Curriculum Vitae (CV) – About Fernando Escobar

FERNANDO ESCOBAR

Miami, FL USA

fernesco@icloud.com

linkedin.com/in/fernesco/

PROFILE SUMMARY

Highly accomplished and results-driven Subject-Matter Expert (SME) with extensive experience in Cloud Computing. Specializes in well-defined Architecture Frameworks for Sovereign Clouds and Hyperscalers, applying Cloud Computing Operating Model & Enterprise Architecture (TOGAF) Principles and Best Practices to deliver robust and scalable solutions.

Demonstrates in-depth knowledge of Private Cloud, Hybrid Cloud, and Multi-Cloud (Hyperscalers) Architecture Frameworks, as well as X-as-a-Service Go-to-Market (GTM) Modeling for various cloud use cases. Specializes in designing and architecting customized solutions for diverse sectors, including Financial & Banking Services, Federal Government/SLED, Cloud Providers (CSP/Telcos), and Managed Services Providers (MSP). Has directly assisted over 100+ Cloud Providers and MSP Partners, as well as more than 400+ Direct Customers across various verticals.

A passionate Technology Evangelist for cutting-edge technologies such as Infrastructure-as-Code (IaC), Application Modernization, Data Analytics, Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, and, most recently, Generative AI. Distinguished by a strategic approach to critical thinking and a track record of successful project management. Skilled in fostering collaboration among cross-functional teams and cultivating enduring partnerships.

With over 18 years deeply immersed in VMware’s portfolio and more than 35 years of IT industry experience across diverse segments, I have developed a profound understanding of complex IT challenges. This extensive background has established me as a Trusted Advisor, adept at delivering strategic guidance and innovative solutions to drive business success. My expertise in crafting high-level Architecture Designs and influencing Go-To-Market (GTM) strategies ensures alignment with the Multi-Cloud Computing Market. I played a crucial role in the growth of the VMware Cloud Provider Program (VCPP), helping it achieve a milestone of $1 billion in worldwide sales after 10 years in the marketplace. During my tenure of over five years overseeing the LATAM region, the VCPP program contributed to 24% of VMware’s total Sales in the LATAM region. Highly focused on offering professional services, I successfully closed direct deals worth over US$ 25 million in Professional Services (PSO) in LATAM and more than US$ 75 million in the Federal space.

Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fernesco | Twitter: @fernesco | Certification Dashboard: http://bit.ly/3t7DF6u

CORE COMPETENCIES AND SKILLS

EDUCATION

CTO Program, Chief Technology Officer (CTO) Master’s Degree, Wharton Executive Education | 2022-2023

PMP (PMI), Strategic Project Management, University of Florida | 2006

Master of Science in Strategic Management, Penn State University | 1996-1997

Master of Science in Management Information Systems (MIS), Pontificia Universidad Javeriana | 1993-1995

Bachelor of Science in Systems Engineering, Magna Cum Laude, Universidad ICESI | 1986-1991

CERTIFICATIONS & TRAINING

Applied Generative AI (GenAI) Specialization, Purdue University | In progress (2024)

Cloud Architect’s Master (Hyperscalers: Amazon AWS, Google GCP, Microsoft Azure), Simplilearn | In progress (2024)

Professional Cloud Architect – Google Cloud Platform (GCP), Google Cloud Innovators Plus, Google | In progress (2024)

VMware Cloud on AWS – Trained Professional, VMware | 2023

Driving Strategic Innovation: Leading Complex Initiatives for Impact, Wharton Executive Education | 2022

Scaling a Business: How to build a Unicorn, Wharton Executive Education | 2022

Technology Acceleration Program, Wharton Executive Education | 2022

Internet of Things: Business Implications and Opportunities, IoT, MIT Sloan Executive Education | 2019-2020

TOGAF Certification Program, Enterprise Architecture, Global Knowledge | 2018-2019

AWS: Technical Essentials, Exit Certified | 2017-2018

AWS: Architecting on AWS, Exit Certified | 2017-2018

VMware Cloud Director, Design & Administration, Multiple versions, VMware | 2009+

VMware’s Certified Implementation Expert (VCIX) – Data Center Virtualization, VMware | 2021

VMware’s Certified Advanced Professional (VCAP-Deployment 2021) – Data Center Virtualization, VMware | 2021

VMware’s Certified Professional (VCP-DCV 2021) – Data Center Virtualization, VMware | 2021

