Transform Your IT M&A Projects

At Carl Kelley Consulting, we specialize in guiding complex IT integrations, infrastructure, and cybersecurity initiatives, ensuring seamless transitions that help your organization unlock value and thrive through mergers and acquisitions.

Carl Kelley

About Carl Kelley

Accomplished Senior IT Project Manager and Program Manager

Carl Kelley Consulting is led by Carl Kelley, an accomplished Senior IT Project Manager and Program Manager with extensive experience in IT mergers and acquisitions, infrastructure integration, cybersecurity, and enterprise application upgrades. With a background spanning industries such as Maintenance, Distribution, Aviation, Bio Sciences, and Pharmaceuticals, Carl specializes in guiding organizations through the technology complexities of mergers and acquisitions.

Carl has successfully managed large-scale initiatives, including a 13,000-PC operating system refresh, 1,200 Red Hat Enterprise Linux v8 server upgrades, global endpoint security deployments, and SAP modernization programs. His expertise lies in leading cross-functional teams, fostering collaboration with vendors and stakeholders, and delivering seamless IT transitions that protect business continuity during mergers and acquisitions (M&A) activity.

He earned his MBA with a concentration in Project Management from the University of Texas and holds PMP (Project Management Professional) and CSM (Certified Scrum Master) certifications. His proven track record includes delivering hardware, software, security, and network integration projects on time and within budget for organizations such as Grainger, Microsoft, Southwest Airlines, Smith + Nephew, and McKesson Corporation.

A U.S. Navy Submarine Veteran, Carl thrives in complex, high-stakes environments where precision, adaptability, and results are essential. Carl Kelley Consulting can be reached at (469) 464-9038 for IT M&A consulting and integration expertise.

Formal Education

With my real world experience and my formal education I have the strategic knowledge, leadership skills, and specialized tools needed to excel in complex, high-stakes environments, significantly enhancing my ability to deliver projects on time, within budget, and with measurable success.

Blog


 University of Texas - Tyler

Master of Business Administration with a Concentration in Project Management

Blog

(Cum Laude)

 University of Texas - Tyler

 Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences

Blog

(Summa Cum Laude)

Excelsior College 

 Associate in Applied Science

Certifications 
Across Multiple Domains

Project Management Professional (PMP)

Certified ScrumMaster (CSM)

Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP)

Author:

​Carl F. Kelley Jr. is also an engaging author known for his compelling storytelling and ability to captivate readers with thought-provoking insights. His works reflect a deep understanding of human experiences and a passion for addressing complex topics with clarity and authenticity. He excels at blending creativity with practicality, offering readers engaging narratives that inspire, educate, and entertain.

​​"Click on the book covers for more information on AMAZON"

Make my current About page the homepage. Do not change the About page content yet. Keep the navigation links working and preserve the current styling as much as possible.

Six Weeks to Success in IT Project Management: Transforming Non-Techies into IT Project Managers. A Beginner's 6-Week Step-by-Step Guide to Confidence and Capability in IT Project Management

Customer Service On A Submarine: World Class Customer Service Strategies from a U.S. Navy Submarine Veteran

Cybersecurity 101: Protecting Yourself in a Digital World. Your personal guide to navigating the digital threat landscape

Book cover titled "Influence Under Attack" by Carl F. Kelley Jr., focusing on cybersecurity for social media influencers.

Influence Under Attack: Cybersecurity for Social Media Influencers. In today's digital world, influence is currency, and social media influencers are prime targets for cybercriminals.

Expertise & Achievements

Milestones of Success

13,000 PC Upgrade

Successfully managed a significant operating system upgrade for 13,000 PCs, enhancing efficiency and security in the aviation sector.

1,200 Server Upgrades

Led a crucial project upgrading 1,200 servers to Red Hat Enterprise Linux v8 for a major healthcare client, improving system reliability and scalability.

Global Security Deployment

Executed global endpoints security projects for leading distribution companies, significantly enhancing data protection strategies.

