IT Program Manager - Infrastructure & Cybersecurity Modernization

NATHAN J. LOPEZ

IT Program Manager Infrastructure, Operations, and Cybersecurity Modernization

San Antonio, TX 702-***-**** *******@*****.***

www.linkedin.com/in/nathan-lopez-59b1911b8

Active Secret Security Clearance

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

IT & Telecommunications Project Manager with 22+ years of experience leading complex infrastructure modernization, telecommunications, cybersecurity, enterprise networking, and technology transformation initiatives across the U.S. Air Force, Department of Defense, and federal agencies. Proven success managing large-scale, mission-critical programs involving transport networks, TDM-to-VoIP migrations, enterprise voice services, fiber infrastructure, data centers, cloud technologies, secure communications, and enterprise network modernization.

Extensive experience managing telecommunications projects through the complete project lifecycle—from business case development, project initiation, planning, engineering coordination, procurement, implementation, testing, and operational transition to technical rationalization, circuit migration, site consolidation, legacy system retirement, and final decommissioning. Experienced coordinating transport infrastructure projects involving SONET, MPLS/IP networking, fiber backbone infrastructure, DISA transport services, carrier coordination, OC-3/OC-12/OC-48 circuit migrations, and enterprise voice modernization, ensuring minimal operational disruption while maintaining mission-critical communications.

Experienced leading enterprise portfolios encompassing telecommunications infrastructure, transport networks, unified communications, cybersecurity, cloud migration, data center modernization, and IT service delivery supporting geographically dispersed organizations and tens of thousands of users. Skilled in telecommunications rationalization, legacy TDM voice retirement, network consolidation, site exit/site vacate planning, infrastructure decommissioning, integrated project planning, change management, risk mitigation, executive reporting, stakeholder engagement, and full project lifecycle management utilizing Agile, Scrum, Waterfall, Hybrid, SDLC, and ITIL methodologies.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Senior Program Manager

Department of Defense Civil Service 2023–2025

Directed a 97-project, $400M+ enterprise portfolio supporting telecommunications infrastructure, transport network modernization, IT modernization, cybersecurity, engineering, and military construction initiatives across geographically dispersed Department of Defense organizations.

Led and mentored 13 Project Managers and multidisciplinary engineering teams delivering enterprise communications, network infrastructure, transport, VoIP, cybersecurity, and technology modernization projects supporting more than 47,000 users across 250+ locations.

Managed end-to-end project planning, budgeting, scheduling, risk management, stakeholder engagement, contract execution, and resource allocation for concurrent enterprise modernization and telecommunications infrastructure programs.

Planned and coordinated SCX telecommunications initiatives, including transport network modernization, TDM-to-VoIP migrations, circuit provisioning and migrations, fiber backbone infrastructure, DISA transport coordination, carrier services, and enterprise voice modernization while minimizing operational impact to mission-critical communications.

Coordinated implementation of transport infrastructure projects involving SONET transport, MPLS/IP networking, OC-3/OC-12/OC-48 circuit migrations, fiber infrastructure, telecommunications cutovers, and change management, partnering with engineering teams, DISA, commercial carriers, and mission stakeholders.

Implemented Agile, Waterfall, and Hybrid project delivery methodologies to improve execution transparency, schedule performance, cross-functional collaboration, and stakeholder alignment across complex technology portfolios.

Delivered executive portfolio reporting, governance, integrated master scheduling, risk mitigation, strategic planning, and performance metrics to senior military and civilian leadership, enabling informed decision-making across large-scale enterprise modernization programs.

Key Programs

Enterprise Network Modernization – Directed a $2.8M telecommunications modernization replacing legacy switching, routing, transport infrastructure, and structured cabling across 40+ facilities. Managed the complete project lifecycle from planning and implementation through legacy equipment decommissioning, circuit migration, asset disposition, and infrastructure retirement, improving network resiliency, cybersecurity compliance, and operational readiness.

Enterprise IT Integration Program – Led a $3.2M enterprise integration supporting 22,000+ users, consolidating network infrastructure, enterprise services, and configuration management while integrating ServiceNow CMDB. Planned and executed technical rationalization, retiring redundant legacy systems, decommissioning obsolete hardware, and ensuring compliant disposition of IT assets with minimal operational disruption.

Enterprise VoIP Modernization – Managed a $4M Cisco Unified Communications deployment across 41 facilities and 1,370 endpoints, replacing legacy TDM/PBX infrastructure with enterprise VoIP services. Directed circuit migrations, cutover planning, legacy voice retirement, equipment decommissioning, and asset disposition, maintaining uninterrupted mission operations throughout implementation.

