James Nielson

9495 FM 1385

Pilot Point, Texas  76258

940.765.4343

jamesnielson@ymail.com

 

Project Manager / Construction Manager / Field Engineer

 

P&L / Cost & Inventory Control / Plant & System Design / Project & Systems Engineering / Forecasting / QA

Bids & Proposals / Construction Management / Site & Plant Development / EF&I / Logistics / Compliance

Top-performing project manager with proven expertise. Served companies including T-Mobile, Nokia/Siemens, Ericsson, Motorola, and AT&T as well as others in diverse industries. Consistently delivered diverse technical projects on time and under budget. Effectively cut costs, grew profits, and significantly built the bottom line in both the public and private sectors.

·               Spearheaded deployment of 1000+ Nokia base stations in New York, beating formidable 90-day deadline

·               Drove turnaround of Nokia Siemens project, elevating profit margin from 2% to 14%

·               Turned around program for Nokia Siemens, reducing costs 20% while salvaging lucrative contract

Key Skills: Strong verbal and written communicator. Astute troubleshooter and problem solver. Simplify complex problems. Assimilate new information rapidly. Establish policies & procedures. Work masterfully against tight deadlines. Quickly win confidence from people at all levels. Work effectively alone or training others. Introduce change smoothly.

Technical Expertise: Technical Expertise: UNIX, EDGE, EVDO, UMTS, LTE, HSDPA, CDMA, WiMAX, MSS, MGW, SGSN, ISN flexi, HLR, Cisco Router, Legacy T Networks, SAID, ETMFX Installation, Fiber to Cell Site Deployment, Full turnkey deployment. Registered Installer: 200 Series Lite USB Remote Electrical Antenna Installation. Complete understanding of Layer 1, Layer 2, and Layer 3 technologies and protocols. Licensed for Nokia Node B Installations, Commissioning, and Integrations.

Selected Accomplishments

Spearheaded deployment of 1000+ Nokia base stations in New York, beating formidable 90-day deadline. Company accepted challenge to complete project in under 90 days. Established three “war rooms” – one in customer’s location and one in each of two contractors’ locations.  Deployed 1100 base station's with 1000+ operational and on-the-air within 70 days. Dramatically exceeded customer requirements and expectations, saving thousands in valuable resources.   

Drove turnaround of Nokia Siemens project, elevating profit margin from 2% to 14%. Assumed role of Project Manager on a project with steadily declining profit margins. Identified solutions to eliminate downtime and accelerate the quote/bid process for fast PO turn around. Imposed quality checklist on RF/construction designs, defining clear scope of work. Facilitated faster deployment and ensured job was completed to design while boosting profits.

Turned around program for Nokia Siemens, reducing costs 20% while salvaging lucrative contract. Canadian customer was unhappy with the quality of installation work. Made on-site visit to review installation work and address quality issues. Implemented new quality standards and enforced old standards. Regained customer confidence, increasing acceptance of all subsequent work from 0% to 100%. Slashed costs while meeting or exceeding client expectations.

Expanded contract for Nokia Siemens network, generating $117K in additional project revenue. Customer contract did not include T1 cable extension through customer equipment Developed bill of quantity and services for T1 Extension. Improved quality of installation while significantly growing project revenue.

Accredited for Engineering a design of solar field for the US Forest Service on remote mountain communications networks.  Preformed installation and maintenance of the solar field and all communication equipment.

