James (Tony) Ludlow

(206) 427-5562

tyludlow@outlook.com

http://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesaludlow

 

Summary

 

Results-oriented communications and technology executive with over thirty-seven years’ experience in telecommunications, broadband, VoIP, network operations, IT, acquisitions, and business development. Possesses a proven ability to research, test, and deploy next generation technology solutions that have a dramatic impact on revenue growth and profit margins.  Business development and technical management experience is extensive and diverse from CLEC’s, Wireless/Wireline, Wi-Max, PBX, CMRS providers and business startups; providing project management, financial planning, mergers-acquisitions/closings, marketing strategy, operations, regulatory compliance, and staff development.

Senior leader with solid understanding at the strategic level of the technology that drives broadband communications (VoIP/Mobility/UC) and IT infrastructure solutions with strong background in requirements gathering, process mapping, data analysis, planning, costing, designing and testing technologies. Accountable for P&L’ s ($150 million plus) in network engineering, construction, contract managed services, and operations of  legacy and next generation networks with proven ability to maximize gross margins, reduce SG&A, drive EBITDA, defer capital spending to success based,  increase free cash flow, and drive IRR, and NPV.

 

Proven Program Manager experienced with large scale implementations, consolidation and migration of telecom (ISP/OSP/FTTH) and data center infrastructures. Proficient in systems software application deployment (SaaS) and implementation of new software services (BOSS/OSS) including, project inception, budgeting, requirements gathering, capital budgeting, BOM preparation, resource management, work breakdown development, scheduling, documentation, development, quality assurance, change management, release management and project close-out activities.

 

Telecommunications technology engineer with extensive knowledge in ISP/OSP/MDU design/development/construction. Track record of building out over 5,000 + MDU units, 250 Bell Collocates & IXC Hotels, 100 + commercial and technology centers, 5,000 + miles of OSP plant design/construction (make ready), 25 telecom switching centers, 5 data centers, 500 + high rise commercial buildings and numerous educational campuses. I also bring to the table in depth program management and contract experience; including hands on managing a FTTH/FTTC build out with Verizon.

 

Experience

 

Citrix Communications LLC, Seattle, WA.

Director/GM February 2013 to present

Director/GM responsible for design/implementation/operations of a nationwide switching platform to support voice platforms for Citrix Mobility Applications G2 product line and Open Voice toll free conferencing.

·   Insure the provisioning of high quality and cost-effective communications related voice services within Citrix Communications LLC (CComm) a subsidiary of Citrix Mobility Applications.

·   Delivered best-in-class delivery of audio services from all aspects, delivery, interop-interface and operations. 

o   Drove tNPS scores for Citrix Mobility Applications 10 points greater than its competitor(#1 quality issue in 2013).

o   Non generating revenue company; producing over 7 million in revenue (recovery credits) and net savings (TF) yearly (certified CLEC with only 1 account Citrix).

·   Operating in (9) states with over 350 Million PSTN Mou’s monthly providing voice TDM and SIP/IP services for G2M/G2W/G2T while maintaining (5) 9’s stability via a nationwide switching platform using GenBand softswitch (C3/G9), TNS SS7, and Sonus SBC’s (while maintaining FCC certification on CALEA and 911).

o   Managing 85 Million Mou’s a month on tier 1 carriers for 800 toll free (TF) Open Voice

§   Total Citrix PSTN, TF, VoIP 1 billion MOU’s a month.

·   Managed all North American carrier relations, including Transport/NPA/NXX/CIC Codes/LCR/LERG/SMS 800

o   Overall network operations including

·   provisioning, service delivery scheduling, installations, dispatch, troubles NOC support, and SLA’s.

o   Tandem contracts for exchange of service, TEA/IXC SIP/IP agreements, ICA’s, forecast, bonds, transport connectivity – interconnection via local tandem, and tandem toll access for IntraLata and InterLata traffic routing and international toll.

·   Regulatory/Contract; Managed legislative, regulatory compliance, state PUC certifications/tariffs.

