Michael McDonald

I direct the vision, strategy, and operations for Norwegian Cruise Line's foundational technology environment. Leading the platform, infrastructure, operations, and cybersecurity teams, my focus is on delivering secure, highly available, and modernized services that support enterprise growth and innovation across the organization.

Arbitrary Systems is a software company developing products for detail-driven domains. We focus on creating systems that feel composed, trustworthy, and easier to live with over time. Currently overseeing the development of three prototype products: The Arbitrary Register (luxury collections), PranaLogic (wellness operations), and I’m Open 2 (local social networking).

Led all aspects of Mandiant's technology transformation, overseeing IT operations, business systems, and infrastructure strategy through the integration with Google. Directed the company's technology transformation, including complex mergers and acquisitions, and enhanced operational efficiency through systematic process improvements and meticulous planning. • 𝐒𝐮𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲 𝐒𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 & 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: Led the successful technology separation from FireEye and integration into Google, ensuring migrations were completed within the established timelines. • 𝐂𝐥𝐨𝐮𝐝 𝐌𝐢𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 & 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐚 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: Migrated 100% of systems to the cloud and consolidated multiple data centers, generating significant operational cost savings. • 𝐄𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐞-𝐖𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐲𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭: Deployed Google Workspace across the organization within 30 days of the acquisition, accelerating integration and fostering enhanced cross-team collaboration. • 𝐒𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭: Implemented a new Salesforce platform to streamline sales processes and improve revenue forecasting visibility for the leadership team. • 𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐄𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐲: Deployed Jira Service Management, which reduced service resolution times and significantly improved IT support functions. • 𝐄𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐞 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐄𝐧𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬: Upgraded enterprise security by implementing advanced system upgrades, including layer-seven firewall deployment across all sites. • 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭: Reduced service ticket volume and resolution times through data-driven operational improvements. • 𝐒𝐞𝐚𝐦𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: Led technical due diligence and integration planning between Mandiant and Google, ensuring a seamless transition of all systems and operations.

Led the transformation of CommonSpirit Health's infrastructure organization into a high-speed delivery and software-focused team, managing a substantial capital project portfolio. Focused on optimizing infrastructure management and fostering a culture of innovation and agility. • 𝐂𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐒𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 & 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐑𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐠𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: Spearheaded the renegotiation of major contracts, achieving significant cost savings while simultaneously improving product and service quality. • 𝐈𝐧𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐃𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐂𝐚𝐩𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬: Grew delivery capabilities from $80M to $150M per year, significantly enhancing infrastructure improvement initiatives and operational efficiency. • 𝐌𝐨𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐧 𝐈𝐧𝐟𝐫𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭: Implemented modern approaches to infrastructure management, driving innovation and agility within the team and improving overall delivery speed and quality.

Provided strategic consulting services to multiple clients, focusing on large-scale technology projects, architectural governance, and engineering solutions. Partnered with private equity firms and other organizations to drive successful technical and cybersecurity initiatives. • 𝐂𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩: Collaborated with diverse clients on large-scale technology projects, enhancing architectural governance and delivering tailored engineering solutions. • 𝐃𝐮𝐞 𝐃𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐞: Conducted thorough technical and cybersecurity due diligence for private equity firms, ensuring robust risk management and security compliance.

Led a team of over 175 professionals to support Target's transition to cloud/mobile-first development, championing agile, product-focused, and cloud-native principles. Drove transformation by implementing innovative connectivity solutions to improve operational efficiency and the in-store experience. • 𝐎𝐫𝐠𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐳𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: Transformed the Connectivity Organization by fostering a strong engineering culture and shifting to a software-driven environment, resulting in significant operational efficiencies. • 𝐍𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐃𝐞𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐲𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭: Led the deployment of a multi-modal WAN network across all locations within 12 months, dramatically enhancing the in-store experience for both team members and guests. • 𝐋𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐫 𝐂𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐒𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬: Implemented a soft-phone client on MyDevice handheld computers, streamlining operations and achieving substantial labor savings by eliminating the need for dedicated Fitting Room Attendants.

Led engineering and operations for one of the world’s largest private OpenStack cloud infrastructures, supporting Walmart.com and applications for Walmart stores, Sam’s Clubs, and distribution centers. Developed platform services and frameworks to deliver a top-tier developer experience across private and public clouds. • 𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐦 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧: Built and scaled a world-class cloud infrastructure team, growing from 45 to over 140 members within a year, significantly enhancing agility and delivery speed. • 𝐂𝐥𝐨𝐮𝐝 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: Implemented Microsoft Azure IaaS and PaaS services, enabling on-demand capacity expansion to seamlessly support peak retail periods. • 𝐍𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐑𝐞𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧: Redesigned private cloud networks with a focus on Software Defined Networking (SDN), using high-performance non-blocking architecture to improve scalability. • 𝐈𝐧𝐟𝐫𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭: Delivered the world’s largest Puppet-managed environment, ensuring consistent server environmental standards across a vast infrastructure.

Modernized all facets of Best Buy’s corporate network and infrastructure services and strategies for over 1000 locations including 3 data centers. These services encompass voice & data networks, servers, storage, database, middleware, conferencing & collaboration, remote access, BYOD, call center infrastructure, mobility and Telecommunications Expense Management. Led the efforts to bring key services back under internal IT control. • Executed a redesign of the data center and distributed networks leading to the implementation of cloud-based services while saving $5.5M annually in lease and maintenance costs • Improved the in-store experience by overhauling Wi-Fi networks with spectrum intelligence to overcome high levels of interference, 802.11n to enhance speeds and through increased access point density for coverage and throughput

Enabled IT infrastructure, technology deployment, and data center build out to support expansion into UK, Turkey, Mexico & China. Provided infrastructure direction for server, SAN, storage, network, voice, video, virtualization, and remote access technology areas. • Cut costs and improved efficiency through virtualization and global infrastructure standardization

Developed Best Buy’s global network, voice, and collaboration systems vision and strategy. Supervised 75+ employees and up to 60 contractors in Canada, India, Philippines, and US. Administered $105M capital and expense budget. Supported more than 1,000 locations in US, Canada, China, Mexico, and Turkey. Formulated and improved operational metrics. • Played key role in saving >$10M per year by securing Best Buy’s first PCI Report of Compliance • Ensured PCI compliance in record time for equipment and services in all locations in seven months • Slashed WAN costs 25% by negotiating new contract for increased bandwidth and improved service • Directed $8M IP-based telephony system deployment program for retail sites. Prepared RFP, selected deployment vendor, negotiated contracts and led deployment process

Performed project planning and management for key clients. Determined requirements, developed solutions, and led technology implementation initiatives. • Managed testing and migration for $20M eBusiness network project at DaimlerChrysler • Designed network and systems architecture to support DaimlerChrysler’s new employee portal

Led construction of first-of-its-kind web-based recruiting system, later adopted by other service branches.

Reengineered network, servers, and email systems to effectively support 5,000 users.

Oversaw installation of networks, file servers, and email systems for multiple fighter squadrons.