1
Ray Lockhart III ⭐
📍 Bellwood, IL (Adjacent to Melrose Park!)
Current: IT Infrastructure Support Engineer at Ryder (Sep 2024-Present) |
Recent: Remote Integration Engineer/Tier 2 at Ulta Beauty (May 2024-Present), Installation Engineer at Comcast (Sep 2023-May 2024)
✅ Key Strengths
🎯 SD-WAN EXPERIENCE (Meraki, Aruba/Cato)
Network Device Installation & Configuration
Switches, Routers, Firewalls
ServiceNow
Perfect Location (Adjacent!)
VLAN Configuration
Remote Technical Support
Microsoft Teams
Active Directory
Zebra Printers
Training & Mentorship
💡 Recommendation: 🏆 TOP CHOICE – IDEAL CANDIDATE – Perfect location (Bellwood is literally adjacent to Melrose Park), recent hands-on SD-WAN experience with Meraki and Aruba/Cato hardware, currently working on Ryder enterprise IT infrastructure. His Remote Integration Engineer role at Ulta shows he’s comfortable with remote coordination and guiding technicians through installations – PERFECT for Wipro’s daily meeting requirement. Experience with switches, routers, SD-WAN gateways, and VLANs. ServiceNow proficiency. Has trained 8+ new hires, demonstrating communication skills. Currently employed but recent job changes suggest he may be open to opportunities. Bachelor’s degrees in Computer Information Systems AND Engineering from Wartburg College. CALL IMMEDIATELY – best fit for this site.
2
Shashank VS
📍 Chicago, IL
Experience: 5 years Network Engineer | Master’s in Information Technology Management from Western Governors University |
Recent Roles: Stratus Technology (2023-Present), Cummins Group (2022-2023), Alliant Energy (2019-2021)
✅ Key Strengths
CCNA Certified
5 Years Network Engineering
Cisco Nexus (9k, 7k, 5k, 2k) NX-OS
SD-WAN (Versa, Cisco Meraki)
Palo Alto Firewalls
Python Scripting/Automation
OSPF, EIGRP, BGP
Aruba Wireless
SolarWinds, Wireshark
AWS/Azure Cloud Networking
Master’s Degree
⚠️ Considerations
Currently employed – need to verify 4-day availability
Senior engineer level – may expect higher compensation than $30-35/hr
More engineering/architecture than field installation experience
💡 Recommendation: EXCELLENT STRONG SECOND – CCNA certified network engineer with specifically relevant SD-WAN experience (Versa, Meraki). Has worked with Cisco Nexus switches (9k, 7k, 5k) which shows data center rack/stack comfort level. Palo Alto firewall and Aruba wireless experience. Python automation skills. Master’s degree. Currently employed which is a slight concern for availability, but his SD-WAN and Nexus experience make him highly qualified. The combination of enterprise network engineering + SD-WAN deployment + Aruba knowledge is very valuable. Would be excellent for the technical aspects and remote team coordination. Worth interviewing to assess: 1) Availability for 4 consecutive days, 2) Comfort with hands-on field work vs. pure engineering, 3) Rate expectations.
3
Eric Emrich
📍 Chicago Area
Recent: Senior Wireless Network Engineer at Heartland Computers (Nov 2021-Jul 2024), Teksynap (Feb 2018-Oct 2021), Bylight Professionals (Feb 2015-Feb 2018)
✅ Key Strengths
CWNA Certified
Ekahau ECSE Certified
Senior Wireless Network Engineer
Aruba Wireless Experience
Airmagnet Surveys & Installation
Team Lead Experience
Network Infrastructure Installation
Access Point Installation
Switch/Router Configuration
Government & Healthcare Experience
⚠️ Considerations
More wireless-focused than general network equipment
Last role ended July 2024 – need to verify current availability
Very senior – may expect higher rate
💡 Recommendation: STRONG CANDIDATE – Extensive wireless network engineering background with Aruba experience (perfect for HPE Aruba deployment). CWNA and Ekahau certified. Has led installation teams, which demonstrates leadership and communication skills important for daily coordination calls. Experience with network infrastructure, switches, and routers. Team lead role shows he can work independently and guide others. The wireless focus is slightly different from SD-WAN routing equipment, but his Aruba background and infrastructure installation experience are valuable. Not currently employed (last role ended July 2024), which could mean immediate availability. Worth interviewing to assess overall network equipment comfort beyond just wireless APs.
