Richard Schafer Email & Phone Number

Wylie, Tx, Us

While seeking my next technology leadership role, I also engaged in advancing my professional development and obtaining certifications and training.• Current training - CompTIA Security+ Course. Working towards a CompTIA Security+ certification through CyberNow Labs.• Training: PMI Project Management Professional: Aci Learning, 40-hour instructor-led course. Result: PMP Certified• Training: ITIL 4 Foundations: ACi Learning, 40-hour instructor-led course. Result: ITIL 4 Certified• Training: Introduction Python Programming: New Horizons, 40-hour instructor-led course• Training: Advanced Python Programming: New Horizons, 40-hour instructor-led course. Result: Downloaded various AI solutions from GitHub and learning LLMs in my Oracle VM Kali sandbox• Online Learning: Transformer Models and BERT, Intro to Responsible AI, Intro to Large Language Models, Intro to Image Generation, Intro to Generative AI, Generative AI fundamentals, Encoder-Decoder Architecture, Create Image Captioning Models, Attention Mechanisms, What is Generative AI, Intro to Generative AI Studio, Gen AI: Working with LLM, Six Sigma Foundations, Operational Excellence Foundations, Leveraging AI for Project Management, Generative AI Overview for Project Managers (PMI), Procurement and Logistics Certificate. See LinkedIn for more details.

Austin, Tx, Us

• Strengthened partnership relationships strategically, fostering innovation and excellence within the technology department.• Managed and enhanced partner alliances, aligning technical solutions with the enterprise's strategic goals.• Ensured compliance of Partner Alliance contracts with technical strategies and enterprise planning.• Conducted training on low-code/no-code solutions (Microsoft D365, MS Power Platform, Salesforce, API Management, DXP technologies) for sales and account management teams.• Assisted field sales teams in meeting revenue targets through effective partner alignment strategies.• Monitored and reported on partner performance, analyzing key metrics to optimize alliances and address any challenges proactively.

Austin, Tx, Us

• Led strategic application development, guiding enterprise initiatives in line with company goals.• Managed multi-million-dollar digital projects, aligning them with enterprise objectives and business plans.• Represented departmental interests in executive meetings to align with the company's strategic direction.• Implemented PMBOK and Scrum methodologies for continuous improvement and goal alignment.• Directed client projects from pre-sale to delivery, ensuring compliance with strategies and standards.• Managed the end-to-end lifecycle of complex technical programs, ensuring on-time and within-budget delivery.

Austin, Tx, Us

• Managed stakeholder engagement, aligning project goals with business needs and enterprise outcomes.• Oversaw product development for major client projects from pre-sales to delivery, ensuring alignment with business goals.• Collaborated with clients to understand objectives, infrastructure, and risks, crafting tailored strategies using NLP, ML, RPA, custom, and platform-based solutions.• Translated client needs into digital strategies, created business cases and technical documentation, and defined project visions.• Led Enterprise Solutions Architecture teams, created RACI charts and communications plans, implemented robust models for business continuity, including backup, restore, replication, and recovery, and led all phases of delivering the solutions to clients.• Provided strategic consulting services to clients, analyzing business requirements and recommending innovative solutions to optimize their processes.

Atlanta, Ga, Us

• Orchestrated the migration from Great Plains to Oracle NetSuite ERP, integrating global procurement and Salesforce CRM and automating the Order-to-Cash process for improved efficiency.• Established comprehensive procurement policies and operational workflows in NetSuite, setting high standards for operational best practices.• Executed a strategy to merge procurement functions between ECI Software and Exact Software, optimizing the procurement lifecycle.• Enhanced Oracle NetSuite operations by standardizing procurement processes, improving purchasing strategies, and automating accounts payable workflows.• Streamlined U.S. and international purchasing operations by re-engineering vendor management, procurement, and contract processes.• Collaborated with cross-functional teams, including engineering, product management, and quality assurance, to define project scopes, objectives, and timelines.

• Planned, managed, and successfully delivered various technical and operational projects for clients.

• Provided strategic leadership across various regions in IT, product development, and technical operations, ensuring top-notch technology solutions aligned with business goals.• Collaborated with the CEO to create and implement a transformative Supply Chain Material (SCM) product, boosting operational efficiency for T-Mobile and AT&T deployment contractors.• Designed a robust corporate IT setup and devised comprehensive security, operations, and implementation strategies aligned with industry best practices and company objectives.• Advocated for COBIT governance methods, established effective ticketing priorities, and crafted risk management policies to protect corporate data and ensure business continuity.• Enhanced customer experience by 52% by standardizing IT hardware architectures, integrating hybrid AWS networks strategically, and setting new standards for service excellence.• Developed and implemented program governance frameworks, enhancing project transparency and accountability.

