Jeff Sherard

Jeff Sherard

Colorado, USA

Principal Data Platform Architect | Cloud Data Systems | Database Performance Engineering

Professional Summary

Principal-level data platform engineer with 30+ years of experience designing, scaling, and optimizing high-performance data systems supporting mission-critical healthcare and enterprise applications. Expert across MongoDB, SQL Server, PostgreSQL, and AWS cloud platforms with a focus on data architecture, database performance optimization, distributed systems, and zero-downtime migrations. Known for working directly with application engineering teams to design scalable data models, optimize data access patterns, and modernize legacy platforms.

Core Expertise

Professional Experience

GHX – Global Healthcare Exchange

Louisville, CO

Staff Data Platform Engineer

2024 – Present
  • Lead data architecture reviews for application teams including schema design, storage technology selection, and data access patterns.
  • Optimize production database performance through query tuning, indexing strategies, and execution plan analysis.
  • Architect distributed data platforms across MongoDB, SQL Server, PostgreSQL, and AWS infrastructure.
  • Define data modeling standards and best practices for engineering teams.
  • Design replication, synchronization, and CDC strategies for operational and analytical workloads.
  • Lead zero-downtime database migrations and modernization initiatives.
  • Establish observability and performance diagnostics for mission-critical data systems.
  • Troubleshoot complex production incidents and guide engineering teams through root-cause analysis.

Director, Global Database Services

2021 – 2024
  • Led enterprise database strategy and operations for global healthcare technology platforms.
  • Directed modernization of database infrastructure and migration initiatives to AWS.
  • Implemented performance optimization strategies across MongoDB, SQL Server, Oracle, and MySQL environments.
  • Established disaster recovery and business continuity standards for critical systems.

Manager, Database Services

2011 – 2021
  • Managed enterprise database operations supporting mission-critical healthcare applications.
  • Led a team of DBAs responsible for high availability and performance of enterprise data systems.
  • Designed disaster recovery strategies and high-availability architectures.

Intrado

Manager, Database Administration

2010 – 2011

Directed database engineering and operations for enterprise systems supporting emergency communications platforms.

Sun Microsystems

Senior Engineering Manager

2000 – 2007

Managed engineering teams responsible for enterprise IT infrastructure, database engineering, and systems operations.

Education

BS – Chemical Engineering

University of Missouri – Columbia

Programming Certificate

Front Range Community College

Certifications