Download Resume (Text) - Robert Marshall

Robert F. Marshall
Ottawa, Ontario
(613) 604-0100
[email protected]
Over the past 25 years I have had some great career experiences with various technology
companies, in systems implementation and maintenance, systems design, management,
and project management roles. Starting out with field work, then onto a R&D lab,
progressing into project coordination, project management, systems design, as well as
service implementation and service roll out.
Irrespective if the situation is in half way around the world or next door, I am one of the rare
solution oriented people who engages all parties to make the project move forward. I have
the proven ability to be innovative, adaptable, and the capacity to take ownership of tasks,
in order to get things done. I am comfortable working with senior management, clients,
customer staff, and contractors.
Often placed in difficult situations, I have a knack for developing 'on the spot' solutions to
unforeseen problems. Regardless whether the problem is technical, personnel, training,
limited resources, or outside of my realm of expertise. I am able to develop an
unconventional solution to resolve an immediate problem, saving the client time and
money.
Experience:
Network Technologist
Ligado Networks (formerly Lightsquared, Skyterra, Mobile Satellite Ventures)
May 2006 - Present
Ligado Networks is a mobile satellite communications company providing L-band services to
a broad cross section of customers throughout North America, from Alaska to Mexico. As a
Technologist I am required to maintain the Ottawa teleports, and the health of our 3 L-Ku
satellites.
I work with internal customers, engineering groups, as well as vendors on the new builds at
the Skyterra1 gateway. Provide local customer support for gateway clients. Influence the
development of new systems and procedures.
An unexpected facet to this position has been the need to work on diverse systems typically
outside of my areas of expertise. It is then up to me to find the problems, devise the
solution, and make the systems work. Keeping these 'out of scope' activities in house and
being able to solve them promptly, has benefited Ligado immensely - saving the company
time, money, and a tarnished reputation with the customers affected. Usually these tasks
are performed under the pressure of a service outage or deadline.
As a Technologist I was part of the Ligado team that determined the vendor 11m & 7.3m
antennas were mechanically not installed correctly, and that the corresponding electronics
package was performing outside of engineered specifications.
On another occasion at Ligado I reworked the major drive system and indoor equipment for
an older Ligado 11m antenna system, which added years of service life to the facility. By
handling the repair in house I saved the company $9K or more, in consulting and labour
fees.
Satellite Telecom Specialist
Drumlin International
October 2002 – Present
Through Drumlin I have typically been hired as a principal problem solver, or technical
resource; resolving vendors issues, which are outside of the scope of the company’s regular
activities. Hired to resolve problems on their current network, design and implement
changes to an existing system, manage a project roll out, or complete a new build.
Hiring me has saved my clients time, resources, and money, by having the work done
correctly the first time while providing a profession end product to the final
customer. Building relationships with the end users, vendors, and clients ensuring all
stakeholders were satisfied when the work was completed. Whether the project was in the
Canadian Arctic, Africa, the Caribbean, or elsewhere, I always met expectations and
completed the project. Clients expect the work to be completed on time, even if the scope
of work changed or unexpected problems arose. Working under pressure, thinking of
creative solutions, developing practical solutions on site, while keeping all parties informed
and satisfied are challenges I enjoy.
On one memorable project in the arctic, the client fully expected a community’s internet to
be unrepairable for the winter months. When restoring the internet in this remote
community I kept repair charges well below customer expectations, by attacking the
problem in an unconventional way. Now with the community’s internet restored, it allowed
the customer to invoice over $19.7K in additional revenue.
Drumlin also installed and implemented, small to medium, satellite earth stations,
worldwide, some which also included ‘last mile’ wireless internet systems. In addition to
typical VSAT, RF and satellite telecommunications gear, I am familiar with the TCP/IP
protocol suite, iDirect, Linkway, Romantis, and XM Radio systems.
Project/Construction Manager
West Halton Contracting
July 2003 – February 2004 (8 months)
While with West Halton I was required to supervise and manage the onsite contractors, as
well as liaise with the facilities personnel and customer staff, to ensure our work had
minimal impact on the tenants, and other stake holders.
On larger builds, I directed the client, engineers, and design staff to focus to the practical
considerations of any building issue. Steer concern to practical, timely, and moderate cost
solutions, when possible.
Senior Maintenance Engineering Associate
Telesat Canada
1994 – 2002 (8 years)
As a Senior engineering resource I was responsible for design, configuration modifications,
and additions to all earth station systems in the Telesat network. As part of the process it
was necessary to develop schedules, present concise reports, liaise with contractors, while
meeting budgetary and contractual commitments. Senior member of an implementation
team building a 650 site national VSAT network.
I had complete ownership of my projects. This involved all aspects of the project from start
to finish; including specification and purchase of devices, to creating the project budget, and
developing a suitable project time line. Typically this involved RF systems, TCP/IP, backhauls,
SCADA systems, along with various unique software packages.
As a PM/Engineering Associate I coordinated, the project time lines of two different
engineering groups within Telesat. By working in concert I was able to save the company
$10K in charges at a remote community in northern Manitoba.
I developed relationships with vendors, remote office staff, internal customers, and
clients. I was also required to handle multiple simultaneous and sometimes complex
projects, at any one time. Being able to orchestrate the majority of the project activities
and personnel, allowed me to expedite processes and work in a manner that saved the
company time and money.
This position was a great experience.
VSAT Implementation Engineering Associate - On Assignment Iran
Telesat Canada
March 1993 – April 1993 (2 months)
Tehran, Iran. Part of a 3 man team working with the government telecom company TCI, in
Iran. I installed and tested a 6.1m Ku antenna and 4 racks of associated electronics, as well
as a large UPS system. Built relationships with local vendors, agents, and TCI employees at
all levels, while always respecting local social protocols. Required to improvise, and develop
creative solutions to problems encountered in country. Took ownership of the major
problems found, and solved them on site - saving the manufacturer 8 weeks down time,
over $10.5K USD and a tarnished reputation.
VSAT Implementation Engineering Associate
Telesat Canada
1990 – 1993 (3 years)
Designed customer VSAT networks, developed the network programming, also I created an
implementation program for installation of the VSAT remotes. Prime network
implementation PM on a 365 site national roll-out. Also required to support and
troubleshoot all of the VSAT products and data services sold.
In order to support our Customers and Sales, both engineering and budgetary proposals
were developed. I was also required to manage the projects with the focus being on
budgetary constraints and customer service. I produced engineering work orders, and
supplementary documentation as required.
Teleport Technologist
Telesat Canada
1987 – 1990 (3 years) Toronto, Ontario
Operate and maintain the C & Ku band facilities and services at the Toronto Teleport. Work
with Engineering resources to implement new service offerings, and also provide the Sales
groups with support as required. With the focus on being proactive, customer centric, and
to develop internal processes to ensure any service outages were kept to a minimum. Staff
required to be very strong technically to support all the divergent types of services within
the Teleport. Fast paced environment, always aware of need to perform and deliver every
time.
Projects Coordinator
Cancom Inc.
April 1987 – September 1987 (6 months) Mississauga, Ontario
Project Coordinator for new build C-band satellite CATV systems being installed throughout
Eastern Canada.
R&D Technologist
Cableshare Inc.
1984 – 1987 (3 years)
Education:
Electronic Engineering Technology, Fanshawe College, London, Ontario
Other Training:
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Influencing People without Direct Authority
TCP/IP Level II
Senior Project Management
Microsoft Project
Romantis DVB/VSAT Hub O&M
Linkway DVB Hub O&M
VSAT Network Design
Newpoint NMS
UNIX Level II
Seatel Antenna Systems
et al
1979 – 1983