FIFO Networks

Now offering personal cybersecurity setup for journalists, stalking victims and others. DM me or use the "Contact Us" page on the FIFO Networks website. It's only me. You'll be communicating directly with me.

Most of my income: network and cybersecurity projects for public utilities.
Most of my time: IT services by the hour for companies too small to have an in-house IT staff, including SOHO businesses and residential.
I also unlock computers and do data recovery and account recovery for people when a loved one dies. (Advice: keep paying their cell phone bill until you've got all their data back, and if they used a smartwatch, keep it charged and ready).

Network design assistance (both wired and wireless).
Cybersecurity assistance: policy, design, implementation, training.
Training at all levels for IT and RF engineers and technicians.
Expert witness services in cases involving data or wireless networks.
Crisis resolution.
Emergency interim management.
Clients include hospitals and many public utilities (electric, gas, water), nationwide.

Licensed and insured.

Sole Proprietor, Consultant - IT Infrastructure, Cybersecurity, Management 

Wireless Advocates

CISO and Director of Information Security

Everett Community College

I wrote and taught the course, "Basic Electronics and Troubleshooting," at Boeing's request. I also updated and taught the follow-up course, "Intermediate Electronics and Troubleshooting."

Technical Instructor

Bellevue College

Over the years I have taught various courses at BC including: Ethical Hacking and Cyber Security, Server Management, Smartphone and Tablet Security, Network+, A+, Certified Cellular/PCS Technician, Wireless Fundamentals, Cellular Fundamentals, Voice over IP, and more. I have also provided custom training through BC to various companies including T-Mobile, Costco, and the Washington Dept. of Natural Resources.

Adjunct Professor

Peripheral Vision Communications, Inc.

Wireless and telecom consulting and technical services. Integration of voice and data communications systems using diverse communications protocols. Design review, budgeting assistance. 802.11, VoIP, bandwidth calculations, propagation solutions, and more. Clients include all major US cellular carriers.

President

Western Wireless

Directed all new cell site construction, and all civil upgrades to existing cell sites, in Western Wireless' area of operation (19 states). Western Wireless owned the Cellular One brand name. Received 100% of my bonus for in-budget completion.

Director, National System Development

Tele-Waves

Directed the design, installation, and maintenance of two satellite data distribution systems with a nationwide footprint. In budget every year.

Director, Technical Services

Portland Paging/PageWEST-TSI

On time, in budget: managed the design and installation of a profitable satellite controlled wireless communications system.

Regional Manager, Technical Services

US Navy

My last assignment was Shop Supervisor, all shifts, Avionics Department, USS Okinawa (LPH-3). I held a Secret clearance related to crypto electronics.

Aviation Electronics Technician

I make networks resilient, recoverable, and - almost always - simpler.

Some of my projects:
Interstate highway network design for California Dept. of Transportation (Caltrans) for part of Interstate 10 for traffic monitoring and control.

Network and cybersecurity evaluations for various public utilities.

Achieved PCI DSS compliance in less than 4 months for a company that was paying monthly fines for non-compliance.

Designed, installed, and maintained wired and wireless communications systems and network infrastructure in many hospitals in many states.

Cell and WISP site lease valuations for Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

Wireless communications site inspections for the City of Bremerton, Washington.

Antenna and tower design for the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

Commercial communications tower lease valuation for Port of Olympia, Washington.

Reviewed patent applications.

Expert witness with trial experience.

Developed certification course for electronics technicians under contract with Boeing.

Developed and taught courses at Bellevue College, Everett Community College, Oregon Coast Community College, and Perry Technical Institute (Cybersecurity - Networks - Wireless – Telecom - VoIP).

Taught several CompTIA courses to hundreds of students.

In addition to training and management, I'm also providing remote tech support to small businesses and home office workers. See https://fifonetworks.com/ or call me at (206) 465-2422 for more info or to schedule service. Fast response times.

Years of CISO and Director experience.
I take delight in mentoring today's leaders and teams.
I'm 69 years old and cutting edge current. My age isn't a bug, it's a feature.

Cybersecurity - Networks - Wireless – Telecom - VoIP

I can help your city, corporation, or small business be prepared for a crisis, or recover from it.

Available by the hour, weekly, monthly, project - let's discuss!

Full time? I'll accept an invitation to interview. We can take care of paperwork if we both agree it's a good fit.

Comfortable in the server room and the boardroom. Successfully managed budgets and projects up to $132M and nationally distributed teams. Quite familiar with extensive travel (Delta Gold, Hilton Diamond) and remote work. Crisis management, department overhauls, network optimization - contact me today at (206) 465-2422.

US Government offices: registered through SAM, available to work on federal government projects.

State of Washington offices: registered through MRSC Rosters for state, county, and city projects.

