Russell D. Lohr

1775 Milmont Dr. #T310

(404) 422-5932 cell

Highlohr@yahoo.com

 

Telecom/Technology Project Manager with 15 years management experience in the end-to-end tasks required in the Telecommunications Operations.  Experienced project management of operations work flow and methods of procedure.  Experience in the daily data entry of Telecom Operations specific required information into various database management software’s for tracking purposes. (See Systems). 

 

OBJECTIVE

 

To obtain a full time position requiring strong analytical and organizational skills in the Telecommunications field, as a project manager.

 

EDUCATION

 

Indiana State University, 36 Credit hours completed, General Education Courses

United States Army Avionics Mechanics School, Certificate

 

SYSTEMS/SKILS

 

I am experienced in several software’s to include CAFÉ(Verizon), Ameritech’s online ordering system, Common Access Front End (Bell South), VFO , Remedy, TBS, TIRKS, ACMS, SOTS, POCITS, Metasolve, Granite Expercom, Nova, TBS, Circuit Vision, Core, F&E, Orion, Word, Excel (pivot tables), Microsoft Visio, Access, Microsoft Project. Google docs.

 

I am a project manager with 14 years’ experience in telecommunications field.  I have also issued ASR’s in a provisioning role, created designs for the network, analyzed traffic for trunks to ensure maximum performance.  I am accustom to handling multiple projects at a time, provide status, host and attend meetings with multi groups or organizations.

                               

WORK EXPERIENCE

 

Network Engineer, ISS (Hewlitt-Packard)                        July 16, 2012 to Present

Work from home as Network Engineer, study traffic reports and analyze to make recommendations to reduce for cost savings or increase capacity for relief.  Issue several different types of network tickets from, busying out trunks, to requesting PBX information on routes, or how trunk groups are setup at sites.  Manager world wide sites for our client, work with several local vendors worldwide for repair, to capacity additions or removals.  Responsible for engaging PBX vendors and local carriers together on conference calls for head to head testing, and sometimes will include 3^rd party PBX vendor Engineers.  Work many other types of network issues based off of current internal projects within HP.  Also working on a separate site reduction project, to remove trunks or trunk groups from sites, that I have identified by traffic Analysis reports. I also am working on stranded circuits that are no longer needed, and removing them off of the network.  This position also requires me to project manage each ticket to completion.  Update management with status on projects and critical and high importance tickets, tickets are tracked to completion with SLA’s.

 

Vendor Delivery Management, Google (Contractor) Feb 22, 2010 to Dec 1, 2011

 

Team lead as a Vendor Delivery Manager, I developed and documented a new Decommissioning process on a global scale for the entire company to follow.  I interviewed members of all groups that were involved in the process of working the decommission request, so that I could analyze existing work to perform root cause analysis of failure points that would hinder the work from progressing.  The decommissioning process was for various types of data circuits, from 10G leased waves, dark fiber, peering, site’s, space’s, cross connects, to power and more.  While I was developing and documenting the process, I also created, assigned and tracked all associated tickets that were required, through completion.  This position requires multi task skills, I am responsible for four different databases being updated and to advise system administrators of known issues for UAT testing.  Different and/or additional tickets, are created to flow to multiple groups and individuals to perform the work.  Once all tickets have been completed, I am responsible for updating and closing all tickets, and perform Q&A for each order. Flexible is not good enough for todays environment, one must be fluid, as I work across so many groups internationally.  During my time at this position, I have tracked over $15 million dollars, as cost savings due to the amount of time the process saved.  Prior to the process the average decommissioning ticket was taking from 60% to 80% longer than required.  I also am responsible for additional projects related to our vendor’s.  I also am responsible for additional projects, I have an associate that I am the lead for and I must balance my time and schedule appropriately the amount of time spent on each project.  This position requires high communication skills, oral and written as much of the work is done via email or verbal conversations.  This position also requires Microsoft office experience, to include Excel, Word, Powerpoint, and Visio.  I have sharpened my skills in the leadership category, as I am the team lead for the Vendor Delivery Manager group for data circuits.  Hold weekly one on one meetings, take action items and follow up with status to upper management.

 

Circuit Provisioner, Well Fargo Bank, INT (Cont)         Nov2, 2009 to Feb 19, 2010

 

Issued and tracked multiple orders for voice and data circuits for branch locations across the U.S.  I worked closely with branch managers for, specific requirements and requests of work, to be performed.  Issued ASR’s and LSR’s to LEC’s, provided LOA/CFA, ordered cross connects, updated internal databases with FOC information and made it available to test and turn up technicians.  Sit in on test and turn up as a coordinator and provided updated status on the installation and acceptance of circuits.  Outside of my day to day activities, I had many spreadsheets that were provided to me from various different persons or groups.  My responsibility was to use specifically pivot tables to compare the data on several different spreadsheets, and make sure there were no duplications.  I did this by using pivot tables in Excel.

