Gary W. Black
2300 Fort Bragg Rd.
Fayetteville, North Carolina 28303
(919) 889-1200
gwblack@gmail.com
QUALIFICATIONS SUMMARY
Experienced professional with more than 15 years of diverse experience in integration testing and deploying technology for
internal customers. Expertise in development of testing methodologies and executing process improvements that maximized
productivity and drove revenue growth. Developed test cases for Agile and Waterfall environments. Proficient in
troubleshooting, analytical problem solving and communication skills. Self-motivated, resourceful, quick learner that excels in
diverse environments.
• Loaded and configured Windows Consumer and Enterprise Operating Systems
• Setup server networks and various RAID levels for both rack and blade servers
• Tested hardware, software, device drivers, BIOS/UEFI and firmware updates.
• Installed MS Office Suite applications and custom images on enterprise configurations.
• Followed proper procedures in the installation of hardware and software applications.
• Developed test and use cases for hardware and software functional test.
• Performed hardware and software verification on configured machines for test.
• Diagnosed and debugged a failure conditions on various test scenarios.
• Installed custom hardware and software configurations on rack mount and blade servers
• Installed and cabled servers systems into rack mounts.
• Authored and tracked defects in defect tracking systems (RQM and CMVC).
• Experience testing in both Agile and Waterfall environments.
• Performed functional, stress, error injection and bad path testing.
AREAS OF EXPERTISE
Windows Enterprise OS, Enterprise Linux, UNIX, TCP/IP, Imaging Software, MS Office, Lotus Software Suite, Ethernet
Cabling, Network Tuning, Server Network Switches, SAN, iSCSI, Fiber Channel, Mezzanine Expansion, Remote Supervisor
cards, Gigabit & Ethernet cards.
Hardware and Configuration
IBM Blade P Series DS 3xxx & 4xxx Storage IBM Fiber Channel Controllers/Enclosures
IBM Blade X Series IBM Blade Storage Switching Blade Center Storage Chassis
IBM Blade Q Series IBM Blade Center High speed/Telco
EDUCATION
2001 Associate in Applied Science - Computer Networking, Wake Technical Community College, Raleigh, NC
EXPERIENCE
HARDWARE – SOFTWARE TEST ENGINEER
June 2014 – Present
IBM, Research Triangle Park, NC – QA Department –UEFI Test, UXSP Test
• Performed functional verification testing on rack mount, and Pure Flex servers.
• Worked with developers troubleshooting defects found on various IBM and Lenovo server platforms.
• Installed server based Operating Systems, updated BIOS/UEFI, diagnostics, and system management firmware.
• Created, presented, and tracked status of defects and testing efforts for all assigned projects.
• Refined test procedures, updated test databases, and planned team strategy.
• Tested driver and firmware installation packages across all Lenovo x86 servers.
• Executed extensive manual testing performed in various environments locally as well as remotely.
• Carried out regression, load, performance, and stress testing on both hardware and software.
• Performed software test installs, UEFI/BIOS flash, and driver audits to ensure installation, compatibility, quality, and
functionality.
Page 1 of 2
Gary W. Black
2300 Fort Bragg Rd.
Fayetteville, North Carolina 28303
(919) 889-1200
gwblack@gmail.com
• Examined and tested the functionality of all BIOS/UEFI firmware for the x86 server development team.
• Contributed timely and accurate feedback to the development and test community.