VMware’s Certified Professional (VCP-DCV 2020) – Data Center Virtualization, VMware | 2020

VMware’s Certified Advanced Professional (VCAP-Design 6.5) – Data Center Design, VMware | 2019

Caveonix RiskForesight Foundations, Caveonix | 2019

VMware Cloud Provider Specialist, VMware | 2019

VMware Cloud on AWS Management, VMware | 2019

VMware’s Certified Professional (VCP-DCV 2019) – Data Center Virtualization, VMware | 2019

VMware vSphere 6.5 Foundations, VMware | 2019

VMware’s Certified Professional (VCP-DCV 6.0) – Data Center Virtualization, VMware | 2016

VMware’s Certified Professional (VCP-DCV 5.5) – Data Center Virtualization, VMware | 2014

VMware Technical Sales Professional (VTSP), Multiple specialties, VMware | 2006+

VMware Sales Professional (VSP), Multiple specialties, VMware | 2006+

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Principal VMware Hybrid Cloud Solutions Architect, Financial Services | VMware by Broadcom Nov 2023 – Present

Achieved operational efficiency by implementing architectural solutions. Conducted analysis, documented current state architecture, and designed future state architecture based on the VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) ecosystem.

Evangelized innovative VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) scenarios by providing VCF-as-a-Service (VCF-aaS) & VMware Cloud Architecture on any strategic public cloud hyperscalers and VMware Cloud Service Providers (VCSPs). Embraced VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) Portability & Broadcom’s Bring-Your-Own License (BYOL) models, featuring cutting-edge use cases such as Private Artificial Intelligence (AI) & Machine Learning (ML), Generative AI, Hybrid Clouds, Secure Modern Apps, and Anti-Ransomware/Disaster Recovery (DR). Positioned at the forefront of Cloud Transformation Projects, I am dedicated to evangelizing the latest technology trends and enabling Strategic Accounts within the Financial Services Industry (FSI) across North America to achieve unparalleled agility and security. My focus includes key FSI customers such as FISERV, Freddie Mac, TRUIST Bank, Regions Bank, and Navy Federal Credit Union (NFCU), among others.

Principal Cloud Solutions Architect, US Public Sector & Strategic Cloud Providers | VMware Jun 2021 – Nov 2023

Trusted Advisor in Cloud Solutions Architecture and Go-To-Market (GTM) strategies for the Multi-Cloud Computing market, supporting US Federal Government agencies; State, Local & Education (SLED) and strategic Cloud Providers (Telcos) & Managed Service Providers (MSP) in The Americas.

As a Trusted Advisor in Cloud Solutions Architecture and Go-To-Market (GTM) strategies for the Multi-Cloud Computing market, I am responsible for delivering high-level designs based on in-depth custom technical architecture sessions. My role includes generating roadmaps, shaping product features, and providing prescriptive technical guidance and architectural vision to Federal/SLED customers, strategic cloud providers, and telecommunications companies. I enable these stakeholders with public-facing, self-service multi-cloud offerings built on VMware’s best practices, including the VMware Cloud Provider Platform and VMware Cloud Provider Navigator.
Key federal customers include the IRS, Department of Defense, and Department of State, while cloud providers encompass America Móvil, Telmex, Claro, Telefonica, Millicom (TIGO), KIO Networks, AXTEL/Alestra, Octapus, GBM, Liberty/Columbus Networks, Lumen Technologies/Century Link, IFX Networks, GTD, ETB, Compunet, Internexa, ASIC, Carvajal, O4IT, ADN, ICE, SONDA, TSTT, CloudCarib, CNT, Telconet, Puntonet, ANTEL, ENTEL, Equinix, and many others.
I am also strongly focused on developing, delivering, packaging, and executing the VMware Cloud Service Provider Program (VCPP) portfolio, which includes multi-cloud offerings, hybrid cloud solutions, managed hosting, dedicated private clouds, and multi-tenant/public cloud offerings. I evangelize the value of VMware’s Managed Service Provider (MSP) program as part of VMware’s Cloud Services Organization.

VMware’s Office of the CTO, Global Field Principal + CTO Ambassador | VMware Feb 2018 – Nov 2023

Exhibited stellar R&D capacity interacting between Business Units and the Customers/Partners.