 

 

One Source Network Solutions 1SNS.BIZ, Seattle, Washington

Program Manager/Financial Analyst, January 2008 to January 2013

Providing independent program / product management and consulting solutions to enterprise-wide technology companies and analyst, AT&T (Ericsson, Alcatel-Lucent, HP, Juniper, Cisco) PSE, TTCSI, Altman & Vilandrie, and Bluefish Capital (formally with CSMG). Coordinated key business strategy activities, prepared infrastructure design (IDR), and allocated technical resources required for project delivery, including engineering resources, procurement, budget forecasts, capital investment expenditures, and business case assessment.

May 2010 to January 2013

·   AT&T SOW: Program manager and technical data architect building AT&T Foundry’s and Virtual Labs/Data Centers to create a sandbox for trusted and third party developers to have access to a non-production environment(cloud) with enablers for a fast track certification of Mobility applications, located in Plano, TX, Palo Alto, CA, and Raanana Israel.   Includes engineering/architecture design (LAN/Wi-Fi/AC/DC/UPS/CRAC/Seismic)for AT&T 4G eNode B ecosystem that’s driving  next generation devices, applications and equipment to further expand the capabilities of AT&T’s mobile and wired broadband assets.

May 2009 to April 2010

·   Wireless WI-Max: Financial analysis and detailed planning for start-up broadband Wi-max providers aimed at serving under developed rural areas. Project management implementing CLEC/CMRS/UMTS interconnections for InterLata/IntraLata MTA traffic terminations at the wireless access tandems (ICA’s) and third party transport providers to the POI. Coordinated SS7/ISUP/route sets/TCAP Queries/GTT. Managed regulatory compliance for E-911, LNP, and CALEA vendors/integration. Integrated media gateways, signaling gateways (SBC), routing proxies (SIP), LCR routing, provisioning, translations, VLAN/IPsec tunnels, signaling/number conversions (MGCP/H.248/H.164), security (firewall/IDS/AAA), DHCP/DNS, disaster recovery, network management (SNMP), redundancy/failover and CABS/BOSS.

·   SS7 over IP Transport Solutions Bluefish; Hands on technical evaluations for IP transport solutions to reduce SS7 transport costs by offloading SS7 traffic onto lower cost, shared-use packet core IP networks capping costs by positioning a small, compact, and robust carrier-grade devices within local communities of interest, concentrating SS7 traffic, and backhauling it to an IP-enabled STP over managed, shared-use IP networks.

January 2008 to April 2009

·   FTTH/FTTC Contract Optimization Verizon/TTCSI: Program Manager responsible for organizing direction, task, and work order flow processes for an NW fiber optic construction company by maximizing strengths and reducing production weakness that drove increase in revenue from 1 million a month to 1.8 million a month over a three month period. Increased production 111% while maintaining SG&A and driving EBITDA 45%. Free cash flow increased 32%. Managed ISP/OSP design, vendors and all SOW’s.

·   Ethernet over Copper A&V: Created  market models to evaluate Ethernet over Copper variables to assess market and technology viability, including parameters such as market size (population and geography), market topography, network capital requirements (based on different coverage and service quality parameters), subscriber penetration, service mix, ARPU, CPE cost, and subscriber acquisition costs.

·   PSE: Detailed structure analysis and audits on FTTH fiber and copper facilities located though out PSE operating territories within the Puget Sound area.

 

Clearwire US LLC, Kirkland, WA

Director VoIP/ GM CLEC, July, 2005 – January, 2008

Directed a team of technical and project professionals to design, engineer, deploy and maintain a next generation nationwide VoIP network for Clearwire’s US. Utilized Clearwire’s last mile advanced wireless broadband network based on G4 proprietary non-line-of-sight (NLOS) Orthogonal Frequency, Division Multiplexing, and OFDM technologies. Led the deployment of VoIP services in 34 markets (350 metropolitan areas), covering more than 8.5 million households. Drove Clearwire’s hybrid network architecture re-design, resulting in 65% reduction of network deployment costs (positive impact on Free Cash Flow 2009) and providing a more robust network, enabling additional features and supporting fixed, portable and mobile service offerings (i.e., IMS, Mobile VoIP).