• Led comprehensive company strategies across sales, engineering, IT, development, and product management, nurturing an innovative and technically proficient environment.• Negotiated advantageous vendor contracts, slashing costs and significantly elevating the profitability of technology operations.• Established tech-focused training programs, ensuring a knowledgeable workforce aligned with industry standards.• Spearheaded research on new technologies, driving strategic investments and positioning the company as an industry leader.• Orchestrated forward-looking technology strategies, aligning with core business goals to fuel operational efficiency and market expansion.• Formulated and executed a forward-thinking technology strategy aligned with business goals, increasing overall company efficiency.

As the VP/Chief Operating Officer, I was entrusted with restoring the profitability of a newly acquired telecom construction business. My role encompassed complete responsibility for engineering, sales, and installation operations, along with developing, tracking, and controlling annual operating and capital budgets for purchasing, staffing, and operations.Strategic Planning, Leadership & Innovations:Within just 6 months of joining, I successfully secured $4M in new contracts, positioning the company for sustainable growth. This achievement was facilitated by a comprehensive restructuring of the team, strategic recruitment of necessary resources, definition of efficient workflows between teams, and the implementation of performance measurement systems.I authored Safety standards and an OSHA guidebook, ensuring compliance and safety for a nationally dispersed installation team of 80 members. Through training, mentoring, and guidance, the team seamlessly adopted corporate safety measures and OSHA regulatory requirements, leading to increased customer satisfaction and business growth.In the IT department, I efficiently managed people, budgets, and strategic decision-making. I fostered strong working relationships with business leaders, customers, and management, while ensuring compliance with security policies. As a strategic decision-maker, I approved purchases of IP/Telephony technology, equipment, software, and services, strategically optimizing the mix of in-house and outsourced services through the establishment of valuable service provider partnerships.In my role as VP/Chief Operating Officer, I demonstrated a keen ability to drive profitable growth, improve safety standards, and optimize operational efficiencies through strategic leadership and innovation. My dedication to fostering a collaborative and secure working environment contributed significantly to the success and sustainability of the telecom construction business.

I played a pivotal role in defining the business strategy, recruiting and training a proficient team, and securing strategic contracts with valuable customers.Held comprehensive responsibility for engineering, sales, and installation operations, effectively driving the company's operational success.During my tenure as COO, I achieved remarkable milestones through strategic planning, leadership, and innovations:Within 6 months, I secured $6M in new construction contracts, strategically positioning the company for further profitable growth. This success was accompanied by a comprehensive restructuring of the team, recruiting essential resources, defining efficient workflows, and implementing performance measurements.I led the training of teams in DC power installation standards, engineering, installation, testing, and turn-up, ensuring high-quality services and adherence to safety protocols.Safety standards and an OSHA guidebook were authored by me for a nationally dispersed installation team of 100 members. I actively introduced, trained, mentored, and guided the team in adopting corporate safety measures and complying with OSHA regulatory requirements. This effort significantly boosted customer satisfaction and contributed to overall business growth.I built strong working relationships and collaborated with business leaders, customers, management, and teams. My interactions with executive management ensured compliance with security policies. I approved purchases of IP/Telephony technology, equipment, software, and services, optimizing the mix of in-house and outsourced services through strategic service provider partnerships.I exemplified strategic leadership and innovation, driving swift and profitable growth while maintaining a strong focus on safety, compliance, and operational excellence. My tenure was marked by a dedication to fostering a collaborative working environment and contributing to the success and growth of the business.

Led and coordinated fiber optic network installation projects, ensuring timely and successful execution of infrastructure, equipment, and related technologies. Supervised and mentored installation technicians and network engineers, fostering their productivity and professional growth. Collaborated with stakeholders to identify installation requirements, allocated resources effectively, and managed timelines and milestones.Ensured network installations adhered to industry standards, company guidelines, and safety protocols through quality audits and corrective actions. Worked closely with vendors and suppliers, procuring necessary equipment and materials, evaluating performance, and negotiating contracts.Monitored project budgets, optimized resource utilization, and controlled costs for cost-effective installations. Provided technical guidance and solutions during installation challenges, leveraging strong network technology expertise.Maintained accurate records of installation activities, progress reports, and documentation, regularly reporting project status, key performance indicators, and operational efficiencies to management.Promoted a culture of safety and compliance within the team, ensuring all installation activities met health and safety standards and regulations.Identified opportunities for process improvement, implemented best practices, and drove operational excellence across installation processes.

