Mxolisi Stemela
Midrand
Summary
Senior SQL Database Consultant with 10+ years of proven expertise in designing, implementing, and optimizing mission-critical SQL database environments across on-premises and cloud platforms. Currently serving as RDS Premium Support Engineer at AWS, bringing deep technical knowledge of enterprise database solutions, high availability architectures, and performance optimization. Demonstrated success in managing complex, large-scale database environments for Fortune 500 clients with 99.99% uptime requirements. Core Expertise: SQL Server Administration | Cloud Database Solutions | Performance Optimization | High Availability Design | Database Security | Disaster Recovery
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
RDS Premium Support Engineer
Amazon Web Services (AWS)
- Current
- Enterprise SQL Solutions: Architect and optimize complex RDS SQL Server implementations for enterprise clients, ensuring mission-critical database performance and 99.99% availability across multi-terabyte environments
- Advanced Troubleshooting: Resolve critical database performance issues and architectural challenges for high-profile clients, consistently achieving sub-4-hour resolution times for P1 incidents
- Security & Compliance: Implement comprehensive database security frameworks including encryption at rest/transit, access controls, and compliance monitoring for regulated industries
- Disaster Recovery Excellence: Design and validate robust backup/recovery strategies, achieving RPO
- Client Consultation: Provide strategic guidance on SQL Server best practices, migration strategies, and performance optimization to enterprise consulting teams
Technical Consultant - Senior Database Administrator
IOCO
01.2017 - Current
- Database Environment Management: Administered 50+ production SQL Server instances across on-premises and Azure SQL environments, maintaining 99.9% uptime for mission-critical business applications
- Performance Optimization: Achieved 60% improvement in query performance through advanced indexing strategies, query optimization, and comprehensive performance monitoring using SQL Server Profiler and Extended Events
- Cloud Migration Leadership: Successfully migrated 40+ SQL Server databases to Azure SQL Database and AWS RDS, implementing automated backup strategies and reducing operational costs by 35%
- Complex Query Development: Designed and optimized complex stored procedures, functions, and triggers supporting high-volume OLTP systems processing 10M+ transactions daily
- Security Implementation: Established comprehensive database security protocols including role-based access controls, transparent data encryption, and audit compliance frameworks
- Disaster Recovery Management: Implemented Always On Availability Groups and automated failover solutions, achieving 99.99% availability for critical business systems
Lead Infrastructure Support Specialist
Motani Lounge PTY LTD
01.2013 - 01.2017
- Production Database Administration: Managed mission-critical SQL Server 2012/2014 production environments, implementing comprehensive monitoring and maintenance strategies
- Performance Engineering: Optimized database performance through advanced T-SQL development, index optimization, and query plan analysis, improving system response times by 45%
- Backup & Recovery: Designed and implemented robust backup/recovery procedures with automated validation, ensuring 100% recovery success rate during testing scenarios
- Database Security: Established security protocols and access controls, ensuring compliance with industry standards and data protection requirements
- System Integration: Created optimized SQL views and ODBC connections for ERP system integration, supporting real-time business reporting requirements
Senior Support Engineer
EOH
01.2011 - 01.2013
- Database Infrastructure: Designed and maintained SQL Server environments supporting 500+ concurrent users across multiple business applications
- System Optimization: Implemented performance monitoring and optimization strategies, reducing system downtime by 40% and improving user productivity
- Technical Support: Provided expert-level troubleshooting and resolution for complex database and infrastructure issues, maintaining 95% customer satisfaction ratings
Education
National Diploma - Software Development
Tshwane University of Technology
Pretoria, Gauteng01.2017
Skills
- SQL Server Technologies
- Versions: SQL Server 2008/2012/2014/2016/2019/2022
- High Availability: Always On Availability Groups, Failover Clustering, Database Mirroring, Log Shipping
- Performance: Query Optimization, Index Tuning, Execution Plan Analysis, Extended Events, SQL Profiler
- Security: Transparent Data Encryption, Row-Level Security, Dynamic Data Masking, SQL Audit
- Cloud Database Platforms
- Azure SQL: SQL Database, Managed Instance, Synapse Analytics, Elastic Pools