Career History

Project Manager, Icon for T-Mobile USA, July 2012-April 2016 (Contract Position). Nokia Modernization Rollout, monitor and execute all Scope of Work (SOW). Managing all phases of project development to ensure user satisfaction, project continuity and internal consistency. Supervise and coordinate professional, technical, and non-technical staff by objectives and priorities, providing direction and feedback, and ensuring assigned projects/tasks are completed accurately and by the specified due date. Developing project schedules and processes to ensure user satisfaction, project continuity and the timely delivery of services. Monitoring regular progress, project status and problem resolution reports regarding status of telecommunications construction plans. Managing relationships with vendors and contractors to ensure equipment and services procured and installed meet requirements and specifications. Operational analysis and decision-making techniques for resource allocation and organizational effectiveness.  Reviewed CD’s & RFD’s, creating building materials for ordering for 700oiverlay and new site builds.  Called off material and tracked all construction milestones from entitlement complete to commercially launch on air.  Maintained data bases to reflect true and real time.  Performed punch walks, reviewed site close out packages for acceptance and accepted.  Performed telco walks for copper and fiber, with local lec’s.  Ensured all construction requirements were met for copper and fiber delivery.  Maintained and monitored a very complex formula based comprehensive excel spreadsheet, continuously reviewed inventory levels at warehouse.

Market Director, WesTower Communications Inc., February 2012-July 2012. Management of Tennessee/Kentucky area for Turf 2.0 Project for AT&T Mobility. Managing and reporting the market activities from initial planning, design, implementation and optimization.  Working with internal teams and customers to plan, schedule, staff, and update progress. Report the project status to both internal and external stakeholders as required and defined in the Communications Plan. Managing the P&L of a multimillion-dollar budget daily, to insure project stays on budget or comes in below budget.

Customer Project Manager, MultiPoint Communications for Ericsson Inc, April 2011-February 2012 (Contract Position).  LTE Rollout along with 3G swap out. As part of overall Network Vision project, San Antonio is to upgrade CDMA cell site equipment with multi-modal CDMA, LTE, Wi-Max capabilities and incorporate microwave backhaul. This includes Site Acquisition, Site Development, A&E, installation and commissioning of new RBS and antenna systems, turn up, optimization and deinstallation of the legacy hardware.  Managing and reporting the market activities from initial planning, design, implementation and optimization. Working with internal teams and customers to plan, schedule, staff, and update progress. Updating stakeholders with written reporting and status calls.  Prepared a master project plan for the market based on the contract requirements and integrating the outcome of the other subprojects.  Currently managing the project from Start to End in accordance with Contract Handshake, aligned with Customer contract and PROPS-C and follow the Project Governance model. Report the project status to both internal and external stakeholders as required and defined in the Communications Plan. Managing a multimillion-dollar budget daily, to insure project stays on budget or comes in below budget.

LTE Project Manager, Kineticom for AT&T Mobility, Dec 2010-April 2011 (Contract Position). LTE Rollout for AT&T, covering UpState New York. Monitor and execute all Scope of Work (SOW) activities to include request Certificate of Insurance (COI) for the ASP Contractor, review bids, accept or reject quotes. Approve invoices, review, approve or reject change orders. Approve and review A1 & A3 Audits. Perform site acquisitions construction scoping sessions. Report project status real-time to Sr. Point of contact. Develop, import data and share spreadsheets. Pull reports from SAP, review reports, distribute to project team. Leading diverse, cross-functional teams to meet corporate productivity, quality, and bottom-line objectives. Interface with customer, conduct meetings, RF Design Team, Radio Network Design Team, Script Team, Network Integration Center, Utran Team & RF Tuning Team. Managing an approved budget of over $10M.

Customer Project Manager, MultiPoint Communications for Ericsson Inc., Nov 2009-Sept 2010 (Contract Position). UMTS EF&I Rollouts for AT&T, covering 40 New Markets, Upgrading 41 Existing Markets in the Oklahoma & Arkansas Regions. E-Bid, Create scope for the ASP Contractor, review bids, accept or reject quotes.  Approve invoices, review, approve or reject change orders.  Pull reports from SAP, review reports, distribute to project team. Leading diverse, cross-functional teams to meet corporate productivity, quality, and bottom-line objectives. Interface with customer, RF Design Team, Radio Network Design Team, Script Team, Network Integration Center, Utran Team & RF Tuning Team.