COMPUTER TECHNICIAN (HARDWARE TESTER)
December 2013 – June,2014
Xchange Technology Group (XTG), Morrisville, NC
• Responsible for configuring and updating pc’s, tablets and servers for the Lenovo Loaner Program
• Responsible for deploying the ThinkServer Demo Kit (includes T-440S and RD-540 ThinkServer) for Vernon
Computer Source in partnership with Lenovo
• Fulfill large volumes of customer orders on a daily basis including various hardware for IT rentals
• Compile and analyze hardware, software, network and error processes
• Perform automated and manual tests on configured machines
• Image laptops and pc’s with ghost imaging software and recover operating systems
• Restore or upgrade various Windows operating systems to Windows 7 or 8 per customer specifications
• Install new custom computer components in laptops and pc’s per customer specifications
HARDWARE – SOFTWARE TEST ENGINEER
November 2003 – October 2013
IBM, Research Triangle Park, NC – FVT department – EMET/MET, Service Processor, BIOS teams
• Performed functional verification testing on rack mount and blade servers.
• Worked with developers troubleshooting defects found on various x86 server platforms.
• Installed server based Operating Systems, updated BIOS, diagnostics, and service processor firmware.
• Created and presented status of defects and testing efforts for all projects.
• Refined test procedures, updated test databases, and planned team strategy.
• Comprehensive testing of pre- and post-production x86 server families.
• Executed extensive manual testing performed in various environments locally as well as remotely.
• Carried out regression, load, performance, and stress testing on both hardware and software.
• Performed software test installs, CMOS/BIOS flash, and driver audits to ensure installation, compatibility, quality, and
functionality.
• Examined and tested the functionality of all BIOS software for x86 development team.
• Contributed timely and accurate feedback to the development and test community.
• Performed testing on development and ship level x86 rack mount and blade servers.
• Provided timely feedback to development to support end user experience.
• Performed extensive testing on pre-release integration firmware.
• Opened and tracked defects utilizing various defect tracking applications (RQM and CMVC)
CONFIGURATION SPECIALIST
June 2000 – November 2003
Sanmina-SCI, Durham, NC
• Installed custom configurations on IBM ThinkPad, NetVista, Netfinity, IntelliStation and X-Server machines.
• Handled large volumes of customer orders on a daily basis in the CPC. (Customized Product Center)
• Compiled and Analyzed hardware, software, network, and error processes.
• Performed Troubleshooting of hardware and software.
• Performed automated tests on configured machines.
REFERENCES
Technical and personal references available upon request.
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GaryWBlack_Apr2015

  • 1.
    Gary W. Black 2300Fort Bragg Rd. Fayetteville, North Carolina 28303 (919) 889-1200 gwblack@gmail.com QUALIFICATIONS SUMMARY Experienced professional with more than 15 years of diverse experience in integration testing and deploying technology for internal customers. Expertise in development of testing methodologies and executing process improvements that maximized productivity and drove revenue growth. Developed test cases for Agile and Waterfall environments. Proficient in troubleshooting, analytical problem solving and communication skills. Self-motivated, resourceful, quick learner that excels in diverse environments. • Loaded and configured Windows Consumer and Enterprise Operating Systems • Setup server networks and various RAID levels for both rack and blade servers • Tested hardware, software, device drivers, BIOS/UEFI and firmware updates. • Installed MS Office Suite applications and custom images on enterprise configurations. • Followed proper procedures in the installation of hardware and software applications. • Developed test and use cases for hardware and software functional test. • Performed hardware and software verification on configured machines for test. • Diagnosed and debugged a failure conditions on various test scenarios. • Installed custom hardware and software configurations on rack mount and blade servers • Installed and cabled servers systems into rack mounts. • Authored and tracked defects in defect tracking systems (RQM and CMVC). • Experience testing in both Agile and Waterfall environments. • Performed functional, stress, error injection and bad path testing. AREAS OF EXPERTISE Windows Enterprise OS, Enterprise Linux, UNIX, TCP/IP, Imaging Software, MS Office, Lotus Software Suite, Ethernet Cabling, Network Tuning, Server Network Switches, SAN, iSCSI, Fiber Channel, Mezzanine Expansion, Remote Supervisor cards, Gigabit & Ethernet cards. Hardware and Configuration IBM Blade P Series DS 3xxx & 4xxx Storage IBM Fiber Channel Controllers/Enclosures IBM Blade X Series IBM Blade Storage Switching Blade Center Storage Chassis IBM Blade Q Series IBM Blade Center High speed/Telco EDUCATION 2001 Associate in Applied Science - Computer Networking, Wake Technical Community College, Raleigh, NC EXPERIENCE HARDWARE – SOFTWARE TEST ENGINEER June 2014 – Present IBM, Research Triangle Park, NC – QA Department –UEFI Test, UXSP Test • Performed functional verification testing on rack mount, and Pure Flex servers. • Worked with developers troubleshooting defects found on various IBM and Lenovo server platforms. • Installed server based Operating Systems, updated BIOS/UEFI, diagnostics, and system management firmware. • Created, presented, and tracked status of defects and testing efforts for all assigned projects. • Refined test procedures, updated test databases, and planned team strategy. • Tested driver and firmware installation packages across all Lenovo x86 servers. • Executed extensive manual testing performed in various environments locally as well as remotely. • Carried out regression, load, performance, and stress testing on both hardware and software. • Performed software test installs, UEFI/BIOS flash, and driver audits to ensure installation, compatibility, quality, and functionality. Page 1 of 2
  • 2.
