Recorded with DCAC 2024, Kirk chats with Zachary Zawilla & David Velosa, Distributed Power Solutions, on building trust through reputation.

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Dan Crosby, CEO and Founder of Legend Energy Advisors, joins Kirk once again to discuss the challenges at the intersection of energy demands and the data center industry, the rise of cloud computing and AI, and the importance of national security in energy independence.

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Looking back at the most insightful and engaging moments from 2023. From reflections on the growth of the industry to a roundtable look at the future, take a trip down memory lane with Kirk and his guests.

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Kirk sits down with Cinthia Kim, Program Manager at Google, top discuss her journey into the industry, her nonprofit, Patina Network, aimed at empowering Asian American women and minorities in tech through mentorship and support, and the importance of allyship and fostering inclusivity.

0:00 Introduction and Background

1:31 The Purpose of the Podcast

3:06 Meeting at DCAC

8:21 Growing Up in Queens

12:02 Traveling and Life Experiences

15:09 Expectations and Pressure

17:04 Choosing a Career Path

18:38 College Journey and Discoveries

24:43 Early Career and Claims Consulting

27:51 The Impact of AI on the Future

31:35 The Importance of Networking

34:59 The Evolution of the Data Center Industry

41:14 College vs. Real-World Experience

44:27 Transitioning to the Data Center World

46:46 Mentoring and Community Building

52:40 Honorary Membership

55:25 COVID and Community

56:23 Celebrating Heritage

58:55 Mentorship and Inspiration

1:06:02 The Purpose of Patina Network

1:13:32 Building a Strong Community

1:15:43 Scaling and Rich Experiences

1:24:55 The Impact of Technology

1:31:14 Entering the Industry

1:34:56 Allyship and Inclusion

1:39:31 Building a Supportive Network

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David McCall, VP of Innovation at QTS Data Centers, joins Kirk on the show and reflects on his nearly 30-year career in IT, discussing the industry's evolution to cloud computing, highlighting the importance of agility and service-oriented approaches, and the need for organizations to foster belonging and empowerment among employees.

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Kirk sits down in the studio with KC Mares, MegaWatt Consulting, as they discuss the evolution of power solutions, the current energy challenges facing operators, and the role of on-site generation and natural gas as cleaner alternatives.

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Kirk is joined in the studio by Ken Moreano, CEO & President of Scott Data Center, and Bill Kleyman, CEO of Apolo, to chat about the evolving role of AI in data centers, the importance of education in adopting new technologies, real-world examples of AI applications, and the financial aspects of AI services.

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Recorded LIVE from DCAC 2024, Kirk sits down with Tobias Quaranta, Sr. Solutions Architect at Submer!

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Recorded LIVE from DCAC 2024, Kirk talks with Dave Mitchell, Founder & CEO, XYZ Reality

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Recorded LIVE from DCAC 2024, Kirk is joined by Carsten Schrick (Managing Director, Innio Jenbacher North America) & Thomas Seeber (Director, Global Accounts & Technical Sales) from INNIO

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Recorded LIVE from DCAC 2024, Kirk chats with David Bell, Vice President of Utility & Micro Grid Development, Voltagrid.

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Join Kirk and Wes as they delve into the remarkable journey of Wes Cummins, the visionary founder and CEO of Applied Digital. Wes recounts his evolution from a childhood spent on a family potato farm in Southern Idaho to spearheading innovations in next-generation digital infrastructure. He discusses his early fascination with technology, which guided him from academics and athletics to a career in finance and tech. The conversation highlights Wes’s pivot from Bitcoin mining to building high-performance data centers for AI workloads, especially in North America. Wes emphasizes the advantages of operating in smaller towns, like those in North Dakota, where Applied Digital contributes to local economies and creates high-paying jobs. As they explore the critical role of infrastructure in the evolving tech landscape, Wes paints a picture of a future where Applied Digital plays a key role in the global AI race, underscoring the importance of sustainable, community-focused innovation.

Join Kirk and Wes as they delve into the remarkable journey of Wes Cummins, the visionary founder and CEO of Applied Digital. Wes recounts his evolution from a childhood spent on a family potato farm in Southern Idaho to spearheading innovations in next-generation digital infrastructure. He discusses his early fascination with technology, which guided him from academics and athletics to a career in finance and tech. The conversation highlights Wes’s pivot from Bitcoin mining to building high-performance data centers for AI workloads, especially in North America. Wes emphasizes the advantages of operating in smaller towns, like those in North Dakota, where Applied Digital contributes to local economies and creates high-paying jobs. As they explore the critical role of infrastructure in the evolving tech landscape, Wes paints a picture of a future where Applied Digital plays a key role in the global AI race, underscoring the importance of sustainable, community-focused innovation.

