Derek I. Jackson
AWS Certified Solutions Architect — Associate
AWS Certified Solutions Architect Associate with hands-on experience designing and deploying cloud network infrastructure using infrastructure as code. Background in enterprise operations and cross-functional stakeholder coordination, with a track record of using technology to drive process improvements and operational outcomes.
STACK
Technical Skills
Cloud Platforms
EC2S3IAM
Route 53CloudWatchLambda
API GatewayCloudFrontEKS
ECSFargateTextract
SNSSQSKMS
ACMWell-Architected Framework
Networking
VPCSubnetsNACLs
Security GroupsALBFirewall Policy Design
BGP / OSPF / HSRPVPNMulti-AZ
High AvailabilityDisaster Recovery
AWS OrganizationsSCPsCloudTrail
AWS ConfigAWS WAF
Infrastructure as Code
TerraformCloudFormationAWS SAM
Databases
Amazon RDSDynamoDB
Database Migration ServiceSQL Server
MySQLSchema Conversion Tool
Developer Tools
GitHubGitHub ActionsAmazon Q
Claude AIPythonpytest
CI/CDDockerHTML/CSS/JS
SHIP
Projects
Cloud Resume Challenge
- Architected and deployed a serverless portfolio site hosted on AWS S3 and delivered via CloudFront on a custom domain with API Gateway and a Lambda backend running a DynamoDB backed visitor counter.
- Built a CI/CD pipeline with GitHub Actions and a least-privilege IAM policy, deploying the frontend to S3, clearing CloudFront's cache, and updating the Lambda backend on every push to main.
- Resolved an AWS fraud-flag block on domain registration and a broken ACM/DNS chain through direct AWS Support engagement, keeping the project on schedule.
Insurance Claims Document Processor
- Built a claims processing pipeline using AWS S3, Lambda, Textract, SNS, SQS, and DynamoDB that automates the extraction of specified data from PDF claim forms.
- Provisioned the pipeline as Infrastructure as Code (IaC) across 5 Terraform modules, adding KMS encryption and a dead-letter queue to strengthen security and fault tolerance beyond the original console build.
- Debugged a 3-stage KMS permission chain and an SQS/SNS event-parsing error, restoring an end-to-end pipeline verified using mock claim data.
WORK
Professional Experience
Senior Claims Consultant
2021 – 2023Reliance Matrix · Remote
- Leveraged EvolutionIQ AI to flag high-opportunity claims, uncovering fraud patterns and informing department training improvements
- Streamlined claims data workflows by collaborating with the technical team to optimize Salesforce CRM processes and improve team responsiveness and tracking accuracy
- Partnered with Claims Bureau USA using Skopenow and TLO to investigate and prosecute insurance fraud, saving the enterprise six figures quarterly
Quality Audit Specialist
2017 – 2021Lincoln Financial Group · Atlanta, GA
- Audited claims operations to ensure legal and regulatory compliance, reducing organizational risk exposure
- Analyzed audit data to assess internal controls and collaborated with stakeholders to implement targeted process improvements
- Engineered and delivered procedural update presentations that accelerated department-wide adoption and reduced compliance incidents
Senior Claims Examiner
2015 – 2017Lincoln Financial Group · Atlanta, GA
- Evaluated claimant physical and mental status against contract terms to determine benefit eligibility with clinical and vocational input
- Assessed claimant work-capacity limitations in partnership with clinical and vocational staff, improving claims accuracy and efficiency
Licensed Insurance Account Manager
2014 – 2015State Farm · Atlanta, GA / Austell, GA
- Advised clients on life, health, auto, property, and banking products tailored to individual risk profiles and financial goals
- Utilized underwriting software to explain policy details and close sales, contributing to branch revenue growth
EDU
Education & Certifications
Bachelor of Arts, Political Science — Morehouse College, Atlanta, GA
2011
AWS Cloud Institute
2024 – 2025
AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate
Certification