Meet Our Team – Quick Q&A with Saks
We’re excited to welcome Saks to our growing US team at COS Systems. Based in the Greater Toronto Area, he’ll be leading our Principal Enterprise Architect leading initiatives to strengthen our technical capabilities across North America. Get to know him in this quick Q&A.
Tell us a little bit about yourself – who are you, and what is your background?
I’m a technologist with over 18 years in the telecommunications and IT industry. My background is built on designing solutions, driving process automation, and leading complex system integrations, with a specific focus on Open Access models, Fiber Broadband, Customer Service Provisioning, and TMF APIs. Previously, I spent time as a Solution Architect at AT&T, where I gained a deep understanding of the unique challenges large-scale ISPs face. Outside of work, I’m a dedicated family man – husband to a supportive wife and father to my 9-year-old daughter and 10-month-old son.
You’re joining our growing (US) team – what will you be working on, and how does your role strengthen COS Systems in North America?
I’m joining as the Principal Enterprise Architect. My focus is on aligning our technology strategy with business goals as we scale in the North American market. Specifically, I’ll be working on the COS Wholesale Engine and COS FSM application. My goal is to leverage the strong technical foundation established by the amazing team at COS and build on it to deliver rapid, high-quality scalability for our North American market presence.
What caught your interest in COS Systems?
Honestly, it was a combination of the people and the mission. I had the chance to connect with a few friends at COS before making the decision, and seeing their passion really highlighted the company’s culture and genuine customer centricity. On the technical side, the clear drive to become the global leader in Open Access Network solutions is a journey I wanted to be a part of.
What are your goals for the coming months in your new role?
My priority is to dive deep into the COS product ecosystem – the Business Engine, Wholesale Engine, and FSM. But in keeping with the COS culture of customer focus, I want to go beyond the software to really understand the operational and implementation challenges our US industry partners face. My goal is to translate those insights into a clear, outcome-driven architectural roadmap that solves real-world operational challenges and positions us for long-term scalability and market leadership.
What are you most excited about when it comes to working with COS customers and partners in the US?
I’m excited about the sheer scale of the opportunity here. The US market has unique and complex requirements, and I’m looking forward to collaborating directly with our partners to design architectures that meet those needs. It’s deeply satisfying to see a technical strategy directly translate into a smoother, more efficient operation for a customer.
What’s your go-to productivity hack when things get busy?
I’m a big believer in deep-work sessions, or “Focus Blocks.” When I need to tackle a complex architecture problem, I proactively block off time on my calendar, turn off notifications, put on my music, and immerse myself in the task. It’s the only way to deliver high-quality, strategic thinking amidst the noise.
If you could instantly become an expert in one new skill, what would it be?
I’d love to instantly master Swedish – it would be a great way to connect even better with my colleagues at HQ!
But jokes apart, I’d choose Generative AI for network and solution architecture. Being able to apply deep learning to instantly optimize Open Access fiber designs would be a massive asset, allowing us to accelerate our design cycles and get robust solutions to market much faster.
What’s your favorite way to unwind after a long workday?
Quality time with my wife and kids is always priority number one. With a 9-year-old and a 10-month-old, life is busy! Once the house finally settles down, I usually unwind by just disconnecting and catching up on a good series on Netflix. It’s the best way to turn off the ‘architect brain’ for a while.
Lastly, what’s one word your friends or colleagues would use to describe you?
Steadfast.
