CN Rail – Next Generation Data Center program

(Consultant through Arista Networks) 

 

Situation: CN Rail, one of North America’s largest rail networks, required a strategic overhaul of its aging data center infrastructure. They aimed to modernize five regional data centers while minimizing service disruption to critical logistics and operations platforms. 

 

Task: As the Program Manager from Arista Professional Services, I was responsible for managing the end-to-end network transformation program—covering over 600 servers, modernizing network fabrics, implementing new security standards, and coordinating cross-functional teams across CN Rail’s IT, operations, and compliance groups. 

 

Action:

• Led the strategic planning and execution of 150+ scheduled data center cutovers, ensuring alignment with logistics cycles and compliance requirements. 
• Established a stage/gate governance model to track milestones, risk exposure, and executive sign-offs—tailored to CN Rail’s internal controls and audit frameworks. 
• Facilitated bi-weekly stakeholder checkpoints with CN’s security, data, and operations teams to maintain alignment on integration timelines and dependencies. 
• Mitigated risk by developing cutover rehearsal protocols and fallback recovery strategies, including technical dry runs and rollback documentation. 
• Managed a cross-functional delivery team across engineering, security, and Arista support, and ensured clear handoff to internal operations post-deployment. 

 

Result:

• Delivered the full modernization program on time and within budget, with zero critical outages and minimal service degradation during cutovers. 
• Successfully migrated 600+ servers across five regional data centers, enhancing performance, scalability, and reliability. 
• Enabled CN Rail to achieve a 40% improvement in Network Hardware Support Costs and a 25% reduction in post-incident escalations. 
• Received direct recognition from CN’s executive team for risk-managed execution and clarity in cross-functional leadership.