Draft:Douglas Scott Ring

Douglas Scott Ring (born July 21, 1973) is the Chief Information Officer at Mission Aviation Fellowship International in the United Kingdom, with a background of over 30 years in technical operations, business leadership, telecom systems networking, network operations, and information technology. His experience includes a significant role at AT&T, notably in the deployment of 5G technology and the development of the multi-persona service, AT&T Toggle. Ring is known for his emotional intelligence, communication skills, and the development of high-performing teams. Throughout his career, characterized by efforts towards innovation, an entrepreneurial approach, and resilience, he has contributed to technological and operational advancements within the organizations he has worked with.

Early Life
In his early years, Doug resided in Saudi Arabia from 1980 to 1988, a move prompted by his father, George's, employment with Aramco Services Co in Dhahran. Following this period, Doug attended Culver Military Academy in South Bend, Indiana, before graduating from New Caney High School in New Caney, Texas, in 1991. During the first Gulf War, he returned to Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, where he undertook various roles, including working as a runner for NBC News Technical Services. Additionally, he volunteered at the Dhahran Radio Shop under Thomas Humphreys and spent a summer working with Aramco Aviation at Dhahran Airport.

Education
Douglas Scott Ring initiated his academic pursuits with a Bachelor of Business Management (BBM) from LeTourneau University in Longview, Texas, establishing a solid foundation in business principles. He furthered his education at the University of Texas in Dallas, Texas, where he achieved a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with Distinction, underscoring his advanced understanding and capabilities in business administration. Additionally, Ring has enhanced his expertise in the critical area of cybersecurity by completing a Cyber Security Gold Certificate at Champlain College.

Career
Douglas Scott Ring has held several notable positions throughout his career, demonstrating his expertise in information technology and telecommunications.

Mission Aviation Fellowship International
In July 2023, Ring assumed the role of Chief Information Officer at Mission Aviation Fellowship International in Ashford, Kent, United Kingdom, He is responsible for leading digital transformation initiatives, aiming to optimize global business processes. His efforts include the integration of operational systems into a centralized data analytics platform, enhancing the organization's ability to make informed decisions.

According to Ring, he discovered he could use his technical skills for missionary endeavors through a LinkedIn post in which a call was made for IT Specialists, Teachers, and Pilot-Mechanics. However, his full commitment to this cause would be systematic, first starting with as a volunteer with the Mission Advocate program of Mission Aviation Fellowship.

Spectragraphix Web Consulting
As co-owner and Chief Operating Officer of Spectragraphix Web Consulting, Ring spearheaded the relaunch of the company into a thriving full-service SEO and lead generation agency. Under his leadership, the company achieved significant revenue growth, reaching six figures in under two years, largely through evening and weekend work. Ring and his business partner managed all aspects of the business, including systems administration, security, and customer service. Ring also contributed to the automation of key operational processes, which played a crucial role in enhancing the agency's service delivery and competitive position in the market.

AT&T
Douglas Scott Ring has served in different capacities at AT&T, climbing the ladder to a considerable profession height from 1996 – July 31, 2023

Director of Network Process and Quality at AT&T (Dallas, TX, March 2021 – July 2023):

Ring led the national CRAN headquarters' planning and engineering team, overseeing the strategic realignment of AT&T's wireless network architecture. This role involved managing a significant capital expenditure budget and implementing a redesign that marked the most substantial engineering shift in the company's wireless operations in over 15 years. Through the deployment of a digital twin for network analysis, his team identified and decommissioned over-dimensioned areas, resulting in notable capital and operational savings.

Director of Construction and Engineering at AT&T (Dallas, TX, December 2017 – March 2021):

Ring managed the wireline OSP Construction & Engineering team for the Red River region, directing the design, engineering, and construction of essential fiber infrastructure. He successfully collaborated with various internal and external stakeholders to streamline operations and led initiatives that achieved significant improvements in project delivery times and budget management.

Director of Wireless Construction and Engineering at AT&T (Dallas, TX, September 2012 – December 2017):

In this capacity, Ring was responsible for the development and deployment of mobility solutions, including DAS and Small Cell technologies, across high-traffic venues and for business customers in the southwest and west regions. His leadership ensured timely and budget-compliant delivery of wireless services, enhancing coverage and capacity.

