As the Quality Manager for the State of California’s Middle Mile Broadband Initiative within the Department of Technology, I am entrusted with the critical task of ensuring the success and sustainability of our mission. Our initiative aims to bridge the digital divide and bring high-speed internet access to underserved communities across the state. To achieve this, I play a pivotal role in overseeing fast-paced procurements, robust contract management, and meticulous financial oversight. Through the implementation of well-defined policies, processes, and procedures, my role is to navigate the complexities of our operation, drive efficiency, and ensure that every dollar spent serves the people of California effectively.

I have successfully developed a team of experts by defining each position’s duty statement, expectations, and engagement protocols. These team members leverage new technologies, such as City Innovate’s Document Builder, I implemented to expedite their daily operations. These team members manage their  workload from a value add perspective through continual individual growth objective.

Fast-Paced Procurements:

In the rapidly evolving world of technology, timely procurement of resources is essential. I oversee the procurement process, ensuring it aligns with the initiative’s objectives and legal requirements. This involves coordinating with vendors, evaluating proposals, and making informed decisions that maximize the value of our investments. By doing so, we can swiftly adapt to changing market conditions and stay ahead in our mission.

Robust Contract Management:

Success hinges on the strength of our vendor relationships. I implement rigorous contract management practices that hold vendors accountable for delivering on their commitments. Our contracts are meticulously structured to ensure transparency, quality assurance, and adherence to regulatory standards. This not only safeguards taxpayer dollars but also guarantees the seamless execution of our broadband expansion projects.

Financial Management:

Financial stewardship is at the heart of our operation. I manage budgets, budget change proposals, fiscal forecasting, and reporting with precision. This involves the careful allocation of resources to optimize our impact, monitoring expenses, and tracking financial performance. By maintaining a firm grip on our finances, we can ensure the availability of resources when and where they are needed most.

Policy, Process, and Procedure Implementation:

Implementing policies, processes, and procedures is the bedrock of our success. I work diligently to establish clear guidelines that promote efficiency, compliance, and accountability. These frameworks not only streamline our operations but also serve as a benchmark for continuous improvement. Regular assessments and refinements ensure that we remain agile and adaptable to changing circumstances.

Conclusion:

At the State of California’s Middle Mile Broadband Initiative, my role as Quality Manager is centered on ensuring that every aspect of our operation is finely tuned for success. Through fast-paced procurements, robust contract management, and meticulous financial oversight, I aim to make the most of every resource entrusted to us. By implementing and refining policies, processes, and procedures, we are not only meeting our current goals but also laying a solid foundation for future achievements. Our commitment is to empower communities, bridge the digital divide, and propel California into a more connected and prosperous future.

As a Project Manager for the State, I oversaw and managed multiple high-risk, high-visibility projects. My skillsets and drive to deliver on time and under budget were highly requested by the executive management.

During my course as a project manager, I obtained a Project Management Professional certification from the Project Management Institute. I prepared project charters and ensured approval from all stakeholders. Project charters allowed the direction of the project to stay on course. I used the approved charter to facilitate project planning efforts, while I developed and managed approved schedules, controlled scope, identified risks, and monitored for project changes. Throughout multiple projects I documented changes and reported to the project sponsor for review and approval.

Every project required a slightly different approach, therefore I utilized effective SDLC and Agile processes to streamline development efforts to production readiness. I implemented Six Sigma Lean processes to provide direct value to the customer.

Part of the Information Technology Information Library (ITIL) certification I hold is the process of continual service improvement. I consistently research and implement current and emerging technology trends. I established project teams consisting of subject matter experts required by utilizing matrix organizational structures and determining the strengths and weaknesses of key staff. Once the charter and the team were identified, I facilitated meetings to identify the major work packages through the development of a work breakdown structure (WBS). These engagements began the discovery of tasks to be performed, their duration, and estimated resources needed to define baselines.

Continual service improvement is consistent learning and developing my skills. I learned and leveraged business analysis procedures to recognize needs and product requirements to create functional designs. I aligned with Project Approval Lifecycle and procurement processes to deliver required resources on schedule and within contract specifications.

My skillsets are a wide range of oversight and management, but also domain-specific and I applied technical expertise within a wide range of information technology subjects to identify and confirm risks are mitigated. I utilized effective communication and presentation skills to interact and properly report with all levels of executives, management, and technical staff.

At the end of the project, I ensured the proper closure of procurements and projects through the department’s documented processes and procedures.

As a Procurement Officer for STP, I have been involved in many highly visible, high-cost procurements with multiple different departments statewide. I have a keen ability to pivot and transition into new procurements without delay. While striving for a expeditious ramp-up time with the new department, I have initiated and coordinated strike team efforts with customers to develop, release, and manage high profile, high risk procurements. I leverage the latest in project and procurement management practices and guide the department through all phases of the PAL process—from Business Analysis, Alternatives Analysis, Solution Development, and Project Readiness and Approval. 

Most recently, I managed the development of Requests for Innovative Ideas (RFI2), which is one of the newest methods of procurement under the Challenge Based Procurement methodology. I have initiated and hosted Negotiations under Public Contract Code 6611 and solicited vendors for requests for Proposals/Invitations for Bid based on requirements gathered through meetings with State agency/department representatives.

My tenure as a Procurement Officer includes oversight, leading, and advisement in the evaluation process of the most complex responses/bids. Reviewing and approving department requests for special requirements by reviewing the administrative, functional, non-functional, and technical requirements for relevance, completeness, and accuracy. I have been a leader in testing/demonstration of suppliers/vendors’ equipment, notifications of award, and protest hearings by meeting with top management including Agency Secretaries, Directors, and Deputy Directors, on-site or off-site at the requesting State agency/department’s location. 

As a Systems Engineer, I wore multiple hats to ensure service for customers. I managed multiple small and large business accounts worldwide with numerous calls for service. I maintained a help desk environment for over 2000 customers in over 100 companies in a high-end hosted desktop infrastructure. I dedicated myself to studying and keeping up-to-date with the latest training and technology. I continued my training and applied skillset within the inner workings of hardware and software components to administered multiple virtual environments.

I implemented my ITIL knowledge and developed and monitored service level agreements with customers.  This allowed the customer to know what to expect and enabled the team to manage expectations. I monitored dashboards and controls to proactively respond to risks and potential issues and engaged with customers regarding procedures and policies of the organization.

One of the multiple projects I implemented was a prototype of an enterprise communication application project that leveraged the shared infrastructure of the hosted environment. I demonstrated a quick adaptability to the system and became a subject matter expert in a short amount of time. 

My position required a high level of respect regarding oral and written communication towards clients and staff by demonstrating expert interpersonal skills resulting in becoming the requested point of contact for clients.