Welcome to the “Meet the Team” series. Join us behind the scenes to discover the people, passions, and expertise that drive the NGN project at Yale. Get to know the remarkable individuals shaping the future of connectivity, one story at a time.
Meet the Team
Meet Bob Mazzola: Advanced Prep Coordinator
About Bob: Bob joined the NGN team over 4 years ago, stepping into his current role after supporting the pilot migration in February 2020. Prior to joining NGN, he spent nine years as a Distributed Support Provider (DSP), where he got the opportunity to work on the initial planning for NGN. His extensive background in IT support and his early involvement in NGN discussions... Read more
Meet Dan Massameno: Director of Network and Cloud Architecture
About Dan: With a career spanning over three decades in IT and network design, Dan began his journey with Yale when he joined the NGN program six years ago as Director of Network and Cloud Architecture. His previous experience includes positions in... Read more
Meet Debra Houle: IT Associate Director in FAS-SEAS IT
About Debra: Debra has more than 12 years’ experience within Yale ITS and began working with the NGN project roughly three years ago. A lifelong learner with degrees from Dartmouth College and Wesleyan University, Debra was eager to learn about NGN and... Read more
Meet Tanvir "Tan" Azad: NGN Advanced Prep Tech
About Tan: With almost a year of service on the NGN project, Tan brings a rich tapestry of experiences to his role. Equipped with a Master of Science from Central Connecticut State University and practical expertise from previous roles, including... Read more
Meet David Irwin: Senior Network Engineer
About David: David is a Senior Network Engineer on the NGN project. He joined the program with a considerable background in network engineering, having worked on a diverse set of projects and with a wide range of technology. David has a knack for... Read more
Meet David Highsmith: ITS Manager of Network Operations
About David: David is a seasoned professional with an impressive 36 years at the University. For 33 of those years, David has worked in Network Support, where his role has evolved in tandem with the University's expanding network. He has been deeply... Read more
Meet Kevin O'Donnell: Network Engineer
About Kevin: As a Network Engineer, Kevin plays a pivotal role on the NGN team, contributing his expertise to shape the future of Yale’s network. He joins the project from a background in educational IT and with a passion for networking and WiFi... Read more
Meet David Woyciesjes: Transition Support Coordinator
About David: David, often known as Dave, is the Transition Support Coordinator on the NGN team, wearing multiple hats to ensure the smooth transition of networked devices and contributing significantly to successful migrations.
David... Read more