HIGH LEVEL SUMMARY

 

Gene Scassa is a highly skilled technical individual capable of operating independently or within a team. Proven history of success and known for competency, adaptability, reliability, versatility, integrity and aptitude.  19 years of complex network & systems design and integration, performance optimization and support

 

Objective:

Acquire a long-term technical leadership position within an established organization.

 

Certifications:

Cisco Certified Network Professional - CCNP (Active)

Cisco Certified Network Associate – CCNA (Active)

Cisco Certified Entry Technician – CCENT (Active)

 

Certifications and Training:

Airspan LTE and Transport Systems Planning – 2016

Cambium Point-to-Multipoint Systems – 2015

Telrad Small Cell and Evolved Packet Core Optimization – 2015

Adtran Total Access - 2015

Radwin NLOS Systems Principles – 2015

Mikrotik RouterOS – Security – 2014

Mikrotik RouterOS – Virtual Private Networking – 2014

Mikrotik RouterOS – Routing and Switching – 2014

Ericsson LTE Performance Management & Optimization – 2013

Ericsson LTE Radio Functionality and Configuration - 2013

Ericsson LTE RBS 6000 Operation and Maintenance - 2013

Ericsson LTE RF RAN Custom Training – 2013

Ericsson CPG Operation and Maintenance - 2012

Ericsson SASN Operation and Maintenance - 2012

Ericsson OSS Operation and Maintenance – 2012

VMWare ESX/vSphere 2010

Hewett-Packard / Left-hand Networks iSCSI Design and Implementation - 2008

Brocade/Foundry - Advanced Routing and Switching – 2008

Xylan SwitchExpert (97’)

 

Proficiencies

 

- Routing and Switching (IP, MPLS, BGP, OSP, Bridging)

- Deep Packet Inspection (Insertion, Packet Analysis / Heuristics)

- Network Planning / Traffic Engineering / Capacity Management

- Operational Support System(s) / Network Management Systems (OSS / NMS)

- Security Analysis / Detection and Threat Assessment

- End to End Solution Architecture

- Lawful Intercept (LI)

- Complex Solution Architecture, Documentation, Design, Implementation.

- Network and Systems (and function) Virtualization

- Network Function Virtualization (NFV)

- Applied IT Architecture

Technical Accumen: See last page of resume.
EXPERIENCE:

 

Network Architect (Principle)(Executive)

Meridian LTE / Colorado Valley Telephone Cooperative

(01/15–04/16)

·   Principle Subject Matter Expert.

·   Provided guidance, expertise and technical assistance to various Colorado Valley teams as needed.

·   Lead Research and Development of alternative Service Technologies.

·   Proposed and Implemented proof of concept revenue generators.

·   Proposed and implemented business process enhancements.

·   Extended MeridinLTE services offerings and increased revenue flow.

·   Evaluated and resolved preexisting network configuration and design issues.

·   Designed CALEA compliance solution.

·   Optimized Network and Systems Infrastructure

·   Performed Traffic Engineering and Capacity management functions.

·   Significantly reduced OPEX using minimum CAPEX.

 

Lead LTE EPC Network Architect

NetAmerica Alliance, L.L.C. (02/11–01/15)

·   Responsible for cross-management and technical leadership of a Managed Services Network Operations Center.

·   NetAmerica Alliance EPC Principle and Subject Matter Expert (SME) for the NetAmerica Alliance Central Evolved Packet Core (EPC) and regional distributed Evolved Packet Core (dEPC)

o   Principle Subject Matter Expert (SME) for the following items:

§   Mobile Packet Backbone Network (MPBN)

§   Ericsson Multi-Mediation (EMM)

§   Mobility Management Entity (MME)

§   Operational Support System (OSS)

§   Converged Packet Gateway (CPG)

§   LTE Domain Name Service (DNS)

§   Home Subscriber System (HSS)

§   Network and Systems Security (Remote Access and Control)

§   Configuration Management (CM / Configuration Backups)

§   NetAmerica Policy and Charging System(s)

·                   Service Aware Policy Controller (SAPC)

§   Provisioning System(s) Infrastructure:

·                   Ericsson Multi-Activation (EMA)

§   Lawful Intercept (LI)

·                   CALEA

§   Brocade, Juniper, Extreme, Redback/Ericsson, Linux, PCRF/PCEF

o   Distributed Evolved Packet Core (dEPC Integration)

 

·   End2End Member Implementation

o   Operational Support System (OSS)

o   Primary Vendor Support Contact for Emergencies and Administration

·   Designed, Implemented and Maintain NetAmerica’s Virtual Application Infrastructure.

