Steven R. Kirks
853 S. Kickapoo Avenue
Springfield, MO 65804
417-894-4460 cell
2/2004 - Present
UserLand Software
Product Manager
Duties: Manage the current and future direction of the personal weblog software called Radio UserLand . Assemble and manage teams of coders to produce software updates on a regular basis. Act as an ambassador for the company and a weblog evangelist.
11/1999 - Present
NuVox Communications Springfield, MO
Technical Consultant
Duties: Design and coordinate the installation of voice and data networks for small and medium size business customers. Acting as senior technical consultant for the Springfield market.
Details: Customer and staff primary point of contact for technical questions and training. Oversee and deliver on-going product and technical training to sales staff and customer technical representatives. Travel to customer locations to consult with management, executives and staff about NuVox products and solutions. Design and layout potential customer voice and data networks, integrating NuVox products with existing equipment and customer goals. Work with local technology vendors to smoothly transition customers from incumbent providers to the NuVox digital network. Extensive troubleshooting with large and small voice and data networks. Technology: 10/100 Ethernet LANs using Cisco Catalyst switches. Frame-relay and ATM-based WANs linked with Cisco 1600/1700/2500/2600 routers carrying TCP/IP traffic. Apache web servers, Win2000 file and print servers.
Special Distinctions: Chosen to develop and implement a new corporate training program for data services. Taught monthly new-employee technical training at the company's headquarters. Recognized by peers and management alike as the creative resource for customer solutions throughout NuVox's 14 Midwest markets. Repeatedly praised for unique communications skills-able to speak to people at all levels about technology and it's business application.
4/1998 - 11/1999
Cox Health Systems
Springfield, MO
Senior Technical Analyst
Duties: Install and configure new equipment for customers in hospital departments, technical support, new software installations and basic training. Lead technician for the department Helpdesk.
Details: Team handled 2000 calls a month for all departments in the hospital regarding technical issues and the IS department. Established the use of new call management software and remote "help management" software. Installed, configured and tested hundreds of PC's running Windows NT Workstation 4.0 (standard and using cloning technology.) Assisted in the installation of 6 Windows NT Servers for testing a variety of applications including Macintosh and PC integration. Assisted with Internet connectivity/firewall setup and testing. Helped develop evolving Internet use and security policy.
Technology: 10/100 Ethernet LANs using 3Com SuperStack switches connected by copper and fiber links. ATM campus links with Foundry Networks equipment. Frame-relay campus links managed by multiple Cisco routers. Novell and WinNT/2000 file and print servers, Microsoft Proxy servers and Network Associates Gauntlet firewall.
12/1997 - 4/1998
OnThe.Net, LLC
Springfield, MO
Assistant Systems Engineer
Duties: Direct assistant to Jason Buchanan, senior systems administrator. Served as the Technical Support supervisor of an 8-member team.
Details: Installed and configured Internet connections and servers for the company and clients. Designed, configured and monitored Ethernet network of servers, workstations and Ascend MAX connectivity units for the Network Operations Center. Installed customer connectivity equipment including: Ascend MAX or Pipeline units, Westel ADSL units, assisted in the installation of T-1, Fractional T-1 and Frame Relay circuits as directed by Jason Buchanan. Designed and implemented the company's first technical support team, selecting all staff members. Began thorough and aggressive training program complimented by one-on-one sessions to build consistency in our service. Set the technical support guidelines, operating hours and standards of care. Developed rotating schedules, "on-call" times and designed the automated software for distribution to dialup customers. Designed and implemented structured helpdesk concept, using a simple database to track calls and escalate as needed. Worked to develop and install Windows NT servers with MS Exchange and MS Proxy services for several clients across southwest Missouri.
10/1996 - 12/1997
DialUS (now McLeod USA)
Springfield, MO
Network Systems Technician
Duties: Performed routine telephone switch operations, new customer installations and maintenance of internal computer equipment. Lead technician for fraud operations. Lead technician for billing systems.
Details: Member of the team that transitioned DialUS from a long-distance carrier to the first competitive local exchange carrier (CLEC) in the state of Missouri. Worked with Nortel DMS 100 telephone switch on a daily basis to move call records from tape to the call management system for processing. Responsible for daily and weekly telephone switch and software maintenance. Assisted in the installation of the new DMS 100 that DialUS required for entry in to local telephone service. Installed and configured telco equipment for the company and customers on an as required basis, taking the customer premise wiring and connecting it to DialUS services. Installed and provisioned: T-1, fractional T-1 and switched 56 circuits. Performed numerous wiring installs inside the company under the training of the senior technician, learning Southwestern Bell wiring standards and practices and how to apply them to customer locations. Install, configured and maintained fraud protection software and helped set configuration standards. Pioneered the use of email-to-fax and email-to-pager software, cutting remote user costs and standardizing internal communications.
10/1988 - 12/1992
United States Navy
Norfolk, VA
Machinist's Mate, 3rd Class (Nuclear)
Duties: Operate and maintain the primary (nuclear) and secondary (steam plant) fluid systems as part of an operations team.
Details: Served 4 years as a mechanic and operator of naval nuclear power plants, performing valve/pipe fitting maintenance, start-up and shutdown evolutions, and standing monitoring watches during a complex overhaul and refueling of the power plant. Collateral duties: Head of Reactor Department space rehab team, 3M department coordinator, and computer technician.
Member: City of Springfield Cable Advisory Commission (appointed by City Council and Mayor, Nov 2000) Member: City of Springfield Traffic Advisory Board (appointed by City Council and Mayor, July, 2003) Member: 5 year volunteer at Ozarks Public Television Member: Association of Information Technology Professionals
A technology professional and resident of Springfield, MO for the past 11 years. Graduate of Leadership Springfield Class XVIII
Interesting Fact: Member of precision drill team that marched in President George Bush's inaugural parade in 1989.
