Our Leadership Team | Award Solutions

          
Our Leadership Team

Satyajit "Doc" Doctor

Co-Founder and President

Satyajit Doctor ("Doc") co-founded Award Solutions in 1997 and is an irreplaceable member of the Award team. He has held many roles in the company’s 20 year history and is currently serving as President. Doc’s passion for delivering exceptional training programs is unmistakable and influences Award’s products/services, day-to-day operations as well as the direction of the company. Doc also personally delivers technology training for top-level executives, sales managers and engineering teams.

Doc’s range of expertise spans network transformation technologies such as Cloud, NFV, and SDN. He also has extensive expertise in advanced wireless technologies such as 4G LTE and HSPA, as well as IP services such as MPLS, IMS, and Mobile IP. Over the years, Doc has been instrumental in the definition and design of new products and network architectures spanning 2G/3G and 4G technologies including CDMA, TDMA, GPRS, UMTS/HSPA and LTE as well as Network Management strategies and packet based (IP/Mobile IP) protocols. He has participated in the system design, development and deployment of several new products.

Doc holds a Master’s degree in Computer Science from the University of Texas at Dallas.

Ramki Rajagopalan

Co-Founder and Vice President

Ramki co-founded Award Solutions in 1997 and is a crucial member of the Award team. Over the 20 year company history, he has held many roles. Currently he is serving as Vice President with his primary focus on Business Development. Ramki’s unique ability to understand the customer’s needs and devise a targeted solution continues to earn the trust of the most respected companies in the industry.

Ramki has an extensive background in telecommunications systems, specializing in LTE, VoLTE, LTE Advanced, HSPA+, IPv6 and 4G networks. He has worked on a wide variety of projects, ranging from system reliability and performance modeling and analysis, to the design and implementation of wireless and data systems.

Tod Switzer

Vice President

Tod's ability to understand the details of a technology and communicate the right level of information to anyone has led to his success over the years. He found his calling when he joined Award Solutions and got involved in training and now serves as Vice President.

Tod has extensive knowledge of telecommunications concepts and protocols. His combined professional and academic endeavors have given him exposure to all aspects of communications systems, from physical layer principles to Intelligent Network services and most things in between.

Tod is a recipient of the prestigious award of Excellence for Product Achievement. Tod holds a BSEE with a concentration in Computer Engineering from the University of Southwestern Louisiana, which he attended on an Academic Scholarship. He also holds an MSEE with a concentration in Digital Signal Processing from the University of Texas at Dallas, which he attended on a BNR Postgraduate Award and a UTD Engineering Fellowship.

Jayant Kulkarni

Vice President, Sales and Corporate Development

Jayant is currently the Vice President for Sales and Corporate Development and heads the sales, partnerships, and finance functions at Award. In addition, he delivers technical training and consulting services in 4G wireless technologies such as LTE and WiMax, and Data Networking technologies such as IP and ATM.

Jayant began his career in research and development in the areas of wireless systems and broadband networks, where he defined interface requirements for their next generation switch. Jayant also provided technical leadership and managed R&D groups that developed and conducted technology trials in enhanced services, low-power wireless systems and voice over ATM applications.

Jayant holds a B.Tech in Electrical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology, Mumbai, a Ph.D. in Computer Engineering from the University of S. Carolina, and a M.B.A. in Finance, Marketing and Entrepreneurship from the Wharton School of Business of the University of Pennsylvania. He holds a patent in wireless systems and has authored a number of technical publications.

Neerav Dalal

Vice President, Networks

Neerav is responsible for the knowledge and engineering services of 4G (LTE, LTE-Advanced) Mobile Broadband and also for the classroom and web-based training (instructor led and self-paced) and high-end consulting services. Neerav focuses in the areas of LTE, LTE-Advanced, UMTS/HSPA/HSPA+, Small Cells, DAS, VoLTE, IMS, and their underlying technologies of OFDM, MIMO, WCDMA, SIP, Diameter, and IPv6.

Neerav has over 25 years of industry experience in the area of technology training and consulting, software development, systems engineering and standards representation in the field of advanced wireless and data communication systems.

In addition, Neerav contributes to seminar presentations, executive updates, LTE University web portal, and engineering consulting services for several of the top telecom companies. Neerav has presented a study paper on 3G Wireless technologies at the IEEE conference.

Neerav received his Masters in Computer Science from Michigan State University and MBA in Telecommunications from University of Dallas and has taught graduate and undergraduate courses at University of Texas, Dallas and Michigan State University. He holds 4 patent in wireless systems.

Vishal Dhar

Vice President, Operations and Platform

Vishal joined Award Solutions in 2006, and has over 18 years of telecom industry expertise in wireline and wireless systems design and development, end-to-end system integration, testing and support. Vishal brings a wealth of experience in leading multi-site, cross-functional technical teams in all stages of product development from original concept through delivery and support.

With expertise spanning multiple wireless technologies including LTE, HSPA+, 1x/1xEV-DO, MPLS, and IP Convergence Technologies, Vishal has developed and delivered multiple courses for Award. In his role as Director of IP Convergence, Vishal is responsible for managing and expanding Award’s IP Convergence Business, and expanding his team’s knowledge in new technology areas.

Vishal received his Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from Bangalore University, Bangalore, India. He has a Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering from University of Texas, Arlington, Texas and an MBA in Corporate Finance from University of Dallas, Irving, Texas.

Vikki diPerna

Director, IT

Vikki leads the Operations team. She is responsible for ensuring the logistics associated with our instructor-led courses are flawless and that Award Solutions’ brand is reflected in our products and services.

Vikki has a strong technical background. She has developed software for a variety of systems including call processing software for 2G base stations. Vikki has been involved in numerous design and development projects at various stages of the product lifecycle.

Vikki holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering from Clarkson University in NY. She was awarded Award Solutions’ President’s Award in 2009.

Chris Reece

Technologist

As a Technologist at Award Solutions, Chris fosters an environment for knowledge growth in emerging technologies. Chris’ responsibilities include expanding his team’s knowledge in new technology areas and preparing candidates to become Award Certified Experts.

With over 22 years of wireless experience on the radio and core network, service planning, interoperability and mobility, Chris delivers in-depth training for Award on technologies such as LTE, 4G, OFDMA, UMTS/HSPA+, and IP Convergence to leading operators and manufacturers worldwide. He has also been a featured speaker at wireless conferences and events across North America.

Chris holds a Master's degree in Computer Science Telecommunications from the University of Missouri at Kansas City as well as Bachelor's degree in Computer Science and Mathematics from Cameron University. He received Award Solutions’ President’s Award in 2008 and 2011. Chris also holds 4 patents in the area of wireless technology.