About Chris

Hey, I'm Chris. Welcome to Wok and Wire.

I am a high-level Systems Engineer and Voice Architect. For over two decades, I’ve worked in the enterprise communications and call center worlds. I started my career in the early 2000s, getting certified in the Interactive Intelligence (i3) platform (now Genesys Cloud). During that era, I also spent a lot of time working on Nortel PBX systems, which included deploying and managing the Windows servers that kept the business logic and database layers running.

Today, my engineering focus is on enterprise SIP routing, configuring Oracle Session Border Controllers (SBCs), managing Enterprise Communications Brokers (ECBs), integrating Microsoft Teams Direct Routing, and configuring cloud contact centers like Five9. I rely on Enterprise Operations Monitor (EOM) for capturing signaling traces, analyzing ladder diagrams, and keeping voice networks healthy.

Outside the Server Room

When I shut down my systems lab, I pivot to my other interests:

  • Wok Cooking: I enjoy making simple, hot, flavorful stir-fry meals at home using a carbon steel wok. It's about quick preparation and high-heat execution.
  • Gardening: I grow tomatoes and hot peppers in my backyard. Starting them from seeds, monitoring their growth, and harvesting fresh ingredients is one of my favorite seasonal routines.
  • Kayaking: I love getting out on the water. Kayaking is my way to unplug, clear my head, and enjoy the local rivers and lakes.
  • Learning Chinese: I have been studying Chinese, focusing on vocabulary and characters. This hobby has connected me to the culture and allowed me to build genuine friendships with people a world away.
  • My Wife & Family: Above all, this blog is a diary of the home and life I share with my wife, who supports my hobbies (even when the backyard raised beds expand).

The Academic Path at WGU

Despite years of hands-on systems architecture and field certifications under my belt, I'm currently looking at pursuing a degree through Western Governors University (WGU).

WGU's competency-based education is built for experienced professionals. It allows you to leverage what you already know to move through courses quickly by proving competence rather than sitting through weekly lectures. I plan to log my experiences with WGU here, offering an honest take on whether returning to school is worth it for a veteran engineer.

Thanks for visiting. If you are interested in enterprise voice networks, call center history, home gardening, kayaking logs, or Chinese learning, you’ve found the right spot.