Aaron Fletcher

About me

Experience

1. Feb 2024 – PresentLead IT Specialist (NH-2210-03) — Principal Cloud ArchitectThunder CAMP (Crucible Platform) | US Air Force, 76 Software Engineering Group | Tinker AFB, OKFull Time (40+ hours weekly)

   • Led a team through a complex rearchitecture - Rearchitected and documented an existing Azure Cloud Enclave to meet evolving cybersecurity compliance and DoD zero trust requirements.
   • Trusted technical advisor to two Senior Executive Service (SES) Authorizing Officials — prepare and brief authorization packages for two SES-level Authorizing Officials, SCAs, and SCARs, and provide technical recommendations and alternatives to senior leaders on cost, schedule, performance, security, and mission requirements.
   • Own the architecture of Crucible end-to-end — designed the multi-layer governed platform stack from Azure landing zones through the developer portal; set cloud architecture standards and solution strategies and review designs for architectural alignment, technical feasibility, enterprise standards, and long-term sustainment.
   • Architect new IL5/IL6 classified environments — air-gapped infrastructure, cross-domain workflows, and hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) integration of industrial control system (ICS) and operational technology (OT) components for embedded weapon-system development.
   • Migrate and onboard program teams — work with project managers, customers, and program offices to translate mission and business requirements into cloud solutions, identify technical dependencies, estimate technical impacts, and support project milestones and schedules; moved multiple new project teams onto Crucible.
   • Led two development environments to Authority to Operate (ATO), restoring compliance and operational readiness; implemented RMF and NIST 800-53 controls, developed continuous-monitoring strategies, reviewed Security Assessment Reports (SARs), and delivered cybersecurity assessments and risk-based mitigation recommendations to SES Authorizing Officials.
   • Designed and enforce Zero Trust architecture across identity, networking, runtime, and supply chain — the security boundary that determines whether programs can deploy mission software.
   • Govern every Azure resource, AKS cluster, network policy, and security control through Infrastructure-as-Code (Terraform), with automated supply-chain enforcement (SBOM generation, artifact signing, dependency-ingress DMZ) that blocks non-compliant artifacts before they reach the platform.
   • Senior technical advisor and mentor to a 90+ person engineering organization — represent the organization in Air Force-level governance forums, technical reviews, and working groups; architecturally lead the Core Engineering pillar (landing zones, AKS, GitLab/Jira/Artifactory, Keycloak/AD/Entra ID, observability, developer portal); mentor technical and non-technical engineers on customer engagement, management, and technical proficiency.
2. Jan 2018 – PresentOwner / Lead Systems EngineerFletchTec LLC | RemotePart Time (25+ hours weekly)

   • Founded and lead a national IT consulting firm delivering cloud migration, modernization, integration, and optimization, DevSecOps, and hybrid infrastructure architecture for startups, SMBs, and enterprise clients across healthcare, manufacturing, K-12 school districts, and other industries.
   • Architect and deliver secure, scalable solutions on AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud spanning infrastructure, networking, security, applications, data, and platform services, including on-prem integrations and automated CI/CD pipelines.
   • Trusted by clients — including those acquired by major tech firms — for mission-critical system design, network security hardening, and cloud-native application delivery.
   • Translate complex infrastructure and compliance requirements into future-proof architectures aligned with business goals and regulatory mandates.
3. Oct 2022 – Feb 2024Lead Network EngineerHouston County Board of Education | Perry, GAFull Time (40+ hours weekly)

   • Served as Lead Network Engineer for a K–12 school district supporting 45+ sites and 32,000 students, with end-to-end oversight of network infrastructure, wireless systems, firewalls, and cloud integration.
   • Completed a 40+ TB migration of user data to Azure, advancing the district's move to cloud-native technologies.
   • Spearheaded the district's first configuration of Entra ID, Intune, and cloud subscriptions.
   • Led a multi-month, $16M+ reconfiguration of the entire district network, deploying new switching and wireless access point infrastructure.
   • Rolled out Zero Trust network controls, leading the implementation of Aruba ClearPass network access control (NAC) to limit user access across the district's networks.
   • Architected and implemented scalable, secure system designs across on-prem (Nutanix, VMware) and cloud platforms, ensuring high availability and performance for critical educational and administrative applications.
   • Drove ongoing security posture improvements through proactive network hardening, policy development, and cross-functional collaboration on district-wide cybersecurity initiatives.
4. Jun 2021 – Nov 2022Security Operations Center ManagerUS Air Force | 1 Combat Communications Sq | Ramstein AB, DEFull Time (40+ hours weekly)

