Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Timeline
Generic

Lorna Kennedy

VA

Summary

Versatile and experienced leader in wireless site development, with expertise in real estate, land use, and program management.
Bringing energy, unique perspectives, and creative solutions to the wireless industry - leading teams, driving processes, and delivering results.
• 15 years site development experience
• Manage direct reports, and lead cross-functional, multidisciplinary teams to achieve aggressive business goals
• Build strong and effective relationships with internal and external partners to ensure projects and the business are always in a position to succeed
• Evaluating processes and procedures while managing budgets, schedules, and product delivery

• Driving change and improvements where it benefits business needs

• Client focused with an attention to detail - developing critical relationships, and executing on large volumes of tasks simultaneously

Overview

23
23
years of professional experience

Work History

Regional Program Operations Manager

DISH Wireless
10.2023 - 12.2023

Direct report to Regional Vice President, providing escalations, subject matter guidance, and reporting. Responsible for managing regional level program for network deployment activities - liaising with HQ, national development teams, the 7 markets within the region, and our numerous vendor and tower partners for all aspects of site development, including site acquisition, legal, government affairs, regulatory, supply chain, and construction.

Tasked with process and program improvement initiatives including review of spend and implementing cost saving initiatives at a strategic level.

Responsible for developing and providing regional level management of new programs including site development activities for optimization and modification projects.

Senior Site Development Manager

DISH Wireless
02.2022 - 11.2023

Responsible for overseeing end-to-end site development process for DISH 5G wireless network deployment, and pivotal member of the market leadership team responsible for the successful commercial launch of the Virginia and BAWA markets.
Senior SDM with increased responsibilities for overall market deployment activities. I successfully managed my team and vendors to deliver a program of high volume tower sites with aggressive timelines, as well as driving complex and challenging private landlord lease negotiations.
Responsible for the building and managing of our market site development team, including hiring, performance reviews, training, rewards, and recognitions.
Successfully managed scheduling of workflows, timelines, and a budget of over $90million in site development costs for site acquisition, materials, and construction. I was responsible for tracking, monitoring and reporting including up to corporate level.

During this time I had the added responsibilities of developing, and managing the deployment of special projects including microwave, temporary and permanent back up power, and bespoke design solution sites, and successfully negotiated portfolio agreements with site providers enabling the deployment of key rooftop sites in DC.

Site Development Manager

DISH Wireless
01.2021 - 02.2022

Responsible for overseeing a team focused on the delivery of pre-construction and construction activities, including site acquisitions specialists, radio frequency engineers, construction managers, transport specialists, and support/administrative staff. Responsibilities included managing schedules, budgets, and deliverables relating to the deployment of 350 wireless sites over a 2 year program, with an annual spend of over $45milion.

Planning Consultant

Independent Contractor
03.2014 - 01.2021

Providing zoning/land use planning advice, preparing zoning applications, and appeal submissions on behalf wireless carriers; environmental non-profits; developers; and local
business associations.

Senior Planner

TE Infrastructure
12.2008 - 01.2012

Telecommunications and Infrastructure

Site Acquisition and Land Use Planning specialist for wireless network deployment. Clients included UK and Ireland wireless carriers Vodafone, T-Mobile, 02, and '3'. Responsible for Liaising with clients, internal project teams, and managing sub-contractors of the delivery of site acquisition and associated pre-construction activities to ensure budget, timescales, deadlines, and key performance indicators are achieved. Responsible for undertaking site search and identification, liaising with landlords, assessing land use policy and advising client on design considerations. Responsible for lease negotiations, managing the submission of complex planning applications, planning appeals, and working with local planning authorities to expedite positive decisions.

Senior Planner

Broadway Malyan
12.2005 - 08.2008

Urbanism, architecture, and design

Principle urban planner within Scottish office, responsible for identifying prospective public/private partnership opportunities and preparing 'tender to work' proposals and reports. Responsible for identifying business development opportunities, and managing budget, scheduling, and forecasts for projects. Responsible for Assessing policy and submitting representations to influence land allocations and design policy in emerging plans.

Led cross-functional team including architects, designers, and transport planners to produce master plan and design code submitted as representation to Local Plan Inquiry, successfully achieving re-zoning of our client's land from industrial to mixed use development, creating path forward for large-scale regeneration project.

Planner

Mono Consultants
08.2002 - 12.2005

Acquisition, planning, and design

Key member of project team working on the roll-out of wireless
telecommunication networks. Personal responsibility for over 130 tower and rooftop sites. Responsible for undertaking site search and analysis; assessing and advising carriers on real estate, zoning and permitting; correspondence and interaction with client, local jurisdictions, local community and other private and public sector bodies; coordinating and attending technical/design site visits; and preparing, submitting and managing zoning and permitting applications.
First POC responsible for Liaising with the Mobile Operators Association and the major wireless operators managing the development and circulation of the first joint issuing of annual roll-out plans to all the local planning authorities in the United Kingdom.

Assistant Planner - Internship

Jones Lang Lasalle
05.2001 - 09.2001

Intern - property, planning, surveying

Produced sequential analysis report to advise client on proposed large scale retail development; Undertaking land use planning appraisal for the proposed relocation of a major sporting and events stadium in Edinburgh, UK.

Education

Professional Graduate Diploma - Education

University of Strathclyde
Glasgow, Scotland, UK
06.2009

Bachelor of Arts - Environmental Planning

University of Strathclyde
Glasgow, Scotland, UK
06.2002

Skills

  • Project Planning and Development
  • Process Improvement Strategies
  • Cross-Functional Communications
  • Relationship Management
  • Multidisciplinary Collaboration
  • Team Leadership
  • Budgeting and Forecasting
  • Business Planning

Timeline

Regional Program Operations Manager

DISH Wireless
10.2023 - 12.2023

Senior Site Development Manager

DISH Wireless
02.2022 - 11.2023

Site Development Manager

DISH Wireless
01.2021 - 02.2022

Planning Consultant

Independent Contractor
03.2014 - 01.2021

Senior Planner

TE Infrastructure
12.2008 - 01.2012

Senior Planner

Broadway Malyan
12.2005 - 08.2008

Planner

Mono Consultants
08.2002 - 12.2005

Assistant Planner - Internship

Jones Lang Lasalle
05.2001 - 09.2001

Professional Graduate Diploma - Education

University of Strathclyde

Bachelor of Arts - Environmental Planning

University of Strathclyde
Lorna Kennedy