Why Hire Charles Penn?
A unique blend of technical mastery, business acumen, and generational wisdom
🎯 Strategic Vision
Accounting degree provides financial literacy most technicians lack. 25+ years transforming IT infrastructure while understanding business implications of every technical decision. Bridge between executive leadership and technical teams.
🛡️ Compliance & Security
Expert in FDA/GMP/JSOX, CIS18, SANS 5 regulations with proven success in securing manufacturing environments. Build resilient, compliant frameworks rather than just implementing security. Vendor risk management and audit readiness.
⚡ Technical Depth
From VMware ESXi/Horizon to Citrix XenApp/XenDesktop, Nimble SAN to zero-trust frameworks. Evolved with technology while maintaining expertise in legacy systems. Full-stack capability from infrastructure to application support.
🏭 Manufacturing & OT Expertise
Specialized in 24/7 manufacturing with deep understanding of OT/IT convergence, Purdue Model architecture, and plant floor cybersecurity. Experience supporting critical production environments with zero downtime tolerance.
🔄 Business Continuity
Disaster recovery planning, testing, and documentation. Vendor coordination and SLA creation/enforcement. Change management and cross-functional leadership. Proven ability to maintain operations during transitions and crises.
🤝 Leadership & Communication
Build rapport quickly with stakeholders at all levels. Excellent teacher and mentor. Strong work ethic forged from 25 years of solving real business problems. Professional endorsements from colleagues across multiple industries.
Versatile IT/OT leader with 25+ years of progressive experience spanning infrastructure, cybersecurity, compliance, and business systems analysis. Proven ability to bridge technical execution with business needs, lead regulated environments, and deliver enterprise-scale solutions.
My foundation in accounting and business administration provides unique financial literacy that enhances technical decision-making. I bring the wisdom of experience, strategic vision, and a legacy mindset to every project—understanding that IT infrastructure isn't just technology, it's the backbone of business operations that must be secure, compliant, and resilient.
Currently seeking leadership roles where I can apply my extensive skills across multiple industries, with particular expertise in manufacturing, healthcare, and regulated environments.
Professional Documentation
Download comprehensive materials including resume, personality assessments, and detailed career history
Strategic Job Hunting Dashboard
Personalized strategies for your specific experience and career goals
Battle Creek Area
Manufacturing IT roles +12% YoY
Salary Range
$90K-$140K for senior roles
Remote Flexibility
40% offer hybrid options
Hot Skills
OT Security, Cloud Migration
1. Update 3 job board profiles with 2025 keywords
2. Connect with 2 manufacturing industry recruiters
3. Research 1 company's IT infrastructure needs
4. Review and optimize 1 resume section
Job Search Ecosystem
Comprehensive job board management with tracking
Targeted Networking
Strategic connections for your specific career goals
LinkedIn Group
Industry Specialists
Technical Community
Local Connections
Your Community
Primary Profile
Experience Advantage Strategy
Tailored approaches leveraging your unique 25-year experience advantage
🎯 Positioning Your Experience for Maximum Impact
Lead with wisdom, not age: "25 years transforming IT infrastructure" not "IT professional since 1998"
Frame as strategic asset: "I've seen technology cycles repeat. I can save you from repeating expensive mistakes."
Quantify ROI: "My experience typically delivers 40% faster problem resolution and 30% lower implementation risk."
Leverage specialized knowledge: Emphasize FDA/GMP/JSOX experience in regulated manufacturing environments
Advanced Search Tools
Pro-level search strategies for experienced professionals
LinkedIn Boolean Searches
- "IT director" AND (manufacturing OR "plant operations") Michigan
- "senior systems administrator" VMware Citrix "Battle Creek"
- "cybersecurity" AND (FDA OR GMP OR compliance) NOT entry
- "infrastructure manager" AND (OT OR "operational technology")
Company-Specific Approaches
- Direct emails to IT directors at manufacturing companies
- Research company tech stack before applying
- Connect with current employees for referrals
- Follow companies on LinkedIn for job alerts
Recruiter Strategies
- Target manufacturing industry specialists
- Prepare 30-second value proposition pitch
- Follow up every 2 weeks during active search
- Ask recruiters about their client's pain points
Target Roles & Positions
Open to leadership positions where my diverse skill set can drive organizational success
Comprehensive Skill Sets
SME-level expertise across multiple domains with complementary business skills
Core Competencies (SME-Level)
- Infrastructure & Virtualization (VMware, Citrix, Nimble SAN)
- Identity & Access Management (AD/GPO, MFA, Zero-Trust)
- Cybersecurity & Compliance (FDA/GMP/JSOX, CIS18, SANS 5)
- Server & Storage Administration
- Business Continuity & Disaster Recovery
- Systems & Business Analysis
- Project & Vendor Management
- Operational Integrity & Governance
Complementary Skills
- Application Development & Automation
- Web & Application Management
- Database Administration
- Networking & Security Tools
- ERP & Business Systems
- Scientific Instrument Integration
- Customer Service & Training
- Accounting & Business Administration
Emerging & Growth Areas
- Cloud Security Architecture
- AI/ML in Cybersecurity
- DevSecOps & CI/CD
- Containerization & Orchestration
- Identity Governance & Administration
- OT Cybersecurity
- Data Privacy & Governance
- Advanced Incident Response
Strategic Skills Development
Targeted learning for immediate career advancement
CISSP Certification
Most valuable cybersecurity certification
Estimated completion: Q2 2025
VMware Certified Professional
Reinforce your VMware expertise
Estimated completion: Q1 2025
Azure Security Engineer
Cloud security specialization
Estimated completion: Q3 2025
Professional Endorsements
What colleagues and leaders say about working with Charles
Ready to Strengthen Your Team?
Let's discuss how my 25+ years of technical leadership, business acumen, and manufacturing cybersecurity expertise can drive your organization forward.