Jay carlson

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Jay believes "At Crystal Eye Technology, our mission is to be a trusted partner for businesses seeking to harness the full potential of technology. By providing ongoing support and guidance, we help clients navigate the complex world of technology effectively"

At Charter Communications, Jay assumed the role of Chief Information Officer (CIO), a position of paramount importance in the telecommunications industry. His remarkable tenure at Charter was characterized by visionary leadership and enduring commitment.

 During this extended tenure, he played a significant role in steering the technological course of the company with unwavering dedication.

Jay's leadership extended beyond Charter's individual operations. He played a pivotal role in orchestrating the IT and infrastructure consolidation of Time Warner Cable, BrightHouse, and Charter Communications. This complex and transformative effort included, among other critical components, the consolidation of three Enterprise Resource Planning systems (ERPs) into a unified platform, along with the harmonization of Customer Relationship Management (CRM) platforms.

Moreover, Jay's leadership extended to cybersecurity, where he held an impressive portfolio of more than 15 US and International cybersecurity domain patents. These patents specifically focused on binary code cloaking and random ciphering schemas before traditional encryption is applied. His innovative approach to cybersecurity demonstrated his unwavering commitment to safeguarding critical data and infrastructure in an increasingly digital and interconnected world.

Jay's remarkable tenure at Charter Communications underscores his enduring impact on the telecommunications industry and solidifies his reputation as a visionary technology executive.

Throughout his illustrious career, Jay E. Carlson consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership, innovative thinking, and a commitment to advancing technology in the telecommunications industry. His legacy continues to shape the way we connect and communicate in the digital age, and his visionary leadership serves as an inspiration to aspiring technology leaders.

During the early 1980s, Jay embarked on his career  at Centel Telecommunications.  He started as a Senior Operations Engineer for their Midwest Region, where his innovative ideas and dedication to excellence quickly propelled him into leadership roles. Demonstrating his keen operational insight and technical prowess, Jay steadily advanced through the ranks to become the Vice President of Operations for the Midwest region. His visionary leadership in this capacity left an indelible mark on the organization.

During his tenure at Centel, Jay played a pivotal role in deploying the company's first SONET (Synchronous Optical Networking) systems. His forward-thinking approach to network infrastructure set a new nationwide standard for reliability and efficiency, ensuring that Centel could meet the growing demands of its customers.

Jay engineered TVRO (Television Receive-Only) systems and associated video/audio processing centers, as well as coax distribution and plant, on a nationwide scale. These innovations transformed Centel's capabilities in delivering high-quality television and audio services to its customer base, enhancing the overall nationwide customer experience.  Centel was acquired by Jone Intercable in the late 80's.

At Jones Intercable, Jay assumed the role of Fund Engineering Director, where he held absolute oversight for all technology strategies spanning six states in the lower 48 and Hawaii. In this pivotal role, Jay's visionary leadership and technological expertise were instrumental in shaping the company's strategies across a diverse and expansive geographical footprint.

It was during his tenure at Jones Intercable that Jay oversaw the pioneering deployment of the first HFC (Hybrid Fiber-Coaxial) network with expansive use of 1550nm and 1064nm - YAG lasers for long-distance facility-to-facility transport, particularly in the state of Illinois. This groundbreaking achievement marked a significant technological milestone and highlighted Jay's leadership in pushing the boundaries of telecommunications technology, benefiting the company.

Jay was called upon to join a well funded telecommunication endeavor where he  assumed the role of Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at 21st Century Telecom, he brought his extensive knowledge of Fiber Optic Systems & Networks to bear. His contributions in this area ensured that the company was at the forefront of using fiber-optic technologies to enhance network performance and expand connectivity. Notably, Jay introduced the first HFC (Hybrid Fiber-Coaxial), pre-DOCSIS (Zenith) high-speed data service in Illinois.

His visionary approach extended to network architecture. He was instrumental in creating the first DRS (Distributed - Ring - Star) architecture, leveraging 1550 & 1310 bi-directional optical wavelengths and OC192 SONET rings with HFC star distribution. These groundbreaking advancements enhanced network reliability and efficiency, setting new industry standards for high-speed data services and network architecture. His efforts and innovations were showcased in CED Magazine. This caught the attention of Ameritech New Media who then pursued him.

Jay's career reached new heights when he joined Ameritech New Media as the CTO. In this role, he continued to demonstrate his deep expertise in Fiber Optic Systems & Networks. His leadership in the deployment of cutting-edge fiber-optic technologies enhanced network performance and capacity on a nationwide scale. Additionally, his visionary approach to Network Management Systems (NMS) played a pivotal role in ensuring the efficient operation and optimization of Ameritech New Media's expansive network, guaranteeing top-notch service for customers. He then moved on to Universal Access when Ameritech New Media was acquired by SBC.

At Universal Access, Jay held the distinguished position of Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer (CTO). In this influential role, he led transformative initiatives that reshaped the landscape of connectivity and telecommunications infrastructure.

Here, Jay designed and built "Meet-Me" facilities and Telco Hotels, pioneering innovations that provided critical cross-connect services and last-mile connectivity to a wide array of prominent companies, including UUnet, WorldCom, 360 Networks, FLAG, AT&T, Level3, Williams Communications, Global Crossing, XO, and Qwest, along with regional Bell companies. These facilities and services played a pivotal role in facilitating seamless connectivity, enhancing communication networks, and advancing the capabilities of telecommunications providers on a global scale.

Jay's career took an intriguing turn when he served as the Deputy Director of the CMS (Central Management Services) at the State of Illinois. In this remarkable role, he became the first Chief Technology Officer (CTO) in the state of Illinois, a testament to his pioneering spirit and technological acumen.

During his tenure, Jay undertook a monumental task of consolidating Business Support Systems (BSS), Operations Support Systems (OSS), and the state-managed network of 48 different agencies into one confederated and consolidated technology operation. This visionary initiative resulted in the elimination of a staggering $1.7 billion in annual capital expenses and $565 million in annual operating expenses. Furthermore, Jay's leadership connected all universities, municipalities, FERMILAB, Argonne National Laboratories, research hospitals, and more to the ICN (Illinois Century Network), fostering collaboration and connectivity that benefited the entire state.

Jay's commitment to public service extended to post-9/11 Homeland Security Compliance. He answered the call to enhance the state's cybersecurity posture, taking on the responsibility of safeguarding approximately 10,000 institutional users of the ICN. His expertise in cybersecurity and technology transformation was instrumental in ensuring the state's readiness to meet the challenges of the post-9/11 era.

During his tenure at the State, and before joining Charter Communications, Jay held executive authority granted by the Governor over all 48 agencies, facilitating a major technology transformation that streamlined operations and enhanced efficiency across the state's technology landscape.