STEPHEN PERKINS (469) 667-1887 | Houston/Dallas, TX | perkins@stephen-perkins.com | Linkedin.com/in/perkinsstephenj PRINCIPAL ENGINEER, R&D, SYSTEMS, NETWORKS A superior Technology Leader with a wealth of experience and broad business acumen. Highly diverse skill set honed by working in startups, small businesses, and enterprises. Deep technical knowledge utilized in the R&D labs of Texas Instruments and IBM. Known as a visionary for product ideation through proof of concept and market product launch. A rare entrepreneur who is technically deep, achieving a PhD in Computer Science, and is versatile across multiple verticals. Known as a doer, rolling up sleeves to achieve all objectives. Applies advanced technical skills to the challenges of emerging technologies and to deep R&D. Highly published, patented, and networked in the industry. Skills ? Communication / Writing / Presenting ? Compilers / Embedded Systems / Device Drivers / Firmware ? Deep Unix/Linux skills ? Networks, TCP/IP, eBPF ? Storage Systems / Distributed storage / CEPH ? Wireless Systems & Technology ? LTE / Qualcomm / MVNOs ? DEVOPS / Full Stack / C / C++ / LISP / Rust ? VMWare / Virtualization / Containers / Kubernetes ? DOCSIS / DSLAMs / IOT / Gateways, Zero Trust ? Expert Witness / Investigative Services for Deposition and Trial / Patent Trial and Appeal Board Dedicated technology leader demonstrating a passion for emerging technologies and R&D while driving business growth. Professional Experience NETMASS INCORPORATED ? Richardson, TX ? 1998 to Present A pioneer of the offsite backup and data archiving industry and possibly the first to leverage the power of the internet for dial-up based online server backup as a service in 1997. Specializing in providing internet-based safe storage and archiving technologies and services. Principal, President, CTO Co-founded the company in business partnership as a release from the frustration of the patent process within Texas Instruments. Managed the entire reporting structure curating a culture of accountability and high performance. Currently retains ownership with no functional accountability. ? Ideated and created a business service based on online backup, then scaled, providing real value to customers. ? Developed a real solution critical to long-term success through automation and integration of processes and systems. ? Conceived and built geo-replicated datacenters for host cloud-based multi-tenant backup data utilizing colocation. ? Integrated multiple offices using IPSEC VPNs, IP Telephony, distributed file systems, CRM systems, and web and database interfaces to sales, accounting, and billing. ? Scaled HSM storage platforms at a time when disk alone was too costly for services use. ? Negotiated and closed all purchases and contracts. GIG SERVICES (Parent company for: GIG WASTE MANAGEMENT, LLC, GIG FIBER SERVICES LLC, GIG GAS SERVICES LLC) ? Porter, TX ? 2022 to Present A services company providing specialized options specific to real estate developers. Director of Gig Services LLC As Director of the holding company and President of the other businesses, establish operational framework for scalability and expansion of customer base by providing neighborhood services. Implemented all aspects of startup including cash positivity. ? Developed website, service plans, support, marketing, maintenance, operations, and licensing of commercial vehicles. ? In process of standing up all three businesses before transferring management. CELEBRATE BAKING COMPANY, LLC ? HOUSTON, TX ? 2019 to Present A 90K sq foot commercial bakery purchased in distress just before bankruptcy. Technology and Operations Collaborates with stakeholders & owners as an operational expert. Provides process optimization for all business functions: QA, maintenance, operations, finance, accounting & IT. Continually improved operations for 11 brands of ~$15M. ? Immediately managed operational and IT issues after the company was purchased in a state of dire distress. ? Shifted staff from a reactive/crisis mode of operation towards a proactive/productive mode of operation. ? Stabilized business operations and lowered costs by implementing repeatable processes and shared accountability. ? Stabilized the Ecommerce component, providing a significant impact to company solvency during Covid. ? Modernized with all new LAN, telephony, servers, PCs, software, and printers without assuming additional debt. SQWAQ, INC ? Dallas, TX ? 2018 to 2022 Full custom Bonded-LTE Hardware platform intended to support BVLOS commercial UAVs and fully autonomous platforms. CTO / Principal / VP of Hardware and Software Engineering Built and launched product and MVNO business initially targeting commercial unmanned arial vehicles. Managed a team of developers, sales associates, and founders. ? Directly involved in fund raising through angel and venture capital. ? Developed an MVNO business plan to support high margin recurring revenue. ? Engaged technology-based products to address the broad business needs, manufacturing needs, and operations of the full product life cycle. Engaged in 100% of ideation: design and board build through partnerships, security, firmware development, integration, UI, testing, manufacturing, and customer onboarding. ? Developed embedded IOT hardware & software for bonded LTE modems (Qualcomm/Sierra Wireless), with hardware supporting 6 or 12 LTE modems on a board & utilized AT and QMI interfaces. Created high performance & highly connected LTE IOT Gateway through the bonding solution allowing concurrent connections to different service providers while maintaining overlay connectivity. ? Utilized Secure Boot technologies, the Yocto project, BPF/eBPF Ansible, Redis, Git, Odoo, Linux udev, ffmpeg, lcdproc, secure over the air updates (FOTA), ZeroTier, Webmin, Prometheus, Grafana, and many Linux sub-systems. ? Created two generations of custom PCBs to house LTE modems & full custom hybrid aluminum/injection molded enclosures. ? Directly assisted with integration of the products into customer-owned platforms. ? Shaped company infrastructure to appeal to Angels as well as VCs for funding. THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF COMPUTER SCIENCE ? Dallas, TX ? 2012 to 2021 A research university hosting one of the largest CS Department in the US.; initially founded in 1961 as a private research arm of TI. Director, Executive Master in Software Engineering Program, 2017 ?2021; Full-Time Associate Professor of Instruction, 2020 ? 2021; Full-Time Assistant Professor of Instruction, 2016 ?2020; Part-Time Lecturer, 2012 ? 2015 EARLY CAREER: Crystal Springs Water Company ? IT and Special Projects; Martin Reality and Land ? IT and Special Projects; Texas Instruments ? Technical Staff; Michigan State University?s Department of Computer Science ? Research Assistant, Teaching Assistant; Texas A&M University?s Department of Entomology ? Computer Programmer; Texas A&M University?s Academic Computing Services ? Research Assistant; IBM ? Computer Programmer; Texas A&M University?s Department of Computer Science ? Computer Lab Operator Education MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY ? PH.D. IN COMPUTER SCIENCE TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY ? M.S. IN COMPUTER SCIENCE ? B.S. IN COMPUTER SCIENCE, MINOR: MATHEMATICS