James Cook

DevOps Lead at Coyote Software
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Contact Information
us****@****om
(386) 825-5501
Location
UK
Languages
  • English Native or bilingual proficiency

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5.0

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Phillip Johnson - MSc (Software Engineering)

James was a key member of the engineering community at FirstPort, implementing DevOps and engaging the engineers in DevOps best practise. James went way beyond expectations and proactively took a leading role on a delivery team alongside leading on several large DevOps initiatives across the organisation including the challenging task of introducing a Salesforce team to automated deployments and version control. James’ knowledge and skill set was broad and he was influential in the transition to the cloud and Azure at FirstPort. I would recommend James not just for DevOps roles but also for IT leadership and management roles as well.

LinkedIn User

James is an excellent DevOps professional - someone who really "gets it" - Also, the easiest nomination I have had the pleasure of giving for his full deserved Microsoft MVP Award. His technical skills in the CI/CD, IaC & Cloud Engineering disciplines are great but where he really shines is collaboration - the cornerstone of any DevOps culture. He has the ability to really bring others on the journey, cultivating an environment steeped in learning, experimentation & feedback loops. I would love the opportunity to work with James again (On his current trajectory, I am more likely to be working for James than with him) :) Keep up the good work!

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Credentials

  • HashiCorp Ambassador 2023
    HashiCorp
    Feb, 2023
    - Oct, 2024
  • Microsoft Certified Trainer 2023-2024
    Microsoft
    Feb, 2023
    - Oct, 2024
  • HashiCorp Ambassador 2022
    HashiCorp
    Apr, 2022
    - Oct, 2024
  • Microsoft Certified Trainer 2022-2023
    Microsoft
    Apr, 2022
    - Oct, 2024
  • Microsoft Certified: Security, Compliance, and Identity Fundamentals
    Microsoft
    Apr, 2022
    - Oct, 2024
  • AZ-304: Microsoft Azure Architect Design
    Microsoft
    Mar, 2022
    - Oct, 2024
  • Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert
    Microsoft
    Mar, 2022
    - Oct, 2024
  • Cloud Champion 2021
    cloudfamily.info
    Sep, 2021
    - Oct, 2024
  • AZ-303 Microsoft Azure Architect Technologies
    Microsoft
    Jun, 2021
    - Oct, 2024
  • Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Fundamentals
    Microsoft
    May, 2021
    - Oct, 2024
  • Microsoft Certified Trainer 2021-2022
    Microsoft
    Apr, 2021
    - Oct, 2024
  • Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Fundamentals
    Microsoft
    Apr, 2021
    - Oct, 2024
  • Microsoft Certified: DevOps Engineer Expert
    Microsoft
    Dec, 2020
    - Oct, 2024
  • Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate
    Microsoft
    Aug, 2020
    - Oct, 2024
  • HashiCorp Certified: Terraform Associate
    HashiCorp
    Jun, 2020
    - Oct, 2024
  • Microsoft Certified Azure Fundamentals
    Microsoft
    Jan, 2020
    - Oct, 2024
  • Network Security Expert Level 1
    Fortinet
    Jul, 2019
    - Oct, 2024
  • Network Security Expert Level 2
    Fortinet
    Jul, 2019
    - Oct, 2024
  • G Suite: Deployment Services Specialist
    Google
    Aug, 2017
    - Oct, 2024
  • Google for Education Certified Educator Level 1
    Google
    Sep, 2016
    - Oct, 2024
  • Google for Education Certified Educator Level 2
    Google
    Sep, 2016
    - Oct, 2024
  • ACSP - Apple Certified Support Professional 10.9
    Apple
    Oct, 2014
    - Oct, 2024
  • ACA - Apple Certified Associate in Mac Management 10.8
    Apple
    Jul, 2013
    - Oct, 2024
  • ACA - Apple Certified Associate in Mac Integration 10.8
    Apple
    Jan, 2013
    - Oct, 2024
  • Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP)
    Microsoft
    Apr, 2012
    - Oct, 2024
  • MCTS: Windows 7, Configuration
    Microsoft
    Feb, 2011
    - Oct, 2024
  • MS: Windows 7, Configuring
    Microsoft
    Feb, 2011
    - Oct, 2024
  • MTA: Networking Fundamentals
    Microsoft
    Feb, 2011
    - Oct, 2024
  • MTA: Security Fundamentals
    Microsoft
    Feb, 2011
    - Oct, 2024
  • MTA: Windows Server Administration Fundamentals
    Microsoft
    Feb, 2011
    - Oct, 2024
  • RM Certified Professional
    RM Education
    Jan, 2010
    - Oct, 2024
  • CompTIA A+
    CompTIA
    Jan, 2009
    - Oct, 2024
  • Google for Education Certified Trainer
    Google
    Jan, 2017
    - Oct, 2024
  • G Suite Certified Administrator
    Google
    Aug, 2016
    - Oct, 2024
  • Google Certified Associate
    Google
    Aug, 2016
    - Oct, 2024
  • Windows Server 2012 - Installing and Configuring
    Microsoft
    Apr, 2014
    - Oct, 2024
  • CompTIA N+
    CompTIA
    Jan, 2013
    - Oct, 2024