Director Chief of Staff at AT&T (Dallas, TX, November 2011 – September 2012):

Ring served as the strategic business operations manager, overseeing the development of a technical leadership development program and managing telecommuting governance, contributing to improved employee engagement and operational efficiency.

Director of Data Network Operations Center at AT&T (Richardson, TX, November 2004 – November 2011):

He led a team responsible for the 24/7 operation, surveillance, and maintenance of the network, playing a key role in the improvement of service quality for millions of ADSL subscribers.

Principal Technical IP Architect at AT&T (Mexico City, Mexico, February 2001 – October 2004):

Ring conducted an extensive audit and improvement program for the Prodigy Dial-Up service, enhancing the service quality and customer satisfaction through technical and operational refinements.

Director of Internet POP Planning and Architecture at AT&T (Plano, TX, October 2000 – December 2000):

He was tasked with analyzing market forecasts to determine the strategic placement of new Points of Presence (POPs), aligning with long-range technological evolution plans.

Senior Internet Network Engineer at AT&T (Plano, TX, March 1999 – October 2000):

Ring engineered and launched internet services over the Southwestern Bell XDSL network, supporting exponential growth in subscribers through innovations in service provisioning and registration processes.

Manager of Internet Network Engineering at AT&T (Richardson, TX, September 1996 - March 1999):

He led the engineering and commissioning of the company's first Internet services POPS, initiating DSL testing and launch efforts that included the introduction of the PPPoE protocol.

Other Career Highlights
Temporary Webmaster at Nevada Bell Internet Services (Reno, NV, Summer 1996):

Ring managed the web server and supported the installation and operation of network equipment, marking the beginning of his career in telecommunications and network services.

Roaming UNIX Systems Administrator at the University of Nevada, Campus Computing Services (Reno, NV, 1994 – 1996):

As a student employee, Ring was responsible for maintaining WWW servers, gaining valuable early experience in network administration.

Marriage and Children
Douglas S. Ring is married to Kimberly Studdert Ring and their marriage is blessed with two children. However, much details about their marriage and children are not publicly available.

Published Works and Patents
Ring's legacy includes pioneering technology solutions leading to the development of commercially available products and the award of US Patents 8699413 and 9119058. His contributions to the fields of telecom, IT, and digital transformation are recognized through his work and patents.

Philosophical and/or Political Views
Ring's public communications and career focus on technology and digital transformation without an explicit emphasis on philosophical or political views.

Career Development: Toggle Project at AT&T
Douglas Scott Ring is listed as an inventor on U.S. Patents 8699413 and 9119058, which are related to AT&T Toggle technology. It has become a significant contribution to leading digital and network transformation initiatives across various roles and organizations.

In his capacity as Director of Network Operations at AT&T's Dallas office, he encountered the widespread issue of balancing professional and personal communications across multiple devices. Motivated by both his professional responsibilities and personal needs, Ring sought to innovate a solution within AT&T.

In 2009, utilizing AT&T's internal innovation platform, The Innovation Pipeline (TIP), Ring proposed the concept for a mobile application capable of managing dual personas on a single device, aiming for secure separation of personal and work data with the ease of switching between them. The proposal led to the development of Toggle, an application designed to facilitate the integration of work and personal functionalities on mobile devices, launched on the Android and iOS platforms.

Toggle was developed to address the needs of AT&T's business customer base, comprising 27,000 entities. Despite its initial success, there were considerations for future enhancements to include separate phone lines for each user persona.

This initiative highlighted AT&T's commitment to fostering innovation from within its ranks and illustrated Ring's influential role in promoting change and technological advancement within the company. Through collaborative efforts with a team of developers and project managers, the Toggle project demonstrated the effectiveness of internal crowdsourcing in achieving technological innovation.

After the conceptual phase, Ring transitioned focus back to his main responsibilities at AT&T, leaving the ongoing development of Toggle in the hands of specialized teams. Nonetheless, the project's success underscored the value of nurturing employee-led innovation, with Ring and his team receiving a portion of Toggle's profits as recognition for their contribution.

Additional Recognition
At age 39, Ring's innovative leadership and collaborative work culture were highlighted by Esquire Magazine, naming him one of the thirty-five employees worthy of emulation in America. The publication noted, "He fosters a culture of collaboration and forward thinking that's ahead of his time."