·   Designed Implemented and Maintain NetAmerica Alliance’s Virtual Network Infrastructure (NFV)

·   Designed and Implemented the NetAmerica Alliance Provisioning Portal Systems Infrastructure.

·   Principle Security Architect for NetAmerica Alliance.

·   Provide technical guidance to staff members and Alliance Members.

·   Principle Security Officer ( Subscriber Identity Management )

 

Senior Analyst/ Professional Services Developer / Project Manager (02/10 – 02/11)

CHR Solutions, Inc.

·   Implementation Services Group Technical Lead

·   Project Management

·   Business Process Workflow automation

·   Event Based Network Provisioning Automation

 

Independent Consultant/ Professional Services Consultant(07/09-03/10)

Gene Scassa of Texas

·   Software Solutions Architect / Software Development

o   Software Architecture

§   Requirement Gathering

§   Business Analysis Documentation

§   Functional Requirement Documentation

§   Component Specifications

o   Software Engineering (Structured Software Design and Programming)

§   Detailed Design Documentation

§   Software programming and implementation

o   Software Implementation and Acceptance Testing

·   Service Provider Consulting – Internet Service Provider

 

Solution Architect / Technical Architect  (10/08-07/09)

LeTigre Solutions, Inc

·   Network Solution Architecture / Engineering and Support

o   Enterprise Systems Troubleshooting.

o   Network Security Analysis

o   Root Cause Analysis / Independent Inspection.

o   Intrusion Detection Systems / Intrusion Prevention System

·   Application Virtualization Engineer (Citrix Presentation Server /  Citrix XenApp)

o   Upgraded existing, multi-node Citrix Presentation Server nodes, Access and Secure Gateway nodes.

·   Systems Virtualization (XEN SERVER / VMWARE ESX ) Design Engineering.

o   Design and Implementation of VMware ESX servers into Client environments.

·   Linux/Unix Administration (SME) - (RHEL, SLES, CentOS Fedora, Ubuntu, HP-UX)

·   Design and Implementation of High Availability and Disaster Recovery Systems ( HA / DRS )

·   Microsoft Windows Systems ( 2000 , 2003, 2008 )

o   Active Directory Enterprise Administration

o   Windows Cluster & Application Implementation and Support

o   Microsoft Exchange 2000/2003/2007 Support

·   VoIP Systems Implementation and Administration

·   Storage Systems

o   NAS/SAN Solution Design and Implementation.

 

Senior Engineer / Network Architect        (03/03-10/08)

Alpheus Communications / El Paso Energy – El Paso Networks (EPN)

 

·               Senior member of Engineering Department

o        Leadership - Provided guidance and support to Provisioning, Facilities, and (Network & Field) Operations

·                Network Systems Infrastructure Administration and Engineering:

o        Principle Unix/Linux Infrastructure Engineer & Administrator ( Solaris, Linux, BSD)

o        Operational Support System (OSS)  & Telemetry Systems Infrastructure

§      Automated Element Backups, and Change Monitor (Scripted + RANCID)

§      Established Traffic Monitoring, Data Logging and Alert Systems (MRTG/Cricket + Big Brother/ Hobbit.)

§      Responsible for all configurations Routers, Switches, Routing Protocols.

o        Information Technology Systems Engineering and Support (Multi-disciplinary)

§      Provided guidance and support to IT for Corporate Back Office Systems

§      Windows 2000 / 2003 Active Directory Administration / Support / Troubleshooting

§      Exchange 2003 Support

§      Storage Systems Support ( SAN/NAS )

§      Internet Services Administration (Systems and Applications)

-          Exchange 2003, DNS, DHCP

§    Corporate Voice Systems Administration

o     Corporate and Production Security Administrator ( IPS / IDS / ASA / PIX )

§     Responsible for all Firewall configurations, traffic monitoring, and event logging.

