Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Accomplishments
Timeline
Generic

Keith Tharp

Wills Point

Summary

Results-driven IT Manager with extensive experience in telecommunications, network infrastructure, and VoIP solutions. Proven track record of leading teams, optimizing IT operations, and implementing cost-saving initiatives. Successfully led a project that resulted in over $250,000 in annual telecommunications-related savings. Adept at managing large-scale IT environments, ensuring seamless operations, and driving efficiency improvements.

Overview

29
29
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Manager of Unified Communications and Contact Ctr

University of Texas at Arlington
04.2018 - 02.2025
  • Company Overview: UTA is a public, comprehensive research university in Arlington, Texas, focused on advancing knowledge, teaching, and public service
  • Oversee telecommunications infrastructure across 60 buildings, supporting 60,000+ students and staff
  • Manage a team responsible for PBX, VoIP, and data network infrastructure, including 1,200 data switches and 2,400 access points
  • Led cost-saving initiatives, achieving over $250,000 in annual savings on telecommunications billing
  • Spearheaded the implementation of Microsoft Teams and Genesys PureCloud for enhanced communication
  • Mentor junior staff and develop training programs for technical troubleshooting and maintenance
  • Managed and motivated employees to be productive and engaged in work.
  • Accomplished multiple tasks within established timeframes.
  • Enhanced customer satisfaction by resolving disputes promptly, maintaining open lines of communication, and ensuring high-quality service delivery.
  • Cross-trained existing employees to maximize team agility and performance.
  • Controlled costs to keep business operating within budget and increase profits.
  • Oversee telecommunications infrastructure across 60 buildings, supporting 60,000+ students and staff

Lead Telecommunications Systems Engineer

Trinity Mother Frances Health System
07.2005 - 04.2018
  • Company Overview: CHRISTUS Health is a Catholic, not-for-profit health system with a mission to extend the healing ministry of Jesus Christ.
  • Managed PBX systems and contact centers, optimizing telecommunication services
  • Provided system upgrades, maintenance, and incident resolution for voice systems
  • Administered VoIP solutions, including Cisco CallManager and ShoreTel systems
  • Negotiated vendor contracts, reducing overall IT expenditures
  • Improved system performance by identifying and resolving technical issues in a timely manner.
  • Completed software updates and assessed security patches for optimized computer use.
  • Analyzed system requirements, developing tailored solutions that met or exceeded client expectations.
  • Coordinated with stakeholders throughout all stages of the project lifecycle from inception to completion.
  • Maintained stability, integrity and efficient operation of telecommunications systems supporting organizational functions.
  • Designed high availability strategies to minimize downtime during critical systems outages or disasters recovery scenarios.
  • Managed PBX systems and contact centers, optimizing telecommunication services

Telecommunications Manager

Northland Baptist Bible College
12.1999 - 07.2005
  • Company Overview: Led the administration and maintenance of PBX systems, ensuring optimal performance
  • Led the administration and maintenance of PBX systems, ensuring optimal performance
  • Provided training and mentoring to IT staff on system management
  • Increased network capacity by upgrading infrastructure components, supporting business growth objectives.
  • Participated in disaster recovery planning initiatives, securing reliable backup solutions for essential telecommunication services during emergencies.
  • Coordinated with IT department leaders on strategic planning efforts aimed at aligning technology investments with organizational goals effectively.
  • Provided expert technical support to staff members experiencing difficulties with telecommunication equipment or systems.
  • Led the administration and maintenance of PBX systems, ensuring optimal performance

Retail Sales Manager

ALLTEL
11.1995 - 05.1999
  • Company Overview: Alltel was a major US telecommunications company that transitioned from landline service to wireless, eventually becoming a large wireless provider before being acquired by Verizon and AT&T.
  • Supervised sales teams, managed inventory, and optimized customer service operations
  • Facilitated high volumes of cash, credit, and gift card transactions, verifying cash drawer balance at end of each shift.
  • Boosted sales performance by implementing effective visual merchandising and store layouts.
  • Maintained company's visual merchandise standards through general housekeeping and planograms.
  • Addressed customer complaints professionally and efficiently, resulting in satisfied customers who continued to patronize the store.
  • Developed strong customer relationships through attentive service and expert product knowledge, resulting in repeat business.
  • Coordinated special events within the store such as product launches or promotional activities that generated excitement among customers.
  • Supervised sales teams, managed inventory, and optimized customer service operations

Education

BBA - Business Administration

LeTourneau University
Longview, TX
12.2009

Telecommunications Training - Telecommunications

Global Knowledge

Associate of Applied Science - Avionics

Mountain View College
Dallas, TX
07.1991

Skills

  • Telecommunications & VoIP Solutions
  • Project Management & Cost Optimization
  • IT & Network Infrastructure Management
  • Vendor & Contract Negotiation
  • Microsoft Teams & Genesys PureCloud Implementation
  • PBX, Cisco CallManager, & ShoreTel Systems
  • Leadership
  • Team Development
  • Training
  • Incident Management
  • Troubleshooting
  • Customer service
  • Team leadership
  • Complex Problem-solving
  • Staff management
  • Task delegation

Certification

  • HIPAA and CJIS
  • Nortel Database Management and Maintenance
  • Nortel ACD, Symposium, CallPilot, VoIP
  • DTE/PRI Installation and Maintenance

Accomplishments

  • Successfully led a project that saved over $600,000 annually in telecommunications-related billing.
  • Managed IT infrastructure for a large university campus, supporting 60,000+ students and staff.
  • Maintained Telecommunications Infrastructure for medium size healthcare system, supporting 3 hospitals and 30 clinic locations.

Timeline

Manager of Unified Communications and Contact Ctr

University of Texas at Arlington
04.2018 - 02.2025

Lead Telecommunications Systems Engineer

Trinity Mother Frances Health System
07.2005 - 04.2018

Telecommunications Manager

Northland Baptist Bible College
12.1999 - 07.2005

Retail Sales Manager

ALLTEL
11.1995 - 05.1999

Telecommunications Training - Telecommunications

Global Knowledge

Associate of Applied Science - Avionics

Mountain View College

BBA - Business Administration

LeTourneau University

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