Continuous improvement and innovation is vital in business today. At TPx we take innovation seriously and believe there is always a better way to do something. Our team of dedicated employees works hard to not only solve problems but find better ways to support our customers. Across our organization, you’ll find employees who are dedicated and committed to our mission at TPx.
This month, we wanted to highlight Dave Zahn, Senior Vice President, Network Operations & Engineering in our employee spotlight. Dave manages our Engineering, Network and Network Operations Center (NOC) teams, which play a critical role in our ongoing innovation and transformation. Read on to learn more about Dave.
How long have you been with TPx?
I’ve been at TPx since December 2003 and will be celebrating my 20-year work anniversary this December.
What does your role entail at TPx?
Currently, I’m responsible for Engineering, Network and the Network Operations Center (NOC). A large majority of my focus is on our Technology Upgrade Program (TUP), which involves transitioning customers on our legacy CLEC network to modern solutions so that we can decommission our legacy infrastructure and ensure our customers are using better solutions and technology than what they had before.
You’ve been with TPx for several years, how has the company evolved?
When I started at TPx, we were a much smaller organization with a limited portfolio of only dialtone and Internet Access services. Our product line has grown significantly over the years as we’ve transitioned into a more modern UCaaS and Managed Services Provider. So much has changed across the products, systems, leadership, people and culture. I could probably write a book about it. Without comparing old to new, I like where we’re headed now and the progress we’re making to get there. We’re seeing major change take place by transforming how we operate and manage the business. We’re going to look back and be amazed at what we completed.
How does the work your team is doing impact the overall growth strategy for TPx?
From a TUP perspective, eliminating the burden of the legacy infrastructure is critical to our growth – it enables us to focus on our modern solutions. This is a monetary savings effort that goes straight to the bottom line and allows us to reinvest in the business. We’re also able to focus our energy on our modern managed network and service portfolio, which is already well underway with the Access Management Center of Excellence and the Service Monitoring programs that my team leads for the business. Both of these are critical areas to help us continue to evolve and play a vital role in our growth strategy.
Which accomplishments at TPx are you most proud of?
With 19 years under my belt, there are many. I’m not sure I could pick just one or two. Certainly, the progress we’ve made with TUP ranks up towards the top, and when we’re done, it will be the accomplishment I’m most proud of. While we still have a few months to go, I’m super proud and appreciative of the efforts the entire team has made to accomplish what we’ve done thus far.
What has made the biggest impact on your professional life?
I’ve had the privilege to work with so many great people over the years. Through the highs and lows, I’ve learned a great deal about working with all sorts of people with so many different perspectives and areas of expertise. I would say it’s the accumulation of all of those relationship and experiences that has made me who I am today.
What does diversity, equity, and inclusion mean to you and why is it important?
DEI has become a lot more real for me in recent years than it ever did before that. I’ve learned how critical it is to have different voices at the table sharing different experiences and perspectives because without that, you get more of the same. We can’t reach our full potential with more of the same. I’m glad that TPx has a focus on DEI initiatives and not just because of the benefits of having a broader pool of knowledge. By incorporating DEI into our DNA, employees feel welcomed, valued and of course, included, which in turn gets invested back into the company.
What’s the one topic you never get tired of learning about?
From a work perspective, I never get tired of learning about effective team and people management. There are so many different approaches on how to work with different people, their personalities, and how then to build effective relationships with them.
What are you most passionate about outside of work?
I don’t have traditional hobbies, although I do like to stay fit and take care of the yard. I can spend hours pulling weeds! However, I’m probably most passionate about being a supportive husband and parent. I love to watch my kids play sports, to improve and to compete. Being there for them and enabling them to reach their potential on and off the field or court is a huge priority for me.
What does your perfect weekend look like?
While I certainly enjoy some downtime from a crazy work week and I always like to get some workouts in, I suppose the best weekends are those filled with lots of spectating, whether it’s a volleyball tournament, soccer game or watching my oldest in a surf competition. The best ones are those that combine all of the above if possible. So, for me, the busier the better!
Join the Team
Interested in joining the TPx team and putting your mark on our continued innovation and transformation? Visit the TPx careers page to learn about our open positions.