Open To Work
RJ Sterenczak
Winston-Salem,NC
Summary
Dynamic leader with a proven track record at Reynolds American Inc, driving hybrid cloud transformation and achieving 99.999% network reliability. Expert in network infrastructure strategy and performance management, I excel in negotiating vendor contracts and fostering high-performance teams, ensuring robust business continuity and cybersecurity measures.
Overview
1
1
Certification
27
27
years of professional experience
Work History
Director, Network & Data Hosting Services
Reynolds American Inc
Winston-Salem, NC
03.1999 - Current
- Architected and executed large-scale hybrid cloud transformation, reducing on-premise infrastructure by 99% while enhancing scalability.
- Achieved 99.999% network reliability, improving business continuity and minimizing service disruptions.
- Drove enterprise-wide telecommunications and hosting strategy for complex multi-site environment supporting over 10,000 users.
- Managed operating and capital budgets over $24 million, achieving significant savings through vendor optimization.
- Negotiated telecom and hosting contracts, securing $5 million in cost savings for 2024.
- Led development of over 200 engineers, architects, and operations personnel to build a high-performance organization.
- Strengthened security posture via network segmentation, firewall modernization, and advanced threat detection strategies.
- Established vendor governance framework with defined performance standards, enhancing accountability and service delivery.
Network Engineer → Senior Network Architect
Brown & Williamson Tobacco
Louisville, Kentucky
03.1999 - 06.2004
- Designed and deployed large-scale routing, switching, and telecom infrastructures.
- Monitored network systems for security threats and performance issues.
- Implemented routing protocols to optimize data transmission across networks.
- Collaborated with IT teams to troubleshoot network problems and resolve issues.
- Assisted in the design and deployment of network infrastructure projects.
- Conducted regular system updates to maintain security standards and functionality.
- Provided technical support to end-users regarding network-related inquiries and issues.
- Monitored network performance and troubleshooted any issues that arose.
- Configured routers, switches, firewalls and other hardware to deploy and manage LAN, WAN and wireless networks.
- Installed software updates on servers, routers, firewalls, and other network devices.
- Performed preventive maintenance of networking hardware and related software.
- Created documentation detailing all aspects of the network infrastructure and its configuration.
- Assisted in the design of local area networks and wide area networks.
- Optimized network performance through ongoing tuning, hardware upgrades, and bandwidth optimization techniques.
- Coordinated with vendors and service providers to ensure timely delivery and setup of network equipment and services.
- Participated in disaster recovery planning, implementation, and testing to ensure business continuity.
- Managed wireless networking setups, including access points placement and security configurations, to ensure robust mobile connectivity.
- Administered network policies, procedures, and standards to align with organizational goals and security requirements.
- Managed IP addressing and subnetting, ensuring efficient network operation and connectivity.
- Maintained production network according to company SLAs to fulfill agreed-upon client specifications.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Liberal Arts
University of Louisville
Louisville06-2001
Skills
- Network infrastructure strategy
- Cloud architecture transformation
- Performance management
- Cybersecurity risk management
- High-availability systems
- Business continuity planning
- Disaster recovery systems
- Incident management
- Routing and switching
- Networking protocols
- Cloud platforms
- Virtualization: VMware, Hyper-V
- Network monitoring tools
- Firewalls & Security Appliances
- Telecom vendor management
- Supplier management
- Compliance management
- Financial oversight
- Financial management
- Cost management
- Data center optimization
- Project coordination
- Cross-functional collaboration
- Change management
- Strategic planning
- Operations management
- Analytical thinking
- Problem-solving
- Decision-making
- Negotiation
- Financial oversight
- Root cause analysis
- Documentation standards
- Effective communication
- Leadership and scaling
- Regulatory compliance
- Performance analysis
- Agreement management
- Vendor contract management
- Issue management
- Problem-solving
- Decision-making
- Vendor contract management
Executive Bio
Richard “RJ” Sterenczak is a senior technology executive with more than 27 years of experience leading enterprise network, telecommunications, and data hosting strategies. He currently serves as Director of Network & Data Hosting Services at Reynolds American, where he oversees large-scale infrastructure supporting over 10,000 users. RJ is recognized for driving cloud transformation initiatives, achieving near-perfect network uptime, and optimizing multimillion-dollar budgets through strategic vendor partnerships and infrastructure modernization. His expertise spans hybrid cloud architecture, cybersecurity, and high-availability systems. A strong advocate for operational excellence and team development, RJ has built and led large cross-functional organizations while aligning technology strategy with business objectives in highly competitive environments.
Select Achievements
- Reduced telecommunications operating expenses by XX% over five years.
- Led multi-million-dollar data center modernization initiative.
- Maintained zero critical audit findings across multiple regulatory reviews.
- Delivered seamless cloud migration with zero service disruption.
- Built and mentored next-generation leadership pipeline within technical teams.
Affiliations
- 30+ years of being a volunteer first responder in fire departments & rescue squads and currently a Captain with the Lewisville Volunteer Fire Department.
Accomplishments
- Winston-Salem Rescue Squad Rookie of the Year 2007
- Manchester Rescue Squad Senior Squad Person of the Year 1996
- Manchester Rescue Squad College Scholarship Winner 1995
- MVRS Junior Officer of the Year (President) 1993
- Senator Bill Bradley NJ Young Citizens Award 1990
Certification
- Cisco Secure Virtual Private Networks - 642-511 2007
- CCNA Cisco Certified Network Associate – CSCO10502371 2005
- Nortel Networks Extranet, Advanced Router Configuration 1998
- Cisco Router Configuration 1998
- Troubleshooting with the Sniffer Network Analyzer 1998
- Understanding Networking Fundamentals & TCP/IP Protocols 1995
Work Preference
Job Search Status
Open to workWork Type
Full TimeLocation Preference
RemoteHybridSalary Range
$180000/yr - $200000/yrTimeline
Director, Network & Data Hosting Services
Reynolds American Inc
03.1999 - Current
Network Engineer → Senior Network Architect
Brown & Williamson Tobacco
03.1999 - 06.2004
Bachelor of Science - Liberal Arts
University of Louisville