Meet the Faculty

Norman Del Prado Professor

Biography

Industry Experience: 30+ years of network technology experience; currently project management consultant for large-scale technology projects with the San Francisco Airport Commission for Terminal 2 and the Airport Campus security access; previous employers include NetXperts, Hitachi, Exodus, NetCom, United Airlines, Shutterfly, Centigram, DSC Communication, and Litton

Education and Certifications: MBA and MS degree; professional and vendor certifications PMP, PMP-AP, CSM, CISSP, CCSA, and a variety of others including Cisco’s CCNA and Novell’s CNE; Certified Cisco Academy Instructor (CCAI)

Teaching Experience: Designed the Networking Program and each of its courses starting in 1989 with a class in Local Area Networks within the Telecommunications Department, which grew into a Networking curriculum and the basis for an AS Degree in Network Engineering in 2005; teaches LAN, Routing, Switching, Network Troubleshooting, and Network Firewalls and Security; serves as the NETX Program Coordinator and is the department’s sole full-time faculty member

“In creating each of the networking courses at Skyline College, I use my industry experience (and those of my bosses and peers) to select and emphasize content which matches workplace needs of employers and technology industry trends. My approach to instruction is straightforward and---according to the students---effective, breaking the expanse of networking technology theory and skills into two categories: what you need to know in the workplace and what’s good to know. I never think of myself as instructor; only a person sharing knowledge with those interested to learn.”

Radni PirehAbdollahKandi Assistant Professor

Biography

Industry Experience: Technology Coordinator with Compass High School coordinating integration of Local Area Network (LAN) utilizing Cisco Meraki; also serves as technical staff support managing Google Admin console and Apple School Manager and training all staff on software applications and security policies

Education and Certifications: MS in Information Technology Management with a Security concentration in Computer Systems Management from Golden Gate University, BSE in Computer Engineering, AA in Network Engineering and currently pursuing a PHD in Systems Technology; professional and vendor certifications CCNA, Cisco Meraki APP-DE, Fiber Optic Association, Security Pro, Linux, VMware, Apple School Management, Mac Management Solutions – Jamf, Aperture Satellite Communications, and other related certifications

Teaching Experience: Assistant Professor in the Network Engineering Technologies (NETX) program primarily teaching Linux System Administration (NETX 443) and Structured Wiring and Cabling Systems (NETX 410) while also co-teaching other related NETX courses; NETX program representative for Skyline’s Strategic Partnerships & Workforce Development/Dual Enrollment program; collaborates with NETX Program Director to develop and redesign network engineering labs for routing, switching, server, wireless, network troubleshooting, and network security; responsible for designing and building a network lab environment for Westmoor High School’s Adult School Program

“I enjoy providing support and guidance to my students by personally mentoring and sharing my knowledge and industry experiences. The philosophy and approach that I want to emulate is the one that I have learned from my mentors: ‘Let’s create a learning environment that closely resembles what a student will encounter in the real world’ (Professor Quintin Cortes), and ‘I never think of myself as instructor; only a person sharing knowledge with those interested to learn.’ (Professor Norman Del Prado).”

Peter Dignadice Assistant Professor

Biography

Industry Experience: Spent the last decade supporting small- and large-sized network infrastructures from small businesses to publicly-traded pharmaceuticals before landing as a network engineer for the city of San Francisco’s Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) supporting, managing, and maintaining the network infrastructure for the organization’s business and SCADA networks across multiple sites and counties

Education and Certifications: BA in Liberal Studies with a concentration in the Humanities and Education from SFSU, as well as an AS from Skyline College in Network Engineering; certifications in Cisco and VMWare

Teaching Experience: Assistant Professor at Skyline teaching the CCNA certification course; works closely with SFPUC interns to help usher in the next generation of Network and IT Professionals

“As a product of the NETX program, Skyline and its practical, hands-on approach to learning developed the skills that allow me to support the many different facets of the SFPUC’s infrastructure. As a teacher-practitioner, I share the love for networking that was fostered at Skyline into not just engineering but also mentoring and teaching network engineering fundamentals at Skyline and at the PUC.”

