Goal oriented Information Technology consultant, Project Manager and Operations Manager impacting the acquisition and installation of Information Technology equipment and services. Passionate that technology be integrated smoothly, efficiently and align with business objectives.

• Experienced in all aspects of telephone, data and Internet infrastructure projects including VoIP, Unified Messaging and Call/Contact Centers. Projects completed on time and often under budget.
• Direct complex installations from network design, bidding, and evaluation to commissioning. Portfolio of successful assignments with Kodak, Xerox, Municipalities, School Districts and a range of public and private companies.
• Assume responsibility to take the lead in problem solving, explain complicated technology to decision-makers and often requested to be a change agent concerning technology. Legacy of adding additional value to assignments.
• Frequently remove the fears that often delay the purchase or installation of up-to-date systems such as over payment and disruption of business operations. Strong customer relationship, operations and management skills.
• Experience as IT executive and IT consultant enables aggressive approach to project management and necessary consensus building. Provide guidance specific to the installation and adoption of the new technology and new business processes.
• Frequently engaged to perform client needs analysis, create specifications, author Requests for Proposals (RFP), and evaluate RFP responses and commission final product. Scope of technical knowledge adds to credibility of RFP. Life cycle costing approach solidifies project value
• Past assignments included P&L responsibility, IT outsourcing initiatives and launch of new network based product and services. Held permanent and contract executive positions (General Manager, Engineering Manager, etc.), started consulting company.
• All work assignments the result of referrals from former clients.

+ Project Management + VoIP + Telecommunications +
+ Consulting Services + IT Contract Executive +
+ Operations Management + Contract Negotiation +
+ IT Infrastructure + System Commissioning + Outsourcing +
+ Voice and Data Needs Analysis + V&D Installation Oversight +
+ Structured Wiring + Contact Centers + Call Centers +
+ Voice and Data Platforms + PBX Telephone Systems +
+ Unified Messaging + Fiber Networks + + Wireless Networks +
+ UPS Systems + Data Centers + E-rate +

Confidential,
Pittsford, New York 1990 to Present
Principal / Independent Consultant
Started IT consulting company. Advise clients on Internet applications, telephone systems, VoIP, wireless connectivity, call centers, LANs, WANs, ISDN, fiber connectivity, outsourcing of operations and operational restructuring. Provide project management services for installation as well as system(s) commissioning.

Assignment – Greater Rochester Orthopaedic, Rochester, NY 2010 – 2011
l Performed extensive needs analysis of current and future applications
l Authored RFP and managed installation process.
l Included Contact Center, Voice Recognition and Remote Access
l Installation completed on time, on budget with no service interruption.

Assignment – McConville Confidential,
, Considine, Cooman & Morin, Rochester, NY2009-2010
l Performed extensive needs analysis of current and future applications
l Authored RFP and managed installation process.
l Included Unified Messaging and Work at Home access
l Installation completed on time, on budget with no service interruption.

Assignment – Confidential,
Rochester, NY 2009-2010
l Performed extensive needs analysis of current and future applications
l Authored RFP and managed installation process.

Assignment - Confidential,
Rochester, NY 2007-2008
l Retained by the District to coordinate the installation of a 1200 phone, 6 site VoIP system. Complicated installation completed on time, on budget no service interruption.
l Performed Needs Analysis survey of key users, improved systems bid document of architectural firm to deliver specialized features and to protect client.
l Arranged for and managed existing network VoIP certification. Results required modification of initial project plan and budget to insure system reliability.
l Suggested, designed and justified a multi-site private fiber network. Reduced operational costs by more than 50%. Provided fixed cost infrastructure for future communications initiatives.

Assignment Confidential,
Rochester, New York 2004-2005
Upgraded Call Center for statewide crisis intervention and information unit
l Performed extensive needs analysis of current and future applications insuring purchased system provided maximum benefit to lifesaving operation
l Convinced client to shift to Contact Center operation. Enabled e-mail and telephone calls to be answered by same team. Improved speed of answer and lowered cost
l Authored RFP and managed installation process. No downtime of 24-hour critical operation

ROBERT W. COOPER

Assignment Confidential,
, Rochester, NY 2004 - 2005
Developed voice and data system following the passage of a major bond issue.
l Retained by the Director of Information Technology to resolve bidding abnormality that led to court injunction of entire $120 million project. Project re-bid with uncontested results.
l Performed Needs Analysis survey of key users, rewrote bid document of architectural firm and successfully awarded contract. Project restarted with modified schedule.
l Suggested, designed and justified a multi-site private fiber network. Reduced operational costs by more than 70%. Provided fixed cost infrastructure for future communications initiatives.
l Project Managed installation and commissioning of 5000 phone system at 23 sites. Voice and data portion of project completed on time, on budget and smoothly.

