Alan M. Pitts
Cloud-Native Engineering and Architecture — KubeKraft, LLC
Download PDF25+ years in enterprise technology, the last decade focused on cloud-native architecture and Kubernetes. Former AWS Senior Technical Account Manager and Enterprise Cloud Architect who has built Kubernetes platforms spanning on-prem and cloud, led enterprise-wide containerization strategy, and advised customers on cost optimization and disaster recovery at scale. Now running KubeKraft, LLC.
Certifications
- AWS Certified Solutions Architect (Professional)
- Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA)
- AWS Certified DevOps Engineer (Professional)
Skills
- Kubernetes / Amazon EKS
- Docker EE / Helm / Istio
- AWS (EKS, ECS, Lambda)
- Google Cloud GKE
- OpenShift / Cloud Foundry
- Java / Go / Python / Bash
- ELK Stack / DataDog / Splunk / Prometheus
- Jenkins / Concourse / GitOps
Experience
Sabbatical / Independent Projects — Independent
- Designed and implemented an ELK stack monitoring solution for Jenkins build pipelines running in an Amazon EKS cluster for a local startup.
- Designed and implemented a Kubernetes CRD to manage Java truststores used across a Kubernetes cluster.
- Implemented Karpenter autoscaling across multiple Amazon EKS clusters.
- Implemented several EKS clusters to host projects for a local startup.
- Implemented a Java truststore tool in Go.
- Currently building a booking application hosted in AWS, implementing API endpoints called by an iOS app.
Senior Technical Account Manager — Amazon Web Services (AWS)
- Guided enterprise customers on Kubernetes best practices and cloud-native architecture to optimize their environments.
- Supported clients in refining Kubernetes deployments, reducing operational overhead and improving system resilience.
- Delivered critical support during customer outages, escalating to AWS senior executives when needed to drive resolution.
- Advised customers on cost optimization strategy — identified $75,000/mo. in savings for one customer and developed the implementation strategy to realize it.
- Developed disaster recovery strategies with customers for cloud-hosted applications — reduced recovery time from 4+ hours to under 15 minutes during an AWS regional outage by executing a DR plan built in advance.
- Delivered infrastructure-as-code solutions using Python and Amazon CDK to solve production problems and implement new capability.
Enterprise Cloud Architect — American Electric Power (AEP)
- Designed and built a Kubernetes-based application platform spanning on-premises infrastructure and AWS, enabling seamless hybrid cloud deployments.
- Defined Kubernetes governance and security practices for large-scale enterprise environments.
- Developed the enterprise cloud computing business case to drive executive sponsorship and funding for cloud transformation.
- Authored and implemented the enterprise cloud operating model — standards, processes, and roles for cloud adoption across the organization.
Consultant, IT Architecture — Nationwide Mutual Insurance
- Led the creation and adoption of the enterprise containerization strategy.
- Architected, designed, and built a Kubernetes-based application platform enabling scalable CI/CD and GitOps delivery pipelines — delivered an estimated $900,000 in annual cost savings.
- Provided consultative support to application teams onboarding to the platform, ensuring successful adoption and streamlined operations.
- Built accelerators that helped application teams implement Concourse and Jenkins CI/CD pipelines quickly.
- Designed infrastructure-as-code solutions using Python, Concourse, and Helm.
Consultant, Systems Engineering — Nationwide Mutual Insurance
- Led the team implementing and supporting Enterprise Application Integration (EAI) technologies.
- Drove implementation of API management solutions to support secure, scalable service interfaces.
- Led integration initiatives involving ESB technologies including WebSphere MQ, Message Broker, and DataPower.
- Reduced the upgrade lifecycle for critical integration components from 9 months to 6 weeks by automating key processes with Python and formalizing stakeholder involvement.
Sr. Network Security Engineer — MCI-Worldcom
- Led the team implementing and supporting Enterprise Application Integration (EAI) technologies.
Sr. Network Engineer — Sterling Commerce (IBM)
- Led the team implementing and supporting Enterprise Application Integration (EAI) technologies.
- Implemented WAN connectivity between customers and Sterling's datacenter.
Sr. Information Security Architect — Chase Bank
- Led the team implementing and supporting Enterprise Application Integration (EAI) technologies.
- Drove implementation of API management solutions to support secure, scalable service interfaces.
Sr. Product Development Engineer — CompuServe
- Developed and delivered CompuServe's first Internet access service, creating new business relationships with key computer system manufacturers.