Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Affiliations
Certification
Timeline
Generic

Steve Kotel

Rice Lake

Summary

Proficient in managing complex telecommunications operations, focusing on team leadership and contract negotiation. Exceptional communicator with a talent for training and mentoring, dedicated to improving processes and customer satisfaction. Seasoned Customer Service Technician with proven skills in troubleshooting, repair, and maintenance tasks. Demonstrated ability to handle customer inquiries effectively while maintaining high levels of customer satisfaction. Known for resolving complex technical issues and delivering practical solutions that improve operational efficiency. Committed to providing exceptional service and upholding standards of quality in all tasks undertaken.

Besides my experience in telecommunications, I have degrees in emergency services, hold an EMT license, and am certified in all aspects of the fire service, which allowed me to become a licensed Fire/EMS instructor at Northwood Technical College. I have been on the CWA Union Executive Board and the President of the local for the past 18 years which were elected positions. Adding the fact that I also hold a position on the Wisconsin Political Council, I am well-versed in many factors beneficial to being a manager in our industry. As a union president, I was responsible for 550 members at one time. That work included responsibilities for understanding benefits, budgets, legal issues, and a range of things pertaining to member well-being.

Overview

25
25
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Customer Service Technician

Lumen Technologies
Rice Lake
05.2000 - Current
  • Installed and maintained residential and business services for customers at Lumen including Badgernet, 911, and analog and digital special circuits.
  • Maintained cable plant including copper and fiber optic networks. Responsibilities for fiber to the home, cut cables, hot cut, re-arranging count.
  • Maintained air dryer systems and completed all manhole maintenance.
  • Operated aerial lift trucks and forklifts.
  • Ordered supplies and inventoried stock in the warehouse.
  • Was put In-Charge of the 35 exchanges and employees that work within them on more than one occasion including presently until the proposed Brightspeed/Lumen sale.
  • I have held several training sessions teaching fiber splicing and maintenance.g and maintenance.
  • Bargained Union contracts within Lumen and Brighspeed.

Education

Associate of Applied Science - Electronics And Telecommunications

Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College
Rice Lake, WI
05-2000

Skills

  • Employee training and facilitation
  • Effective communication
  • Team leadership
  • Contract negotiation
  • Customer relationship management
  • Supplier inventory management
  • Cable plant operations
  • Network troubleshooting
  • Circuit installation
  • Fiber optic maintenance

Affiliations

  • In my spare time I garden having a small apple orchard and honey bees. I have also been working on restoring a 70 year old barn. My time off consists of spending time with my three girls making sure they get to see the country and learn what they can from me while im lucky enough they still all live at home.

Certification

  • Entry level fire services
  • Firefighter 1
  • Firefighter 2
  • Driver Operator
  • Aerial ladder truck
  • Hazmat Awareness, operations, Technician
  • Confined space/rescue
  • Instructor
  • Pump operator
  • EMT
  • Auto extrication/ EV vehicles

Timeline

Customer Service Technician

Lumen Technologies
05.2000 - Current

Associate of Applied Science - Electronics And Telecommunications

Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College