Cloud Modernization

Directed cloud modernization initiatives, delivering enhanced scalability and performance for a major pharmaceutical client.

SAP Modernization

Implemented SAP modernization efforts for a tech giant, greatly improving resource management and operational workflow.

Award-Winning Leadership

Recipient of multiple awards for exemplary leadership and innovative solutions in challenging project environments.

Our Core Values

Excellence in IT Project Management

Innovation

We leverage advanced technologies to optimize IT infrastructure and enhance cybersecurity measures.

Integrity

Our commitment to ethical standards fosters trust and reliability in all IT project engagements.

Collaboration

We work closely with clients and teams to align on project goals, fostering a collaborative environment.

Excellence

Our track record in delivering projects on time and within budget underscores our dedication to excellence.

Global Perspective

We navigate complex international projects with informed insights and adaptive strategies.

Customer Focus

We prioritize our clients' needs, ensuring their satisfaction is central to our project execution.

Your IT Integration Partner

Transforming Complex IT M&A into Competitive Advantage

Transform your IT landscape with my thorough understanding of complex IT infrastructure, Networking, and Cybersecurity initiatives. Experience seamless execution of critical upgrades.

Proven track record managing portfolios exceeding $100 million.

At Dallas Area Rapid Transit, I successfully delivered an $8.3 million fleetwide infrastructure upgrade, completed in February 2026. I am currently leading a $16.825 million Phase I initiative to modernize and expand DART’s video surveillance across revenue vehicles and wayside assets, replacing aging, unsupported systems with current technology standards.

Current ​Client:  The Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART). DART is a comprehensive transit agency serving the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex in Texas. It operates an extensive network of buses, light rail, commuter rail, and high-occupancy vehicle lanes across Dallas and 12 surrounding suburbs. With its dedicated, technology-integrated police force and metro-wide Wi-Fi connectivity, DART prioritizes infrastructure resilience as a foundation for sustainability and active community engagement.

Contact ME Today
Professional headshot
30+ 
Years of:
​Project Management, Program Management and Technical Leadership  Management Experience

About Carl Kelley Consulting

Steering Your IT M&A Projects with Experience and Expertise

During my 18-year career at McKesson (2001–2018), I advanced through leadership roles that positioned me to drive large-scale IT and infrastructure initiatives critical to organizational growth and transformation.


​I began as a Technical Support Team Lead, delivering executive-level IT support for McKesson’s CEO and leadership team, ensuring seamless technology operations during high-stakes periods of change.

​Advancing to Help Desk Manager, I directed IT support for thousands of users across multiple facilities, leading teams to maintain business continuity during system transitions.


​As a Senior IT Manager, I implemented a regional support model across 35 pharmaceutical distribution centers, overseeing strategic technology initiatives that enabled operational scalability. I managed crisis response, service improvements, and major change management efforts, including a $7M IBM iSeries server upgrade and enterprise-level automation initiatives that enhanced efficiency during periods of corporate expansion.

Promoted to Senior Project Manager and Program Manager, I led multimillion-dollar programs, including nationwide infrastructure upgrades and transportation technology enhancements.

​My consistent delivery of projects on time and within budget reinforced my ability to integrate complex systems and align IT strategy with business objectives.


​By bridging IT operations with enterprise growth strategies, I gained deep expertise in managing the technological complexities that underpin successful mergers, acquisitions, and organizational transitions.


​Employer: MCKESSON Corporation. McKesson is the largest healthcare company in the United States. The company delivers a third of all pharmaceutical products used or consumed in North America.
​July 2001 - January 2018 (Full Time Employee)

My Commitment
Ensuring your projects are completed on time and within budget through expert management and collaboration.
My Vision
To make IT modernization accessible and effective for businesses across diverse industries.
Connect with ME

MY Expertise

Transforming IT Projects Across Diverse Industries

Harnessing comprehensive knowledge and a collaborative approach that drives IT project success, I support tailored solutions that adapt to your specific needs.