Quintin Cortes Instructor

Biography

Industry Experience: Senior IT Analyst for the Emergency Preparedness Division of the Department of Veterans Affairs; received technical training in the US Navy serving as a Naval Air Tactical Controller running computerized shipboard weapons systems, as well as testing and evaluating tactical communications equipment and software

Education and Certifications: Graduate of Skyline’s TCOM Program (and a member of Phi Theta Kappa); professional and vendor certifications CCNA and CompTIA A+

Teaching Experience: Known as “Q” to his students with 30+ years of experience in applying and teaching technology; Skyline instructor since 2000 designing TCOM networking labs and teaching Local Area Networking (Cisco’s CCNA 1) and Microsoft Server Administration courses in addition to preparing students for the CompTIA A+ Certification exams; trained both military and DoD civilian personnel during naval service

“My approach to teaching and training is best illustrated in my design of the labs: let’s create a learning environment that closely resembles what a student will encounter in the real world."

Roger Lohmann Instructor

Biography

Industry Experience: Currently IT manager for the Department of Veteran Affairs in the Office of Information and Technology and responsible for the troubleshooting, repairing, maintaining and configuring of literally thousands of various hardware systems, operating systems, and software applications – including a number of mission essential and mission critical systems through the years (ask him about the cesium beam clock); began career in electronics and IT in the U.S. Navy in 1984 with a broad range of training on various electronic and computerized communications equipment and systems including specialized training in maintaining, repairing, and operating the Navy’s medium and heavy satellite earth terminals; before employment at the VA, also worked for several years in the civilian sector for Sun Microsystems, Lanier Worldwide Inc., and Boeing North American Services

Education and Certifications: Skyline NETX program graduate with high honors; member of Phi Kappa Theta.

Teaching Experience: Known as “Eric” to his students since starting his career at Skyline in 2000 teaching PC Configuration and Repair and Wireless Local Area Networking; has served as a mentor and instructor to many junior technical personnel throughout his career

“I want my classes to be of benefit to all who take them. Who knows the tree that will grow from the seed that is planted today.”

Cuauhtemoc Martinez Adjunct Faculty

Biography

Industry Experience: Currently employed with San Mateo Union High School District assisting in the installation and maintenance of the school district’s Wide Area Network and in the training of employees on the uses of standard business software and providing technical guidance to the school's students and staff; experienced network engineer with a demonstrated history of assisting small businesses with their IT infrastructure and software needs

Education and Certifications: MS in Information Technology Management with a Security concentration in Computer Systems Management from Golden Gate University

Teaching Experience: Known as “Alex” and as a Linux enthusiast to his students over the course of his teaching career as an Adjunct Professor with Skyline College’s Strategic Partnerships & Workforce Development (SPWD) and Network Engineering Technologies (NETX) program; mainly teaches Introduction to Linux Administration but also several NETX courses such as Introduction to LAN, Introduction to Routers, Structured Wiring & Cabling, PC Configuration & Repair and Network Security, while serving as a Tech Mentor and adult role model to youth interested in Tech

Dean Scurries Instructor

Biography

Industry Experience: Currently working for Equinix, the world’s leader in data center colocation and internet connectivity, managing the Telecom Infrastructure team responsible for all the fiber connectivity for 105 Equinix datacenters in US, Mexico, and Canada; previous position with Verizon (formerly MCI/WorldCom) working in telecommunications for almost 40 years - started when regulators were breaking up the Bell System’s monopoly on the telephone industry and worked on analog microwave radios for long-distance phone networks, and then transitioned their networks from analog radios to digital fiber optic systems, having worked on some of the first fiber equipment used in the industry; moved into engineering and designing metro area fiber networks for WorldCom throughout Silicon Valley

Teaching Experience: 20+ years of teaching the Fiber Optics Technology class at Skyline College and is a Fiber Optic Association (FOA) certified instructor; also trains the Operations technicians at Equinix to get their certified fiber optic technicians (CFOT) certifications from the FOA

Leanna Pangan Adjunct Faculty, NETX

Biography

Education and Certifications: BS in Computer Science from San Francisco State University and a growing interest for computer networks led her to Skyline College’s NETX program in Fall 2019; completed the Network Engineering Certificate and passed the CFOT exam through the NETX Fiber Optics course

Teaching Experience: Adjunct Faculty for Skyline’s NETX Dual Enrollment program

“I enjoyed the hands-on training I received throughout the program. Being able to learn the theory and apply those concepts to real-life equipment were great experiences for me. Having been a recent student in the program, I want to make sure I create a positive environment where students are unafraid to ask questions and receive help when needed.”