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Bruce Renner

IT Infrastructure Manager

25+ years of infrastructure excellence
Driving teams from the front lines

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Professional Summary

Hands-on IT Infrastructure leader with over 25 years of infrastructure and operational experience, including 15 years driving teams from the front lines with a comprehensive understanding of every aspect of business operations. Distinguished by a roll-up-the-sleeves leadership approach, personally engaging in system design, implementation, and optimisation of secure, scalable IT infrastructure that directly enables business growth and operational excellence.

Demonstrates exceptional ability to lead by example, working alongside teams to develop and enforce robust governance frameworks while maintaining intimate knowledge of day-to-day operations. Proven track record of translating deep technical expertise into strategic business outcomes, ensuring regulatory compliance and risk mitigation through direct involvement and mentorship.

Areas of Expertise

Professional Skills

Team Leadership Strategic Planning Project Management Budget Management Risk Management Policy Development Change Management Business Continuity Disaster Recovery Vendor Management Conflict Resolution

Technical Skills

Microsoft Azure Amazon Web Services Hybrid Cloud IaaS & PaaS Network Security Zero Trust Firewalls Azure AD EC2 VPC S3 RDS DDoS Protection

Professional Experience

IT Infrastructure Manager

Aspire42 | Gold Coast, Queensland

Dec 2022 - Present

Reporting to the Chief Information Officer (CIO)

Recruited to Aspire42 to lead the Infrastructure team of Systems Administrators and Cloud Engineers. Responsible for solving infrastructure, compliance, and governance issues, as well as addressing growing tech debt.

  • Solved growing tech debt by reviewing legacy systems and leveraging Linux/open source expertise to consolidate and decommission infrastructure, leaving only essential legacy data
  • Led successful cloud migration to hybrid Azure and AWS environment, reducing operational costs while improving scalability and resilience. Reduced over 150 virtual servers down to minimum needed
  • Updated and maintained IT governance framework ensuring ISO 27001 compliance, significantly reducing security risks and audit findings while mentoring junior staff
  • Established Arctic Wolf's MDR platform across the organisation, implementing 24/7 security monitoring and threat detection through continuous threat hunting
  • Deployed Microsoft Defender and Defender for Cloud, strengthening endpoint security through iterative Intune policy enhancements and reducing organisational threat exposure

Head of IT (HoIT)

Aus Electrical Data and Communications | Gold Coast, QLD

2019 - 2022

Reporting to the Managing Director (MD)

Led all aspects of IT operations and strategy in a rapidly evolving electrical and data communications firm. Oversaw digital infrastructure, cybersecurity, cloud services, and vendor relationships.

  • Spearheaded full transition to cloud-based systems (Microsoft 365 and SharePoint), improving file access and collaboration for office and field teams
  • Implemented scalable VoIP and unified communications platform, reducing monthly phone costs by 30%
  • Introduced multi-layered cybersecurity protocols including endpoint protection, MFA, and user awareness training, significantly reducing phishing vulnerability
  • Reduced support downtime by over 40% through proactive system monitoring and preventative maintenance
  • Negotiated improved vendor agreements, cutting IT operational costs by 18% while increasing service levels

Owner

SmartTech | Brisbane, Queensland

2011 - 2019

Created IT service company that rapidly grew to service customers across Australia and internationally. Successfully acquired in 2019 by a global leader in hosted infrastructure.

  • Successfully implemented robust security frameworks, ensuring clients meet compliance requirements (ISO 27001, ITILv3), reducing risk of data breaches
  • Upgraded and streamlined IT systems to support business growth, reducing downtime and enabling seamless expansion
  • Implemented cloud-based solutions and automation tools that cut operational costs and provide scalable resources
  • Developed reliable backup and recovery plans ensuring minimal disruption during incidents
  • Deployed AI-driven analytics and reporting tools providing actionable insights for operational optimisation

Senior Network Administrator

TechPath | Brisbane, Queensland

2001 - 2011

Reporting to the Director | Original team member growing company from humble beginnings to industry leader

Senior Network Administrator

2007 - 2011

Advanced to senior network role, managing complex network infrastructure and security implementations. Designed and implemented enterprise-grade networking solutions, including VPN configurations, firewall management, and network monitoring systems. Led network troubleshooting and optimisation initiatives.

Senior Systems Administrator

2005 - 2007

Promoted to lead complex infrastructure projects and mentor junior team members. Led data centre builds and infrastructure development, developing hosted services solutions including VMWare, Citrix clusters, and hosted BPXs. Worked closely with owners to build their vision of a full service MSP.

Systems Administrator

2003 - 2005

Promoted to systems administration role, managing server infrastructure and implementing automated solutions. Configured and maintained Windows and Linux servers, implemented backup and disaster recovery procedures, and provided technical support for complex system issues.

Help Desk Support

2002 - 2003

Provided first-line technical support to clients, troubleshooting hardware and software issues. Developed strong customer service skills while resolving technical problems efficiently. Created documentation and knowledge base articles to improve support processes.

Onsite Tech

2001 - 2002

Started as original team member at TechPath (formerly Betta Computer Services), providing onsite technical support and hardware installations. Gained hands-on experience with client environments while building foundational technical skills. Contributed to the company's growth from humble beginnings.

Get in Touch

I'm excited to connect with like-minded professionals and explore potential opportunities! If you're interested in discussing how my skills and experience align with your needs, please don't hesitate to reach out.

To ensure we can have a productive conversation, I kindly request that you contact me to schedule a call at a time that suits you. This allows us to catch up without interruptions during business hours.

Personal and Professional references are available upon request.