As a Global Field Principal, I serve as a beacon of technical leadership, driving collaboration with strategic customers and partners. My contributions to shaping product features, establishing best practices, and providing prescriptive technical guidance highlight my role in advancing the adoption of the VCF portfolio within complex cloud computing environments. Adhering to VMware Cloud Well-Architected Framework and Cloud Computing Operating Model principles, I am deeply involved in technical deep dives and roadmap generation, demonstrating my commitment to technical excellence and product innovation.
I have been a Fellow Member of VMware’s Global Field Principal & CTO Ambassador programs under the VMware Office of the CTO (OCTO) since 2018 and have been awarded VMware vExpert Core, Cloud, and Cloud Provider for several years (since 2016). I am also a former member of VMware’s Partner Technical Advisory Board (PTAB).

Staff Cloud Solutions Architect | VMware Jul 2018 – Jun 2021

Recognized as a Trusted Advisor in Cloud Solutions Architecture and Go-To-Market strategies for the Cloud Service Providers market.

As part of the VMware Cloud Provider Program (VCPP), my role as Staff Cloud Solutions Architect is to proactively serve as a Trusted Advisor in Cloud Solutions Architecture and Go-To-Market (GTM) strategies for the Cloud Service Providers market.

Sr. Cloud Specialist Sales Engineer | VMware Nov 2016 – Jul 2018

Accounted for evaluating, designing, developing, and deploying technologies and automation for Cloud Providers & Managed Service Providers in the Americas.

As a Cloud Architect, I am responsible for delivering in-depth technical product overviews, roadmaps, prescriptive guidance, and architectural vision to Cloud Service Providers (CSPs). I enable them to go-to-market (GTM) with public-facing cloud service offerings built on VMware Cloud solutions and architectures.
My role focuses on developing, delivering, packaging, and executing the VMware Cloud Portfolio, including but not limited to hosted solutions, dedicated private clouds, and multi-tenant offerings.

Founder & Chief Technology Officer, CTO | ECSDG Jan 2015 – Oct 2016

Steered the development of value-added bundles composed of Software and Professional Services, which are around the Software-defined Everything and cloud computing technologies ecosystem at ECSDG, The Premier Value-Added Software-Defined Everything (SDx) Distributor

Developed the Go-To-Market (GTM) Strategy by creating value-added bundles of software and professional services within the Software-Defined Everything and Cloud Computing technologies ecosystem.
Reduced the partner learning curve by providing a wide range of training workshops and jumpstarts, which effectively enabled our reseller base to excel in Software-Defined Everything (SDx) technologies.
Established relationships with market players such as Cloud Service Providers (CSPs) and Managed Service Providers (MSPs), offering consultancy-based packages to position ourselves as trusted advisors and enhance the cloud brokerage relationship.

Founder & Chief Technology Officer, CTO | ITCS Jul 2006 – Oct 2016

Recognized for leveraging industry-leading skills and strategic analytic leadership, I successfully managed architecture, design, and technical roadmaps for over 100 key accounts. This involved negotiating and coordinating with C-level executives across various vertical markets, including Banking and Financial Institutions, establishing ITCS as a leading specialist in Design & Implementation of Cloud Computing-related Projects.

Established the Professional Services Organization (PSO) business unit tailored to market needs by providing a comprehensive portfolio of services throughout the Virtual Data Center Platform lifecycle. This included pre-sales, analysis, design, deployment, QA, health-checks, tuning, training, and post-sales phases. Successfully formed several alliances with regional OEM partners and software/hardware vendors, integrating with the ISV and tools ecosystem in the SDDC marketplace.
Developed Professional Services-related bundles, which boosted Data Center Consultancy sales across various vertical markets, both developed and emerging geographical areas.
Managed Architecture Design & Project Management for CxO-level clients, leading the deployment of cloud and virtualization projects across multiple sectors, including Banking and Financial Institutions.
Created the ITCS franchise strategy, focusing on specialized professional services and enhancing the brand’s development and reputation among vendors, OEM partners, and customers. This strategy was supported by excellent customer service ratings and high satisfaction levels in project planning, design, and deployment.

EARLY PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

IT Infrastructure Manager | INTCOMEX 1998-2006

Committed to deploying the Computer Parts Distribution-oriented Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system and the accompanying ETL solution used by the company. Developed a Product Content Manager for web environments and successfully deployed the Lotus Notes-based mail system across multiple countries in the region. Enhanced the Data Center Infrastructure by migrating physical servers to the virtual platform utilized in the region.

IT Infrastructure Manager | CENTELSA 1989-1997

Responsible for managing the Data Center Infrastructure Platform to ensure 24/7 operations, including oversight of the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system and the SCADA system.

