makes people hate their jobs.

What I care about: building IT operations that are reliable, secure, and actually make the rest of the business's life easier. Good IT is invisible - it just works. But getting there takes real thought, real leadership, and real commitment to doing things right. That's what I bring.

$100K+ in Annual Savings

Audited SharePoint licensing and cut $100K annually; negotiated permanent Zoom pricing and saved $12K via password manager consolidation.

98% Faster Ticket Response

Built ITIL-aligned ITSM from scratch via Jira with SLA/OLA governance, FCR/MTTR/CSAT dashboards, and exec-level reporting.

Zero-Downtime VoIP Migration

Migrated 265 phone numbers from RingCentral to Zoom with no disruption to customer operations.

20+ Shadow IT Apps Surfaced

Implemented Trelica SaaS management platform, bringing unauthorized applications into security review and budget governance.

Career

Where I've worked

From solo IT owner to leading enterprise teams at global scale.

IT Specialist IV Current

Jan 2021 - Present

Planet DDS · Remote

Serves as sole senior IT authority for a 300-person fully remote organization; owns IT strategy, identity and access management, endpoint lifecycle, and vendor governance end-to-end.
Audited SharePoint premium storage at renewal, identified unused allocation, and reduced licensing costs $100,000 annually.
Migrated 265 phone numbers from RingCentral to Zoom with zero downtime and no disruption to customer operations.
Negotiated permanent cost savings into Zoom licensing, saving tens of thousands annually regardless of headcount changes.
Built ITIL-aligned ITSM via Jira, reducing ticket response times 98% across all service tiers.
Implemented Trelica SaaS management platform, surfacing 20+ shadow IT applications for security review and budget governance.
Bundled 1Password into Trelica contract, replacing LastPass and saving $12,000 annually while expanding user coverage.
Automated 100% of employee onboarding across 30+ platforms via Entra ID SCIM and PowerShell Graph API, reducing provisioning from a multi-day manual process to same-day completion.
Hardened endpoint security via Intune MDM and Defender EDR, reducing login vulnerabilities 94%.

Senior IT Specialist

Jul 2019 - Jan 2021

eSUB Construction Software · Remote

Implemented IT operations from scratch as the sole IT resource, administering M365, Azure Entra ID, and a 15+ application portfolio.
Governed SLA enforcement and vendor contracts, serving as primary escalation point for 3 departments.

Help Desk Tech II / Endpoint & Systems Administrator

Oct 2017 - Jul 2019

Nortek Security & Control · Carlsbad, CA

Administered business applications including NetSuite ERP, Salesforce CRM, and endpoint security tools for 1,300+ users.
Led enterprise MFA rollout and phishing simulation, achieving a 99% pass rate organization-wide.

Help Desk Tech II - Team Lead

Feb 2015 - Oct 2017

Nortek Inc. · Carlsbad, CA

Led L1/L2 service desk handling 100,000+ annual tickets across US, European, and Asian locations.
Directed hiring, discipline, and performance management; assigned staff and resources for teams supporting 5,000+ users.
Managed IT infrastructure and hardware lifecycle for 1,200+ servers across a global multi-site enterprise.

Technical Support Agent II

Dec 2013 - Feb 2015

ecoATM · San Diego, CA

Administered Salesforce CRM, device provisioning, and incident resolution across a distributed retail kiosk network.

Petty Officer 3rd Class - Personnelman

1999 - 2005

U.S. Navy

Maintained personnel records and administrative compliance under military standards for 6 years; built the operational discipline and ownership instinct that defines every IT leadership role since.

Expertise

What I know how to do

A decade across the full enterprise IT stack - from identity to infrastructure to AI governance.

🔐

Identity & Access Management

Enterprise-scale SSO, MFA, and access control that keeps the bad actors out without creating friction for users.

Azure Entra IDSSO / SAMLOIDC / SCIMMFA

☁️

Microsoft 365 & Azure

Full M365 administration for distributed remote workforces - Exchange, Teams, SharePoint, OneDrive, and Azure cloud infrastructure.

Exchange OnlineTeamsSharePoint

💻

Endpoint Lifecycle

Zero-touch provisioning and fleet management at scale. New hires get day-one-ready devices with no manual steps.

Intune MDMDefender EDRKaseya RMMJamf

⚡

Automation & PowerShell

Eliminating tedious manual work through scripting. Graph API automation, Dynamic Security Groups, workflows that run themselves.