4
Ayesha Fathima
📍 Chicago Area (773)
Experience: 10 years Senior Network Engineer |
Recent Roles: AMD (Mar 2024-Present), Cigna HealthCare (Mar 2022-Feb 2024), Alliant Energy (Oct 2019-Dec 2021)
✅ Key Strengths
CCNA Certified
10 Years Senior Network Engineer
Cisco Nexus (9k, 7k, 5k, 2k)
SD-WAN (Cisco Viptela, Meraki, DMVPN)
Aruba Wireless
Palo Alto Firewalls
F5 Load Balancers
OSPF, EIGRP, BGP
5G Network Experience
Data Center Architecture
VPC, VXLAN, VTEPS
⚠️ Considerations
VERY OVERQUALIFIED – Senior Network Engineer with 10 years
Currently employed at AMD – unlikely available
Will expect significantly higher compensation ($80-100k+ salary range)
This is a step down from her current role level
May be bored with hands-on installation vs. architecture/design
💡 Recommendation: OVERQUALIFIED BUT TECHNICALLY PERFECT – This candidate has an absolutely ideal technical profile – CCNA, Cisco Nexus data center experience, SD-WAN (Viptela, Meraki), Aruba wireless, Palo Alto firewalls, and 10 years as a senior network engineer. She’s worked for major enterprises (AMD, Cigna, Alliant Energy) doing exactly the kind of equipment this project involves. HOWEVER, she is massively overqualified for a $30-35/hr field tech role. This is a senior network engineer/architect who should be making $80-100k+ annually. Currently employed at AMD. Unlikely to be interested in hands-on installation work vs. design/architecture. Only reach out if: 1) Desperate and can’t find anyone else, 2) Willing to significantly increase rate, 3) Can position as “technical lead” role. Otherwise, this is not a good match due to overqualification and current employment.
5
Deepu Thomas Mathew
📍 Skokie, IL (~15 miles from Melrose Park)
Current: Regional IT Technician at Pomeroy Technologies (Jan 2025-Present) |
Education: MBA in IT Management from Western Governors University, BS in Computer Engineering Tech from DeVry
✅ Key Strengths
Regional IT Technician (Current)
Network Troubleshooting
Cable Run & Testing
Server Installation
Router/Switch/Hub/Patch Panel
ServiceNow Ticketing
PC/POS Setup
VPN Networking
MBA
CompTIA A+ (In Progress)
⚠️ Considerations
Currently employed – need to verify availability
More generalist IT support than specialized network installation
Limited enterprise data center experience
No certifications completed yet (A+ in progress)
💡 Recommendation: SOLID BACKUP – Currently working as Regional IT Technician supporting major companies (Target, Aldi, AutoNation), which shows he’s comfortable with enterprise environments and field work. Good educational background with MBA and BS in Computer Engineering Technology. Has done server installation, router/switch work, cable runs, and network troubleshooting. ServiceNow experience. Main concerns are: 1) Current employment may limit 4-day availability, 2) More general IT support than specialized network deployment, 3) Need to verify depth of rack/stack experience. Good backup candidate if top choices don’t work out. Interview to assess hands-on installation experience vs. end-user support work.
6
Abiy K Agebo
📍 Lisle, IL (Chicago area)
Background: Technician III (Telecom) at EthioTeleCom (Jan 2013-Feb 2021) |
Experience: VSAT System Installation, HUB Operations, Network Configuration
✅ Key Strengths
Rack & Stack HPE Aruba SD-WAN (Listed!)
8 Years Telecom Experience
VSAT System Installation
Network Configuration
HUB Operations (NOC)
Daily Team Coordination
Infrastructure Deployment
SkyEdge Certified
Hughes Network Certified
Bachelor’s in Electrical Engineering
⚠️ Considerations
Experience ended Feb 2021 – 3+ year gap (What’s been doing since?)
VSAT/satellite focus – different from enterprise SD-WAN
International experience (Ethiopia) – US enterprise work culture may differ
Need to verify current work authorization status
💡 Recommendation: INTERESTING BACKUP – Resume explicitly mentions “Rack and stack HPE Aruba SD-WAN equipment” which suggests he’s been researching this exact project type. 8 years of telecommunications experience with VSAT installations, network configuration, and HUB/NOC operations. The satellite communication background shows technical capability but is different from enterprise data center work. Main concerns: 1) 3+ year employment gap since Feb 2021 needs explanation, 2) VSAT satellite experience vs. enterprise SD-WAN equipment are quite different, 3) Cultural transition from international telecom to US enterprise field work. Bachelor’s in Electrical Engineering is a plus. Worth a phone screen to: 1) Understand employment gap, 2) Assess why he specifically mentioned HPE Aruba SD-WAN, 3) Verify US work authorization, 4) Gauge communication skills for daily meetings.