 

Cell Site Provisioner, Matrix (Contract)                          Aug 10, 2009 to Nov, 2009

 

Cell site provisioning, issued ASR’s to new and existing cell sites.  Created and maintained project spreadsheets for tracking and recording purposes, and to status internal and external customers.  Update Granite Segment information, such as segment in Granite database once circuit has been tested and accepted with provider.  Use multiple ASR ordering systems such as VFO, CAFÉ, CSG, and many web based applications for information retrieval, LENS.  Updated Granite segments and circuits, updated Granite with order #’s, Due Dates, circuit ID’S, and much more data updates.  Coordinated the turn-ups of RNC,s circuit id, order #, due date, BAN, and activate to meet timelines set by SLA.  Multi-tasking position, to include calling carrier representative to discuss orders and clear any clarifications with orders, responding to switch technicians, for access information or contact information, act as the local contact for installation and test.  Share information in team environment, to improve on methods and procedures.

 

Provisioning Project Manager, T-mobile                    Feb 19, 2008 to Dec 31, 2008

(contractor)

Provisioning project manager for several markets in Southern California.  Responsible for created and hosting weekly conference calls with outsourced vendors and internal customers.  Created projects inside Microsoft Project and inserted into master projects, setting duration of tasks based of off standard level agreements.  Created or edited resources so to be assigned to perform work.  Provided status on the establishment of T3, T1 and trunks circuits to upper management and notified them of any issues that may need to be addressed.  Took action items and meeting minutes to distribute to internal and external customers for follow up work.  Scope of work was to remove 56 switches and redirect the traffic to 14 new switches that were installed.  I was responsible for 9 markets in Southern California, each market consisted of over 150 orders each, to include IMT, IPP, IPM, E911, TTY, PSTN, MSRN, UMTS services.  Updated Granite segments and circuits, updated Granite with order #’s, Due Dates, circuit ID’S, and much more data updates.  Responsible for project managing work flow, to include the updating of internal facility and equipment databases.

 

 

 

Database Scrub, Spirit Telecom                                  March 19,2007 Dec. 31, 2007

 

One of a team of three working closely together to clean up circuit data in Remedy database.  Compared multiple systems and spreadsheets to identify and correct Frame/ATM network circuits.  Verified all legs of each circuit and input A and Z locations to complete all circuits in Remedy.  Also had to correct billing and ensure all prices were captured by Remedy to give accurate cost reports for network.  Identified missing circuits and entered them into Remedy database in order to capture all circuits.  Worked closely with Remedy systems administrator to identify and correct any system issues with information retrieval.  Over all we saved Spirit Telecom over $400,000.00, auditing their customer specific circuits.

 

Project Management, AT&T                                  Sept. 11, 2006 to March 16,2007

 

Subject matter expert on facility design and configuration, I interface between AT&T and Access Providers.  Negotiate decisions based on facility design and contract terms with provider.  Use system programs to manage multiple complex projects, systems include ACMS, POCITS, COBRA, TIRKS, BPP, ADW, CFA CHECKER, CHANNEL CHECKER. Received work via Excel spreadsheets with multiple tabs of information.  I organized and sorted the information by using pivot tables, and V-Look up. Once root cause has been determined from, billing, inventory, and revenue records, I place ASR’s to disconnect or change records on circuits.  Updated Granite segments and circuits, updated Granite with order #’s, Due Dates, circuit ID’S, and much more data updates.  Report revenue savings and credits to higher up management for tracking purposes.

 

Switched Service Order Management, Bellsouth     April 19, 2006 to Sept. 1,2006

 

As Order Managers, I am responsible for switching customer’s telephone lines to Bellsouth Long Distance code of 0432, to ensure correct billing for the customer’s long distance rate.  I interface directly with the customer implementation contact to provide technical scrub of the order received as to ensure that the customer’s telephone numbers and 800 toll free numbers are set up to their standards.  Must access Qwest billing system Casper to verify billing usage to confirm that the lines have been switched.  Also must work directly with the customer and assist them in getting non Bellsouth numbers switched to code 0432, which sometimes requires us to be on the phone with the customer when they contact their local carrier to get the pic changed.  Must maintain LOA’s from customer that gives us the permission to switch their long distance provider.  Manage all orders until they are complete and status the customer as to the progress of the order.