UMTS Construction Manager, T-Mobile USA, Jan 2009-May 2009 (Contract Position). UMTS EF&I Full TurnKey, Node B Deployment. Managed multiple markets in Oklahoma, covering Oklahoma City, Tulsa & Wichita Kansas. Utilized multiple contractors to organize acquisitions, zoning, permitting and RF Design. Oversaw training, managed Field Engineering Techs, and performed site walks to ensure contract compliance. Ordered material and monitored consumption. Led diverse, cross-functional teams to meet corporate productivity, quality, and bottom-line objectives.

Project Manager, Nokia Industries/Nokia Siemens Networks, Aug 1996-Nov 2008. Managed 60 employees and $1.5M budget for division of $69.3B producer of wireless and electronic equipment. Utilized multiple contractors to organize acquisitions, zoning, permitting, RF Design, network core, and BTS deployment. Completed rollouts for customers including AT&T Wireless, Verizon, Cingular, Iowa Wireless, Telus, and T-Mobile. Led diverse, cross-functional teams to meet corporate productivity, quality, and bottom-line objectives. Organized and led war rooms to accelerate deployment.

• Spearheaded deployment of 1000+ Nokia base stations in New York, beating formidable 90-day deadline
• Drove turnaround of Nokia Siemens project, elevating profit margin from 2% to 14%
• Turned around program for Nokia Siemens, reducing costs 20% while salvaging lucrative contract
- Received Certificate of Recognition for 10 Years of Dedicated Service
- Received Certificate of Recognition for 7 Years of Dedicated Service

Group Leader/Field Engineer, Motorola, June 1994-Aug 1996. Managed teams of up to 25 employees for division of $27B Fortune 100 leader. Led installation/optimization of personnel communication system (PCS) and 175 cell sites in Dallas-Ft. Worth market. Oversaw training, managed Field Engineering Techs, and performed site walks to ensure contract compliance. Ordered material and monitored consumption. Maintained all records and directed customer billing. Consistently delivered projects on time and under budget, ensuring maximum profits for Motorola and its customers.

- Received Award from PCS PrimeCo, L.P., Outstanding Performance in making the first CDMA call a success

Senior Field Manager, Nebraska Cellular Telephone Corp., Jan 1990-July 1994. Conducted installation, troubleshooting, maintenance, and optimization of LD and HDII analog cell site equipment: Alcatel D448 channel banks and DS3 & T1 carrier equipment. Trained Junior Field Engineers in installation and maintenance. Oversaw 150 cell sites statewide.

Telecommunications Specialist (GS9), United States Department of Agriculture, US Forest Service, Nov 1988-Jan 1990, Deployed mobile satellite communications, 6 & 10 GHz microwave antennas to remote mountain tops, to the cross band repeaters VHF/UHF. Configured/analyze and installed in support of fire incident command. Deployed emergency unlicensed microwave antennas. Maintaining, servicing, modifying, developing, installing, troubleshooting and testing of MW and VHF/UHF and low band radio communication systems used in the field, and other related telecommunications electronics and electrical systems. Installed and maintained PBX telephone systems. Array Commissioning - commissioning PV Solar Systems under construction to insure compliance with the PV Solar requirements. Detailed documentation and process required. System Upgrades and Construction - perform upgrades to the PV Solar Fleet requiring knowledge and ability in mechanical construction, computer and software installation and settings, AC & DC wiring systems, Inverter troubleshooting and settings and general solar generations construction. Conducting testing, inspecting and monitoring of First Solar test sites, conducting field measurements and inspections of modules systems, BOS component, and data acquisition equipment, document test results and field observations. Aid in installation of PV Solar modules, inverters, electrical devices and maintaining test site grounds.

- Accredited for Engineering a design of solar field for the United States Department of Agriculture, US Forest Service on remote mountain communications networks.

Communications Specialist (GS7), US Department of Defense, Jan 1984-Nov 1988, Deployed Mobile Satellite Communications - Maintaining, servicing, modifying, developing, installing and testing VHF/UHF radio communication systems used in the field, and other related telecommunications electronic, electrical systems. Troubleshooting - responded to service calls to maintain the company’s goal of 100% of expected production and 99% availability. Maintained service tickets and parts orders in the company ERP system.

