Mark P. Dirksen

Global Telecommunications & Network Infrastructure Manager

ad4qf8@r.postjobfree.com • 909-***-****

LinkedIn URL • Escondido, CA 92026

Accomplished and tech-savvy IT/Telecom professional with 25+ years of international experience in leading all aspects of telecommunications/system engineering and project management. Solid history of success in managing all operations related to the development, installation, and maintenance of network infrastructures, configuration management, business continuity and reliability, process automation, and security implementation. Expertise in upgrading and migrating network applications, analyzing and resolving technical issues, and translating business needs into technical solutions. Known for defining functional requirements, architectural approaches, and integration methodologies and delivering high- quality and timely solutions and services to meet business needs.

Areas of Expertise

• Telephony & Unified Communications

• Networking & Infrastructure Management

• System Troubleshooting & Maintenance

• Cloud/SAAS Services

• System Installation & Maintenance

Career Experience

• System Integration & Migration

• Disaster Recovery & Backup

• Data Center Infrastructure Design

• Troubleshooting & Issue Resolution

• Vendor & Contract Management

• User, Team Training & Leadership

• Call Center Operations

• Wireless Network Monitoring

• Cable & Fiber Management

• Project Planning & Management

Rain Bird Corporation, Azusa, CA June 2003 to July 2023 Global Telecommunications & Network Infrastructure Manager Optimize global communication infrastructure by designing, implementing, and maintaining telecom systems across 16 Global locations using cloud/SAAS services. Revolutionize global connectivity by proposing and deploying Versa SD-WAN HA network and Ring Central across all sites in US, Mexico, Brazil, France, Spain, Australia, China and Turkey to orchestrate end-to-end telecommunication systems. Arrange effective training programs for 3,000 users across US and global locations on telecommunications systems to boost their knowledge/performance. Manage all telecom systems on Rain Bird Virtual VM server environment by collaborating within the IT department. Drive operational excellence by providing support to Rain Bird's call centers in US, Mexico, France, and Australia. Streamline telecommunications operations by ordering and overseeing telco services, including DID numbers, Internet circuits, and SD-WAN circuits as per requirements.

• Decreased global telecom budget by $5M via successful re-negotiation of contracts and deployment of new technologies.

• Manage, mentor and develop a staff of 4 people.

• Configured voice, video, network, cabling, fire, BA, CCTV and card access systems for new 150K-250K sq. ft. sites in USA/Mexico.

• Led successful negotiations of contracts with vendors for all US/global carriers, ATT, Sprint, Global Crossing, Lumen, Alestra, China and France Telecom.

• Ensured successful upgrade of Avaya G3si standalone systems with S8700 VOIP gateways and servers as well as Rain Bird’s carrier network to fiber with 100M-1 GB connections in all US/MEX locations.

• Modernized global communication systems by replacing on-premise Avaya PBX and call center elite systems with Ring Central, NICE InContact, and MS Teams. Responsible for day to day administration of Ring Central and Nice In Contact.

• Directed successful implementation of various systems, including: o Video Conference System with 30 Polycom video units and desktop video with Ring Central and MS Teams. o IP AMAG card access system replacing old RS-232 system. o GENETEC IP Video Camera system (8) servers and (500) IP Axis cameras. Implemented new IP AMAG card access. o YODECK/Raspberry Pi digital communications system with 75 Global TVs in Rain Bird sites and distributors. o Implemented dual fiber connection paths into each facility with different Telco providers Additional Experience: Telecommunications & Technology Manager at Earthlink Network, Pasadena, CA, Sept 1998 - Jun 2003 Telecommunications Analyst at Union Bank Monterey Park, CA June 1992 – Sept 1998 Education & Training

Bachelor of Science (BS) in Computer Information Science Coleman University, San Diego, CA Professional Training: Vendor training – Avaya, Acme Packet, Geotel, Acano, Polycom, Ring Central, MS Teams, Cisco, Extreme