Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Timeline
Generic

Vasilis Koufos

Brooklyn,NY

Summary

Highly effective management professional emphasizing innovation and creativity in solving complex problems. Energetic and results-focused with success in developing and leading diverse teams to achieve outstanding results.

Overview

31
31
years of professional experience

Work History

I & R Area Manager, I & M/Construction Wireline Ops & Eng

Verizon
BROOKLYN, NY
03.2018 - Current
  • Responsible for all Cable Maintenance and Specials Operations in the borough of Brooklyn. Team consists of two Work Centers, 172 Employees, and 9 Managers
  • Track and analyze reports to determine where performance improvements and savings can be made in the business
  • Establish open and professional relationships with team members which facilitated communication, quickly resolving issues and conflicts for the work center and business
  • Efficiently and effectively identify and resolve all service problems by reviewing plats and partnering with Engineering
  • Enhanced operational efficiency and productivity by Improving HPD and FDR
  • Manage, train and motivate Frontline employees to always be improving knowledge and abilities in the field.
  • Led all corporate communications to optimize information sharing initiatives.

Area Manager- I & M/Construction Wireline Ops & Eng

Verizon Communications Inc
Staten Island, NY
11.2017 - 03.2018
  • Selected to return to Staten Island to Stabilize Performance and Improve Relationship with Union via Performance +
  • Facilitated P+ Training for 160 Associates and Held Weekly Meetings with Union Chiefs to Drive Culture Change
  • Successfully planted the seeds of Change and demonstrated to the Union Membership that Change was necessary
  • Rolled out New Initiatives to Drive Improvement of  Fios Report Rate/100
  • Part of Team that conceptualized, experimented, and implemented what has now become Frontline Redesign
  • Oversight of two work center associated with all Staten Island Field operations related to the installation and maintenance of FIOS, Copper, and Special circuits consisting of 160 Union Associates and 8 Local Managers
  • Managed company operations, including staff hiring, training, development, scheduling and supervision.
  • Identified and targeted areas in need of improvement through close monitoring and tracking of daily operations.
  • Established operational objectives and work plans and delegated assignments to subordinate managers.

Area Manager- I & M/Construction Wireline Ops & Eng

Verizon
615 W. 47th St.
03.2017 - 10.2017


  • Selected by Executive team and peers to return to Manhattan to stabilize and manage cable load.
  • Oversight of Midtown and Northern Manhattan Cable Maintenance Operations with 5 Local Managers, of which 4 were recent new hires, and 120 Associates across two work centers
  • Assisted in the creation and execution of new initiatives such as the Cable Verification Desk and assisted in assembling new Damage Claim team  and implementing new process
  • Successfully managed Escalations and Large Jobs while delivering budget.

Area Manager- I & M/Construction Wireline Network Ops & Eng

Verizon
70 Central Ave. Brooklyn, NY
06.2016 - 03.2017
  • Selected to manage work center to specifically improve Union-Management relationship
  • Oversight of 6 Locals managers and 165 associates work center responsible with all Brooklyn North operations related to the installation and maintenance of FiOS and Copper circuits 
  • Hired and trained two new Local Managers
  • Successfully partnered with Union to improve work environment and performance metrics such as First Dispatch Resolution and Hours per Dispatch

Area Manager- I & M/Construction Wireline Network Ops & Eng

Verizon
180 Edgewater St. Staten Island, NY
01.2012 - 01.2016
  • Oversight of two work centers associated with all Staten Island field operations related to the installation and maintenance of FiOS and Copper circuits consisting of 156 Union Associates and 9 Local Field managers.
  • Continually review borough performance metrics to identify, develop, and implement process improvements to increase efficiency, productivity, quality of service, and customer satisfaction.
  • Interface with Engineering and Construction departments in emergency repair situations and implement network transformation strategy.
  • Collaborate with vendors and staff at new product introduction phase to develop and verify design changes.
  • Establish operational objectives and work plans and delegate assignments to subordinate managers.
  • Partner successfully with Marketing to drive annualized stimulated revenue year over year and made Staten Island the first borough to achieve 50% FiOS data penetration. 
  • Research and recommend network upgrades to improve service levels for borough and reduce chronic troubles.
  • Investigate and resolve customer inquiries and complaints in an empathetic manner.
  • Co-chair of the Tier II Staten Island Safety Committee.
  • Recognized by Executives for Leadership and the  Performance of Assembled Team for the  2016 Work Stoppage