   • Led a 4-person Security Operations Center for the U.S. Air Force's only Combat Communications Squadron in Europe, securing mission-critical networks in support of joint defense initiatives across the European Theater.
   • Oversaw cybersecurity compliance and risk management for 300+ personnel, advising leadership on ATO/ATC processes, device posture, and policy enforcement for Air Force systems.
   • Led the team through the acquisition of 2 ATO packages for deployed systems in support of critical DoD Leadership priorities in Eastern Europe. Briefed headquarters flag officers and civilian leaders on status daily, and briefed DISA leadership on the operational need for an accelerated ATO path for deployable systems.
   • Acted as cybersecurity subject matter expert to squadron, group and wing leadership, conducting ongoing cyber risk assessments, coordinating with ISSMs on system accreditation, and engineering secure architectures for deployed and garrison operations.
5. Apr 2019 – Jun 2021Tactical Communications SupervisorUS Air Force | 1 Combat Communications Sq | Ramstein AB, DEFull Time (40+ hours weekly)

   • Supervised and directed teams of 21+ Airmen in the engineering, deployment, and sustainment of tactical voice and data networks across edge and fixed-base environments, enabling secure communications for global operations.
   • Managed DISA edge devices supporting DoD missions across the European and African theaters, ensuring rapid deployment and operational integrity of critical communications infrastructure.
   • Implemented an asset management system tracking over 4,000 items valued at $3.4M, significantly improving accountability and reducing loss-related investigations across tactical inventory.
   • Implemented changes on a deployable system of record with AFLCMC that saved $3.4M in wastage for equipment that can now be virtualized instead of purchased physically.
6. Sep 2018 – Apr 2019Project ManagerUS Air Force | 352 Special Operations Support Sq | RAF Mildenhall, UKFull Time (40+ hours weekly)

   • Hand-selected to lead base-wide communications projects, overseeing planning, execution, and coordination across technical teams and senior leadership.
   • Delivered project briefings to Squadron, Group, and Wing leadership and Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC/MAJCOM), ensuring alignment, transparency, and mission readiness across multi-agency efforts.
   • Developed and maintained project reports and budget tracking tools, keeping initiatives within scope and fiscal constraints while managing risk and resource allocation.
   • Managed the procurement, deployment and initial standup of a new enclave, SOFNET-U, to replace NIPR connectivity across the wing. Coordinated with MAJCOM-level entities to acquire approval, funding, building certification, etc.
   • Briefed Headquarters SOCOM (Combatant Command) level entities on the enclave's cyber status, procurement needs and capabilities.
7. Aug 2015 – Sep 2018Client Systems TechnicianUS Air Force | 352 Special Operations Support Sq | RAF Mildenhall, UKFull Time (40+ hours weekly)

   • Provided Tier 1 and Tier 2 support for over six DoD classified and unclassified systems, ensuring rapid resolution of service tickets and maintaining high operational uptime across secure environments.
   • Led the optimization and reorganization of ticketing workflows, significantly improving SLA adherence and visibility into recurring technical issues; recognized with multiple performance awards for service excellence.
   • Supported the standup of a new base enclave, SOFTNET-S, coordinating with network, security, and infrastructure teams to ensure compliance with DoD cybersecurity protocols and seamless system integration.

Core competencies

• Multi-Classification Cloud Architecture (Azure Government / Azure Secret, IL5/IL6/IL6+)
• SES Authorizing Official Advisory
• RMF / ATO / NIST 800-53
• Cybersecurity Assessments, Continuous Monitoring & SARs
• ICS/OT Cybersecurity
• Zero Trust Architecture
• Air-Gapped & Cross-Domain Infrastructure
• Infrastructure-as-Code (Terraform)
• Docker & Kubernetes / AKS
• Linux & Windows Administration
• Cloud Migration, Modernization, Integration & Optimization
• Multi-Cloud (AWS / Azure / GCP)
• Infrastructure, Networking, Security, Applications, Data & Platform Services
• Technical Risk Assessment & Mitigation
• Architectural Feasibility & Enterprise Standards
• Air Force Governance & Working Groups
• Executive Briefing & Technical Mentorship

Skills

• Kubernetes95%
• Windows System Administration100%
• Linux System Administration95%
• Risk Management Framework - Federal Government95%
• Microsoft Azure95%
• AWS85%
• Google Cloud75%
• Docker95%
• Networking95%
• Python65%

Certifications

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• MCP

Education

• Associate of Applied Science, Information Technology
  Community College of the Air Force · 2020–2022
• Cyber Protect and Defend (Intermediate)
  United States Air Force · 2021
• Tactical Cyber Planning Course
  United States Air Force · 2022

Awards & recognition

• Air Force Commendation Medal
  United States Air Force · With one Oak Leaf Cluster (2 awards)

Projects