Denis Hildebrandt

Entrepreneur, Advisor and Investor @ Self Employed

About

Accomplished telecommunication sales engineering executive, technical innovator and entrepreneur with over 30 years of experience and a proven track record in account management and company growth.  As an entrepreneur of a successful start-up, used my extensive sales engineering experience to developed proprietary PCB service and repair methodologies for complex telecommunication circuit boards, that improved reliability for most major North American, and international telecommunication carriers.  By leveraging my extensive prior client relations, increased revenue by 200% annually.  Generated sales from self-funded start-up to $21,000,000 prior to the company’s acquisition.  Leading cross-functional teams, optimizing operations, efficiency, and driving technological advancements in high-performance environments.  Strong background in Telecommunications and Networking, PCB engineering, electrical engineering, software design, sustainable energy integration.  Skilled in business strategy, process and procedures automation, account relations, and R&D, with a history of transforming challenges into growth opportunities. Recognized for pioneering solutions that improve efficiency, reduce costs, and establish industry-leading standardsSelected Accomplishments➤ Transformed a Startup into a Market Leader: Built a one-person operation into a thriving company with over 100 employees and $10M in annual revenue through strategic growth and operational excellence.➤ Spearheaded Market Dominance in Telecom Repairs: Captured 95% of the North American market for Nortel equipment repairs, solidifying industry leadership and establishing long-term client relationships.➤ Expanded High-Value Client Contracts: Negotiated contracts with leading telecom companies, including AT&T, Lucent, and SBC, generating multimillion-dollar revenue streams and strengthening industry reputation.➤ Led High-Impact Technical Innovations: Developed energy solutions, pioneering new approaches to renewable power and technical problem-solving in niche market with evolving energy needs.➤ Achieved Recognition for Technical Excellence: Performed advanced testing, analysis, and repair of Nortel telecom equipment, earning multiple awards and inclusion on the Scarce Skill Set List.➤ Established Operational Excellence with ISO Certification: Achieved ISO 9001 certification, elevating company operations and quality standards to compete effectively in a highly competitive telecommunications market.✉ denishil33@gmail.com

Country

United States

City

McKinney

Industry

Telecommunications

Skill

Fiber Optics, Fiber Optic Networks, Cisco VPN, Network Routers, Nortel DMS, Nortel Meridian, Network Switches, Cisco IOS, Telecommunications Systems, Cisco Networking, Cisco Routers, Sales Engineering, Telecommunications Engineering, Telecommunications Sales, Quality Assurance, Start-up Consulting, Executive Advisory, Executive Leadership, Start-up Ventures, Business Process Improvement

Experience

Entrepreneur, Advisor and Investor

Self Employed

2015-8 - 2025-12 · 10 yrs 5 mos

McKinney, TX

• Founded and exited multiple small businesses in the electrical engineering space. • Founded and exited a small business in the real estate and construction space. • Provided strategic consulting to early-stage EV service center start-up on EV engineering, operations and fundraising. • Provided strategic consulting to early-stage off-grid energy start-up on engineering strategy. • Advised founders on scaling operations, hiring leadership teams, and preparing for acquisition. • Invested in and mentored early-stage companies

Chief Executive Officer

Fortress Solutions

2008-7 - 2014-11 · 6 yrs 5 mos

Plano, TX

• Led overall corporate strategy, operations, and financial performance for a technology company with 100+ employees. • Increased annual revenue 2000% within 10 years by expanding into new markets and developing the capability to service and repair any OEM’s Circuit Boards. • Implemented data-driven processes that improved operational efficiency. • Positioned the company as a telecom industry leader, driving innovation in high-precision hardware repair and reliability. • Built strategic partnerships with key industry leaders to strengthen market share. • Oversaw several facility expansions. • Oversaw merger and acquisition opportunities, successfully completing the acquisition of a smaller competitor, and successfully completing the Sale of Fortress Solutions to investment firm for Hunt Family from DFW.

Chief Technical Officer/Chief Operations Officer

Fortress Solutions

2005-1 - 2008-7 · 3 yrs 7 mos

Plano, TX

• Designed a robust asset tracking system, improving operational efficiency and offering clients real-time service insights. • Designed and built a 7,000-sqft clean room repair facility and a 10,000-sqft testing and quality assurance laboratory. • Grew Engineering department from 3 engineers to over 70 engineers. • Created specialized training labs to upskill engineers in circuit board diagnostics, repair, and advanced testing techniques. • Led the development of processes to repair routers, fiber optics, switches, and network test simulators at scale. • Oversaw ISO 9001 Certification.

President Sales Engineering

Fortress Solutions

2003-3 - 2005-1 · 1 yr 11 mos

Plano, TX

• Engineered proprietary 3rd party repair processes, eliminating schematic and BOM dependency. • Developed advanced repair methodology to service all telecom OEM circuit boards. • Spearheaded major telecom equipment installations, integrating solutions for Cisco, Nortel, Alcatel, Juniper, and others. • Closed large maintenance contracts with Telecom Carriers such as Allegiance Telecom, Southwestern Bell (AT&T), Quest Communications, Level 3, Verizon, Grande Communications, and OEMs Lucent Technologies, Alcatel and Nortel.