Richard Hanson

July 1999 to January 2001

Southern Union Company

Manager, Network Technology

Managed Network Technology group consisting of myself and four direct reports with an annual budget of 1.7 million dollars support the network infrastructure for Southern Union Company. Network Technology is responsible for:

  • Wide area network connecting 30+ sites in 6 states (primarily Texas and Missouri) through a combination of T-1 lines, 56kb lines and a frame relay network
  • Local area networks at 30+ sites in Texas and Missouri providing connectivity to 1000+ devices (PCs, printers)
  • Installation, management and maintenance of 25+ Novell Netware supporting file and print, authentication, Zenworks and directory services.
  • Installation, management and maintenance of 15+ Microsoft NT servers supporting MS SQL Server 7.0, IIS server, Crystal Info and other 3rd party applications.
  • Enterprise-wide dedicated video conference system providing service to 9 video conference rooms at six sites through a central video conferencing bridge in Austin Texas
  • Automated software distribution through Novell ZenWorks
  • Enterprise-wide email system supporting 1000+ mailboxes plus Internet email
  • Internet connectivity and security firewall
  • Internet web site maintenance
  • Intranet web site maintenance


Major Accomplishments

  • Insured Y2K readiness for a components of the network infrastructure.
  • Upgraded Novell Netware from 3.12 to 5.0 with minimal client disruption in 90 day time frame.
  • Installed automated software distribution for1000+ desktops through Novell ZenWorks
  • Negotiated Corporate License Agreement with Novell to provide enterprise-wide site licensing for Novell Netware, Zenworks and Managewise
  • Installed Managewise monitor software to provide proactive problem discovery for servers, routers and communications lines
  • Upgraded multiple small Cisco routers into chassis-based Cisco 3660 providing better WAN performance and stability
  • Negotiated upgrade to frame relay network increasing available bandwidth
  • Instituted centralized backup of remote site servers to Austin data center providing more reliable and consistent data integrity than previous remote on-site tape backup system.
  • Upgraded out-of-date remote bridging technology with up-to-date routers at 10+ sites clearing up ongoing stability issues at these sites.
  • Provided server and connectivity support to outsourced Intranet project. After implementation, maintenance responsibility was turned over to the Network Technology team
  • Developed Fiscal 2001 budget for Network Technology, as part of a major IT budgeting effort, to produce an accurate budget for the first time in years.
  • Planned upgrade of email from MS Mail to Microsoft Exchange
  • Supported major outsourced effort to provide Electronic Bill Payment and Presentment system