Intelligent CIO North America Issue 39 | Page 79

Tom Nadeau , CTO Spirent Communications
On the lighter side of things , we ask the industry experts what makes them tick . . . .

. . . GET TO KNOW . . .

Tom Nadeau , CTO Spirent Communications

wWhat would you describe as your most memorable achievement ?

Spearheading and executing the first deployment of an open source-based 5G mobile core , which also happened to be the first 5G production deployment in North America . This project marked the first use of a disaggregated software and hardware stack in such a deployment , including open-source components . Unlike traditional deployments that typically involve purchasing a pre-packaged system from a limited pool of vendors , this was a more open approach . This project signified a shift in deployment strategy and approach .
What first made you think of a career in technology ?
I ’ ve always had an engineer ’ s curiosity , taking things apart just to understand how they work and then putting them back together . This fascination with the mechanics of things naturally evolved into a desire to build and create . I see myself as a builder , solving problems with creativity that have real-world implications . There is immense satisfaction in creating products used by many people , like the 5G mobile core I worked on .
What style of management philosophy do you employ with your current position ?
It ’ s centered on team building and trust in my team members . Team composition is important and ensures potential hires align well with the existing team dynamics and philosophy . This is a lesson I learned from my first job , where the interview process lasted two days and involved intense coding sessions . It was daunting but taught me the value of investing time in selecting the right team members .
This approach creates a dynamic and evolving team culture , encouraging continuous feedback and improvement . In my teams , everyone , including myself , is open to criticism and improvement . We don ’ t subscribe to hierarchical barriers ; rather , we foster a collaborative and collegial environment focused on problem-solving .
What do you think is the current hot technology talking point ?
Generative AI and Machine Learning are hot topics right now . The rise of GPT in Machine Learning has opened a world of opportunities , from advanced
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