For more about us: https://linktr.ee/overwatchmissioncritical

Join Kirk and Kevin as they delve into the intricate world of modern technology, exploring its impact on our daily lives and the future of innovation. They discuss the latest advancements in artificial intelligence, how it’s shaping industries and the ethical considerations that come with it. Additionally, they explore the dynamic intersection of technology and human behavior, examining how digital tools are transforming communication, work, and leisure. Their conversation also touches on emerging trends in tech and what they mean for both businesses and individuals, offering insightful perspectives on the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

For more about us: https://linktr.ee/overwatchmissioncritical

Join Kirk and Scott as they delve into a fascinating discussion with Scott, CEO of Caddis Cloud Solutions, exploring his journey from military service to leading the data center industry. Scott shares his background from a military family, his transition from the Marine Corps to corporate project management, and his insights into the evolving data center landscape. We discuss the industry's shift toward higher density systems, the rise of renewable and nuclear energy solutions, and the increasing demand for data-driven infrastructure. Scott highlights his company's role in bridging gaps between landowners and tech operators, emphasizes the need for innovative power solutions, and addresses the impact of emerging technologies like AI on the workforce. His vision for the future includes collaboration, sustainability, and advancing the tech sector with a focus on both innovation and societal responsibility.

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Join Kirk and Emil Sayegh as they discuss Emil's remarkable journey from an immigrant from Lebanon to proudly becoming a U.S. citizen and serving the country through his leadership in the tech industry. Emil shares his path from mechanical engineering to product management, ultimately leading three Data Center and Managed Services companies as CEO. The conversation delves into the evolution and challenges of the data center industry, highlighting the critical need for sustainable energy solutions to address power consumption and efficiency issues.

They explore the importance of smart algorithms, the evolution of managed services, and customer-centric approaches, with insights from Emil's experience at Rackspace. Key topics include capital management, talent acquisition, cloud services, AI integration, and robust security practices, along with reflections on software glitches and outdated systems. The discussion underscores the balance between technological progress and ethical governance, emphasizing the role of human values and optimism in addressing global challenges through technology.

Join Marlee, Shae, David, and Isaac as they share their journeys entering the data center industry, emphasizing adaptability and interpersonal skills. The conversation highlights the industry's evolving values, stressing the importance of openness, learning, and inclusivity as well as the critical need for younger talent to help drive innovation and growth. Speakers advocate for embracing challenges, continuous growth, and a supportive community that values diversity and personal development within the data center sector.

In this DCAC Europe Special Episode, Kirk and Cathal reveal the story behind their transatlantic partnership, the exciting journey of DCAC Europe’s inception, the reason behind bringing it to Dublin, Ireland, and their motivations and challenges faced in organizing an industry leading conference in a new country. For more information visit- https://europe.dcac-live.com. For sponsorship inquires email [email protected]

Thank you to our Title Sponsor MCIS - Mission Critical Interior Solutions, Inc. provides interior architectural solutions for data, cloud, and mission critical centers across North America. We offer everything from polished, epoxy, and sealed concrete to raised flooring, hot/cold aisle containment, and high-density ceiling grid. We also install raised access flooring in office spaces and provide underfloor air distribution testing to commission spaces - https://mcis-inc.com

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Trigger warning: This episode includes discussions of suicidal ideations. Listener discretion is advised. If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, please reach out for help or conact- 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

Join Kirk And Cathal Quinn, as they share deeply personal stories and experiences. They emphasize the value of educational podcasts aiming to inspire and inform their audience about complex subjects within data centers and industry advancements. Cathal reflects on his upbringing, which shaped his strong work ethic and resilience, highlighting its impact on his perspective and advocacy for mental health and veteran support. Kirk shares his journey in the data center sector, stressing the role of individuals in driving innovation. They explore personal struggles such as addiction and mental health challenges. They stress the importance of balance, self-care, and open communication in leadership and personal life, underscoring the power of storytelling in fostering empathy and understanding.

Thank you to our Title Sponsor MCIS - Mission Critical Interior Solutions, Inc. provides interior architectural solutions for data, cloud, and mission critical centers across North America. We offer everything from polished, epoxy, and sealed concrete to raised flooring, hot/cold aisle containment, and high-density ceiling grid. We also install raised access flooring in office spaces and provide underfloor air distribution testing to commission spaces - https://mcis-inc.com

For more about us: https://linktr.ee/overwatchmissioncritical

Join Kirk and Joe, as they Detail Joe's journey from a farm in Michigan, to leading a data center company in Dallas. Transitioning from tech roles at Disney and Amazon to spearheading AWS's expansion into Asia and how it changed his decision-making approach. They also speak on optimizing data center locations for connectivity and efficiency and explore the data center industry's evolution. They emphasize the fusion of cloud computing and AI and the growing demand for skilled professionals in companies like Digital Bridge and Databank. They also discuss the societal impact of technology in education and healthcare, envisioning AI's role in revolutionizing service delivery through energy solutions like hydrogen and geothermal sources. Wrapping up they discuss its impact on industries like weather prediction and drug development, emphasizing the need for employee investment and growth-centric cultures.

