Aaron Tarver
Salina,KS
Summary
Accomplished technology leader with 25+ years of experience in telecommunications, progressing from RF Engineer to Distinguished Network Engineer and Product Manager at Verizon. Proven innovator who created the automated network parameter control platform now used company-wide. Expert in network performance engineering, product management, and leading cross-functional teams across multiple states and offshore locations. Strong track record of improving operational efficiency, implementing AI-driven solutions, and managing enterprise-scale network tools supporting thousands of end users and millions of customers.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
Work History
Product Manager & Distinguished HQ Network Engineer
Verizon Wireless
01.2023 - 01.2024
- Led product strategy for 5 enterprise network monitoring, management, and optimization platforms with 14 development teams. 200+ team members
- Product Manager of Real Time Tool Suite (7 teams), VSON (2 teams), XLPT (2 teams), Big Data Pipeline (1 team), and Airwave (2 teams)
- Managed backlog of over 1000 Features
- Increased ART on time delivery from 65% to 90% through enhanced user story management and scope control
- Pioneered AI-powered analytics for performance optimization and UI reporting, significantly reducing end-user analysis time
- Streamlined stakeholder communication for 3,000+ internal end users, improving requirement gathering workflows to the product owners
- Architected multiple data infrastructure projects to enable future AI/ML capabilities
- Note: Position concluded December 2024 (voluntary departure during workforce reduction)
Product Owner & Principal HQ Network Engineer
Verizon Wireless
01.2021 - 01.2023
- Owned transformation of Real Time Tool (RTT) from Java desktop/Oracle backend to web application using React UI and Apache Druid architecture
- Scaled product from 1 to 7 development teams managing pebibyte-scale data processing
- Designed and communicated thousands of complex engineering features to dev teams for completion
- Worked with Nokia to design and implement enhanced data stitching of needed network data to feed the RTT suite.
- Completed Agile certification in Product Ownership, Product Management, and DevOps training
- Collaborated with thousands of end users and company leadership to design and prioritize feature improvements of the tools.
- Worked with teams to plan and execute on-time delivery of features and user stories.
Principal HQ Network Engineer
Verizon Wireless
01.2015 - 01.2021
- Provided technical leadership and guidance to engineers across all Verizon markets nationally
- Led large-scale network deployments and created scripting and reporting tools adopted company-wide
- Developed and delivered technical training and guidance for engineering teams
System Performance Engineer
Verizon Wireless
01.2003 - 01.2015
- Served as principal engineer over Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Colorado, and Illinois teams
- Managed network optimization for Kansas market primarily with unique Nortel/Ericsson equipment configuration
- Invented automated network parameter optimization platform using .NET/C# (prototype for current VSON tool) which handled millions of daily network changes through rule-based algorithms
- Scaled the platform successfully to handle company wide network changes until formal HQ adoption and development
- Built and maintained custom network statistics collection and reporting tools
- Led CDMA, EVDO, and LTE network deployments across the market
- Deployed reporting tools, configuration scripting tools, and trained engineers across 13 former CenturyTel markets
- Collaborated with HQ development teams to build reporting tools for all Nortel markets
- Promoted from Level 2 → Level 3 → Senior → Principal Engineer
RF Engineer
Verizon Wireless
01.2002 - 01.2003
- Managed network design, real estate acquisition, and network optimization for Kansas
- Responsible for parameter optimization, antenna optimization, and tower design improvements
- Implemented automated Excel based capacity management and statistical reporting systems
Switch Technician
Verizon Wireless
01.2000 - 01.2002
- Managed day-to-day switching center operations in Moundridge, KS
- Worked with DMS-MTX 100, SS7, Voicemail, Billing systems, Windows, Unix
- Self-taught programming skills (C#, VB.NET, Perl, scripting) to automate common tasks and reporting
- Resolved technical issues and trouble tickets across multiple platforms
Nortel Switching Center Commissioner
Field Telecoms, Inc.
01.1998 - 01.2000
- Installed and commissioned switching center equipment for major carriers (Sprint, Nextel, LCI)
- Ensured proper installation and operation, troubleshooting issues before customer handoff
- Progressed from installation to commissioning responsibilities
Education
Technical Degree - Telecommunications
Northwest Kansas Technical College
Goodland, KS01.1998
Skills
- Programming Languages: C#, Python, VBNET, Perl, Excel VBA, Unix Shell Scripting, Windows Shell Scripting, WPF, React, Java
- Databases: MySQL, MongoDB, Apache Druid, Oracle
- Network Technologies: LTE 5G, LTE 4G, CDMA, GSM, DMS-MTX 100, Nortel/Ericsson/Nokia Wireless Networks
- Project Management Tools: Jira, Rally (Broadcomm), Microsoft Office, Confluence
- Platforms: Unix, Windows, Web Applications
- Methodologies: Agile (PO/PM Certified), DevOps, Product Management, Scrum
- Enterprise Tools: VSON, RTT, XLPT, Airwave, Big Data Pipeline
- Expert in metric reporting and analytics
- Data collection, storage, and reporting
- Research and trend analysis
- Stakeholder relations
- Product vision and strategy
- Roadmap development
- Deep Engineering background in Wireless Network Engineering
- RF Engineering
Accomplishments
- Created automated network configuration platform adopted company-wide as VSON
- Successfully managed 14 development teams across 5 major network platforms
- Improved team efficiency by 50% through process optimization
- Led pebibyte-scale data architecture transformation
- 25-year tenure with consistent promotions and expanded responsibilities
Timeline
Product Manager & Distinguished HQ Network Engineer
Verizon Wireless
01.2023 - 01.2024
Product Owner & Principal HQ Network Engineer
Verizon Wireless
01.2021 - 01.2023
Principal HQ Network Engineer
Verizon Wireless
01.2015 - 01.2021
System Performance Engineer
Verizon Wireless
01.2003 - 01.2015
RF Engineer
Verizon Wireless
01.2002 - 01.2003
Switch Technician
Verizon Wireless
01.2000 - 01.2002
Nortel Switching Center Commissioner
Field Telecoms, Inc.
01.1998 - 01.2000
Technical Degree - Telecommunications
Northwest Kansas Technical College
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