7
Hector Ratliff
📍 Berwyn, IL (Adjacent to Melrose Park!)
Education: Currently attending Triton College for Computer Science |
Certifications: CCNA (2025), Fortinet Certified Associate in Cybersecurity (2025)
✅ Key Strengths
CCNA Certified (2025)
Perfect Location (Berwyn – Adjacent!)
Network Troubleshooting
Cisco IOS
Router & Switch Configuration
VLAN Configuration
TCP/IP, OSPF, EIGRP
Active Directory
SolarWinds NPM
Wireshark
⚠️ Considerations
Recent certification – limited real-world experience
Resume shows more theory/lab work than field installation
Student status – may have class schedule conflicts
No clear work history in network field roles
💡 Recommendation: JUNIOR CANDIDATE – Perfect location (Berwyn is adjacent to Melrose Park) and fresh CCNA certification show initiative and theoretical knowledge. Knows Cisco IOS, routing protocols, and network fundamentals. However, the resume doesn’t show clear field installation experience or current employment in networking. Appears to be a recent graduate/student. This could work as a backup or assistant role, but would require more guidance from remote team. Best used if: 1) Paired with a more experienced engineer, 2) Positioned for Phase 1 (Rack/Stack) only, 3) Desperate for local resource. Interview to assess: 1) Any hands-on installation experience not on resume, 2) Availability for 4 consecutive days, 3) Comfort level following technical procedures remotely.
8
Muhammad Hamza Khan
📍 Skokie, IL
Current: IT Field Technician at Creative Technology Solutions (Feb 2025-Present) |
IT Support Specialist roles at National Able (Oct 2024-Jan 2025), Oakton Community College (Feb-Sep 2024)
✅ Key Strengths
Device Imaging & Deployment
Network Equipment (Cisco Meraki, Aruba)
Active Directory/Azure AD
ServiceNow/ManageEngine
CompTIA Network+
CompTIA A+
CompTIA Security+
⚠️ Considerations
Currently employed – availability concern
More desktop/device deployment than network infrastructure
Limited rack/stack experience mentioned
💡 Recommendation: ENTRY-LEVEL BACKUP – Currently working as IT field technician with exposure to Cisco Meraki and Aruba equipment. Has relevant certifications (Network+, A+, Security+). More focused on desktop support and device imaging than network infrastructure installation. Good backup for support role but would need strong remote team guidance. Currently employed which may limit 4-day availability.
Current: Computer Analyst at Trinity Health (Jun 1996-Present – 29 years!) |
Background: Long-term healthcare IT support role
✅ Key Strengths
29 Years IT Experience
Network Support
Network Configuration
ServiceNow
Active Directory
EMR Systems
SD-WAN Listed
Microsoft Windows Server
⚠️ Considerations
29 years in same role – very comfortable/entrenched position
More help desk/desktop support than field installation
Hospital IT environment – unlikely to leave for 4-day contract
Resume shows support role, not installation/deployment
💡 Recommendation: NOT RECOMMENDED – While he has 29 years of IT experience and SD-WAN is listed in skills, this appears to be a long-term desktop support/computer analyst role in a hospital, not field installation work. After 29 years in the same position, highly unlikely to be interested in 4-day contract field work. Resume doesn’t demonstrate rack/stack or network equipment deployment experience. Pass on this candidate unless desperate and unable to find field-focused technicians.
10
Additional Candidates
Various Chicago Area Locations
Additional candidates reviewed but not recommended for this role due to: very junior level (students/recent grads), non-IT backgrounds (electrician, traffic control), or currently employed in stable positions unlikely to be available for 4-day contracts.
💡 Note: Candidates not listed above include: Daniel Hall (limited experience), Vance Toledo (CCNA student), Nick Schrieffer (student/entry-level), James Davis (help desk focus), Adil Khan (entry-level), Mailous Moore (electrician – not IT), Levert Manley (traffic control – limited IT), and others who don’t meet the project’s experience requirements.