Area Manager- I & M/Construction Wireline Network Ops and Eng

Verizon
78-11 57th Ave. Elmhurst, NY 11373
08.2012 - 10.2012
  • Successfully transitioned to new role and new department as I & M Area Manager by learning new systems and driving results. 
  • Selected to manage the FiOS and Core Operations for the Maspeth Work Center consisting of 85 techs and 4 Local Managers.
  • Trained, coached and mentored staff to ensure smooth adoption of new programs.
  • Prepared reports and gave oral presentations to keep employees up-to-date on company goals and achievements.

Area Manager- CXM/Construction Wireline Network Ops & Eng

Verizon
615 W. 47th Street, New York, NY
11.2009 - 07.2012
  • Managed 190 Union Associates and 10 Field managers responsible for Southern and Midtown Manhattan and Bronx Cable Maintenance and had oversight of all Manhattan Air Pressure Operations.
  • Coordinated and Managed response to OSP plant failures related to external events such as water main breaks, manhole fires, and steam leaks.
  • Assisted with the administration of High Value damage cases and represented Verizon at depositions.
  • Partnered successfully with Engineering and Planning Dept. to reduce underground failures.
  • Supported Empire City Subway during major Municipal Projects.
  • Researched and recommended conduit and cable redesigns and out of the box air pressure solutions to resolve chronic service issues.

Special Assignment-Development of Quality Process

Verizon
615 W. 47th Street New York, NY
01.2011 - 07.2011
  • Created and implemented a formal Underground Outside Plant Quality Process for Manhattan to improve overall quality and reduce failure rate.
  • Conducted random Live Quality Reviews of work in progress in manholes and blocks.

Special Assigment-FTTC Program

Verizon
615 W. 47th Street, New York, NY
06.2010 - 12.2010
  • Selected to project manage the stalled Manhattan construction build of new Ethernet TLS/VZON circuits for Verizon Wireless, AT&T, and T-Mobile by implementing a set of tracking processes.
  • Defined clear targets and objectives and communicated them to other team members.
  • Monitored timelines and flagged potential issues to be addressed by reviewing over 600 prints. Implemented a set of comprehensive tracking processes to monitor performance.
  • Coordinated work functions across internal departments and teams to ensure the successful completion of the Fiber to The Cell Site Program (FTTC). 
  • Successfully met objective by completing the required cell sites at year's end.

Area Manager-Construction

Verizon
601 W. 26th St. New York, NY
01.2007 - 11.2009

  • Managed Work Center responsible for Outside Plant Construction( BAU and FIOS) in Southern Manhattan consisting of 176 Union Associates and 7 Local Managers
  • Consistently met financial and operational results
  • Implemented Cost Saving Initiatives, Provided Advanced Field Support and Oversight of All Operations
  • Provided support, planning, analysis, and work guidance in a dynamic OSP environment
  • Interacted with other departments and other agencies to ensure results

Special Assignment-Fiber to the Premise (FTTP), World Trade Center, and Manhole Fire Restoration

Verizon
W. 39th Street New York, NY
09.2005 - 08.2007
  • Project managed the  initial FiOS build in Manhattan for the CXM organization. Ordered supplies and equipment, scheduled training, interacted with engineers, construction managers, I&M, Marketing, vendors and Customers.
  • Scheduled and tracked the FTTP the build to meet the company's goals of premises passed and cost.
  • Managed the relocation of OSP facilities off Liberty St. to accommodate the Expansion of the WTC site after 9/11. Responsibilities included the: scheduling and tracking of work, interfacing with CXM managers, engineers, planners, and city agencies to ensure the timely completion and the maximum reimbursement eligible.
  • Provided technical, organizational, logistical support for Various Initiatives such Air Tank Reduction Program, X-PLAN, and Reduction of Manhole Congestion 
  • Managed oversight for Manhole Fire Restoration efforts at E. 38th & Madison, tracked and scheduled work to re-establish service to 30,000 customers within three weeks. 

