Keith Alan Plourd

439 Pond Road

Sanbornville, NH  03872

(603) 522-6867 (Home)

 

Education:  BS Electrical & Computer Engineering, University of Massachusetts 1976, cum laude (3.2 GPA)

Certifications:  Radio Spectrum Management through the US Department of Commerce National Telecommunications and Information Administration; Protocol Analysis through Network General “Sniffer University

Clearance:  SECRET 1985 -1999

 


July 2007 – Present, January 2005 – June 2006 Nationwide Business Services

As an information technology resource, I provide systems and database administration, process improvement and account tracking, maintain and reconcile three local databases, maintain three web sites, ensure the efficiency of a small staff of employees and implement security aspects of sensitive financial transactions.  I also write scripts that edit financial data to rigid data integrity requirements.


July 2006 – July 2007, September 1999 – April 2003 - Independent Consultant – The Networked Systems Shepherd

For an Internet appliance manufacturer startup, I provided software quality assurance services, writing and executing automated test scripts and manual test procedures on Win32 and Unix hosts (several flavors), and documenting test plan, procedures and reports.  I successfully integrated several tests into one that would detect the character of the device under test and select the appropriate tests to apply.  I accomplished much of this work through a VPN from my home office with cable Internet access.  I survived two reductions in force as a contractor.

For other customers, I supported a state senatorial campaign in the compensated role of Staff Coordinator, I developed course material (“Power Windows”) for continuing education students, I provided router configuration support for a major networking magazine, I provided continuing technical support for a previous employer and developed, tested and taught a browser and email course entitled, “Surfing Seniors” for community elders.


April 2003 – December 2004 - Shaw’s Ridge Equipment – Setup Technician

As a setup technician, I prepared home equipment for sale to customers.  Setup included working with mechanical, hydraulic and electrical systems on lawn and commercial tractors and related power equipment.


October 1989 - August 1999 - Synetics, Inc. – Senior Engineer

I designed, specified and programmed an SNMP poller using tcl and extensions.  The poller used a wholly-scripted discovery function that could focus on a specific community, determine all paths to destination hosts, eliminate redundant or “ghost” elements and find intermediate devices.

As a truly matrixed senior engineering resource, I worked several company contracts.  I provided planning, configuration, implementation, security accreditation and maintenance support for a wide variety of information technology resources, systems and customers.  Such systems included a multimedia theater, an NT 4.0 and WinFrame/Citrix server farm, FDDI and CATV backbones, a web server, telecommunication infrastructure, video material authoring systems, a RealNetworks audio/video server and a messaging server (Microsoft Exchange).

I gathered telephony and data communications requirements to put together a vision for a future unemployment insurance call desk and co-drafted a telephone claims architecture.  I delivered a report that characterized network traffic for a 2,500-node campus.  I installed and used network management systems (HP OpenView, CiscoWorks, Cabletron SPMAs and Concord Data Systems Trakker) and received three protocol analyzer certifications.  I analyzed existing cable plant, network management systems and office automation server deployment to uncovered legacy configurations that needed to be changed and to recommend infrastructure changes.  I published a weekly paper advising readers on information technology developments.

I personally managed the installation of wide area network (WAN) nodes, concentrators, and Cisco Systems routers, configured core and WAN routers to support network expansion, revised internal network router filtering and built packet-level firewalls.  I integrated several CAD workstations, tablets, a tape backup system and an electrostatic plotter into a local area network.

Working with other senior staff members, I collected requirements and provided options to replace a Wang-based terminal network with capable personal computer-based applications systems, designed and specified a wide area network (WAN) and recommended an infrared link to replace expensive costly telecommunications services.

Customers included a Naval Air base in Virginia, the Massachusetts Division of Employment and Training, the Federal Aviation Administration, the General Accounting Office, the Commonwealth of Virginia through a subcontract with Anderson Consulting, the National Archives and Records Administration, the US Coast Guard, King George County, VA, the Massachusetts Port Authority and Bechtel/Parsons-Brinckerhoff (“The Big Dig”).


1985 – 1989 - Automated Sciences Group, Inc. (ASG) - Network Specialist/Electronics Engineer

I co-authored a network design specification.  I managed a six-member software development team mimicking a hardware interface using SQL queries against a relational Oracle database and coordinated task requirements with technical staff, including a four-member subcontractor team.

I provided engineering and network development support, developed network monitoring tools to aid network management, reviewed redesign of the broad-band radio frequency cable plant, analyzed and developed T1 data communication requirements and specifications, prepared specifications and plans to implement upgraded digital data (T1) terminations and updated and edited maintenance procedures manuals for T1 data communication services.


1979 – 1985 - Private Radio Bureau, Federal Communications Commission - Electronics Engineer

As a degreed engineer at the FCC, I authored rule-making decisions that codified rules for narrowband voice communication, digital voice and data and high frequency communication.  I also served as a technical consultant on issues of land mobile radio emissions requirements and radio system design feasibility.  This work required me to coordinate often with FCC staff attorneys, to perform intersystem interference analyses and radio spectrum loading studies and to personally present recommendations to the Commission.

I provided rule interpretations to public inquiries and prepared correspondence to Congressmen and other Federal agencies.  I reviewed rule making dockets, association filings and documents prepared by staff of the other FCC operating bureaus.  I provided technical and legal consultation to the PRB licensing activity in Gettysburg, PA.  I read weekly periodicals published by industry associations to keep abreast of technical developments.  I coordinated with the FCC’s Office of Science and Technology and other functional activities to ensure my writings were consistent with precedents and policies.


1979 - Department of Commerce, National Telecommunications And Information Administration - Radio Spectrum Manager Intern

At NTIA, I received training and certification for radio spectrum management to prepare me to serve at the Federal Communications Commission. 


1977 – 1979 :: Sonic Sciences, Inc. - Electronics Engineer

Working for SSI, a contractor to the Navy, I reviewed equipment test plans and engineering change orders, prepared equipment specifications, attended MIL-E-1600C revision proceedings and gained a working knowledge of military standards for avionics maintainability and reliability testing.  I worked primarily with oven-controlled crystal frequency and time standards that were accurate to within parts in 1015.


1977 :: Winder Transportation Systems - Test Technician

I assisted in preparing rapid transit vehicles for sale to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority. 


1975 – 1976 :: Marimont, Inc. - Electronics Equipment Repair Technician

While working through school, I obtained a Master Radio and Television Technician License from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.  I worked as the repair technician at the local Radio Shack franchise in Amherst, Massachusetts and sold home entertainment equipment.