Resume | Nicholas Lastella

Professional summary

Technology leader specializing in educational technology, data systems, reporting, software development, and process automation. Experienced in designing and supporting solutions for complex K–12 data and operational environments, with a strong background in educational data reporting, SQL Server, Power BI, C#/.NET application development, APIs, integrations, and automated workflows. Leads a technical team while remaining actively involved in solution architecture and hands-on development.

Brings a broad perspective developed through experience in school district technology support, educational data systems and State Reporting, business intelligence, application development, and technical leadership. Skilled at translating complex data, regulatory, and operational requirements into maintainable technical solutions, guiding projects from concept through implementation, and communicating effectively with technical teams, administrators, and other stakeholders.

Experience

6 positions

Nassau BOCES · Robert E. Lupinskie Center, Westbury, NY June 2024 — Present

State Reporting

Senior Manager / Information Technology Applications Specialist III

Lead a three-person technical team while remaining actively involved in software development, data architecture, reporting, automation, and emerging technology initiatives. My role combines technical leadership with hands-on development, with a focus on educational data and processes and on creating maintainable systems that simplify complex reporting, operational, and analytical workflows.

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Responsibilities & accomplishments

Expanded the use of custom C#/.NET applications and internal web tools to replace manual processes and centralize previously fragmented workflows.
Designed APIs and integrations that allow internal systems and reporting tools to securely exchange and expose data.
Modernized SQL Server processes supporting State Reporting and accountability analysis, including automated data preparation, validation, and multi-year reporting.
Configured an NVIDIA DGX Spark as a local LLM platform using Ollama and Open WebUI; created a helpdesk-ticket training dataset to explore LoRA fine-tuning.
Built monitoring, notification, file-transfer, and data-processing automations that reduce human error and surface issues earlier.
Helped establish stronger development and operational practices around source control, application deployment, documentation, reporting governance, and maintainability.
Regularly present technical solutions and complex data concepts to district and internal audiences, translating implementation details into information relevant to end users and decision-makers.

Relevant projects

NASRIC Report Directory View case study →

Nassau BOCES · Robert E. Lupinskie Center, Westbury, NY June 2021 — May 2024

State Reporting

Information Technology Specialist II

Supported school districts with New York State reporting and data-quality issues while expanding into SQL development, business intelligence, and tools that made complex educational data easier to understand and manage.

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Responsibilities & accomplishments

Created the State Reporting Power BI Dashboard portal, providing Nassau County districts with a centralized reporting and data-validation resource.
Developed SQL-based tools and analyses to identify discrepancies and troubleshoot difficult student-data reporting issues.
Became a subject-matter resource for SIRS reporting, Level 0/1/2 data, and the relationship between district source data and NYSED reporting systems.
Began introducing automation and custom development into established reporting processes, laying the foundation for much of my later application-development work.
Worked directly with district staff to turn complex technical and regulatory issues into understandable steps toward resolution.

Relevant projects

ESSA Dashboard View case study →

Nassau BOCES · Robert E. Lupinskie Center, Westbury, NY January 2020 — June 2021

Test Scoring

Information Technology Aide II

Supported NYS, NYSESLAT, NYSITELL, Regents and DataMate scoring while gaining my first experience with educational data systems and applying technology to operational problems.

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Responsibilities & accomplishments

Played a major role in the creation and rollout of the TakeAction COVID-19 screening platform, which was adopted by Nassau BOCES and multiple school districts.
Began working with the Level 0 student-data environment and assisting schools with troubleshooting data issues.
Used increasingly advanced Excel formulas and macros to improve recurring operational tasks.
Gained firsthand experience with the high-volume, accuracy-sensitive processes surrounding statewide assessment administration and scoring.

Future Tech Enterprises Inc. · Merrick UFSD October 2016 — January 2020

Level 1 Technician

Provided onsite IT support within a public school district, covering end-user technology, device deployment, network infrastructure, and basic systems administration. This role established the broad technical foundation that I later carried into development and data-focused positions.

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Responsibilities & accomplishments

Supported an environment of approximately 2,000 devices and 200 employees across three schools.
Created and deployed SCCM task sequences for standardized Windows imaging and updates.
Worked with Active Directory permissions and policies in a production domain environment.
Installed and maintained wireless access points, switches, and network drops.
Configured and deployed classroom iPads using Apple Configurator.

Inspect UR Gadgets · Long Beach, NY July 2014 — April 2016

Repair Technician → Manager

Started as a hands-on repair technician and progressed into a management role within a small technology business. Worked directly with customers while handling device repair, computer support, inventory, purchasing, and online sales.

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Responsibilities & accomplishments

Diagnosed and repaired hardware across smartphones, Windows PCs, and Apple computers, including component replacement and system restoration.
Provided technical support to residential and small-business customers in person, remotely, and by telephone.
Took responsibility for inventory management and purchasing of repair parts and retail stock.
Managed online sales activity across platforms including eBay and Swappa.

Your Wireless — Verizon Wireless Premium Retailer · Oceanside, NY February 2012 — July 2014

Sales Representative

Worked in technology-focused retail sales while also serving as a frontline technical resource for customers. The role developed my ability to understand a customer's problem, explain technology clearly, and remain effective in high-pressure situations.

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Responsibilities & accomplishments

Built strong customer-facing troubleshooting skills while supporting mobile devices and related services.
Learned to communicate technical concepts to customers with widely varying levels of technical knowledge.
Developed experience resolving difficult customer situations professionally while balancing technical, service, and business considerations.

Education

1 entry

New York Institute of Technology · Old Westbury, NY

B.S. Computer Science

Network Security

Graduated with cum laude honors.
Recipient of Computer Science Faculty Award for demonstrated excellence in the field.

September 2012 — May 2016