Chris Thomas

About Chris Thomas

The appetite for AI is increasing exponentially. I deploy optical solutions to data centers and Tier 1 facilities to make access to AI and 5G available to all consumers.I am a Senior Technical Program Manager with 15+ years of Senior Optical Engineering expertise designing and deploying high-capacity Optical Transport Networks. I have led the design, deployment and growth of DWDM and Dark fiber (OSP) infrastructures to facilitate AI (ML/Data Mining), Cloud, and IoT solutions. As an Innovative Program Manager, with an MSEE, I challenge the status quo to deliver complex, large-scale, next generation telecom projects from start to finish on time and under budget with a near 100% success rate. I deliver expert communication to Executive level and all shareholders plus leverage industry-leading tools including Office, Project, SAP, Co-Pilot, Gemini, Perplexity and Remedy to ensure precision and efficiency.My core strengths include working with shareholders, problem-solving and vendor collaboration to successfully deploy cutting-edge solutions from Ciena, Cisco, Fujitsu, Lucent, Tellabs and Avaya.

Experience

1. Sr Lead Project Manager

   Lumen Technologies

   Jan 2025 — Present · Dallas-Fort Worth, TX, US

   Sr. Lead Project ManagerThe Project Manager for large-scale deployment of Dark Fiber with significant complexity and unique requirements for global customer. Responsible for planning, organizing and managing the customer\'s implementation to meet scope, timing and budget expectations and overall project outcomes. In this role I develop complex solutions to meet customer needs according to PMO criteria and standards. Project responsibilities include Outside Plant construction, splicing, Engineering, permitting, boring, duct placement, cable pulling, splicing, and testing.Sr. Lead Planning EngineerLed a program to consolidate and migrate traffic off live Ciena, Cisco, Lucent, and Nortel Optical Transport Network elements across data centers nationwide.Managed AI/ML initiative to automate traffic consolidation to reduce time and costs to migrate critical network traffic off live optical systems. Once complete, the automation tools will allow Network Engineers a 10x increase in productivity. Directed a 3-day technical summit integrating AI development team, planners, engineering, and installation groups to align workstreams and develop milestones for completion of AI tools within 3 months. Led pilot plan to migrate traffic off 50+ live nodes in 5 data centers.Coordinated cross-functional teams spanning network engineering, AI development, operations, supply chain, and vendors across multiple time zones.

Education

• The University of Texas at Austin

  Master's degree, Electrical and Electronics Engineering

• The University of Texas at Austin

  Master of Science, Electrical Engineering

• The University of Texas at Austin

  Bachelor of Science (BS), Electrical Engineering