Experience

  • Coyote Software
    • United Kingdom
    • Software Development
    • 1 - 100 Employee
    • DevOps Lead
      • Jul 2022 - Present

      - Architecting and implementing CICD - Architecting the organisation’s Infrastructure and Network requirements for their SaaS product - Developing IaC with the practice of DRY - Advocate DevOps Culture - Technical advisor to engineering teams - Compliance team member - Architecting and implementing CICD - Architecting the organisation’s Infrastructure and Network requirements for their SaaS product - Developing IaC with the practice of DRY - Advocate DevOps Culture - Technical advisor to engineering teams - Compliance team member

  • Cloud and DevOps with James Cook
    • Blogger
      • Feb 2021 - Present

      I blog about Azure services and DevOps practices when using the Cloud. I do this on my blog https://jamescook.dev where I have hundreds of views within hours of posting and a following from key community figures. I blog about Azure services and DevOps practices when using the Cloud. I do this on my blog https://jamescook.dev where I have hundreds of views within hours of posting and a following from key community figures.

  • FirstPort (UK)
    • United Kingdom
    • Facilities Services
    • 700 & Above Employee
    • Lead DevOps Engineer
      • Sep 2021 - Jul 2022

      The organisation is the UK's largest residential property management company. As the lead engineer for the DevOps team at FirstPort, I implement best practices and tooling when it comes to the companies DevOps approach. My responsibilities include and not limited to: * Designing, implementing, and maintaining CI/CD at scale for applications and infrastructure resources. * Use automation technologies to standardise building platforms.* Lead the DevOps team and advocate the culture across multiple teams.* Train the wider team on DevOps best practices and tooling. Training provided on Azure where needed.* Create Infrastructure as Code (IaC) for implementation of applications via the Cloud (Azure) or on-prem.* Work across teams on projects to provide operational assistance to deliver from local development into a live environment in the Cloud.* Oversee the documentation, processes, and practices by the DevOps team are of high quality and up-to-date.* Encourage, implement, and monitor the use of Clean Code, DRY and Shift-Left within projects. * Maintain the companies code hosting and CI/CD platform.* Provide the Engineering Manager metrics and observability on projects, allowing us to identify improvements in performance and risks in advance. Show less

    • Interim Engineering Manager
      • Nov 2021 - Dec 2021

      Taken on the responsibility of the engineering team while recruitment of a full time Engineering Manager was happening.This involved managing sprints, ceremonies, prioritising work items, working closely with the product team and the Head of Release/QA, and coordinating engineers.

  • AZ Community Roundtable
    • Host
      • Jun 2021 - May 2022

      I started AZ Community Roundtable for the Azure community who are on Twitter. I already had some noticeable names to speak on the show and these are now available both on YouTube and many Podcast sites via Anchor. I started AZ Community Roundtable for the Azure community who are on Twitter. I already had some noticeable names to speak on the show and these are now available both on YouTube and many Podcast sites via Anchor.