- Received Award Certificate from Department of the Army, USAISC, Pueblo Army Depot Activity for Modification of Oscilloscope Stand - Adopted Suggestion - Reducing Costs

Crypto Equipment Repair Specialist, US Army, Signal Core., June 1978-Dec 1983, Crypto Equipment Repair Specialist, Top Secret

- Received Honorably Discharged from United States Army
- Received The Good Conduct Medal from Department of the Army
- Received Letter of Appreciation from Department of the Army, Service Battery for Battery Survey and Monitoring Team
- Received Letter of Appreciation from Department of the Army, Service Battery for NATO Tactical Evaluation
- Received Letter of Commendation from Department of the Army, Headquarters, Service Battery for Kaserne Guard
- Received Letter of Commendation from Department of the Army, Service Battery for Kaserne Sentential
- Received Letter of Commendation from Department of the Army, Service Battery for Brigade Material Readiness Inspection

 

Education History

Andrew Institute

Telecommunications

2008 – 2008 - Associate's Degree/College Diploma

- Registered Installer, 200 Series Lite USB Remote Electrical Antenna Installation

Service Excellence Center, Atlanta

Telecommunications

2005 – 2005 - Technical Diploma

- Node B Installations

- Node B Commissioning

- Node B Integrations

Nokia Learning Center Network

Telecommunications

1996 – 2004 - Technical Diploma

- Ethics - Feb-08

- HSDPA Overview - Sep-04

- WCDMA Overview - Aug-04

- DMS Service Excellence - Jun-03

- Network Signaling - Apr-03

- Seven ways of Highly Effective People, Ethics - Feb-03

- EDGESYS, WCDMA Overview - Jul-02

- Project Management Planning Tools - Feb-01

- Project Management Finance - Feb-00

- D50 DSLAM Installation - End User Equipment, Loop Master Installation & Turn Up, Turnstone Installation & Turn Up - Dec-99

- Nokia DSL Installation and Turn Up - Feb-98

- Nokia Base Station Installation and Turn Up - Feb-97

- Nokia BSSOM - Feb-96

American Management Association International

Telecommunications

1998 – 1998 - Non-Degree Program

-Improving Managerial Skills of the New or Prospective Manager, Successfully Managing People

Motorola Inc., Cellular Infrastructure Group

Telecommunications

1994 – 1995 - Technical Diploma

- SC9600 System Administration & Operation, UNIX for Cellular, UNIX User Commands - Dec-95

- SWT 050 - EMX 2500 Operation and Maintenance - Mar-94

Telecommunications Techniques Corporation

Telecommunications

1994 – 1994 - Technical Diploma

- T-Berd 107A

Motorola Inc., RTSG - Cellular Infrastructure Group

Telecommunications

1992 – 1992 - Technical Diploma

- LD Series Cell Site Equipment

Forest Service Department of Agriculture, Pacific Northwest Region

Telecommunications

1990 – 1990 - Non-Degree Program

- Radio Frequency Management

The Management Development Foundation Ltd.

Telecommunications

1989 – 1989 - Non-Degree Program

- Local Area Networks

United States Army, Tobyhanna Army Depot

Telecommunications

1983 – 1987 - Non-Degree Program

- AN/PSC-3 (OSC Radio) Operator/Maintenance

United States Army, Department of the Army, USACSLA, Ft. Huachuca, AZ

Telecommunications

1983 – 1983 - Non-Degree Program

- TSEC/KG-84 Limited Maintenance

The United States Air Force, USAF Technical Training School

Telecommunications

1982 – 1982 - Non-Degree Program

- Criticomm Time Division Multiplexing Maintenance

United States Army Signal Center and Fort Gordon

Telecommunications

1982 – 1982 - Non-Degree Program

- Fixed Cryptographic Equipment Repairer

United States Army, USAF Keesler AFB

Telecommunications

1980 – 1982 - Non-Degree Program

- Maintenance Criticom Time Div Multi

United States Army, Fort Lee, VA

Logistics

1978 – 1980 - Non-Degree Program

- Logistics Management Training