·   Leadership: Directed team of 25 (8 + BCE) overall responsibility for operations, administration, project management, product development and provisioning (switching, signaling, intelligence network, messaging, directory, notification, etc.) of Clearwire’s VoIP network.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

·   CLEC: General Manager responsible for planning, directing and controlling all CLEC activities in Texas, Hawaii and Alaska, to insure the provision of high quality, efficient and cost-effective communications-related services for CW US LLC VoIP terminations.

 

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·   Managed legislative and regulatory issues (ICA’s) within the State, and overall network operations including

·   provisioning, service delivery scheduling, installations, tier support 1-3, dispatch, and trouble resolution.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

·   P & L: Grew Year over Year Revenue from $2 Million in 2006 to $8 Million in 2007.  Projected 2008 revenue of $15 Million. Managed initial Capital investment of $25 million.

·   Intercarrier Relations: Negotiated/managed all North America carrier relations, for telephone blocks, connectivity, local, tandem and  toll tandem access,  IntraLata, InterLata traffic routing, and International toll. Includes CALEA, Intrado E911 and Synchronous LNP (porting).

·   PM BOSS Implementation:  Led technical; team that implemented policies and procedures for an OSS end to end flow through process for work order management, pre-qualification, CRM, ordering, CABS, provisioning, electronic bonding, gateway, billing, and invoicing (including tier 1 and 2 call center) using SDLC mythology for deliverables, design, test, and deployment.

·   Network: Managed and set priorities for the design, maintenance, development, and evaluation of all network systems, including WAN, LAN, VoIP, Video, Remote Access, Security technology such as firewalls and intrusion detection. Included VoIP infrastructure equipment such as Nortel CS2K MCS softswitch, Routers; Juniper, Cisco, Foundry, Firewalls; Juniper, Acme Session Border Controllers/SGSN, SIP proxies, Voicemail/conferencing servers; Lucent and IP Unity.

·   NOC Tier 3: Responsible for leading and directing BCE Nexia team that performs Network Surveillance and Network Management for Clearwire’s VoIP network and customer base. Lead the organization in their 24x7 operation made up of Network Surveillance technicians covering the Voice, Data and Transport networks and services.

 

One Source Network Solutions, Irving, Texas

Program Manager, January 2003- June 2005

Providing financial Performa, P&L’s, and closing’s for Valor Telecom an ILEC in Texas, implementing a VoIP, DSL, and Broadband Wireless edge out strategy.  Managed project scope, goals and outcomes, validated labor estimates, technology and capital resources, including measuring and reporting performance. Developed detailed integration plan, including definition, scope, product, staffing and financial resource allocation, priorities and target dates. Monitored progress, ensured timelines were meet at major milestones using multiple methodologies.

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·   Performa’s and Acquisitions: Provided Sr leadership for financial Performa’s P&L’s and closings. Acquisitions, $4.5 Million annualized, positive, immediate impact on revenue and EBITDA. Acquisitions where EBITDA positive year one and free cash flow positive year two. Reduced direct expense 25% utilizing company’s core network, ISP port terminations and interconnection agreements. Reduced SG&A by 40% by consolidating headcount. Business requirements, design, test, management and deployment implementation using UML RUP.

·   PM Next Generation Switching Platforms: Directly responsible for the end to end turnkey integration and implementing of a  VoIP Toll Bypass New Mexico, Texas, and Oklahoma using Cisco 3600 routers, 5400 Gateways, SC 2200/10200 IP Cell Softswitch, Media Gateway Controller (MGC) software, and Signaling Link terminals. Identified carriers for interconnection, topologies and deployment scenarios. Reduced operating cost and recurring expenses by 1.2 million annually (16%).

 

Valor Business Solutions (CLEC, ILEC Valor Telecom), Irving, Texas  

Senior Director Engineering and Operations, September, 2000-December, 2002

Directed all aspects of engineering and business planning from conceptualization, architecture design and implemented integrated solutions for next generation switching, security, and application platforms for a CLEC start up. Developed financial and operating plans, which included tracking and reporting on performance against plans. Provided program management support on IT infrastructure solutions, integrating current and emerging software/technologies via RUP processes’ and procedures.

