Executive Leadership

at the Intersection of Growth, Efficiency & Global Impact

Seasoned executive operations leader with 20+ years of strategic and tactical operations experience and has mastered a talent for building smarter, stronger wireless infrastructure.
  • Built and led nationwide and global telecom operations across 15+ countries.
  • Cut build costs by 40% through strategic vendor negotiations and process optimization.
  • Boosted IRR by up to 19% via targeted lease enhancements and asset utilization.
  • Generated $1M+ in new services revenue, unlocking growth through innovation and expansion.
  • Transformed post merger operations department reducing burn rate by 11%.
Contact David

About David

>20%
net revenue growth during
12-month expansion of customer base
15%
Improved delivery speed using change management and standardization
97%
sites restored via focused leadership in Post-hurricane disaster

Core Skills

Wireless Network Operations Management

P&L Management

Telecommunications Infrastructure Deployment Project Management

Strategic Planning & Execution

KPI Tracking & Performance Management

Stakeholder Engagement Continuous Process Improvement

Team Leadership & Development

Vendor & Contractor Management

Site Development

Vendor & Contractor Management

Case Studies

Efficient and Transformational Operations

I. Situation

After acquiring a competitor, I noticed a significant cultural misalignment in how we approach site selection and development.

II. Task

I needed to shift the sales and operations team's mindset from "build it and they will come" to a disciplined, IRR driven strategy.

III. Action

I immediately started restructuring the operations department and reduced the burn rate by 11%. I worked with the sales team and impressed on them the idea that less is better. In that if we customize future client build plans, we could reduce initial development costs and enhance client satisfaction. I also leveraged my structural and technical knowledge of tower design to value engineer tower sites, reducing installation costs by 40%.

IV. Results

After continued implementation of my policies I was able to prove how a disciplined approach and more efficient development practices could lead to a faster, and less expensive development of an asset. Moreover, I transformed the culture of a team and elevated their productivity.

Initiative and Leadership

I. Situation

At Icon Tower, one of our landlords was murdered by a cartel, prompting the authorities to shut down the site for investigation. This denied access to our wireless tenants, who were contractually guaranteed 24/7 entry. Mexican contract law prevented us from claiming Force Majeure, and no one on our team had faced anything like this before.

II. Task

We urgently needed to restore access to the tower site for our tenants to avoid contractual penalties from the carrier.

III. Action

For team safety, I restricted all site visits unless approved by senior leadership. I coordinated with authorities to explain the contractual obligations, but access was still denied. I engaged the local Ejido to locate next of kin for alternative access, but that lead ended when we learned the heir was in prison. I then worked with local contractors and neighbors to negotiate a temporary easement and eventually secured a new access point.

IV. Results

Authorities ultimately granted limited access, though we had to clear debris ourselves. We were fined one month’s rent, a favorable outcome considering access was restricted for over three months.

Achieved Results Above and Beyond Scope

I. Situation

Working in a start-up, headcount was very limited. There was increasing need for someone to handle client services, and projects. Usually, sales or BD personnel handled this, but the only person in that role was not covering these tasks.

II. Task

There was a void in client care in our company. I felt the need to address, respond and solve a potentially damaging gap. Client relationship is a critical component to revenue and relationship growth, so I needed to act.

III. Action

I created a client application package. It included simple yet detailed information sections to identify existing and proposed equipment modifications. I handled the entire process for all new and amendment lease projects, including negotiating rental increases.

IV. Results

I essentially became the de facto sales manager for all US projects and client services. Even though this was not a responsibility was hired or even asked to do, I stepped in and successfully managed a potentially dangerous problem.

 

"David's exceptional emotional and social intelligence, as well as technical expertise, set him apart as a true leader, therein enabling him to gain support from even the most challenging clients, customers, and team members."

"I have been lucky to have had the pleasure of knowing and working with David for several years and I can confidently say that he is one of the most focused and driven professionals I have known.

Specifically, David's exceptional emotional and social intelligence, as well as technical expertise, set him apart as a true leader, therein enabling him to gain support from even the most challenging clients, customers, and team members. David’s ability to foster strong relationships has, and will continue to, make him a valuable asset to any employer, colleague, counterpart, customer, client, and manager.

In addition, David is uniquely successful in combining technical expertise with outstanding people skills, shown through his ability to navigate complex negotiations, especially with demanding clients (all of which has and will continue to directly contribute to revenue growth at any company). In all, David’s dedication, professionalism, and results-driven approach make him an invaluable team member.

I highly recommend David to anyone looking for a leader who delivers results while inspiring those around him."

Josh Wade
Sr. Director of Leasing Operations

“David possess the Emotional and Social Intelligence of a Leader which allows him to gain buy in from the most difficult of clients. In my opinion, David will not only be an asset to his Employer but also to his Counterparts, Colleagues, and Managers.”

Ray Crews
Wireless Business Development Manager

“He [David] has an excellent ability to focus on the details with precision and speed in a very demanding work environment. He does it efficiently while managing to keep a pleasant and professional attitude. David is a natural leader, he often proactively takes responsibility in group tasks that need to be done. He is methodical in his approach in operations ensuring our assets are well protected.”

Sophia Brown
Sr. Leading Manager

"He [David] in addition to being dedicated and technically competent, he  has great people skills. His ability to work with our sometimes difficult building owners translated directly into incremental revenue for our company. I highly recommend him."

Jim McCulloch
SVP - Real Estate

Media

The Critical Role of Accurate Information in Managing & Maximizing a Portfolio of Wireless Infrastructure

Just David

What Do you Love?

There is a scene in a movie where an angel asks the departed, "What was your favorite thing?" I'd answer, "My girls." Being a parent initially granted me access into a brotherhood of humanity. It was after years of car seats, crackers, baths and bedtime stories that I realized what the hardest job in the world was and that I loved doing it so much. As they grew, I had to grow. I went from being a provider and a protector to an advisor and benevolent councilor. My girls are grown and leading their own lives. Funny how I still see them as little princesses.

What is your favorite memory?

I've been blessed with a lot of wonderful memories, like the birth of my children and graduating from college. Being an Eagles fan, seeing them win the Super Bowl in 2018 was fantastic. However, my favorite memory was meeting my birth mother when I was in my mid-30s. Being adopted, I always wondered what she looked like or what was going on with the circumstances of my birth. When we met and I saw my eyes on someone else's face, it was an experience I'll never forget. I was finally plugged into my genetic past. Since then, I've met other members of my biological family and we still keep in touch. I'm forever grateful for that day. It changed my life.

What's Your Story?

I've endured several overwhelming obstacles and setbacks in my life. By sheer determination and will to succeed, I have collected numerous professional accomplishments in my extensive and diverse career in Wireless Telecom. I have the scars of adversity but the compassion and grit of a seasoned, accomplished professional. The ethos I create and work well in is detailed performance with a comfortable, friendly work environment.

Contact

(610) 357-8763

daverod66@gmail.com

@david-c-rodriguez-a751a88

Consulting Inquiries

In addition to my professional career work, I also lead Waterstone Wireless Consultants, LLC, providing strategic consulting in telecom infrastructure, business development, operations, and program management. If you're interested in collaborating or exploring how I can support your next project, feel free to reach out directly through the contact form or email me at drodriguez@waterstonewireless.com.

You can also visit www.waterstonewireless.com

Let's grab a coffee and chat.