JUAN M. GARWACKI
Telecommunications Expert
Punta Gorda,FL
Summary
Fiber Optic and Telecommunications Expert with proven success in managing $160 million FTTH projects at FASTWYRE. Expertise in FTTH/GPON design and testing, complemented by strong leadership and strategic planning skills. Achievements include enhanced network reliability and significant cost savings during project deployments.
Overview
39
39
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Fiber Optic and Telecommunications Expert
Consulting
02.2024 - Current
- Independent Consultant. Assisted in the design and engineering of fiber optic longhauls, metro backbones and FTTH networks for various Internet Providers in Colombia and Peru. Companies Movistar, MiFibra, Bitel.
Vice President Outside Plant Engineering & Construction
FASTWYRE
06.2023 - 10.2023
- Head of Fiber Optic OSP Engineering and construction.
- Louisiana, Texas Alabama, Nebraska, Missouri, and Alaska markets undergo FTTH design, engineering, permitting and construction.
- Key member of the executive management team which applied and managed the Federal and States (Grants) Subsidy programs to provide internet affordable access through the building of rural FTTH Networks in Louisiana, Nebraska, Alaska and Missouri.
- Included ACAM and Enhanced ACAM.
- Hired and trained new employees.
- Fiber Internet Provider.
Regional Senior Director Fiber Optic City Build
METRONET
03.2022 - 06.2023
- Leader of multiple Outside Plan teams for Fiber Optic City Builds.
- Hired and managed the Florida FTTH teams that built Palm Coast, Bunnel, Ormond Beach, Daytona Beach, South Daytona, Holly Hill, Port Orange, Altamonte Springs, Apopka, Ocoee, Winter Garden, Forest City, Clarcona, Lockhart and Wekiwa.
- Responsible for the design, engineering, permitting, construction, and delivery of underground and aerial fiber optic construction, including splicing, testing, equipment installation and network turn on, FTTH, FTTB, NGPON to serve about 200K Home Passes.
- Responsible for a $160 Million budget and close to 130 people between employees and contractors.
- Fiber Internet Provider.
Chief Technology Officer/Regional Director Fiber Optics
ANDEAN TELECOM PARTNERS
09.2019 - 02.2022
- Organized and managed the Division of Fiber Optic OSP Engineering and Construction.
- Negotiated various contracts with large telecom operators such as Telefonica, Entel, GTD, VTR, Direct TV and Tigo.
- Led the team that performed the network design, engineering, and deployment of terrestrial fiber optic networks, including long-haul, Backbone, FTTH, FTTX,/ NGPON networks as well as FO connectivity for Small Cells for over 10,000 miles.
- Managed technical aspects of tower acquisitions and construction.
- Built 1.1 million Home Passed in Colombia, 265,000 in Chile and 100,000 in Peru.
- Shared Communications Infrastructure Provider.
Fiber Deployment Senior Project Manager
CROWN CASTLE
02.2018 - 09.2019
- Responsible for the HLD, LLD and deployment of underground fiber optic interconnection network for 710 small cell sites for T-Mobile TMUS 2000 program.
- Managed the team for all technical designs and construction activities for the small cells.
- Shared Communications Infrastructure Provider.
Founder/Chief Technical Officer
FIBERLITE GROUP LLC
10.2015 - 02.2018
- Directed network design, project and construction management, terrestrial fiber optic networks, including FTTH, FTTX, GPON, EPON and Small Cells for the Caribbean, North, Central and South America.
- Quality Control Assurance and leader on fiber optic special solutions.
- Designed a FTTH/GPON network of 100% customer coverage in Grand Cayman.
- Program Director on the installation, testing and Quality Assurance of a 100% penetration FTTH/GPON network in Bermuda.
- Technology Consultant for K-Net, a Korean micro duct manufacturer.
- Telecommunications Consulting and Business Development.
Vice President, OSP Fiber Optic Design & Construction, Telecom Special Projects
CABLE & WIRELESS NETWORKS
Miami
10.2007 - 09.2015
- Led the team of 200+ specialists on network design, project and construction management of long haul, Backbone, FTTH/FTTX and wireless networks in Colombia, Peru, Central America, and the Caribbean.
- Held direct responsibility for all OSP and wireless construction contracts negotiation.
- Lead relationship with vendors and contractors.
- Established and coordinated Quality Control teams, developed OSP standards, material, and equipment homologation process, as well as industry practices.