Local Manager-Construction

Verizon
W. 34th Street New York, NY
10.2003 - 09.2005
  • Supervised 20 Associates responsible for the Construction and Maintenance of the Air Pressure Network in Manhattan
  • Coordinated the Team's Work Training, Skill Development, and Safety Training
  • Scheduled and planned for the timely completion and reporting of work prints
  • Managed work team's budget to coincide with Area Manager's goals
  • Incorporated and trained I&M associates into CXM work group to implement X-Plan

Local Manager- Construction

Verizon
4409 Ave. H. Brooklyn, NY
03.1999 - 10.2003
  • Supervised 18 CXM Associates responsible for copper and fiber splicing.
  • Cross-trained CXM Associates to perform I&M and Maintenance duties
  • Managed Team's Skill and Safety Training
  • Provided timely completion and submission of work prints
  • Coached and provide feedback to direct reports

Outside Plant Engineer

Verizon
395 Flatbush Extension Brooklyn, NY
04.1997 - 03.1999
  • Managed and Designed Outside Plant Copper and Fiber Facilities for the Williamsburg Wire Center
  • Managed Capital Budget of $8 Million
  • Engineered Cost Effective Prints to Improve Network by increasing Service Reliability of Network and reducing report rates and Code 4's
  • Monitored Capital Expenditure to meet budgeted requirements
  • Designed and Implemented Fiber Optic Networks for Custom Network Engineering and High-Cap Services 

I & M Field Technician

Verizon
980 Cyress Ave. Brooklyn, NY
12.1994 - 04.1997
  • Installed and repaired POTS service for Business and Residential customers
  • Focused of Customer Service and Quality of Work
  • Exceeded Productivity Requirements while maintaining commendable rework numbers
  • Selected to work on various special projects

Education

Master of Science - Telecommunications and Information Systems Management

NYU-Polytechnic University
New York, NY

Bachelor of Science - Mechanical Engineering

Rutgers Univeristy-College of Engineering

Skills

  • Project Management
  • Process improvement
  • Data interpretation and analysis
  • Operations Management
  • Crisis management consulting
  • Works well in diverse team environment
  • Management information systems
  • Strong conflict resolution skills
  • Excellent problem-solving abilities
  • Excellent communication skills
  • Customer service-focused
  • Team leadership

Timeline

I & R Area Manager, I & M/Construction Wireline Ops & Eng

Verizon
03.2018 - Current

Area Manager- I & M/Construction Wireline Ops & Eng

Verizon Communications Inc
11.2017 - 03.2018

Area Manager- I & M/Construction Wireline Ops & Eng

Verizon
03.2017 - 10.2017

Area Manager- I & M/Construction Wireline Network Ops & Eng

Verizon
06.2016 - 03.2017

Area Manager- I & M/Construction Wireline Network Ops and Eng

Verizon
08.2012 - 10.2012

Area Manager- I & M/Construction Wireline Network Ops & Eng

Verizon
01.2012 - 01.2016

Special Assignment-Development of Quality Process

Verizon
01.2011 - 07.2011

Special Assigment-FTTC Program

Verizon
06.2010 - 12.2010

Area Manager- CXM/Construction Wireline Network Ops & Eng

Verizon
11.2009 - 07.2012

Area Manager-Construction

Verizon
01.2007 - 11.2009

Special Assignment-Fiber to the Premise (FTTP), World Trade Center, and Manhole Fire Restoration

Verizon
09.2005 - 08.2007

Local Manager-Construction

Verizon
10.2003 - 09.2005

Local Manager- Construction

Verizon
03.1999 - 10.2003

Outside Plant Engineer

Verizon
04.1997 - 03.1999

I & M Field Technician

Verizon
12.1994 - 04.1997

Master of Science - Telecommunications and Information Systems Management

NYU-Polytechnic University

Bachelor of Science - Mechanical Engineering

Rutgers Univeristy-College of Engineering

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