Sherri Jo Bessert

*** ********* **.

Haines City, FL. 33844

630-***-**** (C)

Summary

** ***** ** ****************** **** over 25 years in project management. I have done everything from

Order management, installation, field technician, Vendor Management, and Construction. I have been

both the vendor and the client. Experienced in site walks, utilities/right of ways, permitting, change

Management, and etc. Engaged cross-functional partnerships matrix organizations. Coached other project

managers, chaired Disaster Recovery Teams, Safety Teams, and Construction Teams.

Skills

Masters Certificate in Project Management Agile/Waterfall Real Estate/Landlord negotiations

Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite Stage Gating Leadership/Team Building

Project/Program Management SharePoint Vendor Management

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

9/14 – Present Chicago, IL.

Planning Manager 1

●Implemented Application Discovery Manager, Google RCS both revenue generating products that enables USCC to push Applications to Devices.

●Use of Stage Gating Process to initiate implementation/deployment for VoLTE Inbound Roaming, CAT-M/LTE-M and Ostrich – removal of an end of life product.

●Built high functioning cross-functional teams consisting of RF Managers, Engineering, Operations, Venders, and upper level management.

●Executed TMO, AT&T, Verizon, Sprint and PrePaid LTE/VoLTE Roaming inbound and outbound through-out network (24 Switches and over 6300 cell sites)

●Fulfilled Wireless Priority Service (WPS) {a Government based product} through-out network

5/03 – 9/14 ITASCA, IL.

Senior Project Manager

●Launched LTE Wave III, Band 5 in the Rockford Peoria Markets consisting of 119 Wave III sites and 189 Band 5 sites

●Support LTE Wave II Launch in Rockford and Peoria 179 sites

●Integrated Fiber in Wisconsin for LTE Wave I sites

●Swapped out 690 Lucent BTS sites in the Illinois Market to ensure sites were compatible with current technology, this was done in less than a year.

●Upgraded over 900 sites to EvDO REV B in the Chicago, Rockford and Peoria Market, this was accomplished in less than 9 months

●Accelerated the Mini to MOD swap out program, to ensure all sites were removed prior to the product being D/A’d (discontinued availability and no longer supported by ALU), there were over 400 sites in the Illinois/Indiana Markets

●Responsible for Generator project, ensuring MidWest Region met the required ratio of Portable and Permanent generators through-out our Region. Worked with RSO on new Air Permitting Process

●Participated in several Trials: EvDO Overlay, RevA. Adtran, CAC,

●Scheduled and Tracked the RF Optimization Project, all Carrier Upgrades for ALU and Erickson

●Resolved numerous Landlord issues: Fencing, roofing, driveways, Access issues. Water Tank painting, and site relocations

●Chaired/hosted conference calls, provided communication notes and project plans. Update SharePoint, Esite, Gamma, Millennia. Attended All Hands Meeting, Monthly and Quarterly meetings

●Worked on teams to develop SOW’s, best practices, and RFP reviews. Developed Standards for Cell Sites, Towers and Antennas.

●Chaired the Disaster Recovery Team, Safety Team, Construction Team,

●Performed site audits to ensure compliance for cells and switches

●Worked with Vendors and Manufacturing to ensure best prices and most favorable customer status

5/00 – 5/03 LISLE, IL.

Project/Program Manager

●Coached Program Mangers in process improvements with Order Management, Logistics and Supply Chain Network to improve process and decrease intervals.

●Provided guidance and scheduling on Western Wireless 5E and ECP retrofits enabling them to bring their 6 ECP’s and 13 5E’s up to the latest and greatest release and industry standards.

●Identified and obtained quotes for Professional Services for over $3.2 mil. Recovered full amount over $3.2 mil. In addition, recovered $490k for installation services. Initiated over $150k in SAWO’s for NextWave; recovered over $100k.

●Supported Western Wireless markets on technical aspects including growth, new products, planning, problem solving and escalation by completing OMP FX conversions and new OMP FX deployments in Fargo ND, Billings MT, Casper WY and Mt Pleasant TX. In addition to SM’s, Echo Cancellers, APC, MUX, DNUS and CSD growth in these markets.

●Simultaneously deployed 2nd 5E’s and ECP’s in Billings, Missoula, Kalispell and Great Falls MT while deploying new ECP and launching CDMA overlay in Casper WY and Colorado Springs.

●Launched CDMA overlay in Fargo, Bismark, Grand Forks ND as well as Billings, Bozeman, Kalispell, Great Falls, Helena and Butte MT.