Complex IT Infrastructure Upgrades

I excel in managing large-scale technology upgrades, ensuring your systems are modernized to prevent disruptions and enhance performance. A great example is my role as the Senior Project Manager over the Extended Security Update (ESU) project. This was an external customer-facing position. The project consisted of leveraging best practices and go-forward strategies to deploy/refresh/update Security patches, Server operating systems, and In-support/Out-of-support Windows operating systems to Worldwide customers.

​Client: Microsoft Corporation. An American multinational technology conglomerate headquartered in Redmond, Washington. Founded in 1975
​January 2022 – March 2023

Cybersecurity Solutions

In IT mergers and acquisitions, cybersecurity is mission-critical. I develop proactive strategies that safeguard sensitive data and systems throughout integration. For example, during an Endpoint Management initiative, I ensured seamless deployment of security agents across all endpoints, enabling real-time visibility and rapid issue resolution. This not only protected against unauthorized access during a high-risk transition period but also enhanced device performance and strengthened operational security—delivering stability and confidence in the post-merger IT environment.

​Client: Grainger. An American Fortune 500 industrial supply company founded in 1927 in Chicago, IL.
​November 2023 – August 2024

Tailored Project Management

I apply industry best practices to ensure IT integration projects are delivered efficiently, on time, and within scope. For example, during a global Windows 10 adoption initiative, I successfully upgraded 16,000 PCs across six continents—North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia—demonstrating my ability to lead large-scale technology transitions critical to merger and acquisition success.

​Client: Smith + Nephew. Ranked #25 among the world’s largest 100 medical device companies.
​February 2018 – May 2019

Budget-Conscious Solutions

I provide strategic IT insights that optimize budgets and maximize value during mergers and acquisitions. Leveraging deep experience in managing complex infrastructure projects, I specialize in transformative upgrades that ensure seamless technology integration. For example, as Senior IT Project Manager, I led a global Windows 10 refresh of 13,000 PCs across 85 airport and hub locations. My responsibilities included shaping deployment strategy for senior leaders, presenting strategic options, defining outcomes, and building consensus on scope and objectives. I directed every aspect of the initiative, resource allocation, cross-functional workload balancing, executive communication, and escalation management, delivering a successful, enterprise-wide transition that reinforced business continuity in a high-stakes environment.

​Client: Southwest Airlines. An American Fortune 500 major airline in the United States, headquartered in Dallas, TX 
​May 2019 – January 2022

Client-Centric Collaboration

In mergers and acquisitions, alignment between technology and business objectives is critical. My commitment to open communication and collaboration ensures IT integration efforts stay aligned with your vision and goals. As Senior Infrastructure Project Manager, I led a Cybersecurity Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) initiative, engaging stakeholders early to balance security requirements with business needs. This client-focused approach facilitated seamless communication between technical teams and leadership, ensuring secure, compliant, and efficient IT integration during a period of organizational transition.

​Client: Southern Glazer’s.  Is the largest wine and spirits distributor in the United States. 
​March 2023 - October 2023 


Innovative Solutions

In the fast-paced environment of mergers and acquisitions, I leverage new technologies to deliver innovative IT solutions that drive secure, scalable integration. As Senior Global IT Project Manager, I led the implementation of the Zscaler cybersecurity platform while seamlessly decommissioning legacy Juniper RAS systems. Overseeing policy deployment across 14,000 devices worldwide, I ensured a secure and efficient global transition. I also partnered with Infrastructure Engineering on a proof of concept initiative to optimize security policies and streamline user access. My focus on innovation and adaptability enabled a smooth technology integration, strengthening cybersecurity resilience during a critical stage of organizational change

​​Client: Smith + Nephew. Ranked #25 among the world’s largest 100 medical device companies.
​February 2018 – May 2019

Carl Kelley Consulting

Expert IT Guidance for Every Stage of your IT M&A

Gallery Gallery Gallery Gallery Gallery Gallery