LOC: Granby, Missouri, US
UPTIME: 24+ yrs
λ: ~1260–1625 nm (full spectrum)
STATUS: AVAILABLE FOR PROJECTS
Kevin Cherry
Telecommunications & Network Engineering
I deliver proven solutions for telecom infrastructure and critical utility networks. As a NERC CIP Subject Matter Expert, I've secured Energy Management Systems across three audits — and recently led $5M+ in upgrades scaling rural fiber networks from 10G to 100G with MPLS, DWDM, and BGP optimization.
24+Years in network engineering
$5M+Infrastructure upgrades led
3NERC CIP audits as SME
96×200GDWDM channel capacity built
Selected Projects
// what I build
$2.6M · Optical Transport
DWDM Core Build
Designed and deployed a next-generation DWDM core on Adva CDC ROADM, scaling regional capacity to 96× 200G channels for SCADA and commercial services.
- Adva CDC ROADM architecture
- Multivendor integration across utility & customer networks
$2.4M · Core Routing
10G → 100G MPLS Upgrade
Directed a full core MPLS upgrade from 10G to 100G on Extreme SLX-9540, modernizing the backbone of a regional fiber provider.
- Extreme SLX-9540 platform
- BGP optimization with Tier 1 ISPs & KCIX peering
- Lumen DDoS scrubbing integration
Compliance · Utility EMS
NERC CIP EMS Security
Served as SME through three NERC CIP audits, designing Energy Management System networks to meet CIP Version 5 compliance.
- RSA SecurID 8 & AlienVault SIEM deployments
- SCADA network security architecture
Enterprise WAN · 6,000+ Users
200-Site Global WAN
Designed MPLS/Frame-Relay WAN connecting 200+ branch locations for a Fortune 500 manufacturer, plus automation that saved hundreds of patching hours.
- Branch router design, ordering, config & support
- Automated MSBlaster remediation
Experience
// traceroute: career — 5 hops
5
2016 — PRESENT · Joplin, MO
Engineer III — Telecommunications
Liberty Connect (Regional Fiber Optic Provider, Utility-Owned)
Telecommunications Engineer → Engineer II → Engineer III
- Directed $2.4M MPLS upgrade (10G → 100G, Extreme SLX-9540) and $2.6M DWDM core (Adva CDC ROADM)
- Scaled capacity to 96× 200G channels; optimized BGP with Tier 1 ISPs, KCIX peering, and Lumen DDoS scrubbing
- Deployed diagnostics platform: Noction IRP, Savius Power-Core, Viavi T-BERD
4
2011 — 2016 · Joplin, MO
Senior Systems Administrator
The Empire District Electric Company
- SME in 3 NERC CIP audits; designed EMS networks meeting Version 5 compliance
- Implemented RSA SecurID 8, AlienVault SIEM, and 30 Cisco switches for VoIP
- Scripted TACACS tooling, cutting Help Desk repair times
3
2006 — 2011 · Joplin, MO
Systems Administrator
The Empire District Electric Company
- Secured SCADA networks per NERC CIP; managed Active Directory and 80+ servers
- Enabled Help Desk with IronPort access for email remediation
2
2001 — 2006
Advanced Network Analyst
Leggett & Platt, Inc.
- Designed MPLS/Frame-Relay WAN for 200+ sites and 6,000+ users worldwide
- WAN, firewall, IDS, and wireless administration; ~20% travel reconfiguring acquired sites onto the corporate network
1
2000 — 2001 · Neosho, MO
Cisco Lab Technician
Crowder College
Supported the Cisco networking lab while completing dual associate degrees.
Capabilities
// tools & domains
Telecom Engineering
MPLSDWDMBGPVPLS100G NetworksRouting Protocols
NERC CIP Compliance
Audit PrepEMS SecuritySCADACompliant Network DesignPACS / EACMS
Network Architecture
Extreme SLXAdva ROADMCiscoAlcatelCisco ISECisco ASA
Cybersecurity
SIEMDDoS ScrubbingRSA SecurIDACLsTACACSIDS
Diagnostics & Tooling
SolarWinds NPM/NCMNoction IRP/NFAViavi T-BERDSavius
Systems
VMware ESX / VDIActive DirectoryDNSIronPortDR DesignWireless
Education & Community
// foundation
Crowder College
Associate's Degree — Electronics
Associate's Degree — Digital Communications & Networking
DEAN'S LIST · NEOSHO, MO
Granby Fire Department
Volunteer Fireman — more than 20 years of service to the Granby community.
2001 — 2022 · GRANBY, MO