### 2025-05-09 Λ 15:08 ## 🧠 About Me ### Cloud Architect · Systems Thinker · Relentless Problem Solver ![[IMG_6170 Medium 1.jpeg]] I'm **Dan Vazquez**, a Cloud Architect with a passion for solving complex problems through robust infrastructure, resilient systems, and thoughtful design. With over 15 years of experience spanning defense, private sector, and independent consulting, I’ve built a career focused on delivering secure, scalable cloud solutions that empower mission success and business transformation. I currently serve as a **Cloud Architect at Dark Wolf Solutions**, supporting the U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) across multiple enclaves (IL2, IL4, IL6). My work includes designing and implementing cloud-native architectures on AWS and Azure, deploying secure EKS clusters, and building observability platforms using ELK and EFK stacks. I’ve led the development of monitoring systems with advanced access control via Keycloak and built Python-based automation pipelines to standardize configuration across mission-critical environments. Before that, I held DevSecOps and infrastructure roles at **CAE USA**, **Everything But Water**, and across multiple cloud projects as an independent consultant. I also served honorably in the **U.S. Air Force** as an Engineering and Geospatial Analyst, managing over $15M in construction projects and leading teams on data-intensive missions. ### 🛠️ Core Strengths - Cloud-native architecture (AWS, Azure, GCP) - Kubernetes (EKS, AKS), Docker, and container security - Observability with ELK/EFK, FluentBit, and Prometheus - Infrastructure as Code (Terraform, Ansible, CloudFormation) - CI/CD with GitLab, Argo CD, and automation scripting (Python, Shell) - System hardening, access control, and NIST-compliant implementations I hold an active **Top Secret / SCI clearance**, a **B.S. in Cloud Computing**, and over a dozen industry certifications, including **CKA**, **CKAD**, **KCNA**, and **Terraform Associate**. --- ![[IMG_5604 Medium.jpeg]] ### 🧭 Philosophy My work is driven by curiosity, precision, and a bias for action. I believe that real architecture happens in the messy middle — where business constraints meet technical tradeoffs, and where innovation comes not from perfect plans but from resilient iteration. Through my blog **[seedsofsyntax.inquisitor.dev](https://seedsofsyntax.inquisitor.dev/)**, I document my personal exploration of cloud systems, technical postmortems, and philosophical insights into the nature of complexity, failure, and design. I also write about how I view the world around me, sometimes tackling social, spiritual, philosophical problems along the way. --- ![[D0C2A578-9E26-4D8D-8E90-9482371E017E Medium.jpeg]] ### 🤝 Let's Connect Whether you're looking for a systems thinker to help guide your cloud transformation or want to swap thoughts on monitoring strategies and infrastructure ethics — I’m open to meaningful conversations. - [[🔖 Resume]] - [[🏯 Projects]] - [Read My Blog](https://inquisitor.dev/) - [[☎️ Contact]]