    Gary W. Black 2300Fort Bragg Rd. Fayetteville, North Carolina 28303 (919) 889-1200 gwblack@gmail.com • Examined and tested the functionality of all BIOS/UEFI firmware for the x86 server development team. • Contributed timely and accurate feedback to the development and test community. COMPUTER TECHNICIAN (HARDWARE TESTER) December 2013 – June,2014 Xchange Technology Group (XTG), Morrisville, NC • Responsible for configuring and updating pc’s, tablets and servers for the Lenovo Loaner Program • Responsible for deploying the ThinkServer Demo Kit (includes T-440S and RD-540 ThinkServer) for Vernon Computer Source in partnership with Lenovo • Fulfill large volumes of customer orders on a daily basis including various hardware for IT rentals • Compile and analyze hardware, software, network and error processes • Perform automated and manual tests on configured machines • Image laptops and pc’s with ghost imaging software and recover operating systems • Restore or upgrade various Windows operating systems to Windows 7 or 8 per customer specifications • Install new custom computer components in laptops and pc’s per customer specifications HARDWARE – SOFTWARE TEST ENGINEER November 2003 – October 2013 IBM, Research Triangle Park, NC – FVT department – EMET/MET, Service Processor, BIOS teams • Performed functional verification testing on rack mount and blade servers. • Worked with developers troubleshooting defects found on various x86 server platforms. • Installed server based Operating Systems, updated BIOS, diagnostics, and service processor firmware. • Created and presented status of defects and testing efforts for all projects. • Refined test procedures, updated test databases, and planned team strategy. • Comprehensive testing of pre- and post-production x86 server families. • Executed extensive manual testing performed in various environments locally as well as remotely. • Carried out regression, load, performance, and stress testing on both hardware and software. • Performed software test installs, CMOS/BIOS flash, and driver audits to ensure installation, compatibility, quality, and functionality. • Examined and tested the functionality of all BIOS software for x86 development team. • Contributed timely and accurate feedback to the development and test community. • Performed testing on development and ship level x86 rack mount and blade servers. • Provided timely feedback to development to support end user experience. • Performed extensive testing on pre-release integration firmware. • Opened and tracked defects utilizing various defect tracking applications (RQM and CMVC) CONFIGURATION SPECIALIST June 2000 – November 2003 Sanmina-SCI, Durham, NC • Installed custom configurations on IBM ThinkPad, NetVista, Netfinity, IntelliStation and X-Server machines. • Handled large volumes of customer orders on a daily basis in the CPC. (Customized Product Center) • Compiled and Analyzed hardware, software, network, and error processes. • Performed Troubleshooting of hardware and software. • Performed automated tests on configured machines. REFERENCES Technical and personal references available upon request. Page 2 of 2