PowerShellGraph APIDynamic Groups

📊

IT Service Management

ITIL-aligned service desks with real governance - SLAs, FCR/MTTR/CSAT dashboards, and the exec reporting that proves IT is performing.

ITIL 4Jira Service MgmtSLA / OLA

💰

Cost Reduction & Vendor Mgmt

License audits, vendor negotiations, and SaaS consolidation that turn IT spend into measurable savings.

License OptimizationTrelicaContract Negotiation

🛡️

Security & Compliance

HIPAA audits, phishing programs, endpoint protection, zero-trust principles, and the documentation to stay audit-ready.

HIPAASophos AVPhishing TrainingZero Trust

📦

SaaS Portfolio Management

30+ applications, shadow IT governance, vendor contracts, and build-vs-buy decisions. Managing the entire app ecosystem strategically.

Shadow IT ControlSaaS GovernanceTrelica

🤖

AI Tools & Governance

Production deployment and governance of enterprise AI tools - with the policy framework to use them responsibly at scale.

ClaudeM365 CopilotGitHub CopilotCursor

👥

IT Leadership & Strategy

Building and leading IT teams, directing hiring and IDPs, and delivering the accountability that enterprise leadership expects.

Team LeadershipIT StrategyCTO Reporting

Credentials

Certifications & education

Formal credentials that back up the hands-on experience.

Microsoft 365 Fundamentals

MS-900

July 2024

Microsoft Azure Fundamentals

AZ-900

November 2020

CompTIA A+

Hardware & Technical Support

August 2010

CompTIA Security+ / Network+

Renewal in progress

Renewing

ITIL 4 Introduction Certificate

SkillUp · Pursuing ITIL Foundation (Axelos)

In Progress

Jira Service Management Administrator

Atlassian

In Progress

Terraform Associate / AWS Cloud Practitioner

Active training

Training

B.S. Computer Networks and Network Security

Coleman University, San Diego, CA

Completed

U.S. Navy Veteran

Petty Officer 3rd Class · 1999-2005

Honorable

Get in touch

Let's talk

I'm interested in senior IT leadership and IT manager roles - particularly organizations that want to take IT from reactive to proactive. If that sounds like a problem you're trying to solve, let's have a conversation.

I'm based in Murrieta, CA and fully remote-capable. I bring the operational discipline, accountability, and strategic thinking that comes from running enterprise IT across distributed organizations of every size.

david.gabbart@gmail.com

Phone

(760) 224-6227

Location

Murrieta, CA · Remote-Ready

IT Manager - 90-Day Onboarding Plan

My First 90 Days

Days 1-30

Listen & Learn

Understand the environment, the team, and the technology before touching anything.

Days 31-60

Build & Stabilize

Establish structure, close critical gaps, and earn the trust of the people I serve.

Days 61-90

Execute & Measure

Deliver on priority initiatives and give leadership clear visibility into IT performance.

Phase One

Days 1-30: Listen & Learn

I won't arrive with a fixed agenda. I'll arrive with a notebook. The first 30 days are about building an accurate picture of the IT environment, the team, and the organization before making any changes.

🎧

The goal: earn trust and build a real picture of the current state

No premature decisions. No assumptions carried over from prior roles. Just listening, observing, and documenting.

👥

Meet the Team

One-on-ones with each IT team member - understand their roles, workload, and what's frustrating them
Meet with my direct manager to align on priorities, communication style, and what success looks like
Understand the existing team structure and any gaps in coverage or accountability
Identify informal leaders, high performers, and where the team needs support

🏢

Understand the Organization

Meet department heads and key stakeholders to understand their technology needs and pain points
Learn the operational calendar - when are the high-stakes, no-failure-tolerance windows
Understand how end users interact with IT and what their expectations are
Get a feel for the culture and how IT is currently perceived across the organization

🔍

Audit the Infrastructure

Document the full network topology - wired, wireless, servers, internet, and telephony
Inventory all endpoints, devices, and hardware across the organization
Review the current cybersecurity posture: firewalls, AV, MFA status, and user access controls
Identify undocumented systems, shadow IT, and single points of failure

📋

Review Systems & Process

Review the ticketing system and support workflows - how are requests tracked, prioritized, and resolved
Evaluate the SaaS portfolio, licensing, and how applications are governed
Review cloud infrastructure and productivity platform configurations
Assess existing documentation, SOPs, and knowledge base quality

