Ross Nesbitt

Linux Apache Sendmail MySQL Consultant

Resume

Professional Summary

Highly accomplished Senior Network & Systems Engineer with 25+ years of experience designing, implementing, and managing high-performance Linux-based network infrastructure, mission-critical email security systems, and complex cloud solutions.

Expertise in SMTP protocols, advanced network troubleshooting (strace, tcpdump, Wireshark), MySQL/MariaDB administration, and developing shell/Python scripts for automation and remediation.

Skilled in direct technical collaboration with enterprise customers and IT/OT teams, focusing on permanent fixes and automation for recurring issues.

Technical Expertise

Email Security & Authentication

  • Proofpoint Suite (TPRS, SER, Email Protection, Information Protection, Threat Response)
  • DMARC, SPF, DKIM, TLS/SSL (SMTP over TLS)
  • Message Tracking & Anti-Spam/Phishing Defense

Operating Systems

  • Linux Expert: RHEL, CentOS, Ubuntu, Debian
  • Administration, Performance Tuning, Security Hardening
  • UNIX, Solaris, Windows Server

Networking & Advanced Troubleshooting

  • TCP/IP, SMTP (Deep Expertise), HTTP/S, DNS
  • Load Balancing, Firewalls (iptables, ACLs)
  • Expert Tooling: tcpdump, Wireshark, strace, lsof, gdb

Scripting & Automation

  • Python, Bash, Perl, sed, awk
  • Scripts for automation, rapid triage, and remediation
  • PowerShell, VBS (context-specific)

Engineering Practices & Tools

  • Technical Documentation (Runbooks, Design Specs)
  • Incident & Problem Management, Root Cause Analysis
  • Jira, Confluence, ServiceNow, Splunk, Nagios

Databases & Systems

  • MySQL/MariaDB Admin & Performance Tuning
  • Replication, Backup/Recovery, Percona Toolkit
  • Apache, Nginx, Redis, Oracle (familiarity)

Professional Experience

Senior Solutions Architect (DLP & Email Security Focus)

Wells Fargo

Jan 2024 – May 2025

  • Led enterprise-wide DLP and DMARC remediation, architecting solutions for stringent financial industry policies.
  • Engineered and deployed Proofpoint TPRS and SER to secure email across complex hybrid-cloud infrastructures.
  • Developed and troubleshot advanced SMTP routing for cloud, SaaS, and on-premises applications.
  • Collaborated directly with application owners and security teams to define technical requirements and refine policies.

Email Security Architect

Graphic Packaging Inc.

Jun 2022 – Sept 2023

  • Managed and enhanced email security infrastructure, focusing on Proofpoint configurations and mail flow optimization.
  • Ensured security configurations and system migrations complied with internal technical controls and industry best practices.

Systems Engineer / DR Planning & Testing

Morgan Stanley

Jun 2021 – Jan 2022

  • Planned and executed critical MySQL database migrations, prioritizing data integrity and security.
  • Developed detailed Disaster Recovery runbooks for critical infrastructure, outlining technical operational procedures.

Education

University of California San Diego

Bachelor of Arts, General Literature – Dec 1994