After a 30 year career in technology, I have decided to retire.

I was promoted to work with senior management on defining a new, flexible software delivery model, as well as providing the tooling for a new pipeline-based testing system. I identify customer needs and ensure proper tooling is in place to accomplish goals. I lead, coach, and mentor a team of up to 10 direct reports, and coordinate efforts with other departments and groups to prioritize and handle a high volume of activities. I also manage aspects of the annual budget. Among my achievements:❖Reduced release cycles dramatically for cloud on-premises. Created a new pipeline-based testing and delivery model that changed delivery of new vSphere software dramatically. ❖Introduced a microservices-based Universal Test System that enabled any developer to run any test at any time. Eliminated a prior issue with pre-check in/post-check in testing, resulting in improved efficiency and developer satisfaction, as well as system-based pinpointing of issues to save time for developers.❖Created a flaky-detection system that eliminated erroneous notification to developers for tests that failed due to flakiness vs. a code-related change, as well as developing a Culprit Identification system that isolated build and test-breaking changes down to a specific CLN (notifying the appropriate developer).❖Maintained an extremely high level of team member retention through mentoring, coaching, and support, with several employees earning promotions and advancement.

I was promoted to manage and lead a multinational team (U.S. and China) of 10 direct reports. I directed support for an end-to-end test automation framework and execution of cycle-based regression tests. I analyzed the work backlog, pinpointed key issues, negotiated with managers on fixes, identified features, and prioritized tasks to meet release schedules. I managed BU-wide shared compute capacity and capital expense budget for new compute resources. Past successes:❖Led team performance in automating triage efforts, included isolating issues, capturing logs, and fixing bugs automatically. Freed up time for engineers to develop code vs. managing triage efforts (went from 120 hours to ~12 hours per week of execution and triage).❖Developed the talent to enhance team skill set and increase productivity.

I transitioned into a newly-formed Test Tools Development team in order to grow a new end-to-end test automation framework. I conceptualized, planned, and led the team in creating new features and maintaining the existing codebase for the framework. I implemented strategies to increase functional-area framework adoption, and provided recommendations to upper management regarding prioritization of activities and issues. I am proud to have:❖Reduced test bed deployment times by 71% through identification of 2 issues (code and infrastructure) and spearheading resolution efforts.❖Decreased overall engineering time spent on test result triaging activities through initiating a project to facilitate improvements in logging.❖Improved sandbox build times by 68% through incorporating a simplified target to build scripts.

I managed a large testing matrix and oversaw the testing of multiple VMWare Tools involving ESX and guest operating systems. I led 9 functional teams in testing and certification of VMWare Tools compatibility across a wide matrix of tools versions, ESX versions, and OSs. Key highlights:❖Reduced the burden of testing multiple functional area’s tests during compatibility testing by persuading upper management to consolidate test automation frameworks. Additionally, convinced management to create a team to grow/maintain the framework, increasing chances of adoption.❖Led efforts to create a multi-area, end-to-end test framework still in current use.

I revamped Cisco’s Retail and Healthcare demo labs with the latest devices. I rewrote scripts and flow for demonstrations to provide impactful vertically-relevant demonstrations to customers over Cisco TelePresence.

I created competitive analysis studies that increased field awareness of SRX and competitive strengths/weaknesses. I developed training materials and delivered worldwide training on newly launched SRX-series firewalls. I wrote application notes and whitepapers on firewall metrics.

Responsible for creating and delivering technical marketing support and information to increase market share through increased field communications including application specific deployment guides, power and MTBF calculators, technology and feature technical notes and feature specific Quick Reference Guides.

I worked closely with developers, product management team members, and field sales staff to drive efforts for feature growth and integration. I created test plans and cases that aligned with customer use cases while fully supporting the release schedule.

I was recognized repeatedly as a key contributor in the region, including the 2006 Advanced Technologies SE of the Year. I cultivated relationships with key accounts, leading to repeat business, increased account penetration, published case studies, and referrals. I also created curricula and course materials.

IT Consultant. Operated a 11-city International data communication network serving over 19,000 users, maintaining a VoIP WAN and 500 user IP Telephony network.

I operated a 10-city high-speed data network with 30K subscribers (over $1M in monthly revenues). I increased capacity from 800 to 45,000 subscribers per system by implementing a backbone infrastructure interconnecting all sites, resulting in a $10K+ cost reduction.

Provided technical expertise for all phases of sales process, including proposal development, customer presentation, network installation and post-sales solution support.

As the first employee hired by the management group (BIG), I was responsible for putting together the team, both technical and non-technical, to lead the start-up company

Managed team of six network engineers to design and implement nationwide backbone and data center facilities for managed applications services. Designed and implemented IP backbone and data center infrastructure for a constantly growing and changing start-up network service provider. Designed a highly redundant, 32-city IP network to stringent high-availability requirements. Evaluated vendors and equipment, negotiated pricing and awarded $8 million in network equipment purchases, producing a robust and resilient data center network while saving $4 million over a single-source solution.

Consultant

Network Engineer for dial-up ISP