🤝

Meet the Vendors

Identify all active vendors, contracts, and upcoming renewal dates
Understand existing relationships and any ongoing projects or commitments
Review SLAs and service agreements for critical systems
Flag contracts that are underperforming or expiring soon

⚡

Earn Early Trust

Resolve obvious, low-risk issues discovered during the audit to demonstrate momentum
Be visible and responsive to end users - build credibility through action, not just planning
Identify one or two things that are clearly broken and fix them fast
Avoid major changes until the full assessment is complete and context is solid

30-Day Milestones

✓

Infrastructure audit complete - documented inventory of all systems, devices, and network topology with identified gaps and risks

✓

Team 1:1s complete - clear picture of team strengths, workload, morale, and what support each person needs

✓

Stakeholder meetings complete - I know what the organization needs from IT and where the biggest frustrations are

✓

Priority list delivered to leadership - a ranked, written assessment of what needs attention and in what order

Phase Two

Days 31-60: Build & Stabilize

With a clear picture in hand, I start building. This phase is about closing critical gaps, establishing structure for the team, and making IT feel like a reliable partner.

🔧

The goal: establish the operational foundation and close the highest-risk gaps

The organization should start noticing that IT is more responsive, more organized, and easier to work with.

🎯

Service Desk Structure

Establish or optimize the ticketing workflow so every request is tracked, prioritized, and owned
Define SLAs by request type so users know what to expect and when
Set up team assignments, escalation paths, and coverage schedules
Create a self-service knowledge base for common issues and requests

🔐

Identity & Access

Audit user accounts across all systems - ensure joiners, movers, and leavers processes are clean
Verify MFA is enforced for all staff on critical systems
Review admin and privileged access - right-size permissions across all platforms
Document the access management process and assign clear ownership

💻

Endpoint & Device Management

Ensure all endpoints are enrolled in MDM with current OS versions and compliance policies enforced
Standardize the device provisioning process for new hires
Establish a device refresh schedule and retirement process
Ensure hardware inventory is accurate and maintained going forward

🛡️

Cybersecurity Baseline

Address critical vulnerabilities identified in the Phase 1 audit
Verify backup systems are running and recovery has been tested
Ensure endpoint protection is deployed and current across all devices
Begin planning a security awareness program for the organization

🌱

Team Development

Establish clear roles, responsibilities, and performance expectations for each team member
Set up regular team meetings with clear agendas and documented outcomes
Identify development goals and training opportunities for each person
Remove blockers that are making the team's work harder than it needs to be

📊

Visibility & Reporting

Set up basic KPI tracking - ticket volume, response times, and resolution rates
Establish a regular reporting cadence for leadership
Create a simple dashboard so the team can see performance at a glance
Begin documenting IT decisions and changes for continuity

60-Day Milestones

✓

Service desk operating with defined SLAs - every request is tracked, owned, and responded to within agreed timeframes

✓

Identity and access audit complete - clean account inventory, MFA enforced, privileged access right-sized

✓

Critical security gaps closed - the highest-risk issues from Phase 1 are resolved or have documented remediation plans with owners

✓

Team structure and expectations clear - every team member knows their role, their priorities, and what success looks like

✓

Reporting cadence established - leadership receives regular, meaningful IT updates with real metrics

Phase Three

Days 61-90: Execute & Measure

With the foundation solid and the team aligned, Phase 3 is about delivering on the strategic priorities and laying the groundwork for the next 12 months.

🚀

The goal: deliver measurable results and set the direction for the next 12 months

Leadership should be able to see clearly what IT has accomplished and where it's heading.

📈

Strategic Roadmap

Develop a 12-month IT roadmap aligned to the organization's operational and business calendar
Prioritize initiatives based on risk, impact, and resource availability
Present the roadmap to leadership for review, feedback, and alignment
Identify budget needs and resource requirements for the next fiscal year

⚙️

Operational Reliability

Address any remaining infrastructure gaps with documented remediation timelines
Ensure critical systems have tested failover and recovery procedures in place
Establish proactive monitoring so issues are caught before they become outages
Document all operational runbooks and escalation procedures

🔒

Security & Compliance

Launch a security awareness training program for all staff
Ensure data privacy and protection practices meet applicable compliance requirements
Test and document disaster recovery procedures end to end
Establish an annual security review cycle going forward