- Managed special network solutions for extremely sensitive customers such as worldwide financial institutions.
- Managed the building of a $8+ Million USD FO submarine cable landing station in Boca Raton and terrestrial fiber optic accesses.
- Lead the design and build terrestrial underground and aerial FO Networks in Panama, Guatemala, Honduras, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, El Salvador, Colombia, Peru valued over $200 Million USD.
- Built and managed the team responsible for the operations and maintenance of the Fiber Optic Network.
- Telecommunications solutions provider serving Central America, South America, and the Caribbean.
Director of Network Operations/Outside Plant
GLOBAL CROSSING
Miami
01.2003 - 05.2007
- Responsible for network operations and maintenance of a $400 Million USD valued telecommunications infrastructure, keeping OPEX at a minimum and helping generate $10 Million USD in monthly revenue.
- The network comprised 12 buildings, high hierarchy network elements (SDH, SONET, DWDM), 2,000+ miles of fiber optics outside plant, and 18,000 miles of FO submarine cable connecting customers across the Northern region of Latin America (Mexico, Panama, Colombia, Venezuela, Peru and Miami, Florida USA).
- Key areas of responsibility were short/long-term planning, network growth, upgrades, budgeting, construction, and implementation.
- Lead a global team of 50+ employees and 100+ contractors responsible for managing, checking, and improving network infrastructure and operational ability to assure network availability, and maximize corporate profitability.
- Maintained network uptime at 99.9% (reliability) capacity with limited resources, budget, and staff.
- Strongly influenced for the savings of more than $5 Million over a 5-year period following Chapter 11 filings by reducing major costs and renegotiating service contracts.
- Sustained Network availability with no major outages, repaired cable cuts in record time and re-routed customer circuits to avoid service interruption.
- Played a key role in securing major contracts with Nextel, CAF, Convergia, Latin American Nautilus, ICE/RACSA Costa Rica, CVG Telecom, Net Uno, Intercable, Telmex, Supercable, BellSouth, Dante, Telefonica, and Centennial.
- Received three company awards under the EDGE Program for 'Outstanding Achievement.'
- Formed quick response teams in all countries that reduced cable cut incidents from an average twenty per year to ten per year; expedited response time from 4 hours to 2 hours and lowered Mean Time to Repair by 12 hours.
- Telecommunications solutions provider serving three hundred cities in thirty-one countries.
Regional Director of Fiber Optic Outside Plant
GLOBAL CROSSING
Miami
11.1999 - 12.2002
- Managed the planning, design, and construction of telecommunication facilities and fiber optic submarine/terrestrial outside plant.
- Held direct responsibility for construction contracts for over $200 Million.
- Negotiated and prepared multiple contract documents for construction, equipment supply/installation, network configuration, and construction permits.
- Supervised and evaluated a team of over one hundred employees.
- Company liaison with Alcatel, Lucent, Bestel, Impsat, ISA and various government agencies.
- Responsible for the construction of three submarine fiber optic cable stations, four large telecommunication facilities and over five hundred miles of terrestrial FO OSP.
- Spearheaded an improved construction method for expedited construction and installation of fiber optics networks.
- Telecommunications solutions provider serving three hundred cities in thirty-one countries.
Network Operations Manager
NETUNO/CABLETEL
Caracas
02.1999 - 10.1999
- Led a team of 40 IT/IP professionals and two hundred subcontractors supporting HFC/wireless network operations.
- Established technology policies and strategies to optimize customer satisfaction and assure network reliability, functionality, and performance.
- Administered a $100,000 USD annual budget and managed network operation.
- The team completed all repairs within a window of 8 hours and minimum impact to customers.
- Organized and coordinated contingency teams to solve network problems quickly and efficiently, resulting in significant budget savings.
- International telephone, Television, and Internet service provider.
Latin America Sales Director
TRILOGY COMMUNICATIONS INC
Pearl
07.1997 - 01.1999
- Formulated and implemented sales strategy to maximize revenue growth and competitive positioning in the Latin American market.
- Trained and directed a group of four sales employees and a network of local distributors in nine countries.
- Organized and conducted eight technical seminars to improve dealer/staff product knowledge and sales performance.
- Achieved $9 Million USD in sales ($4 Million over quota).
- Manufacturer of advanced technology coaxial cables for CATV, Cellular, PCS, Paging and Networking applications worldwide.