●Swapped out 2 Motorola markets one in Utah and one in Mt Pleasant TX. Converted three (3) VCDX’s to full-blown 5E’s in Kalispell, Bismark and Grand Forks. Swapped out two (2) G2’s to 5E’s in Great Falls and Missoula.

●Supported Pre-GA PSD and 3G1X HDR trial for BURST in Port Angeles. Launched 3G1X in Montana for Western Wireless.

●Successfully implemented NextWave’s Initial Build, their PCS License Save projects by deploying (2) 5E’s/ECP’s (1) in Carteret NJ, and (1) in Las Vegas NV along with 95 BTA’s and 134 cells in the C*D*E and F blocks in nine months.

●Initial Build produced $40M in revenue for Lucent, for which I had the responsibility of managing the equipment deployment and invoicing. Deploying this Initial Build Network in the short interval we met critical deadlines that saved these Assets for NextWave which have been valued at $15B, while simultaneously extinguishing $500M in potential Liquidated Damages for Lucent.

●Laid foundation for NextWave expansion system in the Detroit/Madison market encompassing new ECP/5E and the potential for 227 cell sites.

●Served as critical reviewer for the Scopes of Work for the 95 National Build as well as the 1X EVDO trials.

●Implemented a 1X EVDO Switch On Wheels with a Cell On Wheels to be used as a Demo unit for the NASCAR race scheduled for March 1 –2.

●Through preparation for customers presentations gained knowledge and experience on PSAX, Navis Radius, Cisco products and EVDO.

1/93 – 5/00 HOFFMAN ESTATES, IL

Project Implementation Manager, Equipment Engineer

●Successfully converted the Madison Wisconsin switch from existing architecture to 5E while simultaneously integrating TDMA into the cell sites. Laid the foundation for CDMA to TDMA conversion in Milwaukee.

●Successfully implemented TDMA technology in Dayton Ohio while laying the foundation for CDMA to TDMA conversion in Cincinnati Ohio.

●Integrate and optimize a second CDMA carrier for Illinois and Michigan, enabling them to effectively double their current CDMA capacity.

●Install Integrate and Optimize over 65 Hughes CDPD Base stations in Central Illinois, and Illinois as well as St. Louis for the State of Illinois police force. Liaison between other cellular carriers to manage the technical implementation to provide on time, on budget product and services. Fulfilled contractual obligations to relocate MDIS controllers from Illinois to Michigan.

●Undertaking the implementation of PCS in Indianapolis, ensuring all time commitments are met and that we will launch on schedule. Maintain schedules and timelines during the implementation of PCS in Indianapolis. Develop vendor RFP’s for buildings, towers and antennas for PCS in Cleveland and Indianapolis.

●Project Manage and implement Ameritech’s Pre-Pay service in Ameritech’s 5 state Region, enabling Ameritech to stay competitive and achieve realization on revenue. Implemented Digital PUG for PCS in Cleveland and Indianapolis; laid the foundation for Digital PUG in Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin.

●Oversee the design and implementation of Dual Link within Ohio, St. Louis, Michigan and Illinois, enabling a reduction in facility cost throughout the region.

●Work in conjunction with Science and Technologies, Data Implementation, New Technology and Network Management to implement CDMA, Cellemetry, SS7, OMP, CSD, VAD, ICOS, Accessline and CDPD throughout Ameritech Cellular’s 5 State regions. Successfully trialed EVRC in Wisconsin. Laid foundation for PrePay pay per use voice mail. Established procedures and developed requirements for the Aeries Microburst product.

●Coordinate shipment and receipt of all cell site material with St. Louis. Logged and tracked over $63 million in material. Negotiated the release of software that enabled installation to perform appropriate tests related to CDMA, resulting in a cost reduction on our CDMA cell sites over $600 thousand.

●Project manages over 93 new cell sites with St. Louis installation. Providing cell site flexibility, on time delivery and customized installation, which enables Ameritech to achieve an overall Market savings of $91k.

●Schedule and maintain over 80 production slots and buildings to ensure that the Ameritech regions integrate dates are being met. Support and maintain financial budgets, utilizing reports and chairing BI-weekly financial meetings within the Ameritech regions.

●Evaluate alternate vendors to provide reliable and quality products and services, enabling Ameritech to reduce failures and generate cost saving over $525k.

9/90 – 12/92 ROLLING MEADOWS, IL.

