Howdy
I'm Jesse Gifford
Tech with a human touch. Leadership with results.
- Age 48
- Location Scotts Valley, CA 95066
I’m an IT Director with 20+ years of experience turning chaos into clarity — from modernizing infrastructure at scale to leading cross-functional teams through major transitions. Whether it’s rethinking security, building better systems, or helping people do their best work with the right tools, I’m all in.
Professional Skills
Work Experience
2023 - Present
Sr. Director of IT
Duke Empirical
Hired to overhaul and scale the IT infrastructure to support rapid growth and regulatory demands. Delivered $16K in vendor savings within six months, improved system uptime to 99%, and implemented standardized IT operating procedures. Led secure network rollout for a new production facility and improved QMS/ERP reliability with major version upgrades and API integrations (ETQ Reliance, Sage 100). Introduced Zabbix/Grafana monitoring, upgraded remote access and file share systems, and developed PowerShell automation for onboarding/offboarding. Actively aligning IT strategy with FDA/ISO compliance, while modernizing internal policies and enhancing data security across departments.
2017 - 2023
Director of IT
Janus of Santa Cruz
Transformed the IT environment by building an in-house team, securing a $250K infrastructure grant, and modernizing systems with Meraki networking, secure ID access, and custom intake apps. Enabled HIPAA-compliant telehealth during COVID-19, migrated critical services to the cloud, and led multi-site security, training, and risk management initiatives.
2014 - 2017
System Administrator
Universal Audio
Drove infrastructure improvements by deploying Backup Exec 15 and leading the upgrade to Exchange 2013. Strengthened system security and reliability through daily assessments and Active Directory enhancements. Delivered custom tech solutions for external clients, boosting efficiency and performance across key systems.
2013 - 2014
Senior Support Engineer
Physician Medical Group of Santa Cruz
Designed and implemented secure network infrastructure across multiple medical offices, including Site-to-Site VPNs, Exchange 2013, and encrypted workstations. Provided HIPAA-compliant tech solutions and strategic guidance to improve system security and operational efficiency. Led support team efforts to maintain high availability across servers and networks.
2006 – 2013
Second-Level Support Engineer
Cyrun
Led deployment of advanced software solutions using VB.Net tools, enhancing system integration and reliability. Provided expert on-site and remote support for complex technical issues, and managed key infrastructure upgrades including office network design and Avaya phone system rollout. Collaborated closely with vendors and contractors to ensure smooth execution.
2000 – 2006
Lead IT Support Technician
McCormick & Company
Led major modernization efforts, including migrating from Novell to Active Directory and upgrading over 400 systems to Windows XP. Designed and deployed a new LAN to support SAP rollout and developed a real-time IT monitoring platform to track downtime and project status. Recognized with the McCormick Gold Award for outstanding performance and leadership.
My Interests
- Watch Movies
- Boating
- Fishing