In my role as the Customer Circuit Provisioning Manager, I successfully managed the end-to-end provisioning process for customer circuits, ensuring seamless order handling, validation, and timely delivery. I led a team of provisioning specialists, providing them with guidance and support to optimize their productivity and service quality.Acting as the main point of contact for customers, I effectively communicated circuit provisioning updates, timelines, and addressed any related queries, fostering strong customer relationships and ensuring customer satisfaction.To improve operational efficiency, I continuously evaluated and enhanced the provisioning process, implementing automation where possible, and streamlining workflows to reduce lead times. I collaborated closely with vendors and service providers, monitoring circuit delivery timelines, resolving issues, and maintaining strong partnerships through contract negotiation and SLA implementation.Quality assurance was a top priority, and I implemented measures to ensure accurate and error-free circuit provisioning, conducting regular audits to identify and address any discrepancies.Handling escalations and complex provisioning challenges, I resolved them promptly, maintaining a high level of customer satisfaction.In addition, I prepared and presented regular reports on provisioning activities, key performance indicators, and operational metrics, analyzing data to identify trends and areas for improvement.Throughout my tenure, I utilized my strong leadership and communication skills, along with a deep understanding of circuit provisioning processes, network technologies, and telecommunications infrastructure to excel in the role of Customer Circuit Provisioning Manager.

In my role as a Network Operations Technician III, I actively monitored the performance, availability, and security of our network infrastructure using various monitoring tools. I proactively identified and resolved network issues to minimize downtime and ensure optimal network performance.I played a crucial role in incident management, responding to and troubleshooting network incidents, service disruptions, and outages. I collaborated effectively with cross-functional teams to implement timely and efficient solutions, ensuring smooth network operations.As part of network maintenance, I conducted regular activities, including firmware upgrades, patches, and equipment replacements. I ensured that network devices and systems were up-to-date and compliant with industry standards.Network configuration was a key responsibility, and I efficiently configured and optimized network devices, routers, switches, firewalls, and load balancers. I followed established procedures and best practices for implementing changes.Maintaining accurate and up-to-date network documentation was one of my priorities, including network diagrams, configurations, and standard operating procedures. I made sure that relevant stakeholders had access to necessary information.I analyzed network performance data and trends, identifying potential bottlenecks and areas for improvement. My recommendations for network optimization and capacity planning were valuable in enhancing network efficiency.Ensuring network compliance with industry standards, regulations, and company policies was part of my regular responsibilities. I stayed updated on emerging technologies and industry best practices.In my role as a Network Operations Technician III, I showcased my expertise, problem-solving skills, and collaborative nature to maintain reliable and efficient network infrastructure.

I played a crucial role in installing equipment, cable racks, and cables for telecommunications carriers, with a specific focus on transport systems and DC power systems.I led and supervised installation teams, ensuring efficient setup and configuration of telecommunications equipment, cable racks, and cables in adherence to industry standards.My expertise included performing installations, testing, and optimization of transport systems, including optical transport equipment, multiplexers, and transmission devices.I was responsible for installing DC power systems, rectifiers, and batteries to ensure reliable power backup for telecommunication equipment.Safety was paramount in my role, and I strictly enforced safety protocols and industry regulations during all installation activities. I conducted safety inspections to safeguard personnel and equipment.Quality assurance was a priority, and I conducted thorough checks and inspections on completed installations to ensure compliance with carrier and company standards.Accurate documentation was a must, and I maintained detailed records of installation activities, including equipment configurations, test results, and as-built drawings.As a mentor, I provided technical support and guidance to installation teams and other technicians, sharing my knowledge and expertise to enhance overall capabilities.I participated in project coordination, collaborating with project managers and stakeholders to plan and execute installation projects, ensuring timely completion and customer satisfaction.Throughout my tenure, I demonstrated strong leadership and communication skills, effectively supervising installation teams and fostering collaboration among stakeholders.My hands-on experience, technical proficiency, and attention to detail contributed significantly to the seamless and efficient installation of telecommunications equipment and systems for carriers.

Arlington, Virginia, Us

In my role as a Mobile Subscriber Equipment Network Switching Systems Operator (MSE/31F), I proficiently operated and maintained the Mobile Subscriber Equipment (MSE) network switching systems, ensuring seamless and secure communication for military operations.I set up, configured, and operated the MSE network switching systems, establishing communication links between MSE components for continuous network connectivity.When network disruptions or technical issues arose, I promptly identified and effectively troubleshooted problems in the MSE network, minimizing downtime and maintaining operational efficiency.I conducted routine equipment maintenance and inspections, performing preventive tasks and efficiently conducting repairs or replacements as needed.I implemented stringent security protocols to safeguard classified information and protect the network from unauthorized access or cyber threats.I provided vital communications support to military personnel, assisting in the setup and operation of communication equipment and offering technical guidance.As part of the signal support team, I contributed to establishing and maintaining signal communication networks for tactical operations.I maintained accurate documentation related to network operations, equipment status, maintenance, and incident reports.I continuously sought training to stay updated on technologies and techniques, adapting well to various operational environments.Collaborating effectively with other military personnel, I demonstrated strong teamwork skills to achieve mission objectives. My role as an MSE/31F operator significantly contributed to reliable and secure communication networks for critical military operations.

Cis-200 Information Management Systems, Management Information Systems, General

Cst-200 Visual Basic.Net, Computer Programming

Cpq-201 Training, Salesforce Cpq Admin Essentials For New Administrators

Itil 4® Foundation (Pitg), Itil 4 Foundations