Project / Outside Plant Construction Manager
SUPERCABLE C.A.
06.1996 - 07.1997
- Developed and constructed twenty new projects and market areas to increase the reach of cable TV services to residential customers through a combined fiber optic and coaxial cable network.
- Supervised a crew of three hundred maintenance and construction personnel, a fleet of forty vehicles and construction machinery.
- Trenched over 1,000 miles of FO and coax cable network connecting more than 300,000 homes.
- National cable television and telephone services provider.
National Construction Manager
LUCENT/AT&T
Venezuela
11.1994 - 05.1996
- Completed a 200-mile-long haul between the cities of Valencia and Barquisimeto 2 weeks ahead of schedule through a team of ten direct employees and two hundred subcontractors.
- Saved the company $1MM by creating and implementing innovative construction techniques.
- Leading international telecommunications services provider.
Project / Construction Manager
PROYECTOS AMG C.A. / DEOIN C.A.
09.1986 - 08.1994
- Built six major telecommunication complexes and fifteen small buildings.
- Managed the installation of numerous wireless towers and construction of equipment shelters.
- Constructed a long-haul fiber optic cable on time despite challenging mountain terrain.
- Instrumental in the company’s nomination as 'The Best Construction Company Contracted by CANTV.'
- Regional Construction Company specializing in telecommunication and OSP infrastructure development.
Education
General Engineering - extracurricular course
Idaho State University
Pocatello, Idaho01.1982
Civil Engineering - bachelor’s degree
Universidad Central de Venezuela
Caracas, Venezuela01.1979
Skills
- OTDR testing and analysis
- Optical power budget assessment
- FTTH installation standards
- ITU and IEC compliance
- ISO 9000 certification
- FTTH/GPON/NGPON/EPON design and testing
- SDH/SONET network operations
- Survival techniques instruction
- Helicopter rescue operations
- Search and rescue expertise
- Paramedic services
- Mountain rescue techniques
- Skydiving and scuba diving skills
- Paragliding proficiency
Certification
- Executive Project Management, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, Florida
- Project Management Professional (PMP), Project Management Institute, In process
- Certified Fiber to the Home Professional (CFHP), The Light Brigade – FTTH Council
Accomplishments
- Lead the construction of more than 18,000+ miles of fiber optic outside plant network including long-haul, backbone, metro, FTTX and submarine cable landings valued at more than $800 Million.
- Built and lead the operations of more than twenty telecommunications facilities, including six submarine cable stations and six major telecom facilities valued at $150 Million.
- Managed over four hundred plus multidisciplinary professionals in fifteen countries.
- Designed and built over 1.8 MM Home Passed FTTX networks.
- Acquisition negotiations and construction of wireless towers and small cells.
Personal Information
- United States of America
- French
Timeline
Fiber Optic and Telecommunications Expert
Consulting
02.2024 - Current
Vice President Outside Plant Engineering & Construction
FASTWYRE
06.2023 - 10.2023
Regional Senior Director Fiber Optic City Build
METRONET
03.2022 - 06.2023
Chief Technology Officer/Regional Director Fiber Optics
ANDEAN TELECOM PARTNERS
09.2019 - 02.2022
Fiber Deployment Senior Project Manager
CROWN CASTLE
02.2018 - 09.2019
Founder/Chief Technical Officer
FIBERLITE GROUP LLC
10.2015 - 02.2018
Vice President, OSP Fiber Optic Design & Construction, Telecom Special Projects
CABLE & WIRELESS NETWORKS
10.2007 - 09.2015
Director of Network Operations/Outside Plant
GLOBAL CROSSING
01.2003 - 05.2007
Regional Director of Fiber Optic Outside Plant
GLOBAL CROSSING
11.1999 - 12.2002
Network Operations Manager
NETUNO/CABLETEL
02.1999 - 10.1999
Latin America Sales Director
TRILOGY COMMUNICATIONS INC
07.1997 - 01.1999
Project / Outside Plant Construction Manager
SUPERCABLE C.A.
06.1996 - 07.1997
National Construction Manager
LUCENT/AT&T
11.1994 - 05.1996
Project / Construction Manager
PROYECTOS AMG C.A. / DEOIN C.A.
09.1986 - 08.1994
General Engineering - extracurricular course
Idaho State University
Civil Engineering - bachelor’s degree
Universidad Central de Venezuela