§     Implemented Intrusion Prevention System (IPS) for production network, and IT

§     Implemented Intrusion Detection System (IDS) for Corporate IT network

§     Charged with CALEA readiness (Service Provider)

o     Disaster Recovery System Preparedness

§     Assigned to assure Data Replication and Host Configurations.

§     Tasked to perform annual DR simulation

o     Systems Virtualization Architecture and Administration

§     Resident Virtualization Expert

§     Responsible for Virtual Hosting Platform Evaluation (ESX, ESXi, XEN, Solaris Containers) (Documentation)

§     Implemented Systems Virtualization (ESX, ESXi, XEN)

o     Application Virtualization

§     Managed Legacy Citrix Application Farms (MF)

§     X Infrastructure

·               Principle Internet Services Administrator

o        Managed IP Transit Providers (BGP Peers)

o        Maintained Route and IP Number registrar databases.

o        Network Architecture / Multi-Layer Capacity Planning

o        Designed, implemented, and maintained IP routing and security infrastructure.

o        Tier IV Support (24x7)

·               Telecommunications, Data & Voice Network Engineering

o        Network Planning, Design, Documentation, Implementation, and Support.

§      Generated Engineering Documentation

§      Asset Tracking / Material Management / Project Management

§      Records Management

§      Metro Ethernet / SONET / IP & Data Transport Engineering & Support

§      Wireless Microwave Communications Administration and Support

·               Support

§     Provided consultation and support to facilities department.

§     Supported sensor/alarm connectivity, signal-conversion, network continuity, and system monitoring for each locations power plant support.

§     Implemented and deployed Facility Access and Control (FAC) System.  Permitting the use of RFID access to most facilities.  This involved both network and system administration.

 

  Systems Engineer         (01/01-03/03)

Ai Metrix, Inc., Austin, TX

 

·               Member of  team responsible for the design and deployment of OSS Solutions for several commercial and government accounts

o        Responsible for implementing and supporting proof of concept solutions.

o        Broadwing Communications, Inc. – Member of the technical team responsible for the design, Integration and implementation of a NeuralStar solution to manage the client’s optical, switch and IP networks.  Implemented the NeuralStar Network inventory database.  Contributed to the design of web-based customer network management applications. 

·               Worked with Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) and DynCorp Information Systems to integrate between NeuralStar and the Information Superiority Situational Awareness system (ISSA).

·               Integrated the following network elements types into the NeuralStar Inventory and OSS  system:

o        Alcatel (1630,1631,1640,1648)

o        Cisco Series (15400, 2500,2600, 2900, 3500, 3600, 3700, 4000, 5500,7500, 7600, 5500, PIX515, PIX520, PIX525, ASA 5K )

o        Alcatel OmniSwitch

o        Tellabs Titan 5500

o        Nortel DMS100, 250, 500

o        Ciena CoreDirector

o        Coriolis Optical Spacial Divison Multiplexer

o        Fujitsu Firefly & 192

·   Developed the network element adapters that provided a common language medium (XML) between network devices and the OSS.  The NE adapters provide act as a bi-directional translation mechanism enabling communications between any two systems.  Communications on the NE side have been done using CLI (e.g. TL1, IOS) and/or SNMP.   The interface adapter exists as a dynamic link library (DLL) that, in effect, is an intermediary between the NE and the OSS.  

·   Designed, Planned and implemented historical data-migration.  This data migration was necessary to ensure accurate network traffic utilization trending for capacity planning.

·   Developed network element adapters using SNMP and CLI (Command Line Interfaces) including TL1 using the NeuralStar (VBA-based) development environment

·   Provided on-site support and consultation to customer network engineers.

 

IP/ATM Network Systems Engineer (2000-2001)

    ConnectSouth Communications., Austin, TX

·   Member of a 5 person team that evaluated, documented, designed and implemented an ATM network consisting of 271 facilities-based Central offices (CO's) in 31 markets covering the southern US.  

