Resume Snapshot
Deanna "Dee" Elder
Network engineering, infrastructure operations, systems administration, and technical operations professional based in Aiken, South Carolina, with 20+ years of hands-on technology experience across enterprise networking, healthcare IT, small-business support, campaign operations, remote client support, and practical software projects.
Focus
Network engineering, infrastructure operations, systems administration, IT/OT infrastructure, mission support, ground systems-adjacent IT, troubleshooting, documentation, contractor coordination, and user support.
Professional Summary
Infrastructure and network operations professional with direct experience in Cisco Catalyst, Cisco Nexus, Cisco Meraki, Palo Alto firewalls, large-scale Wi-Fi, VMware exposure, Windows systems, EMR training, HIPAA-aware support practices, contractor coordination, and customer-facing technical operations. Known for making complicated systems understandable, keeping work organized under pressure, and turning operational needs into reliable infrastructure, clear documentation, and practical user support.
Experience
Network Engineer, University of South Carolina Aiken
September 2021-May 2024
Configured and deployed Cisco Catalyst IOS, Cisco Nexus NX-OS, and Cisco Meraki switches and routers; configured Palo Alto firewalls from initial setup through production operation; and supported secure, reliable campus service delivery.
Designed and implemented wireless infrastructure for student housing environments, supporting approximately 300 access points. Coordinated contractor work, project timing, documentation, change records, and operational follow-through.
Call Time Manager / Client Support Operations, New Way Forward Strategies
July 2025-December 2025
Onboarded and trained clients on PhoneBurner and campaign outreach workflows, translating unfamiliar software into usable step-by-step processes.
Coordinated schedules, call-time systems, contact records, documentation, and remote support across multiple clients and deadlines. Improved operational workflows by organizing data, clarifying process gaps, and supporting users through practical documentation and training.
Owner / Technician, Carolina Wren Computer Repair
January 2020-September 2021
Owned and operated an independent computer repair business serving residential clients across the Aiken area. Diagnosed hardware, software, connectivity, storage, and data access issues with clear customer communication and reliable follow-through.
Delivered digital archiving and data recovery services from hard drives, SSDs, VHS, slides, negatives, 8mm, Super8, and 16mm formats.
Computer Technician, Aiken Physicians Alliance / NCITE
June 2014-June 2017
Served as sole in-office and remote IT support provider for approximately 125 users across multiple healthcare facilities. Supported physicians, staff, and administrative users with hardware, software, account, connectivity, workflow, and EMR issues.
Delivered EMR training and maintained HIPAA-aware physical security practices, including document shredding, hard drive disposal, privacy screens, and physical network security.
Campaign Principal / Operations Lead, Democratic Candidate for South Carolina Senate District 24
May 2024-November 2024
Built and managed campaign infrastructure including website, communications systems, fundraising workflows, voter outreach systems, volunteer coordination, and public-facing operations.
Coordinated volunteers, vendors, supporters, records, events, communications, and deadline-sensitive processes in a high-visibility environment.
Core Capabilities
Networking & Security
Cisco Catalyst IOS, Cisco Nexus NX-OS, Cisco Meraki, Palo Alto firewalls, LAN/WAN/WLAN, VPN, DNS, DHCP, secure network practices, and physical network security.
Infrastructure & Systems
Windows systems, VMware exposure, endpoint support, backup/recovery concepts, asset tracking, data recovery, secure disposal, documentation, and change notes.
Operations & Support
Troubleshooting, escalation support, contractor/vendor coordination, EMR training, remote support, client onboarding, stakeholder communication, and project coordination.
Development & Portfolio
Python, Git, GitHub, web projects, scientific visualization, H.A.N.K., VICAR Viewer, Maxwell's Equations visualizations, Project Dashboard, and AI-assisted workflow design.
Technical Areas
- Cisco Catalyst
- Cisco Nexus
- Meraki
- Palo Alto
- Juniper exposure
- VMware
- Windows systems
- DNS
- DHCP
- VPN
- LAN/WAN/WLAN
- Wireless deployments
- Endpoint support
- EMR support
- Python
- Git
- GitHub
- Technical documentation
- Vendor coordination
- Client support
- AI-assisted workflows
Portfolio & Technical Projects
Scientific visualization and self-hosted systems
Built exploratory tools including H.A.N.K., isotope/scientific visualization projects, VICAR Viewer, Maxwell's Equations visualizations, and NASA-program relationship visualization work.
Project Dashboard and portfolio infrastructure
Self-hosted portfolio and project dashboard work demonstrates infrastructure-minded documentation, web development, and a habit of turning messy work into usable systems.
Education & Training
College of Charleston - B.A., International Business; Minor: German, 2005.
University of South Carolina Columbia - completed three years of undergraduate Electrical Engineering coursework including mathematics, physics, electronics, and engineering fundamentals.
Emerge South Carolina Signature Program, Class of 2025. LGBTQ+ Victory Fund Training.