Resume
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Michael Sullivan
Profile
Senior Unix/Linux infrastructure engineer with over 30 years building and operating large-scale systems. My work has evolved from early distributed Unix environments on Wall Street to modern distributed systems and AI/ML infrastructure.
I focus on designing systems that are observable, debuggable, and maintainable under real-world conditions. Recent work centers on private, local-first AI systems, distributed compute, and practical automation using Python and shell-based tooling.
Career Highlights
Wall Street Innovations
- Working in UCCEL’s Corporate Research and Development Division, developed an automated documentation generator using The CASE tool PACBASE and its data dictionary, generating the technical reference and documentation for their Next Generation Banking Software effort.
- Brought specialized knowledge of Software Development Methodologies and CASE Tool Development to Salomon Brothers integrating Excelerator with PACBASE as a proof of concept, and examined and evaluated CASE tools for the firm.
- Pioneered LAN-based computing at Salomon Brothers, integrating PC environments with Unix systems, laying the groundwork for a unified network infrastructure that supported the firm’s trading and financial operations.
- Led the development of a distributed computing environment at Merrill Lynch, transitioning key financial systems from mainframes to Unix-based systems, improving processing efficiency and data integrity across global operations.
Unix and Oracle Implementations
- Extensive work with Solaris, SunOS, Linux, macOS, and Oracle during a formative period in enterprise computing.
- Developed a comprehensive options allocation model at Salomon Brothers, integrating data from multiple systems to ensure regulatory compliance for futures traders.
- Architected the system for migrating Merrill Lynch’s balance sheet and general ledger onto an Oracle database running on a Sequent Symmetry SMP system.
- As a consultant for Sun Microsystems at NYNEX, designed and built the VoiceMail Information System server infrastructure.
AI & Modular Systems Development
- Designing modular AI systems using Python, FastAPI, and message-driven architectures (pub/sub), enabling flexible deployment across local and distributed environments.
- Building local-first AI infrastructure using MLX, llama.cpp, and OpenAI-compatible APIs.
- Developing data pipelines for ingestion, transformation, embedding, retrieval, and reuse in agent-based systems.
Leadership in IT Communities
- Involved with the formation of the New York Systems Administrators group and the Tokyo OpenSolaris Users Group.
- Active participant in the Tokyo Linux Users Group (TLUG), supporting open-source adoption and collaboration.
Experience
FOUNDER AND PRINCIPAL, DISTRIBUTED THINKING SYSTEMS LLC, MEMPHIS, TN - AUG 2023 - PRESENT
- Design and build distributed Linux-based systems integrating model inference, agent orchestration, and data pipelines.
- Develop operational tooling in Python and shell for system lifecycle management, orchestration, and API-driven integration.
- Architect modular, Unix-style platforms where independently deployable components communicate via APIs and message buses.
- Build AI data pipelines (ingestion, transformation, embedding, retrieval) for real-world workflows.
- Implement observability, logging, and system instrumentation to support debugging under production conditions.
- Work with containerized and distributed environments, including exposure to Kubernetes and Rancher.
- Develop privacy-first AI systems with local and hybrid deployment models.
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Build and maintain tools including:
- ConnectomeAI (distributed agent framework)
- LLM-Ops-Kit (LLM infrastructure and orchestration)
- TorchDevice (cross-device PyTorch abstraction)
- LogGPT (Safari extension for structured data extraction)
- Provide digital forensics and signal processing services, including audio restoration and AI-assisted analysis of structured and unstructured data.
UNIX SOLUTIONS ARCHITECT, ECS FEDERAL, MEMPHIS, TN - NOV 2020 - AUG 2023
Details
- Supported the US Postal Service’s Unix/Linux environment.
- Provided full-scale release management using ServiceNow.
- Managed the applications release process in an Agile environment from development to production.
- Troubleshot logistics systems and applications issues across all environments.
- Supported 900+ Unix/Linux systems across development, QA, and production.
- Performed performance tuning and systems-level troubleshooting.
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PRINCIPAL, DISTRIBUTED COMPUTING SYSTEMS LLC, NASHVILLE, TN - MAY 2009 - NOV 2020
Details
- Designed and implemented VPN and firewall services using pfSense, Snort, IPSec, and OpenVPN.
- Led an international team to create an IaaS appliance, managing storage, compute, and control components in a single rack.
- Designed a small/medium-sized business NAS storage appliance with data encryption, compression, and deduplication.
- Developed a backup service for DaaS cloud-based storage.
MANAGER - PRODUCTION DIV., AOZORA INFORMATION SYSTEMS, TOKYO - FEB 2006 - MAY 2009
Details
- Managed a $33M budget and prepared reports for senior executives.
- Reduced costs through consolidation using VMware on Linux, achieving a 15% year-over-year savings for two years.
- Co-managed a team of 25 administrators and led project work.
- Built a CMDB for cataloging datacenter and desktop hardware, and implemented a cost allocation model for IT services.
PRINCIPAL, CONSULTING SERVICES, DCS, LLC, TOKYO - MAY 2005 - FEB 2006
Details
- Managed the migration of internet services, including software upgrades and system configuration for a data center relocation.
- Created a proprietary online trading system for a private hedge fund in Tokyo.