 

Network Provisioner, T-mobile (contract)                Nov. 14, 2005 to April 14,2006

 

Responsible for the Jacksonville, Fl. and Mobile, Al. markets for all new cell sites being turned up on air, and all augmentations of current 911 trunks groups along with any new 911 trunk groups that are to be installed.  Issue ASR’s and WSR’s to various LEC’s including BellSouth (WOS & CAFÉ), and also issue to Sprint via ARMS.  I am responsible for the end to end provisioning task, such as sending supplemental ASR’s to make corrections to the order, tracking the delivery of FOC, and DLR’s.  Updated Granite segments and circuits, updated Granite with order #’s, Due Dates, circuit ID’S, and much more data updates.  Each market was a project for me under the Master Project of new cell site builds.  Tracked completion of work via Microsoft Project, from ASR’s being issued to sub-contractors performing work for cell site constructions.  Managed timeliness via projects and linked to Master project for updates per project.  I was also responsibile to see to it that these documents are delivered downstream to designer and switch technicians for record keeping and testing.  I also, above the daily cell site installation and 911 trunk groups, am responsible for any projects that are in the Jacksonville and Mobile markets.  A project may consist of something to the effect of changing vendors for transport for 800 call routing, to where I would be responsible for all the coordination of LOA/CFA’s to the vendor, and once again completion of the transport and then coordination of hot cutting existing trunks to the new transport.  I have worked with several vendors, some of which are, XO, GRUCOM, Telecove, FPL FIBERNET, and many more.

 

Dedicated Circuit Designer, Nuvox                                     July,2005 to Sept, 2005

 

Create T3’s and T1’s and DS0’s, in MSS Metasolve database for engineering records.  Build virtual cross connects in switch.  Telnet into Telabs and PSAX250’s.  Reserve T1’s and DS0’s for future customer use or network build out.  Issue DLR’s after circuits have been designed.  Track and record circuit layout and installation completion date.  Scrubbing data for records dump from Network Architect into MSS Metasolve.

 

Voice & Data Installation Tech, Panther Creek Eng.         Nov. 15,2004-July, 2005

 

Experienced with the CAT5E cable for voice and data infrastructure installation.  I am also responsible for cross connects on the 66 block and termination of cable infrastructure to appropriate jacks.  Work is not completed until the entire infrastructure is in place all terminations have been completed and there is satisfactory test completed.  Responsible for sending in proper paperwork to show the completion of the work.

 

Provisioning Data Entry, Cox Comm, Dunwoody, GA         Oct, 2004-Nov.1, 2004

(Saybur LLC.) Contractor

At Cox Communications I was contracted to input data into Expercom.  The assignment was to input previous or currently working Access Service Request’s into  Expercom for tracking purposes.  Was responsible for inputting all pertinent data to insure the complete information of each circuit and their design.  Also was responsible for creating and naming the circuit identification. 

 

**CONTRACT ended by Cox, so they could restructure to go back to private company, sent all contractors home.

 

Provisioner, Cypress Comm., Norcross, Ga                    March 2004 – Oct. 1,2004

 

At Cypress Communications I provisioned for the west coast.  I was responsible for the Markets of Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Portland, Seattle and Washington DC.  Issued ASR’s to SBC (all regions), Bell South, Verizon, Qwest, I also supported Level 3, and XO Communications.  I worked closely with the field to ensure accurate information and instructions.  Responsible for getting telecommunication services for our customers, in a timely manner.  Also issued  LSR’s for new customers or for new services for existing customers.  Placed LNP orders, caller id, voice mail, directory listings, Voip, 1fb lines, converting ckts to UNE P.  My daily task range from issuing LSR’s to being a liaison between the field technicians and the LEC’s, Responsible for aligning all of the information and coordinating the install with all person’s involved, and verified completion of test and turn up to meet customers due dates.

 

Traffic Analyst, KMC Telecom Atlanta, Ga               October 2002 (00) – July 2003

 

I was responsible for studying the utilization of all trunk groups and issuing internal work orders to augment existing trunk groups to increase or decrease the number of trunks based on the traffic studies.  Accessed LERG to obtain information on local calling area’s, retrieved data such as Tandem cilli codes and point codes to create translations for new switching area’s, and gather information to know exactly what Central Offices were served from what Tandems and to arrange overflow requirements.  I provided updated traffic studies, along with Provisioning status on new and augmented trunk orders.  I Scheduled weekly conference calls, provided status on all markets for high traffic utilization, and what actions were being taken to alleviate blocking.   Updated status on new markets where trunks were being turned up and reported completion progress to management.  Managed the issuing and tracking of future transport T3’s installs for future trunk augments and network growth. 

