Stephen Higginbotham

304-***-**** adyu0k@r.postjobfree.com 6362 Sailboat Avenue Tavares, FL Project Manager

Strong Project Management Skills Proven Leadership Skills Outstanding Budget and Cost Control

SUMMARY

Results focused Program Manager with over 15 years of experience consistently delivering complex projects and customer satisfaction on time and within budget. Strong organization and management skills with a background in business analysis, gathering, documenting, prioritizing, marketing, and analyzing requirements. Ability to clearly communicate project priorities, influencing and motivating direct and indirect networks and stakeholders to take action and contributing to project success.

Experienced managing a team in navigating and operating within a hybrid project management environment, combining different methodologies to suit project and team needs including the use of waterfall and Agile processes, Excellent at developing project scheduling, funding proposals, budgets, budget management, programs, vendor relationships, stakeholder management, and risk/issue management and mitigation. Proficient with Jira, Microsoft Applications (MS Project, MS Teams, Excel including VBA, Word, PowerPoint, and Visio). Notable achievements:

• Slashed software lease costs $80 million annually through the on-time delivery of a $314 million complex software system $145 thousand under budget.

• Managed 45 multi-million-dollar network infrastructure projects to completion within budget and on time resulting in a 90% reduction in management allocated contingency funds for my future projects as a result of consistency bringing projects to completion under budget.

WORK EXPERIENCE

D & H – CONSULTING - Tavares, FL

Program Management Consultant - January 2013 – Present As project manager, I utilized experience in technical infrastructure deployment to provide exceptional outcomes for our clients:

• I improved my client’s surveillance capabilities by seamlessly integrating cutting-edge perimeter sensors with high-end camera technology, significantly bolstering security measures.

• In website development, I incorporated client-server Python applications, unlocking functionality, and delivering seamless user experiences for our clients.

• Through strategic guidance, captivating YouTube channel content was produced, resulting in a surge in subscribers and significantly enhancing our clients' online presence.

• On another project, I managed the design and construction of a media center equipped with the latest technology and resources empowering our client to enhance their media production and distribution capabilities, elevating their brand reach and impact in the market.

• Through diligent project management, we successfully executed web server application projects, prioritizing mobile apps that efficiently retrieved information, controlled remote switches, sensors, and updated database information for our clients resulting in a remarkable enhancement in their operational efficiency and customer experience. ALCATEL LUCENT - Denton, Texas, United States

Project Manager - January 2001 - January 2013

Utilizing appropriate project management techniques, strong leadership was provided to seamlessly bridge technical and business teams.

• Achieved consistent delivery of reliable projects within designated schedules while effectively managing costs, scope, and risks. Employed comprehensive work breakdown structure and predecessor-driven schedules, coupled with meticulous risk mitigation plans and transaction-driven financial reports for stakeholders and management.

• Implemented strategic communication planning and developed executive dashboard reports, resulting in a 20% surge in management and stakeholder confidence.

• Significantly bolstered stakeholder and management confidence through fostering a culture of teamwork and collaboration. Employed a story-driven approach to requirement gathering, incorporating detailed acceptance criteria and robust test plans.

• These enhancements resulted in a 5% improvement in deployment times for tower and cellular switch implementations, ensuring swift and efficient project execution. VERIZON (GTE) - Las Colinas, Tx

Project Manager - January 1999 - January 2001

Delivered the $314 million AAIS Service Provisioning System project to on time completion

$145 thousand under budget through improved PM processes and superior implementation of PM tools, and refined financial analysis utilizing earned value, budgeting and forecasting.

• Slashed $80 million in annual operating costs

• Instituted Waterfall and Agile project management practices raising stakeholder and management confidence through the early demonstration of product features.

• Utilized leadership coaching, mentoring and teaching to implement Agile/Scrum practices.

• Introduced user story creation, requirements gathering, product backlog grooming, meticulous attention to detail, and acceptance criteria definition to improve requirements gathering.

EDS, MCI, CAP GEMINI ERNST ª YOUNG - Plano, Texas, United States Project Director - November 1995 - January 1999

Leveraged the robust Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC) framework to propel software development projects towards resounding success, achieving impeccable on-time completion.

