Charles Drew
Nashville
Summary
Senior presales solutions engineer with expertise in solution architecture and project management. Demonstrated success in designing effective collaboration solutions and building strong client relationships. Skilled in AV integration and cloud collaboration, enhancing customer engagement and satisfaction through innovative proposals and technical evaluations. Committed to achieving outstanding results in complex environments.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Senior PreSales Solutions Engineer
Poly
01.2020 - Current
- Led technical discovery engagements to evaluate customer environments and business objectives across enterprise, SLED, and government sectors.
- Designed and architected collaboration solutions aligned with Poly’s cloud and hybrid portfolio.
- Facilitated customer trials, proofs of concept, and technical evaluations to demonstrate solution effectiveness.
- Communicated business and technical value of Poly solutions to enhance customer and partner understanding.
- Developed proposals, solution architectures, and technical responses to support sales initiatives and drive customer engagement.
- Built trusted advisor relationships with customers, partners, and internal stakeholders.
- Recommended optimal combinations of hardware, software, and services for complex environments.
- Provided expertise in SIP dial plans and voice/video collaboration fundamentals.
Technical Designer
ORI USA
11.2014 - 01.2020
- Delivered technical consultation and product capability assessments for prospective customers
- Partnered with sales teams to design solutions aligned to customer requirements
- Developed detailed system designs, implementation specifications, and solution documentation
- Led cloud video interoperability configurations and system calibrations
- Documented design changes and maintained project records to ensure compliance.
- Maintained competitive knowledge of collaboration and AV technologies
- Improved project management coordination, logistics, and delivery timelines
- Created and enhanced technical training materials for sales teams
Technical Supervisor
Marriott
05.2009 - 11.2014
- Coordinated large-scale event technology deployments, ensuring seamless execution and client satisfaction.
- Supported over 200 client engagements from pre-event design through post-event execution
- Led audio engineering operations using Shure, Biamp, and QSC systems
- Oversaw VOIP and video conferencing support operations
- Managed team scheduling, labor planning, and technical issue escalation
- Managed event technology operations at Marriott event MVP properties
Infantry Ranger / Communications Specialist
United States Army
06.2002 - 09.2010
- Developed tactical plans for military operations and training scenarios, contributing to mission success.
- Executed mission objectives through collaboration with team members, enhancing operational effectiveness.
- Coordinated logistics for field operations, ensuring optimal resource allocation and mission readiness.
Education
Bachelor of Applied Science (BASc) - Acoustic Engineering / Audio Production
Middle Tennessee State University
Nashville, TN06-2012
Skills
- Solution architecture
- Project management
- SaaS management
- AV and IT integration
- Audio visual integration
- Video conferencing solutions
- Cloud collaboration infrastructure
- Installed audio systems and Dante
- Network security
- Documentation design
- Client presentations
Certification
- Microsoft Teams Rooms Certification, Microsoft, Current
- HDBaseT Alliance Certification, Not Provided, 2015-Present
- CTS – Certified Technology Specialist, AVIXA, 2013-Present
- HARMAN Technologies Certification, JBL, BSS, AMX, Crown, 2015-2020
- Poly Level 2 Technical Certification, Not Provided, 2014-Present
- Audinate Dante Level 3 Certification, Audinate, Not Provided
- Digital Signage Experts Group (DESEG), Not Provided, 2016-Present
- Microsoft Cloud Management, Azure-based collaboration and video interoperability, 2017-Present
Awards
- Poly World Class Sales Club Award (2022,2023,2024)
- Combat Action Badge (2005)
- Operation Enduring Freedom Medal
- Operation Iraqi Freedom Medal
- Global War on Terrorism Service & Expeditionary Medals
- National Defense Service Medal
Timeline
Senior PreSales Solutions Engineer
Poly
01.2020 - Current
Technical Designer
ORI USA
11.2014 - 01.2020
Technical Supervisor
Marriott
05.2009 - 11.2014
Infantry Ranger / Communications Specialist
United States Army
06.2002 - 09.2010
Bachelor of Applied Science (BASc) - Acoustic Engineering / Audio Production
Middle Tennessee State University