Ernie Funari

About Ernie Funari

I am an enterprise networking sales professional focused on helping State, Local Government, and Education (SLED) organizations modernize wired and wireless infrastructure to support mission-critical outcomes.I specialize in selling complex networking solutions into public sector and education environments with long procurement cycles, multiple stakeholders, and strict budget constraints. My approach is consultative and outcome-driven—aligning network architecture, security, and scalability to real operational needs such as student experience, public service delivery, and long-term resiliency.With deep experience across enterprise networking, Wi-Fi, and infrastructure platforms, I work closely with CIOs, CTOs, and network leaders to translate technical requirements into clear business value. I partner effectively with solutions engineering, channel partners, and system integrators to drive opportunities from early discovery through close and expansion.Known for technical credibility, disciplined pipeline management, and strong customer trust, I thrive in SLED environments where relationships, consistency, and execution matter more than transactional selling.Core focus areas:• SLED enterprise sales• Wired & wireless networking• Wi-Fi modernization and campus connectivity• Long-cycle, consultative selling• Account planning and territory execution• Partner-led sales motions

Experience

1. Sr Enterprise Account Manager - Ruckus Networks - West

   RUCKUS Networks

   Aug 2024 — Present · Los Angeles, CA, US

   Own a growing portfolio of SLED enterprise accounts, managing complex, multi-stakeholder sales cycles from discovery through close and expansion• Driving adoption of wired and wireless networking solutions aligned to customer modernization initiatives• Building trusted relationships with CIOs, CTOs, and senior IT leaders across government and education organizations• Developing and executing strategic account plans, identifying whitespace, expansion opportunities, and long-term roadmap alignment• Partnering closely with solutions engineering, channel partners, and integrators to deliver customer outcomes• Maintain accurate pipeline forecasting and SFDC/CRM hygiene while consistently progressing qualified opportunities

Education

• Pepperdine Graziadio Business School

  Bachelor of Business Administration (B.B.A.), Business Administration and Management, General

  1992 — 1996

• Bosco Tech

  Associate of Science (A.S.), Electrical and Electronics Engineering

  1977 — 1982

Skills

• Analysis
• Servers
• Strategic Partnerships
• Wan
• Sales Management
• Storage
• Saas
• Cloud Computing
• Sales Process
• Information Technology
• Ethernet
• Start-Ups
• Networking
• Hp
• Solution Selling
• Virtualization
• Routers
• Routing
• Sales
• Pre-Sales