Managing the developing, building and operating of the GÉANT network, a core network infrastructure covering Europe that connects European Research and Education Networks between them, and with the world (network.geant.org)

Project managing the delivery of new technology solutions to Nokia customers. Ensuring customers can access the latest technology and make it fit their business and operational model. Building bridges between development, sales, development, delivery and the customer organization and making sure all stakeholders are on board and the project remains on track.

Program manager for the program "Connecting Infrastructures"​, the innovation program that works on the development of SURFnet's network offering. This covers both the fixed (backbone) network as well as the developments in the "wirefree" area. Services need to be relevant and make a difference to the education and research market.

SURFnet's Network Services Department team is responsible for the exploitation and innovation of SURFnet's network (services), from the fiber network up to the routed network. We aim to be well-respected both for the quality of the service as well as the contributions to the development of valuable new network services. A considerable portion of the exploitation is outsourced, but expertise, quality and direction is added by the team. Leading SURFnet's Network Services Department ranges from people to contract management; add budgeting, planning, liaising, facilitating professionals and all that. Include the ambition to be a valuable sounding board for experts, and to have a decent contribution to the setting of directions. Keeps you busy.

Developing the SURFnet network and services, initially as expert on the photonic and the SDH layer for SURFnet6 during the transition from SURFnet5 to SURFnet6. Picked up responsibility for the outsourced NOC. Ran NetherLight (SURFnet's international circuit peering facility). Developed SURFnet's first dynamic network services together with Nortel. This turned out to be an SDN application, well before the time people called it SDN.

A research job in a leading lab. Innovation in networking technologies for optical networks, concept development, assessing impact, feasibility and value and presenting to the product development organisation. From network applications of optical amplifiers and modular mesh networks, to optimal planning of networks with genetic algorithms. Control plane concepts, cost modelling. A number of patents to underline the value of the work. And the customer interaction landed me the next job.