Andrew Kesterson

Leadership || DevOps || GameDev
Emergency Response
"Love God. Live Righteously. Die Well."
GitHub || LinkedIn
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Books 12
Faith 6
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# About
AKLabs

2024-02-26 827 words

## Family

I grew up in the Ozark mountains of southwestern Missouri. Born to hard working middle class parents from an agricultural background, I am the youngest of six sons.

I met my wife Cameron online in the mid 1990s, when the internet was a very different place. (Alas - the internet we knew back then is dead and buried - but I digress.) After having met Cameron, I moved to Georgia to live with her in 2002. Cameron made me the happiest man ever by agreeing to marry me in February 2004. Together we have bounced around the continental United States several times, and currently live in Georgia, near Cameron’s family. Cameron and I have three children: Annastasia (2005), Gabriel (2008), and Catherine (2010).

I have dedicated my life to the service of my family, and put them first at all times. Only my dedication to my God can come before them.

## Technology Leadership

# Infrastructure & Cloud Engineering Manager

Wiser Solutions, Inc. 4/2022–2/2024

Directed engineering of Cloud and hybrid infrastructures to align with business goals and empower teams across enterprise to achieve growth and scale objectives. Built relationships with colleagues and leaders, leveraging relationships to guide decision-making, strategic planning, and vision for future initiatives. Championed automation to streamline processes and engage teams in higher-level projects. Managed performance from a fully remote environment.

# IT Manager

Nintendo of America 2/2014–4/2022

Managed complexity of multiple functions spanning reliability engineering, IT operations, hosting, build & delivery functions, and enterprise IT for Nintendo of America and Nintendo Technology Development. Monitored performance of multimillion-dollar portfolio encompassing dozens of platforms, including eCommerce solutions, internal tools, B2B integrations, and other key systems. Defined engineering standards, including creating measures and metrics for assessing designs, products, and solutions in terms of alignment with said standards. Collaborated with global Nintendo on strategic planning and process development. Served as part of Product Support Team for critical platforms and products.

# Automation Team Manager

Vonage Business Solutions 4/2013–2/2014

Oversaw team of Automation Architects and provided ongoing leadership, mentoring, and performance management to ensure performance goals were met. Managed critical technical projects related to automation. Developed tools in Bash and Puppet for deployment across diverse environments, as well as wrote automated build and test frameworks in Ruby, Puppet, and Jenkins. Gathered requirements from other teams (System Administration, Product Development, and more) and acted as liaison between teams to create bridges across projects and processes. Provided ongoing troubleshooting.

# DevOps Team Leader

Total Systems, Inc 2/2011–4/2013

Led DevOps team responsible for creation of automation tools and other technologies, improving operating capacity and processes such as audits through tools. Championed DevOps practices to guide integration across enterprise.

# Miscellanious

Also served as Software Engineer for Global Net Access (leading software development for major colocation datacenter) and Software Engineer/Network Administrator at Logical Solutions (managing 300 remote sites).

For more information about my professional background, current workplace, open positions, or to approach me with an opportunity, please see My LinkedIn Profile.

## Civil Service

# Infantry Soldier

Georgia State Defense Force 04/2022-06/2023

- Swore oath of enlistment February 2022 (for the second time - first time in 2000)
- Completed IET July 2022, graduated with honors
- Served in the elite OPFOR Battalion, simulating enemy forces to train Georgia national guard troops. Serving as an infantry soldier and as the acting S4, managing signal (radio) equipment, processes, and training for the batallion.

# Volunteer Firefighter

Fort Perry, Georgia Volunteer Fire Department 03/2022 - Current
Geneva, Georgia Volunteer Fire Department 03/2022 - Current

- Joined both departments in March 2022.
- Completed Firefighter 1 certification July 2022, training with Flint Hill Fire Dept, Georgia.
- Elected Treasurer of Geneva Fire Dept Sep 2022

# Knight

Order of Christian Knights 2019 - 06/2023

- Became attached to the Order around 2019.
- Knighted as Sir Andrew in September, 2021. Committed to living a lifestyle that affirms the traditions of chivalry.
- Helped craft founding documents for the organization - primarily bylaws and constitution.
- Elected Master Deputy in Winter 2021 to assist the Grandmaster of the Order with executive functions. Served until December 2022.
- Appointed Master Secretary of the Order and Commander of the Southeast Regional Commandery December 2022.
- Active in numerous churches to encourage men and women to serve their family, churches and community.
- Vacated Order positions in June 2023 to focus on Fire department and local Church responsiblities

# Search and Rescue Technician

Skagit Ground Search and Rescue 2017 - 10/2021

- Joined Fall 2017 after traveling to Houston, Texas to provide humanitarian aid after Hurricane Harvey.
- Served as field rescue technician, locating and extricating lost or injured subjects.
- Trained in First Aid, CPR, AED, bleeding control, and patient packout.
- Assisted with evidence searches for Skagit county Washington Sheriff’s Office.
- Assisted with the 2018, 2019, and 2020 SAR training academies.
- Served as Secretary in 2021 and briefly as Vice President.
- Assisted Search and Rescue Council with the implementation of Google Suites for Nonprofits via Techsoup

Recent Posts
2024-03-05
Advice for New Managers : Part 2
2024-03-03
Advice for New Managers : Part 1
2024-02-09
Setting Expectations
2024-01-29
Start with Why
Archive
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