Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Accomplishments
Affiliations
Websites
Timeline
Generic

Kristine Swanson

Annandale,MN

Summary

Multi-talented and highly-motivated leader with 30+ years of experience bringing background in system administration, telecommunications, and operations leadership. Skilled at stepping into different areas with flexible and resourceful approach. Visionary project and program leader with exceptional problem-solving skills.

Overview

22
22
years of professional experience

Work History

Vendor Management

TailWind Voice & Data, Inc.
Minnetonka, MN
01.2022 - Current
  • Performed annual reviews of vendor activities, policies and procedures.
  • Collaborated with cross-functional teams to develop and execute negotiation strategies to achieve optimal pricing, service and quality.
  • Managed vendor relations and contracts through strategic partnerships which saved costs and delivered premium contract pricing.
  • Negotiated with vendors to gain optimal pricing on products resulting in substantial increase in profit margin.
  • Led vetting and onboarding of new vendors and established productive relationships.
  • Identified opportunities to improve processes, reduce redundancies and decrease vendor pricing.
  • Evaluated vendor services and activities against company standards.
  • Negotiated contracts with outside providers to minimize costs to company and customers.
  • Reviewed vendor invoices within Cloudage/GPX and Xigo for company policy requirements and requested additional information from vendors to complete records lacking adequate information.
  • Interacted with customers to resolve invoice discrepancies and promote payment receipts.
  • Processed and sent invoices, adjustments and credit memos to customers.
  • Performed data import, scanning or manual keying processes to verify invoice accuracy.
  • Contacted vendors to follow up on late invoices.
  • Reviewed and analyzed contracts to resolve billing issues with vendors and carriers.
  • Developed strong professional rapport with vendors and clients.

Director of Carrier Services

Tailwind Voice & Data, Inc.
Minnetonka, MN
07.2014 - 01.2022
  • Oversaw and motivated group of 15 operations personnel by implementing effective training plans and employee incentives.
  • Kept service quality and customer relations in line with established standards to promote long-lasting relationships.
  • Directed and reorganized telecommunications systems and services to improve performance and procedures.
  • Elevated quality of work and productivity from team members through improved training strategies.
  • Supported end-users with network and device troubleshooting and diagnosis.
  • Evaluated client telecommunications needs and recommended targeted solutions.
  • Provided installation, service and maintenance for broadband and dedicated internet services.
  • Handled multiple simultaneous deployment projects against strict deadlines.
  • Evaluated information provided and worked with customers to provide best possible solutions.
  • Assisted with developing long-term strategies to accommodate future needs of telecommunications network.
  • Documented client network details in preparation for implementing communication systems and associated applications.
  • Promoted high customer satisfaction by resolving problems with knowledgeable and friendly service.
  • Communicated with end-user to address device problems and implement technical or procedural solutions.
  • Worked successfully with diverse group of coworkers to accomplish goals and address issues related to our products and services.

Director, Solutions Architecture

TailWind Voice & Data, Inc.
Minnetonka, MN
06.2012 - 07.2014
  • Communicated with clients to understand system requirements.
  • Provided technical guidance for system development and troubleshooting.
  • Planned, implemented and integrated updated system-oriented projects.
  • Provided exemplary helpdesk service and support to assist customers.
  • Led cross-functional teams in systems integration projects.
  • Defined technical integration strategy and developed integration plans.
  • Recorded systems information and documented design specifications and installation instructions.
  • Designed and conducted software systems testing.
  • Led discussions with vendors and suppliers on technical deliverables, processes and standards.
  • Migrated customers to latest virtual servers and storage technologies to improve performance.
  • Assisted with new hardware and software deployments, system upgrades and virtual environment upgrades.
  • Built and maintained repository of deliverables, methodologies and business development documents in Microsoft SharePoint.

National Accounts Service Manager

TailWind Voice & Data, Inc.
Minnetonka, MN
06.2003 - 06.2012
  • Built and established strong partnerships with teams, vendors and contractors.
  • Created project plans with established timelines, assigned to appropriate teams and managed workflow throughout the project.
  • Managed contracts with vendors and suppliers by assigning tasks and communicating expected deliverables.
  • Led meetings with internal team members, consultants and contractors.
  • Identified needs and coordinated resource allocation to deliver quality standards on time and within budget.
  • Created team objectives and roles with specific goals outlined for each individual.
  • Prepared cost estimates for projects of varying sizes.
  • Drove continuous improvement of project delivery process by providing strong leadership.
  • Made changes to project scope and cost and implemented most effective change management processes to keep project up-to-date.
  • Generated and tracked change orders and other contractual modifications affecting budget and schedule.
  • Furnished project updates to various stakeholders, informing on strategy, adjustments and progress.
  • Reviewed budget and subcontractor estimates in detail and analyzed for accuracy with scope of work relevancy in mind.
  • Determined project staffing needs and led resource management.
  • Maintained client relationships by partnering with internal teams to understand client goals and objectives.
  • Interfaced with third-party companies to resolve concerns and request additional data.
  • Facilitated learning opportunities to advance team's customer service and technical skills.
  • Directed and motivated staff by reviewing work and providing constructive feedback.
  • Oversaw projects by conveying and managing deliverables.

Consultant

American Airlines
Maple Grove, MN
10.2001 - 06.2003
  • Processed and sent invoices, adjustments and credit memos to customers.
  • Contacted vendors to follow up on late invoices.
  • Reviewed and analyzed contracts to resolve billing issues with vendors and carriers.
  • Managed payments processing, invoicing and collections tasks.
  • Investigated past due invoices and delinquent accounts to generate revenues and reduce number of unpaid and outstanding accounts.
  • Developed strong professional rapport with vendors and clients.
  • Negotiated contracts with outside providers to minimize costs to company and customers.

Education

Some College (No Degree) -

Ohio State University
Columbus, OH

Some College (No Degree) -

College of DuPage
Glen Ellyn, IL

Skills

  • NetSuite Administrator
  • boxcom Administrator
  • Revio Administrator
  • Cloudage/GPX Administrator
  • FieldPoint Experience
  • Vendor Negotiations
  • Vendor Relationships
  • Process Analysis
  • Project Planning and Support
  • Experience in Leadership
  • AP/AR Experience
  • Customer Account Management
  • Microsoft Office

Accomplishments

  • Negotiated with vendors, saving clients over $1.5M annually through telecommunications invoice audits against contracts and service efficiencies.
  • Assisted in increasing the company revenue from $2M annually to $10.8M annually in less than two (2) years.

Affiliations

  • 3rd Degree Black Belt

Timeline

Vendor Management

TailWind Voice & Data, Inc.
01.2022 - Current

Director of Carrier Services

Tailwind Voice & Data, Inc.
07.2014 - 01.2022

Director, Solutions Architecture

TailWind Voice & Data, Inc.
06.2012 - 07.2014

National Accounts Service Manager

TailWind Voice & Data, Inc.
06.2003 - 06.2012

Consultant

American Airlines
10.2001 - 06.2003

Some College (No Degree) -

Ohio State University

Some College (No Degree) -

College of DuPage

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Kristine Swanson