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR - HEAD OF SYSTEMS, KBC SECURITIES JAPAN, TOKYO - MAY 2002 - MAY 2005
Details
- Managed a team of 5 employees and provided daily systems operations support.
- Supported global standardization of systems architecture and infrastructure.
- Managed market data support for Bloomberg and Reuters platforms.
MANAGER OF DISTRIBUTED UNIX SYSTEMS, CABLEVISION, LONG ISLAND, NY - OCT 2001 - APR 2002
Details
- Managed a team of 15 UNIX Systems Administrators providing 24/7 support for critical operations.
- Oversaw a $1.5M annual budget and provided mentorship to junior staff.
PRINCIPAL, CONSULTING SERVICES, DCS, LLC, NEW YORK METROPOLITAN AREA - OCT 1994 - OCT 2001
Details
- Managed teams of 4 to 15 UNIX Systems and Database Administrators.
- Designed and implemented strategic information system architecture for internet commerce applications.
- Developed and managed backup and recovery plans for client data centers.
- Clients: NYNEX, Sun Microsystems, SkyMall.com, Recollections Inc. (Zing), InsureMyTrip.com
VICE PRESIDENT/SYSTEMS ARCHITECT, MERRILL LYNCH, NEW YORK, NY - APR 1992 - OCT 1994
Details
- Led the development and implementation of applications and systems architecture for a financial systems migration project.
- Provided development support and training to a staff of 200 developers.
Awards:
- Merrill Lynch President’s Award for Excellence - First Quarter 1993
PROJECT MANAGER, SALOMON BROTHERS INC., NEW YORK, NY - AUG 1987 - APR 1992
Details
- Designed, implemented, and supported a national network infrastructure for investment banking.
- Managed a staff of 12 administrators and developers, and successfully managed the relocation of the investment banking group to a new headquarters.
Awards:
- Business Technology Organization Communications Award - Feb 1991
- Business Technology Organization Communications Award - Feb 1990.
Technical Skills
Technical Skills
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AI / Machine Learning / LLMs: PyTorch, MLX, llama.cpp, Transformers (Hugging Face), Whisper, OpenAI API, embeddings, RAG pipelines, prompt engineering, agent-based systems, tool/function calling, local LLM stacks, inference optimization (Apple Silicon / Metal)
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Backend / APIs / Frameworks: FastAPI, REST/JSON APIs, WebSockets, AsyncIO, Pydantic, Uvicorn, API design, microservices architecture
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DevOps / Infrastructure / CI/CD: GitHub Actions, CI/CD pipelines, automation, Bash scripting, environment management, reproducible builds, deployment pipelines, observability, logging, system instrumentation, containerized workflows, exposure to Kubernetes and Rancher
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Data Engineering / Processing: Data pipelines, ETL, text and audio processing, transcription systems, data normalization, chunking strategies, embedding pipelines, structured and unstructured data analysis
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Security / Privacy: Secrets management (Keychain, environment isolation), secure runtime environments, data privacy, local-first architectures, credential isolation
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Databases / Storage: Oracle (8i-11g), PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQLite, Redis, Berkeley DB, vector storage, graph data structures
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Programming / Scripting: Python, Bash, Bourne/Korn shell, Perl, C, SQL, Ruby, JavaScript, Swift, YAML, JSON, XML, Markdown
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Systems / Platforms: Linux, Unix (Solaris/OpenSolaris), macOS, Apple Silicon (ARM), x86, virtualization (VMware, VirtualBox), distributed systems, multi-node architectures
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Networking / Infrastructure: TCP/IP, HTTP/S, DNS, SMTP, SNMP, NAT, VPN (IPSec, OpenVPN), SSH, firewalls, network security, load balancing (F5), Cisco networking, FIX, Bloomberg, Reuters
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Tools / Software / Systems: Git, GitHub, VS Code, ServiceNow, Apache, Tomcat, LDAP, NFS, CIFS, ZFS, Veritas, X11, Nmap, Snort, pfSense
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Media / Forensics / Audio: iZotope RX, Reaper DAW, audio restoration, signal isolation, forensic data analysis, device data extraction (iOS/macOS), timeline reconstruction
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Hardware: Apple Silicon, Sun SPARC, Intel x86, EMC
Education
Education
- Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN - Post Graduate (PhD work), Neuroscience/Psychiatry, 2014 - 2016
- University of Texas, Arlington, TX - BBA, Information Systems, 1987
Languages
Languages
- English: Native
- Japanese: Basic
Licenses and Clearances
Licenses and Clearances
- USPS Public Trust Clearance - valid through November 2025
- FAA License: Private Pilot, Airplane Single/Multi Engine Land - Instrument Airplane
Professional Involvement
- GitHub Repositories: Active in maintaining and contributing to various open-source projects on GitHub.
- Professional Memberships: Member of USENIX, ACM, The Open Group, and the Apple Developer Network.
- Community Engagement: Founder and active participant in the New York Systems Administrators group, the Tokyo OpenSolaris Users Group, and the Tokyo Linux Users Group (TLUG).
Contact Information
- Email: Michael Sullivan
- LinkedIn: Michael Sullivan
- GitHub: unixwzrd
- HuggingFace: unixwzrd
- Twitter/X: unixwzrd
- Reddit: unixwzrd
- PDF Resume: unixwzrd