Data Center Modernization – Delivered a $1.8M modernization implementing virtualization, redundant power, hardened communications infrastructure, and secure collaboration environments supporting mission-critical operations. Led server and network infrastructure consolidation, legacy hardware decommissioning, cable remediation, equipment disposal, and technology refresh activities in accordance with DoD lifecycle and security requirements.

Secure Communications Modernization – Directed modernization of classified communications infrastructure, including SIPRNet connectivity, COMSEC, encryption devices, secure routing, transport services, and telecommunications infrastructure. Managed secure migration, network decommissioning, sanitization, and compliant disposition of legacy communications equipment while ensuring continuity of classified mission operations

Telecommunications Infrastructure Rationalization – Planned and coordinated enterprise telecommunications transition projects involving transport infrastructure, fiber backbone, carrier services, circuit migrations, and legacy network retirement. Oversaw site infrastructure decommissioning, equipment removal, inventory reconciliation, and disposal of end-of-life telecommunications assets, ensuring compliance with DoD property accountability, cybersecurity, and environmental requirements.

Senior Program Manager

United States Air Force 2002–2022

Directed enterprise telecommunications and IT modernization programs supporting organizations exceeding 22,000 personnel across geographically dispersed installations, managing projects from requirements development and project initiation through implementation, technical rationalization, legacy system retirement, asset disposition, and infrastructure decommissioning.

Managed multimillion-dollar telecommunications, transport infrastructure, network modernization, cybersecurity, and engineering projects involving TDM-to-VoIP migrations, transport network modernization, circuit migrations, fiber infrastructure, and enterprise communications, leading cross-functional engineering, operations, contractor, and vendor teams through the full project lifecycle.

Oversaw project scope, integrated schedules, budgets, contract performance, change management, risk mitigation, executive stakeholder communications, and operational cutovers while ensuring seamless transition from legacy telecommunications infrastructure to modern enterprise technologies with minimal mission impact.

Authored, negotiated, and managed 50+ Statements of Work (SOWs), Performance Work Statements (PWSs), acquisition packages, and interagency agreements supporting telecommunications modernization, carrier coordination, network infrastructure upgrades, technology refresh initiatives, and the decommissioning and compliant disposal of legacy communications and IT equipment..

Representative Programs

Joint Base Charleston BRAC Communications Integration – Managed telecommunications integration supporting BRAC consolidation, modernizing voice, data, secure communications, and fiber infrastructure across Joint Base Charleston.

Windows 10 Enterprise Migration – Directed an $8.2M deployment across 250 locations, migrating 10,000 workstations and 1,000 secure systems, finishing 30 days ahead of schedule.

Enterprise Data Center Modernization – Led a $4.7M modernization delivering network upgrades, VoIP migration, virtualization, and infrastructure consolidation, completing the project 90 days early.

SONET Optical Transport Modernization – Managed deployment of a redundant SONET fiber ring connecting Joint Base Charleston installations, improving resiliency and reducing annual telecommunications costs by approximately $1.3M.

Fiber Infrastructure Modernization – Replaced leased carrier circuits with government-owned fiber infrastructure, increasing bandwidth, improving reliability, and reducing recurring operating costs.

Enterprise Infrastructure Assessments – Led communications and IT infrastructure assessments across 50 facilities, securing approximately $5M in modernization funding.

Cybersecurity Modernization – Directed RMF implementation, STIG compliance, vulnerability remediation, and secure network modernization supporting enterprise cybersecurity objectives.

Microsoft 365 Modernization – Led enterprise deployment of Exchange Online, Teams, SharePoint, and OneDrive, enhancing collaboration across geographically dispersed organizations.

Innovation & Emerging Technology Program – Managed an $850K portfolio evaluating commercial technologies and delivering executive recommendations for enterprise adoption.

Emergency Communications (E911) Modernization – Directed a $900K modernization improving emergency communications, interoperability, and mission continuity.

Communications Facility Modernization – Managed telecommunications infrastructure for new construction and renovation projects, including MDF/IDF upgrades, structured cabling, UPS systems, and mission-critical communications.

Telecommunications Rationalization & Decommissioning – Planned and executed legacy telecommunications retirement, circuit migrations, equipment decommissioning, and compliant disposal of end-of-life communications infrastructure supporting enterprise modernization initiatives.

EDUCATION

Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS), Cyber Security

Wayland Baptist University — 2025

Associate of Applied Science (AAS), Education & Training Management

Community College of the Air Force — 2016

Associate of Applied Science (AAS), Information Technology

Community College of the Air Force — 2012

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