·   Major Project Bid: Prepared financial budget, design, bid, and marketing analysis, for 34-city statewide ATM/IP network throughout New Mexico, generating $42,000,000 in revenue over five years.

·   Voice Data Infrastructure: Designed multistate voice/data WAN over ATM/TDM infrastructure, providing corporate layered structure optimizing capital and resources. Access fees for originating and terminating reduced by 25%, $1,750,000 over a 12 month period. Reoccurring transport expenditures reduced $750,000 yearly. 

·   Financial Modeling: Created financial model for entire CLEC, collaborating directly with all departments and with Cambridge Strategic Management Group to produce and formulate working model with reduced risk and cumulative capex of $89,000,000, gross margins at 60.94%. Reduced capital expenditures by 61%, $20,000,000 year one.

 

Commonwealth Telephone Enterprises, Dallas, Pennsylvania   

Senior Manager, Data Operations, June, 1997-August, 2000

Developed solution recommendations, and provided complete project management. Sr Manager responsible for the turn key deployment of DSL throughout CTE serving areas, additional responsibility included managing capital budgets, installation, provisioning, network bandwidth allocation, and field installation for related DSL and CLEC UNE products.  Collaborated team effort with company-wide research, development, product management, sales, and marketing groups to assess competitiveness of new technologies and assisted in pre-sales support activities, developed proposals and presentations.

·   Project Management: Directed the build out of a $20,000,000  DSL rollout in 24 metropolitan tier 2 and tier 3 areas with electronics locations located strategically within 282 collocates. 

·   Organization CTSI: 17 workers plus 70 subcontractors and $78,000,000 budget that handled negotiations, requisitions, and installation of network backbones ISP/OSP, IT, switching, PBX, and SONET transportation hardware (fiber to the hub).

·   New Service Development: Constructed $38,800,000 in residential service areas using electronic terminal cabinets with copper build-outs, including row and building acquisitions, modifications for central office installations, and installations of all remote switching facilities.

 

Time Warner Cable, d.b.a. Paragon Cable of El Paso, El Paso, Texas 

Director, Technical Operations, January, 1995-May, 1997

Administered all aspects of local telecommunications and data operations for Paragon SW Division including managing telecommunications and data across enterprise, included developing strategies, operational processes and procedures using legacy switching, digital transport technologies, software-controlled management systems, using Hybrid Fiber Coaxial (HFC) architecture.

·   Business Planning: Directed development of primary business plans, including financial data for El Paso and Dallas metro area, with emphasis on Residential Shared Services (RSS), Competitive Access Provider (CAP), traffic light controls, line runner deployment, and local call center.

• Call Center Management: Provided led technical support to meticulously maintain equipment in the network call center including the Nortel Meridian PBX/PRI’s, ACD, Voice Mail, and Periphonics Interactive Voice Response, Speech Recognition, and Intelligent Call Manager. Responsible for all moves adds, and changes.
• Launched TWC’s: advanced communications network for multifamily properties in the El Paso and Irving, Texas areas using Fujitsu PBX hardware, providing solutions/retrofits - MDF to existing buildings, greenfields, and high-rises.

 

LEI/PDI Communications

Program Manager/General Manager, January, 1980-Decemeber, 1994

Program Manager for billion-dollar expansions of Intel Fabrication Project at Rio Rancho, NM and Portland, OR.  Exclusively accountable for all operations, staffing, P&L, design reviews, construction, through New York Telephone and affiliated companies within the NE region managed 24 engineers and six cad employees with a $.2 million annual operation budget.

·   Integration: General Manager responsible for Fiber/ SONET/ copper facilities/ building remotes/ and all associated WAN/LAN electronics for fabrication plant, supporting environmental buildings, and business offices

·   Project Management: Integration of multiple fiber optic by pass networks with digital multiplexing, circuit switching, and ENMS/OSS. ISP/OSP installations covered 2,350 miles, and digital transmission systems totaling $211 million over a8 year period.

·   Switching: Technical led for distributed switching systems, and analysis consisted of detailed reviews of network voice processing for PBX/DID/PRI’s, WATS, ICM, ACD, IVR, LCR, trunk queuing, and call center management systems (CCMS).