- AWS: RDS SQL Server, Aurora, Redshift, Database Migration Service
- Hybrid Solutions: Azure Arc, AWS Outposts, Cross-cloud connectivity
- Database Administration
- Backup/Recovery: Full, Differential, Transaction Log backups, Point-in-time recovery, Automated validation
- Monitoring: SQL Server Management Studio, Azure Monitor, CloudWatch, Custom PowerShell scripts
- Maintenance: Index rebuilding/reorganization, Statistics updates, DBCC checks, Automated maintenance plans
- Migration: Database upgrades, Platform migrations, Schema/Data synchronization
- Programming & Scripting
- T-SQL: Advanced stored procedures, functions, triggers, complex queries, performance optimization
- PowerShell: Automation scripts, monitoring solutions, deployment automation
- Python: Database connectivity, data validation, reporting automation
- SSIS: ETL package development, data integration, automated workflows
- Tools & Technologies
- Management: SSMS, Azure Data Studio, SQL Server Configuration Manager
- Monitoring: SQL Server Profiler, Extended Events, Performance Monitor, Custom dashboards
- Version Control: Git, Azure DevOps, Database project management
- Documentation: Confluence, SharePoint, Technical documentation standards
Accomplishments
- Mission-Critical Database Optimization
- Led performance optimization initiative for multinational client's SQL Server environment, reducing query response times by 70% and eliminating system bottlenecks affecting 2,000+ users
- Enterprise Cloud Migration
- Architected and executed seamless migration of 35 production databases from on-premises SQL Server to Azure SQL, achieving zero downtime and 40% cost reduction while improving disaster recovery capabilities
- High Availability Implementation
- Designed and implemented Always On Availability Groups solution for financial services client, achieving 99.99% uptime and sub-second failover times for mission-critical trading applications
- Security Compliance Excellence
- Established comprehensive database security framework for healthcare client, achieving 100% compliance with HIPAA requirements and implementing advanced encryption and access control mechanisms
- Automation & Efficiency
- Developed automated monitoring and maintenance solutions reducing manual administrative tasks by 60% and eliminating human error in routine database operations
Certification
- Microsoft SQL Server
- MCSA Database Administration (Current)
- Azure Database Administrator Associate (Current)
- AWS Database Certifications
- AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner (Current)
- AWS Certified Solutions Architect (Current)
- AWS Database Specialty (Planned - Q2 2024)
- Additional Certifications
- IBM Cloud Kubernetes Service (Current)
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Languages: English (Fluent), Afrikaans (Conversational)
Software
Mobile development
Timeline
Technical Consultant - Senior Database Administrator
IOCO
01.2017 - Current
Lead Infrastructure Support Specialist
Motani Lounge PTY LTD
01.2013 - 01.2017
Senior Support Engineer
EOH
01.2011 - 01.2013
RDS Premium Support Engineer
Amazon Web Services (AWS)
- Current
National Diploma - Software Development
Tshwane University of Technology
CONSULTING EXPERIENCE HIGHLIGHTS
- Client-Facing Expertise
- Large Enterprise Environments: Managed database solutions for clients with 10,000+ users and multi-terabyte databases
- Industry Experience: Financial Services, Healthcare, Manufacturing, Retail, Government
- Stakeholder Management: Regular interaction with C-level executives, IT directors, and business stakeholders
- Project Leadership: Led cross-functional teams of 5-10 technical professionals on complex database initiatives
- Business Impact Delivery
- Cost Optimization: Consistently delivered 25-40% reduction in database operational costs through cloud migration and optimization
- Performance Improvement: Achieved average 50% improvement in database performance across client engagements
- Risk Mitigation: Implemented disaster recovery solutions reducing business risk and ensuring regulatory compliance
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
- Continuous Learning: Actively pursuing advanced SQL Server and cloud database certifications
- Industry Engagement: Regular participant in SQL Server user groups and Microsoft technical communities
- Knowledge Sharing: Mentor junior database administrators and contribute to internal best practices documentation
- Innovation Focus: Stay current with emerging database technologies and cloud-native solutions
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- Availability: Immediate availability for consulting engagements
- Travel: Willing to travel for client projects across Africa and internationally
- Security Clearance: Available upon request
Scripting
In my spare time I enjoy automating things