Joe Smetana

About Joe Smetana

Accomplished senior technology leader with extensive experience guiding high-performance engineering teams in the development of innovative communication technologies, systems, and services. Known for delivering advanced, scalable, AI-driven platforms that enhance operational efficiency, improve customer satisfaction, and drive revenue growth. With a proven track record in executing complex projects on time and within budget, I am recognized for my strategic vision, team-building expertise, and results-oriented approach.In my current role as Senior Technical Director at Vail Systems, I lead CPaaS and hosted voice service initiatives, incorporating IVR, SMS, and NLP solutions that transform client operations for Fortune 500 clients in finance, insurance, and government. My background in LTE, CDMA, and managed network solutions across roles at Nokia Networks and Motorola Solutions has prepared me to execute complex projects and drive product innovation at scale.Passionate about leveraging cutting-edge technology, I excel in global team leadership, agile project management, and cross-functional collaboration, with a focus on deploying robust services and infrastructure that meets future client needs and fosters organizational success.Specialties: CPaaS | Advanced Communication Solutions (VoIP, IVR, SMS/MMS)| AI and Speech Recognition | Strategic Product Development | Big Data Solutions | Global Team Leadership | Customer Engagement and Satisfaction | Performance Optimization | Agile/Scrum Project Management | Network Operations | Network Interoperability | Prototyping & Innovation | Vendor Management | Concept Prototyping | Product Architecture | Product Roadmaps | Product Specification | Program Management | Software Development | Continuous Improvement | Lean Six Sigma

Experience

1. Senior Technical Director

   Vail Systems

   Mar 2016 — Present

   Responsible for delivering next-generation communications technologies to Fortune 500 companies, including government agencies, insurance firms, and financial institutions. I focus on optimizing natural language understanding, speech recognition, text-to-speech, data and speech analytics, web services, computer telephony, SMS, and VoIP technologies. I oversee the design, implementation, and deployment of custom inbound and outbound IVR telephony applications featuring advanced capabilities such as voice recognition and PCI-compliant database interaction. I led the development of complex outbound calling applications, which manage over daily calls and contribute significantly to multimillion-dollar annual revenue. I also streamlined operations by automating monthly client billing processes, significantly reducing errors and operational time. Additionally, I innovate interactive SMS applications that facilitate seamless customer communication through both text and voice/DTMF interfaces. Furthermore, I play a pivotal role in Vail’s strategy within the SMS A2P Toll-Free and 10DLC ecosystems, navigating the evolving compliance landscape from limited compliance requirements to launch SMS campaigns to full KYC (Know Your Customer) compliance. I have forged strong partnerships within the SMS A2P ecosystem, successfully negotiating multiple contracts and Master Service Agreements to enhance service capabilities.

Education

• Illinois Institute of Technology

  Master of Science (MS), Computer Science

• University of Illinois Chicago

  Bachelor of Science (BS), Computer Science

Skills

• Mobile Devices
• Embedded Software
• 3g
• Debugging
• 4g
• Pmp
• System Architecture
• Leadership
• Mobile Technology
• Sip
• Agile Methodologies
• Engineering Management
• Management
• Linux
• Cdma
• Lte
• Software Development
• Vxworks
• Rf
• Software Engineering
• Networking
• Wireless Networking
• Ip
• Wifi
• Systems Engineering
• Gsm
• Rf Engineering
• C
• Product Management
• Cross-Functional Team Leadership
• Digital Signal Processors
• Bluetooth
• Cellular Communications
• Rtos
• Tcp/Ip
• 3gpp
• Testing
• Clearcase
• Umts
• Voip