Assignment - Confidential,
Rochester, NY 2001- 2004
Upgraded all telecommunications at 63 sites including public safety divisions.
l Performed an inventory, needs analysis, system design, finance & investment plan. Enabled City Council to approve project based on projected benefits
l Authored RFP and managed project from concept through customer acceptance. Very complicated project completed on time, on budget and delivered all stated benefits
l Suggested, designed and justified a multi-site private fiber network. Reduced operational costs by more than 60%. Provided fixed cost infrastructure for future communications initiatives. Library system and 311-call center added to infrastructure
l Implemented and commissioned with no interruption of service to Public Safety divisions.

Assignment - Confidential,
, Albany, New York 2002-03
Developed statewide plan to establish 211-referral service. Retained to implement initial 211 site in Rochester NY. Visibility produced visit by Senator Clinton.
l Performed State Wide Needs Analysis of proposed service
l System engineering for State Wide system
l Authored RFP and managed acquisition process
l Project Managed Installation and commissioned system

Assignment - Confidential,
Rochester, NY 1990 - 1997
l Retained by the Vice President of Information Technology to assist with exploration of outsourcing of I/T and Telecommunications functions
l Developed outsourcing program as solution to under utilized capacity and change of technology
l Facilitated negotiations and contracts between vendors and Kodak
l Established system of Minimal Acceptable Service Level metrics to manage functions
l Asked to remain and assist with 2 other outsourcing opportunities

ROBERT W. COOPER

Assignment - Confidential,

Spearheaded the capture of Kodak’s outsourcing of telecommunications assets and services to Nortel, Inc., a $30 million dollar initiative, involving a 50,000-line PBX system, voice & data infrastructure, and related equipment.
l Consulted with Nortel to author their response to this outsourcing program
l Central to the company being awarded the bid
l Installed as Operations Manger to oversee the entire project through completion

Assignment - Confidential,
Rochester, NY 1999-2000
l Earlier program upgraded to larger business development initiative providing on-line image search and retrieval services to Kodak film consumers
l Retained by Consumer Imaging Director to assist with development and launch of business development initiative providing on-line access of consumer photos
l Designed specialized data center for on-line and on-tape storage and retrieval of consumer images. Came in ahead of schedule and under budget
l Responsible for telecommunications infrastructure, help desk and support services
l Selected and ordered equipment, tested in-house developed software

Assignment - Monroe #1 BOCES E-RATE PROGRAM 1998-Present
A federal initiative to utilize the monies of the federal Universal Service Fund to improve the use of technology in the learning experience at schools and libraries. Similar to a grant based program. Administer the applications and subsequent sharing of the $2.25 billion dollar government sponsored E-Rate telecommunications for 19 School Districts and 61 schools served by the Diocese of Rochester. Number of clients increasing annually. Used as “sales pull through” tactic to increase other consulting opportunities
l Complete grant-writing services for each school district
l Designed forms, database and collection methodology to process E-Rate applications
l Ensured that all districts are positioned to receive funds before funds are depleted
l Processes implemented help to facilitate the rigorous, complex-filing requirements necessitated by program

ROBERT W. COOPER

Non-Consulting Career Highlights
FRONTIER CORPORATION, Rochester, NY
Held leadership positions at increased levels of impact throughout a 20+-year career with $500 million dollar industry leader. Progressed to position of General Manager. Selected to participate in new venture units during period of industry deregulation.

GENERAL MANAGER – MAJOR ACCOUNTS, Rochester 1987-1990
l Division level assignment with overall sales, service, and major account management responsibility. Kodak, Xerox, Bausch & Lomb, Banks, Colleges, New York State
l Highly visible position reporting to President – served on Executive Committee
l Extensive executive contact with commercial clients and government agencies
l Spearheaded involvement with innovative projects of Fortune 1000 clients
l Knowledge of Enterprise-wide requirements and potential application of technology
l Spearheaded $150M operation, achieved profitability, revenue 193% over budget
l Grew $30M annual revenue to $40M, grew base from 8 major accounts to 12.
l Developed comprehensive and successful major account strategy for sales and service
l Led team that designed a combined $5 million dollar voice and data network for NYS

GENERAL MANAGER – HAWAIIAN DIVISION, Hawaii 1984-1987
Promoted to General Manager of Hawaiian Division of Frontier Corporation. Responsible for all aspects of operation 8,000 miles from parent company including Operations, Sales and Personnel Relations.
l Grew $1.0 M annual revenue to $3.0M
l Negotiated employee health care contract
l Negotiated employee organized labor contract with IBEW
l Convinced parent company to sell division and managed negotiations and process

Project Manager - CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU, Hawaii 1982-1984
Designed and Project Managed a distributed campus PBX system for the City and County of Honolulu government, including Police and Fire s and City Hall.
l Requested by company president to project manage installation of system
l Rewired all buildings, replaced old systems with PBX’s and remote switching modules
l Brought project in ahead of schedule and under budget
l Creatively deployed program despite blocking tactics from local telephone company
l Promoted to General Manager of Hawaiian Division

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND

• ROCHESTER INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, BA, Business Management,
• Heritage of entrepreneurial family – parents owned grocery store

• Founding Member – High Tech of Rochester Venture Capital Forum
• Scoutmaster – Boy Scouts of America, Troop 336
• Committee Member – Seneca Waterways Council, Boy Scouts of America