David DiFabio's Page

DAVID DIFABIO
Po Box 342 Lafayette Hill, Pa 19444
ddifabio@gmail.com • 610-551-3002

TELECOMMUNICATIONS OPERATIONS/ PROJECT MANAGEMENT


Highly accomplished Operations, Engineering, and Project Manager with over 26 years of domestic and international experience in leading the development, installation, and operations of telecommunications/IT systems. Consistently delivers multimillion-dollar projects on time or ahead of schedule, and under budget. Proficient with Windows Vista/XP/2000, TCP/IP, DWDM, SONET, Cisco Core Networks, Wireless, and VoIP platforms, Nortel, Lucent, Redcom and Ericson Telephone Switch and PBX platforms, LAN, WAN, and DELL servers, Loyal and dedicated professional with an active DoD Security Clearance and fluency in Spanish.
CORE COMPETENCIES
• Operations Management
• Project Management
• Budget Administration
• DWDM
• LEC • SONET
• Wireless, Voice, and Data
• Fiber
• Cisco Deployments
• CLEC • Network Administration
• Emergency / 911
• Public Safety and Security
• IT Infrastructure
• VoIP

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
JTSI Inc- Iraq Jan 2006 – Present
Implementation/Project Manager, Iraqi Defense Network/Operation Iraqi Freedom
Directed all aspects of field engineering, installation, training, and logistics for the Iraqi Armed Forces command and control communications network. This team consisted of 21 Ex-Pats and over 30 Iraqi nationals, this team successfully installed 28 Nodes through out Iraq ahead of schedule. The networks installed provide real time command and control data and voice services to all levels of the Iraqi Military and the Ministry of Defense. These networks are Cisco 256 bit encrypted core and Aerornet wireless LAN based campus infrastructure on a DMVPN (Dynamic Multipoint Virtual Private Network) infrastructure throughout Iraq. Supporting over 4400 Cisco VoIP users, Cisco MCS 7835 Call Managers and over 8000 desktop and laptop units being supported by DELL servers running Microsoft 2003 server and exchange. The IDN (Iraqi Defense Network) is one of if not the most advanced networks currently operating in the region. The fielding of this network in the current environment and compressed time line had significant challenges. This network since being implemented has had a major impact on the stabilization of Iraq.

ITT SYSTEMS – Southwest Asia Jan 2003 – Sep 2005
Site Supervisor, Operation Enduring Freedom
Directed all aspects of clear and secure voice and data communications on several bases in Southwest Asia. Managed team of 32 highly specialized technicians including OSP, ISP, Network Administrators, Systems Administrators, Switch and TCF personnel for each facility. Write operational, test, QA and acceptance procedures. Coordinated all telecommunications functions for all forward operating bases in Afghanistan. Responsible for the implementation, testing, acceptance, and operation of Cisco LAN, VoIP Call Managers Redcom, DELL Server farms and Nortel PBX platforms supporting all aspects of military communications in Djibouti Africa, Uzbekistan and most forward operating bases in Afghanistan.

PRISM COMMUNICATIONS – Philadelphia, PA Jan 2000 – Dec 2002
Manager of Operations Mid-Atlantic Region
Managed technical and sales engineering staff of 13 for CLEC in Philadelphia, Washington D.C., Baltimore, and Newark. Directed internal IT system design and implementation, SONET transport nodes, E911 certification, DSL design, system engineering, regional NOC operations, and capacity management for Mid-Atlantic region.
 Commissioned and certified four Nortel DMS500 switches and 110 RBOC collocations ahead of schedule and $2.9 million under budget.
 Managed union employees, contractors, and Nortel technicians through installation of switching, SONET, and SS7 platforms. Effectively trained sales force on product line.

ESPIRE COMMUNICATIONS (CLEC)– Philadelphia, PA 1999 – 2000
Philadelphia Operations Manager
Directed construction, integration, and operations of Philadelphia Lucent 5ESS switching center, SONET transport nodes, collocation facilities, and long haul fiber routes. Led E911 certification, systems engineering, and capacity management for Southeastern Pennsylvania and South New Jersey.
 Delivered long haul network and Central Office project for $28 million, $4 million under initial budget.

THE ASSOCIATED GROUP, INC. / TELIGENT/TRUE POSITION – Philadelphia, PA 1996 – 1999
TELIGENT Operations Manager
 Managed all aspects of system construction integration and operations for Philadelphia market, including installation of Teligent Nortel DMS500 Switching Center, SONET Nodes and ancillary equipment through acceptance, turn-up, and operational phases. Responsible for E911 certifications and operations for Philadelphia network. Directed Tellabs and Nortel vendor teams, as well as internal teams through installation activities. Successfully turned up Philadelphia market 7 weeks early and $1.1 million under budget.

TRUEPOSITON Manager of Implementation
Directed implementation of E911 wireless location services of cellular carriers. Led crews through installation and configuration and turn-up phases on a national level. This was the 1st wireless E-911 location system that met FCC requirements.









EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND
Essentials of Project Management for IS/IT Professionals • Villanova University
Additional Certificates:
Cisco 15454/15800, Telcordia SS7, DWDM, SONET, Lucent 5ESS System Maintenance, Nortel DMS Super-Node Maintenance, DMS100 / DMS250 / DMS500 Switching Platforms, Fujitsu FLM Series Optical Transport Gear, Nortel OPTera 192 WDM Transport, Motorola Radio-Telephone Systems, EMX2500 Debug and Switch Support, HDII Series Cell Site Equipment, EMX2500 Operations and Maintenance, FDM/TDM Radio and Multiplex Training, U.S. Air Force Telecommunications Systems Technician (740 Hours) U.S. Air Force Basic Electronics (240 Hours).
Certification: PMP, in progress
Professional Associations: Member of PMI, IEEE, AFCEA and NENA