University Professor | ICESI University 1993-1996

Systems Engineering Program (University level) – Courses: – Artificial Intelligence (AI) – Compiler Theory
Responsible for delivering high-quality instruction in a specific academic discipline, developing course materials and curricula, and fostering a dynamic learning environment. Duties include preparing and presenting lectures, leading classroom discussions, assessing student performance, and providing academic guidance. Engages in research and contributes to academic scholarship, collaborates with colleagues, and participates in departmental and university-wide committees.

PATENTS | PUBLIC SPEAKING | PUBLICATIONS

PATENT (Pending): CROSS-CLOUD WORKLOAD PORTABILITY – MOVING WORKLOADS BETWEEN HYPERSCALERS, CLOUD PROVIDERS, AND EDGE- Inventor: Fernando Escobar – Docket No. I656 (500109-1370) – Filed Dec 2022

NEWSLETTER (LinkedIn – 2024): FREET4ALL Free Training Opportunities for ALL, (LinkedIn – Worldwide) · Mar 22, 2024 – This newsletter focuses in sharing training opportunities with all subscribed members, including specialized topics such as GenAI, ML, AI and Hyperscalers innovations

VMware WWKO 2023: Enabling Cross Cloud Services in our VMware Cloud Providers Platform – VMware’s Worldwide Kickoff 2023 (Worldwide) · Mar 22, 2023 – As Multi-cloud and Cross-Cloud Services demands are growing for our customers, our VMware Cloud Providers are facing the demand to extend their capabilities beyond their data center boundaries. Our Cloud Director Service and VMware Cloud Director Multi-Cloud Plugin developed by xLAB X57 have been developed to help our cloud providers stay relevant in the new Multi-Cloud Era. Come learn about the capabilities and benefits of our CDS/Multi-Cloud Plugin to bring to our VMware Cloud Provider platform

VMware Explore 2022 (aka VMworld): Integrating and Managing Multi-Cloud: Kubernetes as a Service [Session ID# CEIB2200USD] – VMware Explore 2022 (San Francisco, California) · Aug 29, 2022 – Containers and App Modernization are the future for Cloud Providers. We will look at one of the leading Cloud Provider approaches to App Modernization and what they successfully offer to their customers. We will Learn about Cloud Provider’s Solutions based on VMware Cloud Director, Cloud Director Service, Tanzu Kubernetes Grid, Cluster API for VCD, NSX Advanced Load Balancer, and App Launchpad Service differentiates. Finally, we will access various use cases for self-service and managed Services for Kubernetes.

VMware Tanzu Thursdays Deep Dive – Partner Enablement Series (Worldwide) · June-July, 2022 – Kubernetes as a Service Deep-Dive series for VMware Cloud Providers and Partners. Agenda: VMware Tanzu Portfolio Overview and Introduction, VMware Tanzu for Kubernetes Operations TKO, VMware Tanzu Application Platform TAP, VMware Tanzu Data Services TDS, VMware Tanzu Labs Services TLS, VMware Tanzu under VCPP/MSP | Integration with VCD, Use Cases & Positioning, Demo, and Q&A.

VMware EMPOWER 2022: Building a Service Delivery Framework for Cloud Providers – VMware’s EMPOWER 2022 – WW: Americas, Europe-Africa EMEA & Asian-Pacific-Japan APJ · May 24, 2022 – In this session, we will dive deep into the service delivery framework, powered by VMware Cloud Director, featuring the VMware Cloud Director open API/SDK, service library, and extensibility options. This session will outline how these capabilities can be leveraged to deliver an integrated self-service cloud experience to end consumers, natively through the VMware Cloud Provider platform.

VMware WWKO 2022: How to Mix-Match Several Products into a Single Deal Getting BUs Involved Without Dying in the Attempt – VMware’s Worldwide Kickoff 2022 (Worldwide) · Mar 17, 2022 – We will share how we addressed a complex Sales-driven solution by getting multiple teams involved while piecing together a single proposal, leveraging EPIC2 Interaction between BU´s acting as a single “ONE VMware”

VMware WWKO 2022: Building High Level Service Delivery with VCD [Session ID# SP_MC_3054] – VMware’s Worldwide Kickoff 2022 (Worldwide) · Mar 14, 2022 – How to engage your Partners with proposing them to deliver X-as a Service under the VCPP Delivery framework, powered by VMware Cloud Director, featuring real-world scenarios involving Multi-Region and Multi-Cloud environments.