  • PXP Financial
    • United Kingdom
    • Financial Services
    • 100 - 200 Employee
    • Infrastructure Analyst
      • May 2019 - Sep 2021

      The company operates in international financial technology services. In my current role, I work within the Infrastructure and Networks team implementing and maintaining both corporate and customer systems around the clock. The team and I work on various hardware and software including and not limited to Nutanix, VMware and Azure. My current key responsibilities include: * Implementing and document new infrastructure and procedures in line with compliance and audit standards * Lead in the standardisation of internal documentation and procedures * Act as the companies in house expert on Microsoft Azure, as well as advocating the practice of DevOps where I specialise in Infrastructure as Code and Automation * Implement and maintain monitoring systems for all environments * Provide technical staff high level support with complex customer tickets that require additional assistance by my team. While at the company I have accomplished so much, here are some of my achievements: * The Implementation of a new knowledge database for internal staff to document procedures which might have not been written down anywhere * The creation of the companies first automated cloud implementation using DevOps practices * Attaining Microsoft Certified Expert status, an Infrastructure as Code certification and accepted as an Microsoft Certified Trainer within a twelve month period. These achievements have boosted the team's performance, work accuracy and reduced cost. The growth of my own skills also benefited the company and team by having the ability to deliver certified training to others to skill them up and provide mentoring to those who desire. Show less

  • Herts for Learning Ltd
    • United Kingdom
    • Education
    • 1 - 100 Employee
    • Technical Architect
      • Sep 2015 - May 2019

      - Project Manager for existing customers and new customers deploying 1:1 device solutions or network infrastructure upgrades/replacements- Design and Implement Cloud technologies - Support commissioners on customer sites- Deploy OS X Servers and Clients at customer sites- Deploy and maintain G Suite domains for customers - Performing Third Line Telephone and Online Support to our customers- Audit network infrastructures and provide a professional assessment detailing low/med/high risks- Apple OS X & iOS Technical Expert for the company- Office 365 Technical Expert for the company- G Suite Technical Expert for the company*****Projects***** - Leading and developing the companies Apple Macintosh services, Commissioning full working servers and integrating them into Window Environments - Leading and developing Apple iOS management systems for education use- Leading and developing G Suite and Chromebooks for the company to deliver to our customers Show less

    • Network Consultant / Account Manager
      • Sep 2013 - Aug 2015

      - Act as an Account Manager for some of the companies customers, providing them with quotes, support and advice- Routine visits to County Education Institutes troubleshooting and advising on improving their IT Networks - Updating and Maintaining Window Servers - Network Manage RM Community Connect Servers and Clients (CC3 & CC4), Ranger Servers and Clients and Vanilla Servers and Clients - Assisting Commissioning of the above network types- Commission iOS and OS X Servers and Clients using Apple products and company procedures (written by myself with assistance from others in the team) - Perform Ad-Hoc visits to company clients - Performing Third Line Telephone and Online Support to our customers- Audit network infrastructures and provide suggestions on where to improve the network- Provide customers with quotations on installing new or upgrading networks Show less

  • Hertfordshire County Council
    • United Kingdom
    • Government Administration
    • 700 & Above Employee
    • Technical Consultant
      • Mar 2011 - Aug 2013

      - Routine visits to County Education Institutes troubleshooting and advising on improving their IT Networks - Updating and Maintaining Window Servers - Network Manage RM Community Connect Servers and Clients (CC3 & CC4), Ranger Servers and Clients and Vanilla Servers and Clients - Assisting Commissioning of the above network types - Perform Ad-Hoc visits to company clients - Performing Second Line Telephone and Online Support to our customers *****Projects***** - Leading and developing the companies Apple Macintosh services, Commissioning full working servers and integrating them into Window Environments - Leading and developing iOS management systems for education use - Migrated over 500 email domains to Office 365 (team involved was myself and one over). Documentation created and team members trained in supporting the system Show less

  • The John Warner School
    • United Kingdom
    • Education Administration Programs
    • 1 - 100 Employee
    • IT Technician
      • Sep 2009 - Aug 2010

      Work Experience (paid over the summer) doing the following: - PC Repairs - PC Maintenance - Resolving Software Problem - Investigating PC Issues Work Experience (paid over the summer) doing the following: - PC Repairs - PC Maintenance - Resolving Software Problem - Investigating PC Issues

Education

  • Pearson in Practice
    2010 - 2011
  • The John Warner School
    2003 - 2010

Community

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