• Developed, grew and sold the services for a consulting team which conducted testing to certify for State Public Service Commissions that Incumbent Local Exchange carriers

(ILECs) sufficiently provided access to their provisioning facilities for Competitive Local Exchange Carriers CLECs to interconnect with the ILEC's infrastructure, allowing them to offer their services to end customers within the same geographic area.

• Ignited a level of inspiration among cross-functional teams, fostering collaboration, and breakthrough innovations.

• Galvanized the creation of compelling sales proposals and contracts, accelerating business growth and forging lucrative partnerships. ARAMCO - Dhahran, Eastern, Saudi Arabia

Adeptly managed a portfolio of Aramco Data Communications Projects, deftly juggling intricate networking solutions and implementing streamlined planning methodologies. Unleashed a remarkable transformation, breathing new life into scheduling and execution processes, ensuring optimal efficiency and unwavering reliability in project delivery. Spearheaded meticulous cost management tracking, scope management, and risk management, fortifying the foundation upon which project success thrived. Implementing strategic communication planning, dynamic executive dashboard reporting, and conducting monthly stakeholder reviews, I forged an unwavering path to triumphant project outcomes.

• Astutely delivering project schedules and comprehensive progress reporting, Identifying and mitigating risks, resolving issues to maintain project momentum, and steadfastly meeting deadlines.

• Propelled 45 multi-million dollar data networking projects to completion, achieving extraordinary budget management and masterful adherence to strict timelines. This unprecedented accomplishment led to an astounding 90% reduction in management- allocated contingency funds for assigned future data communications projects.

• Through exceptional stakeholder management, we harnessed the power of the coveted Cisco partnership and exploited Cisco specializations, yielding a remarkable 10% improvement in system configuration times. Through this strategic alliance, we unlocked unprecedented efficiency and elevated project outcomes. ARAMCO SERVICES COMPANY - Houston, Tx

Datacenter Manager - November 1978 - November 1990 Managed the Houston Data Center for 5 years. Propelled a remarkable transformation, revolutionizing operations and delivering groundbreaking solutions within the data center. Streamlined operations, introducing innovative backup procedures and bolstering information security measures to safeguard critical assets. Through enhanced system audits and robust disaster recovery protocols, we fortified the foundation upon which the data center thrived, instilling a 25% improvement in stakeholder confidence. In a resounding triumph, I spearheaded the transformative overhaul of software development and testing within the corporate message-switching project. My unwavering commitment to excellence resulted in resounding stakeholder approval and the seamless turnup of the system. This monumental achievement not only solidified my prowess in delivering exceptional results but also garnered widespread recognition for my unparalleled ability to navigate complex projects and achieve resounding success.

COLUMBIA GAS TRANSMISSION CORPORATION Charleston, WV Chief Electrical Engineer May 1971- November 1978

As Chief Electrical Engineer I designed electrical facilities for gas compressor stations and pipeline gas measurement facilities. My role involved overseeing and managing the electrical engineering aspects of these projects including planning and designing the electrical systems such as power distribution, lighting, grounding, motor control, instrumentation, and control systems. In this capacity, I specified electrical equipment, including transformers, switchgear, control panels, motor starters, and instrumentation devices, based on project requirements. I ensured that all electrical designs and installations adhered to safety protocols, grounding requirements, and electrical codes to minimize hazards and maintain compliance. I collaborated closely with other engineering disciplines, such as civil, mechanical, and process engineers, to ensure seamless integration of electrical systems with overall project requirements. EDUCATION

West Virginia University Institute of Technology

Bachelor of Science - BS, Electrical and Electronics Engineering · (September 1966 - May 1971)

Udemy

Complete Agile Scrum Master Certification Training SKILLS

Microsoft Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint, MS Excel Pivot Table, MS Excel VBA, and MS Project proficiency; C++ programming; Python programming; HTTP programming; PMLC frameworks (Scrum, Kanban, waterfall, iterative); JIRA and Confluence configuration; Scrum master; Information technology strategies; Technological strategic solutions; Technological research; Coordinating resources and timetables.

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