VMware VCPP Hackathon 2021 (LATAM Edition) – VMware Partner Enablement Series · May 17, 2021 – During this event, we will generate a managed environment for each attendant, based on a Hackathon-style methodology, where each person will validate emerging use cases under our Cloud Providers (VCPP) program, immersed under individual-basis, highly interactive Hands-on learning experience. This event is restricted to strategic Accounts under VCPP – LATAM Geo, focused on trendy topics like Developer-Ready Clouds. We will explain how to deploy and implement the following use cases on top of the VMware Cloud Director Platform: Kubernetes as a Service, Platform as a Service, and NSX Advanced Load Balancer (AVI).

VMware VMworld 2020: Cloud Services Business Unit (CSBU) – Demo Zone Booth – VMware VMworld 2020 (San Francisco, California) · Aug 28, 2020 – During this event, I showcased various cloud solutions based upon VMware Cloud Director and engaged with attendees to demonstrate the capabilities and benefits of VMware’s cloud services. This experience allowed me to interact with industry professionals, share insights, and highlight the innovative features of VMware’s offerings.

VMware CloudMasters 2020 – LATAM Edition – VMware Partner Enablement Series · June 23-25, 2020 – During this event, we will generate a managed environment for each attendant, based on a Hackathon-style methodology, where each person will validate emerging use cases under our Cloud Providers (VCPP) program, immersed under individual-basis, highly interactive Hands-on learning experience. This event is restricted to strategic Accounts under VCPP – LATAM Geo, focused on trendy topics like Developer-Ready Clouds. We will explain how to deploy and implement the following use cases on top of the VMware Cloud Director Platform: Kubernetes as a Service, Platform as a Service, and NSX Advanced Load Balancer (AVI).

VMworld 2019: Multisite vCloud Director Architecture: Best Practices and Success Stories [Session ID# HBI3051BU] VMware’s VMworld US 2019 (San Francisco, California) · Aug 29, 2019 – Having availability zones is a must in the cloud marketplace. Come learn VMware Cloud Provider best practices around multisite VMware vCloud Director. This session will feature real-world experiences from the field and success stories, including successful deployments of anything as a service (XaaS), disaster recovery as a service (DRaaS), backup as a service (BaaS), and general IT as a service under multisite, multi-country cloud environments.

VMware CloudMasters 2019 – LATAM Edition – VMware Partner Enablement Series · May 29-Jun 6, 2019 – CloudMasters Event (formerly Delta Force for Cloud Providers) has been launched for LATAM geo. This is our Premier Partner Enablement initiative, where our VCPP/MSP specialists will be sharing not only the foundations of the VMware Cloud Provider Platform (composed by VCPP and MSP) but also conducting deep dive enablement in several use cases being enabled by our technology for Cloud Providers on both sides: VCPP and MSP programs! It will be delivered online across a series of four (4) separate online sessions where our VCPP/MSP specialists will conduct specialized training about our core strategies and market trends.

VMware Cloud Provider / MSP Roadshow & GTM Events (LATAM Edition)– VMware Partner Enablement Series · [2016-2023] – A key component of our Premier Partner Enablement initiative involves our VCPP/MSP specialists conducting in-depth training on various Cloud Provider and MSP-focused use cases. This initiative includes several interactive workshops held across multiple countries over the years. Among them: Terraform Workshop (2021), VCPP-Hackhaton (2021). Bits-and-Bytes (2020), CloudMasters (2020), EUC Portfolio Town Hall (2020), VCD Workshop (2020), VCPP LATAM Roadshow (2019), VCPP-MSP Tech Talk Tuesdays -TTT- Series (2019), CloudMasters (2019), VMware Cloud on AWS Roadshow (2019), VCPP LATAM Roadshow (2018), Fireside chat series (2018), Delta Force for Cloud Providers – Networking and Security (2018), vCAN LATAM Roadshow (2017), etc.

Nebulae Magazine, Editor-in-Chief, Professional Blogger since 2015 – Nebulae Magazine is focused on Cloud Computing & Software-Defined Technologies. We seek interaction in various topics such as Networking, Storage, Infrastructure, Replication, Applications, Databases, and, in general, Software-Defined Everything. We are proactively publishing information and articles related to the impact and state-of-the-art of such technologies.

VMware LATAM Blog, VMware LATAM’ main blog site, Blogger since 2016

VMware vCloud Blog, VMware’s main blog site, Blogger since 2016

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