Mary Anne Hicks and Polly Bessel will take the audience on a journey through their toolkit using everyday items to illustrate how experiences shape us and create our future.
Polly Bessel
Vice President Network Engineering-AT&T
Global Layer 0-3 Transport
Polly’s career in the telecommunications industry began in 1973 when she joined Michigan Bell as an operator. She has held various management and technical positions with expanding scope and responsibility in Operator Services, Network Operations and Network Engineering during her career. She has experience in both line and staff assignments. Polly has extensive experience in project management, managing large CAPEX and OPEX programs, leading large teams through process re-engineering and deploying new technologies in the Network.
Polly is currently responsible for AT&T Network Engineering for all Wireless and Wireline Layer 0-3 Transport and related CAPEX/OPEX globally. This includes IP, Ethernet, ATM/Frame, Video, Optical and traditional TDM networks as well as Wireless Circuit Path Orders and Design. Polly was appointed to her current position in February, 2009.
Polly holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Madonna University in Livonia, Michigan. She has completed the Advanced Management Program in Telecommunication, University of Southern California, Marshall School of Business. Polly lives with her husband in Heath, Texas.
