Andrew G. Hargreave, III
Shorewood, IL | andrew@hargreave.net | (815) 768-1270
linkedin.com/in/ahargreave
Professional Summary
Strategic
IT Director with 35+ years of experience leading enterprise infrastructure,
data center operations, cybersecurity initiatives, and automation projects.
Proven ability to align IT strategies with business objectives, drive
operational efficiencies, and lead transformative technology initiatives.
Expert in building scalable, secure systems, managing cross-functional teams,
and mentoring technical talent.
Professional Experience
84.51°
(A Kroger Company)
– Cincinnati, OH
Technical Director, Tech Foundations & Data Center Operations
Feb 2012 – Mar 2025
- Directed
enterprise-wide infrastructure strategies for the Tech
Foundations and Data Center Operations teams, aligning technology
initiatives with long-term business goals.
- Led teams
ranging from 4 to 13 engineers, fostering a collaborative, high-performance
environment and mentoring staff across infrastructure, storage, and
security disciplines.
- Managed
enterprise storage systems (Dell ECS, PowerScale,
Oracle ZFS, PureStorage, Synology), ensuring
availability, scalability, and disaster recovery readiness.
- Oversaw procurement,
vendor relationships, and lifecycle management for server and storage
hardware.
- Streamlined
change control processes using ServiceNow, partnering
with the change board to optimize workflows - achieving a 90% monthly
reduction in change tickets through enhanced automation and
documentation.
- Centralized
technical documentation via Confluence, greatly improving on-call support
effectiveness and issue resolution speed.
- Drove
automation initiatives, implementing Ansible, PowerShell, and Bash
scripting to standardize data storage operations, server deployments,
and security audits across the enterprise.
- Led the
post-acquisition integration of Market6 infrastructure, collaborating
with cross-functional teams from both companies and coordinating with
external vendors to transition full support internally - maintaining
uninterrupted service for customers and developers.
- Responded to a
critical infrastructure emergency during a frozen water pipe incident by leading
the disaster recovery execution - restoring full customer access to
systems in under 18 hours using a pre-developed DR plan.
- Successfully
achieved certification for NIST SP 800-53 compliance, reinforcing
enterprise security posture.
agh3
IT Services LLC
– Shorewood, IL
Founder & Freelance IT Consultant
Aug 2006 – Present
- Provided
end-to-end IT consulting and support for small and medium-sized businesses
and nonprofits, enhancing operational efficiency and reducing technology
costs.
- Designed,
secured, and maintained client networks, including firewall
implementation, VPNs, endpoint security, and proactive monitoring systems.
- Delivered
website development, hosting, email services, and offsite backup
solutions.
- Managed
infrastructure relocation projects for clients, achieving four seamless
office moves with zero downtime.
AgileTek, LLC
– Des Plaines, IL
Chief Security Officer / Network Technology Architect
Mar 2005 – Aug 2006
- Architected and
secured IT infrastructures, implementing centralized antivirus, disk
encryption, and SSL/VPN access solutions.
- Deployed VMware
ESX Server to virtualize environments, reducing physical hardware
footprint and operating costs.
- Implemented
RFID door access systems and video surveillance for enhanced physical
security.
TLC
Networks, Inc.
– Des Plaines, IL
Network Technology Architect / Senior Information Security Engineer
Jul 2002 – Mar 2005
- Delivered
comprehensive IT consulting, network design, and secure hosting solutions
to SMBs.
- Built secure
wireless and VPN environments to support remote workforces and safeguard
sensitive data.
- Provided
strategic technology planning and remote/on-site technical support.
Geneer, Inc.
– Des Plaines, IL
Director of Technical Infrastructure
Nov 1989 – Jul 2002
- Built and
scaled technical infrastructure from inception, including network systems,
server platforms, internet connectivity, and intranet solutions.
- Continuously
modernized systems to ensure high availability, performance, and alignment
with emerging technologies.
- Facilitated
reliable client connectivity through leased lines and internet services.
Skills & Expertise
- Infrastructure
& Storage: Dell ECS (S3), PowerScale, Oracle ZFS, PureStorage, Synology
- Automation: Ansible,
PowerShell, Bash scripting
- Virtualization: VMware ESX, MS
Virtual Server, Proxmox VE
- Operating
Systems: Windows Server, Linux (RHEL, Ubuntu, Debian)
- Cloud
Platforms: Microsoft 365, Microsoft Azure, AWS
- Networking
& Security: TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, VPNs, Firewalls, Data Encryption, RFID Access,
Video Surveillance
- Enterprise
Systems: Microsoft 365/Office365, Google Workspace, Atlassian
Confluence/JIRA, ServiceNow
- Backup &
Monitoring: Veeam, Cohesity, Commvault, Zerto, Zabbix
- Web &
Hosting: Wordpress, Apache, Nginx
- Leadership:
Cross-Functional Team Leadership, Client Management, Strategic Planning,
Mentorship
Education
Bachelor
of Science in Computer Information Systems
DeVry Institute of Technology
Professional Affiliations
League
of Professional Systems Administrators – www.lopsa.org