·   Administrated LDAP database containing all subscriber configurations (e.g. QoS, VPI/VCI, Network Blocks, and Routing.)

·   Researched, and configured the core network synchronization device. This included manually installing one Datum BITS shelf and GPS antenna.

·   Designed developed and implemented the web-enabled network element command system (N.E.C.S.). NECS allowed (on-demand) authorized user to (globally) query, commit action, or probe all network elements, acquire the user specified information (i.e. serial number, model number, status, port availability, finger, ...), parse, and either post or e-mail the response as directed.

·   Provided the OSS developers the system support they required to effectively operate.  This support was most efficiently provided by means of “Expect” scripts that I had previously written while automating many portions of the network.

·   Designed and implemented a remote element access server (INSOC) enabling users (technicians and engineers) to remotely access network elements via either WAN or dialup. The server audited all Network sessions and allowed full network element and user logging, a periodically backed up all production network elements, provided WBEM utilities such as web enabled system inventory, status polling and connection reporting.

·   Designed and implemented an information server e-enabling all Network System’s Engineering, design, installation, and configuration documentation.   (IP/VPI/VCI ATM schemas and Element Manuals.)

·   Designed and implemented a root DNS server for our internal management (RFC1918) network. Modified Connect South's DNS servers to recognized NOCC0.NM.OPS as the root domain controller for .OPS root domain.

·   Tested and documented several data, voice, timing, and Telco devices. Some of these devices are the Symmetricom, Marconi, Datum, ASC, Mariner Networks, Dexter Access 3000, Alcatel (Xylan), Lucent, Cisco, Redback, Nortel, AccessLan, Paradyne, Turnstone, ADC, Vmlinux, SUN Microsystems, Foundry, Extreme, Western-Telematic, Lucent, Copper mountain, Netopia, and others.

·   Proposed, designing, and provided support for LAN, WAN, and voice based solutions for to both existing and potential customers.  The technologies involved were:

o   Virtual Private Networking (VPN), Network Address Translation (NAT), Network Address Port Translation (NAPT), the TCP/IP suite.  As product literature interpretation issues increased, hybrid network design and AD-HOC implementation became customary.

·   Created the customer routable IP assignment guidelines as per RFC2050. This document was a large portion of the ConnectSouth official policy for IP allocation. Ensured that our customer base was appropriately assigned the number of IP addresses they required. Upon utilization of no less then 80% of our allocated Internet routable IP blocks, I would request additional CIDR block allocation from the American Registry of Internet Numbers (ARIN). I would then work with ARIN to acquire said block.

·   Distributed and divided our allocated IP addresses to our network provisioning team. The distribution of IP blocks was dependent on market size, and sales/marketing information. Trained others how to SWIP.

·   Provided Tier III support to NOC Technicians.

 

 
Data Technician III (1998-2000)

    WorldCom, San Antonio, TX  / MCI WorldCom

Brooks Fiber Communications / Metro Access Networks

 

Internetwork Systems Administrator(1997-1998)

    America’s Internet Direct, San Antonio, TX

 

Internet Systems Administrator - Intern

Internetwork Operating Company (INTERNOC), San Antonio, TX(1997-1997)

 

Technical Support Lead (1996-1997)

    World-Net of San Antonio

 

U.S. Embassy – General Services Administration (GSA) - Belize: Central America
May 1994- June 1994

U.S. Agency for International Development (U.S.A.I.D) - Belize: Central America
July 1993 - September 1993

The Voice of America (V.O.A.) - Belize: Central America.
May 1993 - July 1993

United States Information Service (U.S.I.S.) - Belize: Central America
July 1992 - Sept 1992

U.S. Embassy Economics Department (ECON) - Belize: Central America
June 1992 - July 1992

 

EDUCATION:

St Mary’s University, San Antonio, TX(1995-1997)

Trinity-Pawling School, Pawling, NY(1991-1995)

 

 

AFFILIATIONS:

Boy Scouts of America (BSA)

Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA)

Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI)

American Radio Relay League (ARRL)

 

REFERENCES: Available Upon Request

 

 

 

TECHNICAL ACCUMEN:

Languages: Basic, PERL, XML, HTML, Shell Scripting, C#

Operating Systems:  Linux (Redhat, Fedora, CentOS, SUSe, Slackware, Ubuntu, Debian)  Oracle (SUN): Solaris,  HP-UX, OpenBSD, MS Windows, Cisco (IOS, CatalystOS PIXOS, ASA, Nexus) Extreme OS, Brocade, Mikrotik RouterOS.

