Magento eCommerce Webpage Load time optimization

Hi, I own [login to view URL] and have a need to increase the load times of the site for first time and repeat views. I need someone who is -experienced in optimizing magento ecommerce sites and improving first load times. (running community version 1.6) -Someone who understands the metrics used by [login to view URL] -works in in a similar timezone to where i am located i.e. LA, CA (PST) so we can communicate when both of us are awake -access to skype video chat or google video -is not a yesman, but a realist I am looking to ideally go from the current 11-12 seconds i see down to 3-4 as the project goal. The website does not use excessively custom coded modules so let me know if this goal seems achievable, what basic steps you would take to make it happen, and how much it should cost. Cheers, -Phil FYI i have other sites that would need similar services if things worked well as well as other Magneto based work that needs to be done