DRG Undersea Consulting (DRG) is an advisory firm specializing in guiding clients through their investment in and development of international telecom infrastructure, with an emphasis on undersea fiber optic networks. Our team, originally established in 1999 and depicted below now 25+ years later, has supported clients who are planning, procuring and managing the construction of new undersea networks in every region of the world. DRG is currently active with projects worldwide, including both transoceanic cables connecting continents across the world’s largest oceans and regional cables across smaller seas.
FUELED BY PASSION & EXPERIENCE
OUR VISION FOR YOUR SUCCESS
The DRG team has supported clients in planning, procuring, and managing the construction of new undersea networks in every region of the world for more than 25 years. DRG is currently active with projects worldwide, including transoceanic cables connecting continents across the world’s largest oceans and regional cables across smaller seas. DRG also continues to counsel investors across the globe by performing vital technical, commercial and market due diligence on their prospective international undersea investments and acquisitions.
Each Member of Our Team Has Extensive Industry Experience as a Cable Supplier, Owner &/or Consultant.
We Expertly Guide, Assess, and Implement Our Client’s Projects.
Our Leadership
Leverages Their Expertise in Strategy, Project Development,
Market Assessment, Construction Planning & Management
Market Assessment, Construction Planning & Management
JOHN MARIANO
John specializes in planning & development and supports a variety of projects with unique requirements.
ELAINE STAFFORD
Elaine leads many projects from infancy (development planning & procurement) through construction; She is also known for her market expertise which investors rely upon and for her industry leadership.
STAN KRAMER
Stan has an extensive project planning, operations, and investment background which makes him the frequent lead in many of DRG’s Due Diligence projects.
Our Technical Team
Provides Planning & Management Expertise, including
Construction, System Design/Architecture, Route Design & Marine Solutions
Construction, System Design/Architecture, Route Design & Marine Solutions
JIM BARONI
Jim is DRG’s lead network engineer, who has spent many years designing and overseeing the more technical aspects of project implementation.
FRANK CUCCIO
Frank’s background is “everything marine”, with expertise in ships, ship operations, route engineering, etc. He also has an extensive project management background.
Mr. Kheny has over 30 years of experience in SubSea System Planning, Design, Implementation and Operations having worked for a mix of companies including carriers, content players, suppliers and consultants. Mr. Kheny has been associated with several of the world’s SubSea projects across the various phases of SubSea Program completion.
RAJESH KHENY
Rajesh’s experience spans strategy, planning, procurement, engineering and project management, plus organizational and process efficiency improvement and training.
JORGE PORTO
Jorge specializes in construction project management, leveraging his background in network maintenance, project management and system sales.
JOHN SWIDER
John specializes in shore end, front haul, cable landing station, terminal equipment, and HDD planning and execution. His background spans engineering, construction, and installation management, supported by hands-on field expertise.
KAZUO HIRAGA
Kazuo’s background spans system engineering and project management, with hands-on involvement throughout the project lifecycle, supporting planning, execution, and delivery of submarine cable projects.
STEVE BLADEN
Steve supports network owners in overseeing their project’s marine engineering survey and installation programs, leveraging his extensive background in marine implementation.
MIKE MORECOMBE
Mike supports network owners in overseeing their project’s marine engineering survey and installation programs leveraging his extensive background in marine implementation.
NICK WELZ
Nick’s expertise in fisheries and global maritime issues forms the foundation of his work in planning projects, mitigating risks to cable routes and overall project management. Nick is a member of Tetra Tech working on behalf of DRG.
RYAN EARLEY
Ryan specializes in global cable route & landfall siting, as well as permitting for submarine telecommunications cable systems, including engineering cable routes, optimizing burial strategies, and reducing installation risk. Ryan is a member of Tetra Tech working on behalf of DRG.
Our Technical Experts Also Support Our Clients' Special Needs Quality Assurance Services
and Engineering of Unique Undersea Solutions
and Engineering of Unique Undersea Solutions
STEPHEN FITZPATRICK
Stephen is renowned for his diligent attention to technical details that are important to delivering a quality network. He supports DRG clients with Quality Assurance services monitoring/assessing the qualification, production, installation and testing of new networks.
GERALD TOURGEE
Jerry has unique optical engineering skills which he applies to exploring special projects, and he spends much of his other time project managing (including on site activities) small projects across the globe.
JERRY SOLOWAY
Jerry’s extensive R&D and executive leadership experience in communications technology, including optical communication, serves as a solid foundation for supporting DRG’s clients in planning new, and often unique networks.
Built on the Leadership of our Founder
Since 1970, Mr. Ross has been at the forefront in developing international communications networks throughout the world, including emerging markets in the Middle East, Africa, Asia, the Pacific Islands and the Americas. Mr. Ross serves as a senior advisor to telecom operators, private network developers and investors, and government agencies, primarily in business planning for network construction and asset acquisition. He is a frequent speaker at industry conferences and contributor to conference workshops. Prior to forming DRG in 1999, Mr. Ross held executive positions in Bell Laboratories, AT&T, and Tyco Submarine Systems. He holds BSEE and MSEE degrees from the University of Michigan.
DAVID ROSS
Since 1970, Mr. Ross has been at the forefront in developing international communications networks throughout the world.
DRG’s vision is to provide our clients with a unique blend of proven technical solutions, commercial guidance and project management skills needed to plan, design, develop, implement, operate and commercialize international undersea communications networks. We aim to be the best at offering guidance to network developers and their potential investors, which maximizes their opportunities through focused insights, modeling and analysis, and practical hands-on contributions – all while maintaining close coordination with our clients.
DRG sits on the SubOptic Association Executive Committee, which supports planning worldwide submarine cable conference programs such as PTC, Submarine Networks World and SubOptic. DRG also often serves as a chair for keynote panels at these sessions. In addition, DRG is a trustee of the SubOptic Foundation. The DRG team is comprised of thought leaders in the subsea networks market who leverage their expertise to contribute to the industry’s future.
OUR HISTORY
Decades of Valuable Experience
Since 1999, our clients have entrusted us with the development and realization of some of the world’s largest telecommunications networks. Our worldwide project experience is unmatched in the industry; our highly-qualified team has broad commercial, technical, management, procurement, marketing and sales expertise.
With a proven track record on systems around the world, we can significantly enhance your position in today’s rapidly evolving global communications market.
