Joe Garza
Parker,CO
Summary
IT professional specializing in CDN operations with a strong track record in managing and optimizing extensive networks of over 20,000 servers. Achieved high service availability through effective troubleshooting and network configuration, enhancing operational efficiency and team performance in fast-paced environments.
Overview
1
1
Certification
27
27
years of professional experience
Work History
CDN Operations Engineer
Level-3/Century Link/Lumen
Broomfield, CO
05.2011 - 04.2025
- Managed the turn up, maintenance, upgrade of the CDN network comprising over 20,000 Linux and Windows based servers, helping to ensure high availability and reliability of services.
- Applied CDN-specific network configurations to a variety of layer 2 and layer 3 devices from multiple vendors, including Cisco, Alcatel/Nokia, and Juniper.
- Directed build team for re-IP project, optimizing IP space from /24 CIDR block to /28 CIDR block to enhance network resource utilization.
- Troubleshot hardware and software RAID issues, resolving problems quickly to minimize downtime and enhance system reliability.
- Served as primary contact for escalated or complex issues for Build, Deployment, and UK teams, facilitating timely resolutions.
- Established expertise in troubleshooting internal automated server repair and restoration tool RA; conducted training sessions to improve team members' server repair skills.
Senior Engineering Technician
EchoStar Corporation
Englewood, CO
10.2009 - 05.2011
- Assembled IPTV test team for Engineering Validation Group (EVG) and hired IPTV test manager to lead team.
- Conducted multiple Proof of Concept (POC) for various tools needed by the IPTV team, enhancing functional and load testing capabilities for backend IPTV servers.
- Established Cable test team for EVG, laying groundwork for future testing initiatives.
- Assembled the new Cable test team for the EVG team, establishing a strong foundation for future testing initiatives.
- Modified internal web tools by delivering mock-ups and detailed requirements to development team for new tools (MyTime, Task/Flag, and ADI Spooler Scheduler).
Network Communications Technician II
Global Crossing
Westminster, CO
09.2008 - 10.2009
- Utilized Nagios alerts to monitor conference systems, including conference bridges and switches connected to those bridges, which helped maintain optimal performance and prevent downtime.
- Executed comprehensive test plans during QA phase, identifying and resolving issues to meet quality standards before User Acceptance Testing.
- Handled diverse support tickets for audio, video, and web conferencing products. related to Audio, Video, and Web Conferencing products such as Pactolus, ECM, ECD, Ready Access, Web Meeting, Live Meeting, and WebEx.
- Performed weekend and after-hours maintenance of Linux-based conference bridges with the engineering team.
- Created and delivered in-person training for customer service representatives at Montreal Call Center, enhancing their skills for effective customer assistance.
Senior Engineering Technician
EchoStar Corporation
Englewood, CO
06.1998 - 09.2008
- Led a team of 5-8 Lead Technicians in the Engineering Test Services (ETS) group, providing high-quality testing of Set-Top Boxes (STBs) for Dish Network and Bell ExpressVu.
- Performed 1000+ test procedures requested by Software Engineering with accuracy while providing detailed documentation of issues/software bugs and reproducibility to certify or validate software. Adapted to new technologies such as HDTV in order to properly install and test all HDTV capable set-top boxes manufactured by EchoStar.
- Maintained operational test equipment, reducing downtime and sustaining productivity; trained lead technicians on troubleshooting basic issues, streamlining escalation processes.
- Prepared data and agendas for meetings with ETS Supervisors, structuring discussions to ensure focused and productive outcomes.
- Compiled data and created structured agendas for meetings with ETS Supervisors, facilitating focused discussions that led to productive outcomes.
Education
General Studies -
Metropolitan State College of Denver
Denver, COSkills
- TCP/IP
- VPN
- IPsec
- BGP
- OSPF
- VLAN
- DHCP
- DNS
- VoIP
- SIP
- FTP
- HTTP
- SNMP
- Wireshark
- IPS/IDS
- Network troubleshooting
- Server maintenance
- System reliability
- Data Redundancy
- Cisco IOS
- Juniper
- Alcatel/Nokia
- 80211x
- Spanning Tree
- VRRP
- ARP
- ICMP
- Quality of service
- Team leadership
- Cross-functional team leadership
Certification
- Certified Tester, Foundation Level (CTFL), ISTQB, ASTQB, 05/01/10
- CompTIA Network +, CompTIA, 01/01/26
- CompTIA Security +, CompTIA, 02/01/26
- AZ-900: Azure Fundamentals, Microsoft, In Progress
Timeline
CDN Operations Engineer
Level-3/Century Link/Lumen
05.2011 - 04.2025
Senior Engineering Technician
EchoStar Corporation
10.2009 - 05.2011
Network Communications Technician II
Global Crossing
09.2008 - 10.2009
Senior Engineering Technician
EchoStar Corporation
06.1998 - 09.2008
General Studies -
Metropolitan State College of Denver