Thank you to our Title Sponsor MCIS - Mission Critical Interior Solutions, Inc. provides interior architectural solutions for data, cloud, and mission critical centers across North America. We offer everything from polished, epoxy, and sealed concrete to raised flooring, hot/cold aisle containment, and high-density ceiling grid. We also install raised access flooring in office spaces and provide underfloor air distribution testing to commission spaces - https://mcis-inc.com

For more about us: https://linktr.ee/overwatchmissioncritical

Join Kirk, Sydney, and Jenny as they discuss self-care through the 30-30-4-30 walking challenge, emphasizing its transformative benefits. They highlight setting boundaries, resilience, and the importance of community support. The conversation extends to military to civilian life transitions, healthy workplace cultures, and mentorship in the data center industry.

Join Kirk and Mason Ward, President at 6Fathoms Consulting, for DCR’s 100th Episode! In this episode they dive into the importance of adaptability and individual strengths, transitioning to the data center industry, and the demand for skilled professionals and advocate for education to meet industry needs. Highlighting AI's impact, Kirk and Mason emphasize foundational trades as pathways to leadership. Addressing nuclear power perceptions, they stress bold decision-making and team loyalty for sustainable growth.

Thank you to our Title Sponsor MCIS - Mission Critical Interior Solutions, Inc. provides interior architectural solutions for data, cloud, and mission critical centers across North America. We offer everything from polished, epoxy, and sealed concrete to raised flooring, hot/cold aisle containment, and high-density ceiling grid. We also install raised access flooring in office spaces and provide underfloor air distribution testing to commission spaces - https://mcis-inc.com

For more about us: https://linktr.ee/overwatchmissioncritical

Join Kirk and Mason Ward, President at 6Fathoms Consulting, for DCR’s 100th Episode! In this episode, they discuss Mason's journey from being an undisciplined student to excelling in the Navy's nuclear program. highlighting the benefits of military training and the valuable skills it instills in you. They explore diverse career paths and commend Mason's innovative approach to success.

Thank you to our Title Sponsor MCIS - Mission Critical Interior Solutions, Inc. provides interior architectural solutions for data, cloud, and mission critical centers across North America. We offer everything from polished, epoxy, and sealed concrete to raised flooring, hot/cold aisle containment, and high-density ceiling grid. We also install raised access flooring in office spaces and provide underfloor air distribution testing to commission spaces - https://mcis-inc.com

For more about us: https://linktr.ee/overwatchmissioncritical

Kirk and Jim explore the profound impact of artificial intelligence on various industries and processes, enhancing efficiency and accuracy. They discuss the ethical considerations surrounding AI's decision-making capabilities, emphasizing the necessity of developing responsible and unbiased AI systems.

For more about us: https://linktr.ee/overwatchmissioncritical

Thank you to our Title Sponsor MCIS - Mission Critical Interior Solutions, Inc. provides interior architectural solutions for data, cloud, and mission critical centers across North America. We offer everything from polished, epoxy, and sealed concrete to raised flooring, hot/cold aisle containment, and high-density ceiling grid. We also install raised access flooring in office spaces and provide underfloor air distribution testing to commission spaces - https://mcis-inc.com

Kirk and Jim discuss the importance of building a talented team for personal and professional growth. They reflect on leadership evolution, highlight exceptional team members, and explore Cyrus One's industry journey. Touching on energy demands and technology advancements.

For more about us: https://linktr.ee/overwatchmissioncritical

Thank you to our Title Sponsor MCIS - Mission Critical Interior Solutions, Inc. provides interior architectural solutions for data, cloud, and mission critical centers across North America. We offer everything from polished, epoxy, and sealed concrete to raised flooring, hot/cold aisle containment, and high-density ceiling grid. We also install raised access flooring in office spaces and provide underfloor air distribution testing to commission spaces - https://mcis-inc.com

Kirk and Adam discuss the impact of regulations on the data center industry, emphasizing the transformative capacity of data centers and the importance of education to attract a skilled workforce. Highlighting the industry's positive narrative to inspire future generations and exploring the significance of having a "plan A" in life and promoting data centers as a viable career choice.