The rapid expansion of data centers is reshaping the industry, requiring new approaches to design, safety, and leadership. 

We’re excited to have Doug Mouton, former Senior Eng Lead, Datacenter Design Engineering and Construction at Meta, as a guest on this latest episode of the “Data Center Revolution” podcast. Doug joins us with key insights into leadership, adaptability, and the evolution of hyperscale data-center construction. He also shares his journey from military service to leading large-scale infrastructure projects in the data center industry, highlighting key transferable skills along the way. 

Key Takeaways:

(07:54) Military mindset builds strong leaders. (14:25) Veterans thrive in high-pressure environments. (25:32) Katrina exposed disaster preparedness gaps. (35:16) Microsoft shifted to cost-effective data center designs. (43:56) Data centers face growing energy challenges. (54:26) Safety-first culture boosts efficiency and morale. (01:21:43) Data centers must transition to hybrid cooling solutions. (01:42:09) AI needs ethical guardrails.

Resources Mentioned:

Fidelis New Energy | Website - https://www.fidelisinfra.com

Microsoft Azure - https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/

Meta - https://about.meta.com/

Jacobs - https://www.jacobs.com/

National Guard - https://nationalguard.com/

Jones Lang LaSalle - https://www.us.jll.com/

Thank you for listening to “Data Center Revolution.” Don’t forget to leave us a review and subscribe so you don’t miss an episode.   To learn more about Overwatch, visit us at https://linktr.ee/overwatchmissioncritical 

DataCenterIndustry #NuclearEnergy #FutureOfDataCenters #AI

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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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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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.

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 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 continues the conversation with Daniel Crosby, founder and CEO of Legend Energy Advisors, as they highlight the challenges and opportunities in infrastructure projects, power generation, and data centers, and stress the need for a deep understanding of the energy ecosystem. Their discussion delves into the role of data centers in driving change in power consumption, emphasizing the importance of educating consumers on energy usage and transparent pricing signals. With the importance of understanding gas dynamics, leveraging real-time data, and upcoming industry shifts due to AI and cloud adoption, they underscore the interconnected nature of industries.

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