Brad Toulson

Experience Highlights

Hands-on experience in Google Cloud Platform, AWS, and Azure deploying compute, cloud functions, storage, web apps, Kubernetes, DNS, load balancing, firewalls, cloud CDN, security policies, monitoring, and alerting.
Managed and optimized Google Kubernetes Engine (GKE) clusters, ensuring high availability, scalability, and cost-efficiency for containerized applications.
Leveraged DevOps tools such as Terraform, JFrog Artifactory, Ansible, Helm, Docker and Bitbucket to administrate Linux, Windows, and containerized workloads.

Developed automation tooling and processes to decrease the business role workload from 20 to 2 hours per week.
Revised custom log metrics and alert policies to reduce on-call false positives by 70%.
Delivered a month-long infrastructure project in 6 calendar days, orchestrating a global team of 10 DBAs to ensure continuous project momentum.

Initiated and led Cloud Storage assessment project across 5 teams, identifying waste and recommending solutions that reduced cloud storage costs by $325K/year.
Built a reporting solution that consolidated billing data, incorporated third-party metrics, and delivered flexible ad-hoc reports to management.

Jun 2024 - Present

Improved cloud scalability and reliability by architecting, developing Kubernetes YAML configs and generating monitoring for migrations of on-premises workloads to containerized deployments within Kubernetes.
Use DevOps tools and practices such as Terraform, Ansible, Helm, Docker, Bitbucket, and GitLab to automate and optimize the deployment, configuration, and monitoring of cloud infrastructure and services.
Maintain GKE infrastructure and Argo CD deployments for Apache Kafka event-streaming workloads.
Manage Google Kubernetes Engine (GKE) cluster lifecycles, optimizing performance and resource allocation through precise node pool and pod affinity configurations.
Leveraged IaC to execute critical domain migration involving over 12,000 resource changes across the GCP organization.
Developed bash scripts to streamline user/group migrations, completing a 6-week project in just 3 weeks.
Enhanced fiscal performance through strategic contract negotiations, achieving over $130,000 in savings and securing optimized pricing for essential business tools.

Jan 2020 - Jun 2024

Provided product teams with architecture recommendations, deployment best practices, and implementation assistance in the cloud environment.
Established Cloud Governance for the Google Cloud Platform, optimizing administration, enhancing security, promoting sustainability, and driving substantial cost efficiencies.
Architected and enforced CI/CD best practices across development, QA, and operations teams.
Pioneered and automated scalable SSO user and group management through Infrastructure as Code (IaC), leading to its successful adoption and implementation across multiple business units.
Implemented Identity and Access Management (IAM) solutions to standardize permissions and enhance security posture across cloud resources.
Automated cost optimization by developing Python scripts to inventory GCP compute instances and apply customized shutdown/startup schedules to development environments.
Strengthened financial oversight using detailed cost estimates to develop annual budgets and execute quarter-end financial reports, guaranteeing fiscal accountability and informing strategic initiatives.

Sep 2016 - Jan 2020

Utilized Amazon Web Services to manage Microsoft SQL Server AlwaysOn database clusters.
Automated database and server management through PowerShell, T-SQL, and REST API integrations.
Directed procurement and deployment of $3 million/yr. of server hardware utilized by cloud database tier.
Maintained SQL server storage, backups, and database permissions.
Administered performance tuning, server maintenance, and cluster installations.

Aug 2015 - Sep 2016

Established processes to limit risks associated with cost control, information security, vendor non-compliance, and business continuity.
Negotiated with vendors in cases of vendor noncompliance, inaccurate billing, and contract renewals.
Developed relational database to track contract life cycles, automate reporting, and store vendor information.
Designed and implemented asset management system to enable data-driven financial decisions.

Dec 2012 - Aug 2015

Supervised team responsible for contract administration, budgeting, procurement, and vendor negotiations.
Led 12-month project to implement new software, servers, and end-user client to 5000 users.
Used JavaScript integration to develop user prompt that consistently saves $3,500 per year.
Implemented initiative that decreased printer fleet by 30% and reduced yearly production costs by 20%.
Designed and created relational database to track printer asset information, history, and costs.