Alexander Hughes
Cloud evangelist + Azure architect
I'm a cloud evangelist and love seeing the light bulbs turn on when teaching others of the possibilities of the cloud.
I'm passionate about technology's capacity to empower businesses and enhance lives. Throughout my IT career, I've always sought ways of automating to better leverage technology to work for us. I recognize the incredible potential of the cloud to solve all kinds of technical problems, and I feel right at home in Microsoft Azure. I'm excited by the constant change and am driven to master the latest cloud innovations.
I love chasing the high that comes from learning something new and can usually be found listening to a tech podcast or geeking out about the newest cloud breakthrough.
I've recently joined CompuNet as a Solutions Architect, focusing on growing our Azure practice and expanding into DevOps and app modernization.
What I'm most proud of
Ability to relate technical information clearly & simply
I pride myself on being able to reduce complex ideas to the basics, providing easy-to-understand explanations. This has led me to fulfill (and excel at) various training and mentor roles throughout my career.
Growth mindset
I’m always looking for opportunities outside my comfort zone to expand my horizons. My ability to rapidly grasp and master disparate technology stacks has helped me grow to support larger and more complex environments.
Experience
March 2021 - February 2022
As Principal Azure Architect, I played a pivotal role in shaping and growing Deft's Azure practice from its infancy. My focus centered around defining and driving the technical direction for the practice, collaborating with other leaders on our Azure business model and go-to-market strategy, and working with clients to provide Azure solutions that met their specific business needs. I emerged as an Azure thought leader, driving the practice forward with cloud evangelism and expertise.
During my tenure, I served as a trusted advisor to internal sales teams, strengthened relationships with customers at various levels from engineers to C-level executives, led initiatives for architecture standardization and improvement, and provided final escalation support for engineers. I demonstrated strong familiarity with Azure offerings and provided leadership while collaborating with the AWS practice to drive DevOps, Infrastructure as Code, and other auomation initiatives.
December 2019 - Feburary 2021
I help organizations to leverage the cloud. My primary focus at Executech was architecture (including pre-sales, proofs of concept, solutions design, creating cloud adoption plans, etc.), although I remained a hands-on engineer overseeing cloud implementations and providing escalation support to a team of engineers.
I drove revenue growth by expanding the cloud footprint of both new and existing clients, and helped Executech employ automation to develop a scalable managed service offering to supplement cloud consulting.
I continued to be Executech’s principal subject matter expert and trainer for both Azure and Microsoft modern workplace solutions.
July 2017 - December 2019
As training team lead, I presented/trained at dozens of company-wide meetings and frequently provided hands-on instruction in one-on-one and group settings. I led onboarding efforts and taught all new consultants / technicians in a recurring “technical bootcamp” program, focusing on Microsoft 365 and Azure IaaS.
As a senior consultant (and cloud SME), I was a primary resource for all things Microsoft and Azure across Executech. I also took the helm at larger clients with more complex and demanding requirements.
August 2016 - July 2017
As a consultant at a managed services provider, I’ve been exposed to a wide array of technologies while working with many clients across multiple industries and verticals. This offers an opportunity for accelerated learning, but also presents a challenge of balancing competing interests, providing me a chance to further develop prioritization and time management skills.
June 2013 - August 2016
At SCM Law, I contributed to overall systems administration, including leading a small helpdesk team supporting approximately 130 attorneys and staff. I reported to the IT Director and helped maintain the (primarily Windows) server infrastructure and expanded my knowledge of Active Directory.
I sharpened my PowerShell / scripting skills and led several initiatives to automate and streamline multiple time-consuming workflows. I was also responsible for training new employees and occasionally presenting workshops.
About me
Outside of work, I try to spend as much time as I can with my family. We have an above-average number of spontaneous kitchen dance parties and probably eat an above-average amount of ice cream.
If I had to pick a favorite show, I'd probably declare a tie between Stranger Things and The Mandalorian, although we've defintely watched more of The Office than anything else.
I'd also add that I think The Secret Life of Walter Mitty is absolutely an underrated movie.