🔗

Process Automation

Identify the highest-volume manual IT tasks and build automation where practical
Streamline onboarding and offboarding across all platforms - eliminate manual steps
Improve integration between key business systems to reduce duplicate work
Document all automation so it's maintainable and not dependent on any one person

📦

Vendor Optimization

Complete vendor review and address any underperforming relationships
Consolidate redundant tools and right-size licensing across the portfolio
Establish a vendor management calendar with renewal dates and review checkpoints
Negotiate improved terms on key contracts where leverage exists

🏆

Team Growth

Formalize professional development plans for each team member
Identify certifications or training that align with the 12-month roadmap
Build cross-training so there are no single points of failure on the team
Recognize what the team has accomplished in 90 days and set the tone for continued growth

90-Day Milestones

✓

12-month IT roadmap delivered - a clear, prioritized plan aligned to the organization's calendar and strategic goals, reviewed and approved by leadership

✓

Security awareness program launched - all staff trained, phishing simulation baseline established, compliance documentation in order

✓

End user satisfaction measurably improved - response times are down, common frustrations are resolved, and IT is seen as a reliable partner

✓

IT performance metrics visible to leadership - monthly reporting in place, SLA compliance tracked, and roadmap progress communicated clearly

✓

Team operating with autonomy and accountability - clear ownership, documentation in place, no dependency on me for day-to-day decisions

My Approach

How I lead IT

The 90-day plan is the roadmap. These are the principles that guide how I execute it.

IT exists to make the rest of the organization's work easier, faster, and more secure. When IT is doing its job well, it's invisible - systems just work, people get help quickly, and leadership isn't worrying about technology. Getting there takes deliberate effort, strong process, and a team that takes ownership.

I've built and rebuilt IT operations across distributed SaaS companies and large multi-site organizations. The environments differ, but the fundamentals don't: clear accountability, honest measurement, and a genuine commitment to serving the people who depend on you.

My Navy background gave me a simple framework that carries into every IT role - take ownership, communicate clearly, and don't let problems fester. That discipline, combined with 10+ years of hands-on enterprise IT leadership, is what I bring on day one.

🎯

Listen before acting

The first 30 days are for understanding, not fixing. Decisions made without context create more problems than they solve.

👁️

Visibility builds trust

Leadership and staff should always know what IT is working on and how it's performing. No black boxes.

🤝

IT serves the organization

Technology exists to support the mission. If IT is a source of friction, that's our failure to fix - not the user's problem to work around.

📐

Build for resilience

No single points of failure - in systems or on the team. Good IT keeps running even when things go wrong.

📊

Measure what matters

SLAs, resolution times, satisfaction scores - if we're not measuring it, we can't improve it or prove it's working.

Ready to get started

I'd welcome the chance to talk through how this plan applies to your specific environment and what I'd prioritize on day one.

david.gabbart@gmail.com View full background

Built for enterprise.Shaped by the Navy.

$100K+ in Annual Savings

98% Faster Ticket Response

Zero-Downtime VoIP Migration

20+ Shadow IT Apps Surfaced

Where I've worked

What I know how to do

Identity & Access Management

Microsoft 365 & Azure

Endpoint Lifecycle

Automation & PowerShell

IT Service Management

Cost Reduction & Vendor Mgmt

Security & Compliance

SaaS Portfolio Management

AI Tools & Governance

IT Leadership & Strategy

Certifications & education

Let's talk

Days 1-30: Listen & Learn

The goal: earn trust and build a real picture of the current state

Meet the Team

Understand the Organization

Audit the Infrastructure

Review Systems & Process

Meet the Vendors

Earn Early Trust

30-Day Milestones

Days 31-60: Build & Stabilize

The goal: establish the operational foundation and close the highest-risk gaps

Service Desk Structure

Identity & Access

Endpoint & Device Management

Cybersecurity Baseline

Team Development

Visibility & Reporting

60-Day Milestones

Days 61-90: Execute & Measure

The goal: deliver measurable results and set the direction for the next 12 months

Strategic Roadmap

Operational Reliability

Security & Compliance

Process Automation

Vendor Optimization

Team Growth

90-Day Milestones

How I lead IT

Listen before acting

Visibility builds trust

IT serves the organization

Build for resilience

Measure what matters

Ready to get started

Built for enterprise.
Shaped by the Navy.