Robert mendoza

Robert is a Consultant at Sand Cherry Associates, with 17 years of engineering, operations and project management experience in optical network deployments, service deployments, telecommunications construction, and network operations. Robert is an integral part of our firm's ongoing success in the design and delivery of strategic customer-centric initiatives through digitally-native, data-empowered solutions.

Robert has led numerous engagements to oversee and drive all phases of complex telecommunications and utility projects from development to completion. He combines  leadership best practices, project management methodology, and strong executive communication skills when leading projects. Robert's project management approach is highly adaptive and based on a project's objective. His most recent work involved leading a multinational project team to design and deliver a global transport network for a large pharmaceutical company working with Tier 1 carriers such as Lumen, Comcast, AT&T, and Verizon.

Prior to Sand Cherry Associates, Robert was the Lead Project Manager at Ciena, where he was responsible for end-to-end deployment of Ciena's network equipment and managing customer experience.

• Operations Management: Managed the upgrade of a carrier's backbone and metro network to support the implementation and delivery of a new service technology. The upgrade was completed in a series of coordinated hot cuts, migrations and grooms to overhaul the carrier's optical transport and edge network equipment. 
• Project Management: Delivered large scale, complex optical network infrastructure projects across multiple markets for a Tier 1 telecommunications service provider's Enterprise department. Effectively managed cross-functional teams to complete projects within scope, cost and schedule.  Implemented best practices focused on cost reduction, efficiency gains, and risk reduction.
  • Led a $69M/1150-site, 20 month, Broadband and Ethernet program for the State of Florida as Lead Project Manager. 
  • Managed Tier 1 Wireless Service Provider's $4.8M/200-site cell backhaul implementation, delivering the organization’s 1st project of this type. 
  • Delivered Tier 1 Wireless Service Provider's $5.7M/300-site cell backhaul network rollout project, while navigating complex customer requirements.
• Process Optimization:  Improved production and project performance by establishing processes, standardizing project teams, and creating workflow management systems for a multinational project team to design and deliver a global transport network for a large pharmaceutical company working with Tier 1 carriers.
• Strategic Planning:  Developed strategic project plan to implement highly reliable, project plan, resourcing plan, and accompanying roadmaps to ensure maximum business value for a large global pharmaceutical company. Built robust project management documentation utilizing Kanban boards, Smartsheet, and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Organizational Leadership: Spearheaded a 5G deployment project, restructured the organization's operations and project management approach to deploy 200 miles of fiber for a large North American wireless service provider. Championed a high-performing culture to attract, developed, and led a team of 150+ employees and 35+ vendors.

• Florida International University, MS in Telecommunications and Networking
• Florida International University, BS in Electrical Engineering
• Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification, Project Management Institute, 2022