Experience in: Juniper switching/routing and SRX platforms, Hypervisor/Virtualization Methodologies, Cisco, F5 load balancing platforms, Avaya, HP, Aspect CRM/CMS, SITA and ARINC common use platforms, Tier One/Two Service Providers, IP/MPLS, MPLS/TP, MSOs, SONET/SDH, DWDM/ROADM, Wi-Fi, Frame-Relay, VPN, Private IP, BGP, RIP, OSPF, EIGRP, IOS, JunOS, JDSU T-Berd test equipment. Specialties: LAN and WAN architecture, implementation, management, best practices for network, physical, and personnel security.
Juniper JNCDS-DC, JNCIA-Cloud, and JNCIA-JunOS Certified (JPR156381 re-certified October, 2018)
Sr. Network Architect
Dycom Industries, Inc.
April 2017 – March, 2020
Inherited a very large service-provider-style of network with well over 500 remote sites and three data centers including an up and coming cloud infrastructure. This was a near 100% Juniper network all running on the public network – zero MPLS – all BGP over IPSec. Transformed this network from a hub and spoke to regional connecting points offering resilient private cloud connectivity.
In the three years I was there, we shut down two data centers completely migrating all workloads into a single site. We built and ran a small production site in Azure. We implemented a cloud-based disaster recovery solution using Azure. I designed and built the networking, access, and security in this environment. Then we started moving the remaining data center into AWS leaving behind a very small physical footprint.
There was tremendous exposure here to new technologies and I learned so much from building and deploying in both Azure and AWS. I learned all about VPC, VNets, Direct Connects, Express Routes, Internet Gateways, NAT Gateways, Security Groups, NACLs, multi-region, and availability zones. I am currently pursuing further training in AWS building on my current knowledge. I’ll likely jump back into Azure at some point.
Sometimes this position involved being the senior-level troubleshooter and other times it was leading projects. For certain, I was know as THE go-to person for diagrams and Visio drawings. I produced hundreds of diagrams ranging from high level conceptual drawings, to very detailed low level designs. My diagrams were the departmental standard for viewing the entire organization’s infrastructure.
Working with different groups was a great benefit here. With security, we deployed Zscale secure web gateway, CyberArk privileged access management, Netskope cloud access security, and Cyxtera zero trust network access.
On the hardware side: Juniper SRX security platforms (SRX100 up to SRX5400), EX switching (EX2200 up to EX9214), MX routers, vSRX, and vMX (cloud versions).
Network Specialist (original position) – Graduated into Head of Implementation & Deployment – IPTV
Columbus Communications (originally) then merged with
Cable & Wireless Communications
August, 2012 – March, 2017
This was an incredible experience! We were a start up type environment working with just a small group of people in the corporate engineering department. The main mission we set out to accomplish was to create and deploy a cutting-edge IPTV platform built from the ground up. There wasn’t much in the way of off-the-shelf solutions available so we built our own. We built it following an OSI model whereby we could replace any one component and maintain the integrity of the entire system. We coordinated vendors from around the world and chose the specific components we needed – encryption, video encoding, VOD, set top box, set top player, middleware, database, physical access, online guide, and storage. We built our own Cloud DVR.
Here I touched a lot of technology – multi-petabyte storage platforms, different flavors of Linux distributions, video encoding, firewalls, data centers, sub-sea cabling, CMTS, encryption, chassis-based blade systems, and so much more. What was great was that I got to lend my experience to others and we all learned new things almost daily.
The original data center I built started with 5 racks. When I left it had grown to 47. I built all of those including the server/compute, storage, monitoring, and documentation. A lot of this was done through smart hands and working remotely having built relationships with all parties involved – vendor, shipper, in-country transport, and data center management & staff.
The hardware used:
Juniper EX (2200 through 9200), QFX 5100, Virtual Chassis implementations, MX routers
* Juniper SRX (100 through 3400) including clustering, ScreenOS; Pulse VPN
* Cisco 6500/4500/3800 level switches/routers
* F5 BigIP load balancing and security platform
* HP Proliant server platforms; C7000 chassis-based blade systems
* Hitachi NAS HUS and G-series storage platforms
We then merged with Cable & Wireless and there was a need for someone who could master not only the technology, but the planning, the logistics, the training, and full end-to-end implementation and expansion into new markets. During this time, I was able to grow our channel line up in many markets, and deployed the full IPTV and Cloud DVR experience into new markets more than doubling our footprint throughout the Caribbean. This was not only installing, but ordering, shipping, installation/configuration, training, and full implementation. In addition, I designed and built a new data center in Panama serving that massive new market.
IP Network Engineer/Customer Support Engineer
ECI Telecom
Sept 2008 – Aug 2012
A true high-tech engineering firm specializing in telecommunications equipment and platforms. Here I was exposed to transport networks, cable tv providers, internet service providers, and the manufacturing and support process of an equipment and services vendor.
I was chosen as the Resident Engineer to work with the largest customer we had on the new carrier-grade routing platform, the SR9700 which was a pure Ethernet-based carrier-class edge router. Our equipment powered more than half of the very large customer backbone and when I started on the project there was exclusively a lab built. When I left this position, we had well over 100 edge routers serving millions of customers on one of the top 5 largest MSOs in the nation at the time.
I was the front person for the installation and ongoing support of this platform which involved interfacing with entry level operations staff, engineering staff, architecture group, and management up to CIO level at the customer premises. All guidance, troubleshooting, configuration assistance, ongoing training efforts things I thrived at.
After that relationship ended, I continued working other customers and helped to secure and expand sales opportunities where I would demonstrate possibilities and work on proof-of-concepts with existing and new customers.
The skills required for this position was very technical but also first and foremost, customer-focused.
Telecom/Systems Manager
Inktel Direct
Oct 2006 – May 2008
This was my first experienced with a very high volume multi-site inbound and outbound call center. We were predominantly and outbound call center worked with many large clients to offer proactive customer service to new customers as well as expand services with existing customers. Throughout the day, the types of calls either placed or received would vary by individual campaign.
We did pioneer several large telethons handling tens of thousands of calls per hour through an Avaya communications platform and custom-built CTI to increase speed and efficiencies. Custom dialing patterns with specialized CID was used extensively at this site.
I learned a lot about interfacing between automated dialers, inbound call management systems, call queues, and client relations.
Manager, System/Network Communications
Spirit Airlines
Aug 2001 – Aug 2006
The world of aviation is non stop and filled with excitement. Here I owned the entire networking infrastructure. We had a small IT team and I was the one who planned and built the technology in all new airport locations as well as moved/upgraded legacy airport environments. I handled all technology logistics at the airports: the wiring, architecture diagrams, ticket counter automation, boarding gate technology, the entire LAN, carrier relations, airport relations, and the WAN connectivity. I also managed the integration with common use terminals in many airports, provided by either Airinc or SITA (MUSE or CUTE).
Outside of airports, I ran a fully Cisco powered WAN and managed the negotiation and migration from one major telecom vendor to another. I built and managed the company-wide monitoring platform for all servers, networks, and web sites.
Field Systems Analyst
jetBlue Airways
Jun 2000 – Aug 2001
I handled the full induction of all technology at new airports. We were growing rapidly and I brought online all technology at all new airports. We were the first to use a different class of boarding pass printers, the first to desktop computers with full internet access and email for all employees company-wide. The dependance on technology at jetBlue was significant and I was the one to ensure that all components were in place on time by the start of scheduled service.
Telecom Talker 