Virtualization:

-          Infrastructure (ESX, XEN, KVM, Parallels, vSphere)

-          Network Function (GNS, Mininet, Vyatta, RouterOS, PFSense)

-          Application (CITRIX PS, XENAPP, X, Parallels)

-           

InterOperability / Emulation and Research Platforms:  x86, Mininet

Applications and Environments: MS Office (Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Outlook, Visio, ..), OpenOffice, .Net, X, Element Management Systems, Shell, X,

Operational Support Systems / Network Management Systems: Ericsson OSS-RC, OpenNMS, Request Tracker, Cacti, Nagios, Castlerock SNMPc, Solarwinds, PRTG, HP OpenView, Xerox/Newfield Truecall, Micromuse Netcool, Cisco CTM, Foundry INM, RANCID

Facility Management Systems: Visionael, CHR Solutions, Martin-Group, Granite

Trouble Ticketing Systems: Remedy, Request Tracker, Online Ticket Request System, Microsoft CRM, Trouble Portal.

 Network Graphing, Security Analysis and Diagnostic Utilities & Applications:

MRTG, PRTG, Cricket RRDTools, SNORT, TCPDUMP, ETHEREAL(Wireshark), NAGIOS, TrueCall, OpenNMS, Cacti, Osiris,

Security, Firewalls & VPN:  Intrusion Detection Systems IDS, Intrusion Prevention Systems IPS, IPSEC, PPP, PPTP, L2TP, SSH, AAA, Diameter/Radius, LDAP, TTLS/MD5/IKE, Adaptive Security Appliance ASA (5500 Series), Private Internet eXchange PIX (515,520,525), IP Tables, MPLS, GRE/VPRN, MPLS, Cisco Netranger, AlertLogic NIPS/NIDS, Basic Analysis and Search Engine BASE,  Network Security Toolkit (NST), MARS

Routing, Bridging & Switching (OSI 2&3):  TCP/IP Routing, Metro Ethernet, MPLS, BGP, OSPF, RIP, STP, SIP, SRB, ATM

Network Communications Protocol Analyzers & Traffic Generators:  Spirent, Fluke, (x)Perf, (+Legacy BERT, OTDR Systems)
Host Daemons (services): HTTPD, DNS, BINd, Sendmail, ftpd, snmpd, telnetd, sshd, identd, rlogind, rshd, rlogind, rpc, nfsd, dip, pppd, in.telnetsnoop, radiusd, INETd, rlogind, xend,

Database Platforms: SQL, MySQL, ORACLE, Microsoft SQL , PostgreSQL

Protocol & Encapsulation: BFD, RTP, FTP, NTP, RDP, 3G, LTE, 3GPP, CDMA, VPW, PWM, CAN, 802.1(x), 802.3(x),802.11(x),RFC1483, EIA/TIA(RS) 232(C), SNMP(v1-3), ISDN, X.25, EIGRP, BGP, OSPF, RIP(1&2), *DSL, TCP/ IP, ATM, Frame Relay, CES, IMA, UNI, T1(DS1), DS2, T3(DS3), E1, E3, OC3 thru 192, WDM, DWDM, TDM, CDPD, VT100, ANSI, ASCII, RFC1483, PPP, POTS, PSTN, LNP, TELCO, PRI, BRI, SPAN, 802.1bq, NTP,MPLS VPLS. BGP 4,OSPF,RIP,STP,RSTP,SRB,ATM,TL1, iSCSI, PXE, IPSEC,8021.,EIGRP,] SAN / NAS, JBOD, iSCSI, KVM,

Software Defined Networking (SDN) / Network Function Virtualization (NFV)