Bob Young

iFIT

Over the course of my career, I’ve always focused on making IT operations more efficient while driving security to the forefront. One of my proudest achievements was leading a team of six to transform iFIT's troubleshooting and escalation procedures. When I stepped in, the average resolution time was around 40 hours, creating significant delays. I quickly identified areas for improvement and implemented best practices that brought that resolution time down to just 10 hours per week, fundamentally changing the way we handled technical issues. This wasn’t just a matter of tweaking a few processes—it was about creating a culture of efficiency and collaboration that improved service delivery by nearly 100%. This effort led me to launch a next-generation ticketing system, which tracked over 500 support interactions monthly and ensured every customer received a premium experience.

Beyond improving operations, I’m equally passionate about protecting an organization's most valuable asset—its data. I developed a comprehensive Privacy and Cybersecurity Roadmap that was adopted across 10+ departments, resulting in a 25% reduction in compliance-related incidents. I led the integration of compliance software for SOC2 monitoring, enabling real-time tracking and audit preparation that ensured we consistently passed audits. Additionally, I conducted vulnerability assessments that uncovered critical network weaknesses, leading to a 40% decrease in security breaches within just six months. For me, it's not just about making sure things run smoothly—it's about building systems that are secure, resilient, and ready to scale.

Senior Manager Information Technology Operations

Unilever

One of the key moments in my career was leading Unilever through a major Microsoft 365 migration, a project that required more than just technical know-how—it demanded a deep understanding of people, processes, and change management. I built a comprehensive strategy that included real-time feedback loops and user satisfaction assessments, transforming what could have been a painful transition into a smooth and efficient one. We reduced support tickets from 800 to just 50 per month and significantly boosted user satisfaction, taking our Customer Satisfaction (CSAT) score from 1.2 to 4.8. It wasn’t just about implementing new software—it was about getting buy-in across the organization, ensuring that every user felt supported, and creating long-term value.

While optimizing operations, I also turned my focus to security and cost efficiency. I conducted regular security audits and vulnerability assessments, uncovering over 150 security gaps. By addressing these issues, we not only enhanced the integrity of our data but also minimized disruptions to operations. At the same time, I identified redundancies and eliminated technical debt by consolidating software systems, ultimately saving the company $900k annually. The combination of improved system performance, security, and cost savings was a major win for the entire organization. For me, it's about seeing the big picture—solving today’s challenges while ensuring we’re ready for tomorrow’s.

Information Technology Operations Manager

Enterprise Support Engineer

Sift

One of my most impactful projects involved conducting a comprehensive review of our SaaS subscriptions. What started as a routine audit turned into a major opportunity to optimize our technology investments. I dug deep into our service usage, identifying underutilized subscriptions and unnecessary overlap. By eliminating redundant services and renegotiating contracts with vendors, I not only improved the coverage of critical applications but also saved the company $150k annually. This wasn't just about cutting costs—it was about making sure we were getting the best value for the tools that drive our operations forward. It’s an example of how smart, strategic IT management can have both operational and financial benefits.

IT Specialist

Jones IT

One of the most rewarding aspects of my career has been the opportunity to work with over 40 organizations to improve their IT operations. I developed tailored frameworks for each, specifically targeting operational inefficiencies that were slowing down their workflows. By identifying bottlenecks and creating customized solutions, I was able to help these companies streamline their processes, which led to a noticeable reduction in the average response time for IT service requests. It wasn’t just about fixing individual problems—it was about creating long-term systems that empowered teams to work more efficiently and serve their users better. Watching those frameworks drive real, measurable improvements across diverse organizations is something I take great pride in.

Computer Support Technician

As someone who has always loved helping others - whether it was fixing tech for friends as a kid or building teams as a leader - I thrive in roles where I can empower people and secure the systems they rely on.

With nearly a decade of experience in IT, my journey has been shaped by a desire to blend abstract thinking with real-world problem-solving. My degree in philosophy, focusing on logic and the mind, laid the foundation for how I approach complex challenges. IT became the perfect outlet for that curiosity, starting with consulting, which exposed me to a broad range of companies and systems.

One of my most defining roles was at an early-stage startup, where I was the first IT hire. I built the IT, security, and compliance landscape from the ground up and discovered my passion for people management as I transitioned from working with consultants to making internal hires.

Looking to expand my horizons, I sought experience in larger environments, which led me to Meta for big tech exposure and Unilever for even broader, non-tech challenges. These experiences sharpened my skills in security, IT operations, and compliance management, preparing me for leadership roles that allow me to drive meaningful change.

At my core, I’m a leader who focuses on building strong teams and creating secure, scalable solutions. My passion lies in helping people grow and secure the systems that drive their success—whether through managing complex IT landscapes, tackling AI ethics, or supporting companies through growth and change.

This is why I’m excited to talk about how I can bring these skills to your team and continue making a positive impact.

taplio

The Battle

Bob Young

Frederica Kreitzer

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