Customer Service Order Manager (Scheduling Specialist) Ohio Bell Toll Transmission

●Deployed 2 of the first DACs IV-2000 in the Ohio market. Upgraded the DACS II systems in the VERIZON and AT&T wireless offices.

●Deployed and integrated FMT 150 multiplexers, SLC96 channel banks as well as D4 channel banks, 800 DSX cross connects as well as DSX 1, DS 3 panels. Familiar with the Fujitsu Mux as well as several other multiplexers and de-multiplexers.

●Worked with Ameritech on their Sonet Network, assisted in OC3, OC12 and OC48 backhaul deployments.

●Worked with vendors for best practice when it comes to transceivers and trancoders such as Ayden and Paragon and deploying them in the Ameritech/Cingular/SBC Network.

●Understanding of Stratum, ATM switches, DDM2000, DDM1000, STS links and various routers

●Through preparation for internal presentations gained knowledge of various scheduling and order entry procedures enabled orders to be scheduled and expedited to meet customer-requested dates.

●Interfaced with account executives, engineering, installation, manufacturing and the customer to assure a smooth and timely flow to each order.

●Arranged project meetings and required conferences with the appropriate resources in attendance to meet objectives of the conference.

●Familiarity with account management, engineering and installation organization structures enabled effective communications with all levels of management and negotiations with material providers.

12/83 – 8/90 AT&T, CHICAGO, IL.

Systems Technician; Communication Technician

●Originated and established local installation and repair procedures, for newly developed AT&T “ASDS” service offerings. Resolved problems during initial installation and became local subject matter expert for operations managers group.

●Analyzed current pre-service process. Instituted new procedures that provided statistical data, which enabled us to improve customer quality and group performances by at least twenty percent (20%).

●Developed and implemented means that successfully reduced the duration of service outages and improved failure rate by fifteen percent (15%). Established a plan to reduce costs and increase the quality of newly installed digital data circuits.

●Coordinate installation of customer orders with exchange companies, sales, engineering and the end user. Ensure time commitments are met through database tracking and escalation to upper management.

●Worked in conjunction with “RMATS” to assist customers and other technicians with the software programming of their System 75’s and 85’s. Installed and maintained PBX systems in the Chicago area.

●Provided technical advice to sales, engineering and the customer. Visited customer locations to display the professional concern of AT&T and provided technical assistance on their lines and equipment.

5/79 – 11/83 CHICAGO, IL.

Service Order Writer

●Implemented translations for System 75’s and 85’s via Remote Access for customers and technicians. Interacted with marketing and installers to provide the customer with the most economical service. Assisted in major projects, provided technical support.

EDUCATION

●BA in Management, with a minor in Marketing, North Central College, Naperville IL. June 13 1998.

●Certificate in Professional Program Management, Stevens Institute of Technology Naperville IL. May 2, 2001

●2-Year Installation Apprentice Certification in Telecom Installation, Operations & Maintenance.

●Participated in over 100 seminars and technical/managerial/Diversity programs sponsored by USCC LMS, Lucent Learning & Performance Center, Ameritech Cellular, AT&T, Broadcast Communication, Paragon, SAGE, Hughes, Bay Networks, Tekelec, Tylink, Tandem, Primary Access, Telecom Solutions, ADC Kentrox, Anixter, Andrew, Ditech and Brite Intervoice Communications.

●Software skills: Microsoft Office Business Suite including: Microsoft Projects, MS Office, Word, Excel, Outlook, Access, SharePoint, and Power Point

AWARDS/MEMBERSHIP

●Who’s Who in Madison

●WWILS - Women in Wireless

●NAPW - National Association of Professional Women

●ILSWA – Illinois State Wireless Association

VOLUNTEER SERVICES

●Served as a volunteer for 14 years at Mercy Home for Boys and Girls; “Strike it against Cancer” to raise money/donations for research and benefit the community.

●Successfully coordinated and solicited volunteers for Breakthrough! Community charity Little City Foundation from 1993 - 1998. Raised over $2100 in 1998 and 1997, $1900 in 1996, $2200 in 1995, $2300 in 1994 and $1800 in 1993.

●Worked as chairperson for six years for Little City Foundation by organizing and leading the monthly “Little City Birthday Club”: recruited others to join in our effort.

●Worked as a volunteer for six years on behalf of the American Kidney foundation at the Bull Valley annual golf tournament.

●Volunteered at numerous functions with USCC for United Way, Feed the Hunger, Painting and repairing shelters, as well as Equestrian Therapy

●Major fund raiser for Brian Aneurism Awareness 2014

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