Paul Astell

Experience

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  Nortel

  Jan 1990 - Jan 2004

  Created and managed new Next Generation Link Budget team, responsible for next-generation optical line system.- Managed custom 10Gbps Long-haul Optical link engineering group, downsizing 50% while increasing responsibility from North America to worldwide, facilitating $50M+ annual sales. Maintained customer responsiveness by reassigning resources, and collaborating with business team for managing custom budget request queue.- Led multi-functional, multi-site team, redesigning System Line-up and Test (SLAT) procedure for next generation optical platform. Reduced time by 50%, compared to legacy system, and created novel, industry-leading diagnostic capabilities in hardware and software.- Designed curriculum for Introduction to Optical Communications, collaborating with university professor, delivering 2-day short course for new-hires. Show less

  • Technical Architect, Optical Link Engineering Software

    Jan 2003 - Jan 2004

  • Senior Manager, Optical Link Budgets

    Jan 2000 - Jan 2003

  • Senior Manager, Broadband Wireless Systems

    Jan 1999 - Jan 2000

  • Senior Manager, Broadband Wireless RF Systems

    Jan 1998 - Jan 1999

  • Various Engineering and Management positions in Wireless

    Jan 1990 - Jan 1998
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  JSI Telecom

  Jan 2005 - Jan 2007

  Product Marketing Manager

  Product ManagementMarketingProgram ManagementInternational account management

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  BlackBerry

  Jan 2007 - Nov 2013

  Project managed advanced technology projects and programs requiring high level technical expertise, collaborating with internal departments, end-customers, and external technology companies. - Tailored project management best practices for research projects, meeting unique project management needs and ensuring high quality outcomes.- Drove technology program for emerging Evolved EDGE standard, creating multiple patent applications and delivery of first Evolved EDGE smartphone.- Demonstrated performance of Evolved EDGE by running technology field trials in Asian cities, delivering excellent performance results for end-customers.- Project-managed WiGig research program, investigating low-cost 60GHz radios in cellular handsets, leading to discoveries on materials and manufacturing techniques, patent applications, and proof-of-concept (POC) demonstration.- Directed project teams in Canada, USA, and Germany, investigating tunable antenna optimization fundamentals, creating new methods for delivering best-in-class antenna performance in future smartphones.- Generated innovations for BlackBerry smartphones by leading next-generation cellular radio technology research and development program Show less

  • Senior Program Manager

    May 2010 - Nov 2013

  • Senior Systems Architect

    Jan 2007 - Jul 2010
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  NPO PM Training

  Apr 2013 - now

  Co-President

  www.npopmtraining.org is a Non Profit, volunteer run organization whose mission is to provide Project Management Training and support Coaching to Non Profits and Charities. It is currently based in Ottawa, Canada and is focused on organizations in the Ottawa Valley/Outaouais region.

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  Communications Research Centre

  May 2014 - now

  Responsible for targeting strategic industry and academic collaborations to enhance the CRC’s impact in spectrum management techniques and technologies. Responsible for transforming the CRC's Information Management practices as the Government embraces Open Data and Open Science. Also responsible for IT and driving the CRC's Cloud Computing adoption. Managing a diverse group of functions, including a lean PMO, to support the researchers at the CRC.

  • Director, Outreach

    Oct 2020 - now

  • Director, IM/IT

    Oct 2015 - Oct 2020

  • Manager, Research Support Office

    May 2014 - Oct 2015