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Biography
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While working on his bachelor of science degree in electronics and computer sciences at Lake Superior State University in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan (1968), Antonio (Tony) Orlando had the opportunity to install and configure the university’s first experimental IBM 1401 mainframe. He helped maintain and administer this computer that was also utilized by the university’s computer studies and computer programming departments.
From 1972–1989, Tony worked as an electrical engineer for Control Data Corporation, a Minneapolis-based large computer mainframe manufacturer. He started as a field customer engineer and later taught field engineers the theory and proper maintenance techniques required for maintaining Control Data’s large scientific mainframes in the United States, Canada, Australia and Europe. In his last 10 years at Control Data, Tony was project manager, involved in the design and maintenance of both the hardware and micro-code development, as well as writing and maintaining various engineering specs.
In 1988, Tony founded OCTEK Inc. a company whose mission was to sell, install, and maintain PC hardware, network and telecommunications services. During this period, he was also involved in hardware and software training.
He developed and administered several computer courses: Data Communications and Telecommunications Fundaments; Mastering the Fundamentals of Wireless Communications; ISDN, X.25, Frame Relay and ATM: The Building Blocks of Networking Technology; PC Hardware for Users; an A-Plus course in IBM PC Troubleshooting; and Network Fundamentals. These courses were taught as public seminars throughout Canada, the U.S., and the Caribbean, and were attended by more than 10,000 professionals.
In the fall of 1987, Tony started working for the Continuing Education department at Sheridan College, where he taught evening courses in the electronic and computer engineering technology departments. Tony later began teaching the same courses for the Faculty of Applied Science and Technology as a part-time professor.
At Sheridan, Tony founded the Sheridan Engineering Club (SEC). This club is made up of enthusiastic students that were responsible for converting a standard gasoline powered automobile to an electrically powered one.