 

Network Provisioner, KMC Telecom Atlanta, Ga  October     2000 – October 2002

 

Team Lead for Broadwing Project for the Provisioning Center. Responsible for a team of 6 people who issued and tracked ASR’s, LSR’s, internal work orders and Engineering work orders for the Broadwing Project. Responsible for facilitating meetings between the Network Designers, Traffic Engineers and ASR personnel. Attend and help facilitate pre-planning meetings between KMC and the ILEC’s. The team was instrumental in helping to successfully turn up 60 cities in 3 months. Handled all escalations to various ILEC’s and met with other team leads on a daily basis to track status of all orders. 

 

Network Provisioner, 2^nd Century  Tampa, Fl                 June 19,2000-Sept. 6,2000

 

Issued ASR’s, LSR’s, tracked FOC’s, and  DLR’s. Responsible for follow up on all orders to correct information requested by the LEC, necessary for issuance of supplement’s.  Coordinated the cross connect orders from the entrance facility T3’s to our equipment site.  Coordinated the testing of both T3 and T1 circuits, between 2^nd Century and the provider. Responsible for issuing orders to various carriers for T1 backbone, and receiving LOA/CFA for each location of the long haul. Responsible for issuance of DLR’s received from the LEC to the carrier that provided the Long haul T1’s.  Maintained accurate and precise records of circuit ID’s and internal and external order numbers.

 

Provisioning/Circuit Design Engineer, Broadwing                 Oct. 1999-April-2000

 

Provisioned all types of services from point to point data to frame ATM.  Responsible for completing orders in a timely manner and was responsible for getting 800#’s rolled from old vendor to our vendor, and also install new 800#’s for our customers. My responsibilities also included getting trunk groups reserved and built. I issued LOA/CFA requests to World Com, MFS, AT&T, Espire, and also track FOC/DLR via online systems to Bell Atlantic, Bell South, Southwestern Bell, Pac Bell, Sprint, U.S. West, and Ameritech, along with several independent Telecommunication companies. Responsible for aligning all of the information and coordinating the install with all person’s involved, and verified completion of test and turn up to meet customers due dates.   Created circuit id’s in TBS, based on type of service installed.

 

While at Broadwing, I received training for Internet Protocol design, and performed, design engineering duties.  I was responsible for getting T3’s installed and muxed to T1 level for future growth and available capacity.  I was responsible for designing IT ports and issuing CFA for IT circuits to be provisioned.  I was also responsible for the reservation of available DS0’s for orders currently in place but not yet completed, this was to ensure that circuits were not double assigned. 

 

Dedicated Provisioning Engineer, Qwest______________April 1999-Aug, 1999

 

My position as Provisioning Engineer at Qwest is where I gained experience in the end-to-end tasks that are required to provision DS0 and DS1 access circuits for nationwide interconnection.  Was responsible for provisioning tasks required to provide a variety of services including frame relay, digital data, UNE, LNP and private line.  Skilled in issuance, and tracking of Access Service Requests (ASRs)., and LSR’s.  Coordinated receipt of Firm Order Confirmations (FOCs) and Design Layout Records (DLRs).  Responsible for aligning all of the information and coordinating the install with all person’s involved. Then verified completion of testing and turn-up to meet customer due dates.

 

Customer Service Representative, Ameritech                                     1997-1999

 

My responsibilities at Ameritech required me to recommend services, review accounts, issue credits, perform three way calls between other telecommunication companies, ask fact finding questions, brand positively, find alternate solutions, be knowledgeable of the equipment we offer, and of public utility regulations, and above all provide customer satisfaction.  Also performed work on LSR’s, issued orders for services to be moved or transferred. 

 

Correctional Officer, Indiana Department of Corrections                                  1996-1997

 

Performed precise and accurate accountability reports, maintained a strict log of events, execute searches, escort offenders, maintain calm appearance under extremely stressful situations, oversee daily medication distribution, uphold a high awareness of my fellow officers location and safety, as well as my own.  Above all, my responsibility was to preserve the safety of all offenders, and keep them contained inside the facility.    

                                                                                  

Customer Service Representative, Columbia House                                   1995-1996

 

My position at Columbia House required me to access customers accounts, issue debits and credits, ship return labels for products, establish new accounts, account for unauthorized shipments of goods, initiate shipment history, place positive orders for goods, maintain confidentiality of customer records.

 

Avionics Mechanic, U.S. Army Signal Corp.                                             May,1990-Oct.,1992

 

My experience in the Army provided me with technical training on avionics systems.  I was responsible for ground and in flight tests.  I was responsible for the Avionics shop, I held the Sgt. of the office position, and responsibilities included supervising two avionics specialist, to ensure their work was completed and to handle disciplinary situations.  Responsible for keeping a workbench fully stocked with tools and equipment.  Received extensive training on both radio and radar systems for testing and troubleshooting.  Installed new and repaired equipment into cockpit and other parts of U.S. Army helicopters.