Strategic Site Selection: Grid Proximity & Land Scarcity

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  David Bell

  Dave has been in the utility industry for over 10 years helping support temporary, or long-term power generation requirements to industry, either behind or in front of the meter, using large reciprocating engines. Dave has worked with, industry, utilities, ISO’s and RTO’s to support capacity requirements, emergency response challenges and help improve planned work requirements. Dave joined the VoltaGrid in 2022 where VoltaGrid been supporting large industry by electrifying their processes when they have been completely stranded or have limited access to their utility. By supporting their customers they have reduced emissions by over 38%.

  VoltaGrid

  VP, Utility & Micro Grid Development

  David Bell

  VP, Utility & Micro Grid Development

  VoltaGrid

• 

  Mark Calvano

  Headquartered in San Francisco, Calvano Development, Inc. is a privately held development company specializing in urban infill projects in the Bay Area. Our Bay Area focus allows us better to understand market trends allowing us to be responsive to opportunistic projects that contribute to the communities we serve. As a privately held firm, together with creative problem solving, we can take on complex projects that others cannot. A native of Silicon Valley, Mark Calvano started his real estate career at Marcus and Millichap in 1986. Over the last 35 years, Calvano has been involved in the sale, leasing, and development of projects totaling over 1.8 million square feet of office, retail, and R&D projects valued at over one billion dollars. Mark Calvano graduated from S.F.S.U. with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. Calvano serves as a member of the Silicon Valley branch of the National Association of Industrial and Office Parks (NAIOP) and is a member of Bay Area Council.

  Calvano Development

  President

  Mark Calvano

  President

  Calvano Development

• 

  Brian Chen

  Brian is the Vice President at Stewart Title’s National Commercial Services group, where he and his team provide title insurance solutions for complex transactions across the United States. With over ten years of experience in the energy sector, Brian specializes in development, construction, and operations. He is an active member of the Houston community, co-founding the Renewable Energy Alliance (REAL) Houston and serving on its Board of Directors. Before his career in the energy industry, Brian served in the U.S. Army and completed a tour in Afghanistan.

  Stewart Title

  VP

  Brian Chen

  VP

  Stewart Title

• 

  Maria Poyer

  Maria is the Head of Acquisition at Verrus, leading efforts to grow digital infrastructure through strategizing, sourcing, negotiating, and acquiring new sites. Verrus, a data center platform launched by Sidewalk Infrastructure Partners (SIP) in 2024, is focused on reimagining data centers as active energy assets by integrating behind-the-meter generation and storage, positioning data centers as critical players in transforming energy systems. As a full-service developer, owner, and operator, Verrus is building a national platform across primary and emerging data center markets. With a strong background in land development and acquisition, Maria most recently served as Senior Acquisition Manager on Microsoft’s Infrastructure Planning & Acquisition team, overseeing land sourcing, site selection, and contract negotiations. She has been involved in over $5.6 billion in real estate transactions, expanding logistical and digital infrastructure for Amazon and Microsoft, and has also held key roles at JLL, Bank of America, and Amazon, where she helped scale Amazon’s real estate portfolio and logistical network. Passionate about community-building and inclusion, Maria serves as a board member of CREW Seattle, while remaining actively engaged in key data center industry conferences to drive collaboration and diversity within commercial real estate and digital infrastructure.

  Verrus

  Head of Acquisition

  Maria Poyer

  Head of Acquisition

  Verrus

• 

  Tom Spackman

  Tom Spackman is owner and CEO of Gigabit Fiber, a Dallas metro optical transport provider. He is also Managing Director of Mexcap LLC, a Dallas based private equity firm. Previously, Tom was the founder and former CEO of XC Networks, an international telecommunications firm specializing in fiber and wireless networks, data centers and towers that was sold to Transtelco. Tom is a subject matter expert in the areas of network security, utility regulation, spectrum management, rights of way and large-scale capital projects. Tom is a licensed attorney in the state of Texas specializing in Federal and State communication law. He was a delegate representing the Republic of Mexico at the ITU World Radio Conference in Geneva, Switzerland and has owned and operated network assets throughout North America.

  Gigabit Fiber

  Owner & CEO

  Tom Spackman

  Owner & CEO

  Gigabit Fiber

• 

  Sarp Ozkan

  Sarp is the VP - Commercial Product at Enverus. He has research and modeling experience in upstream & downstream oil & gas and power markets and has presented his work at various academic conferences around the world, including those organized by the SPE and the IAEE. He has also been published in the SPE Economics & Management Journal for his work on the long-term economic viability of production from unconventional liquids-rich reservoirs. Sarp’s focus on data-driven modeling and his ability to incorporate the effects of technological and market advances into analyses provides clients a thorough picture of the present and the future in their area of interest within the energy industry. Sarp holds a Master of Science in Mineral and Energy Economics from the Colorado School of Mines, a Master of Science in Petroleum Economics and Management from the Institut Francais du Petrole (IFP School), and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of Chicago.

  Enverus

  VP - Commercial Product

  Moderator

  Sarp Ozkan

  VP - Commercial Product

  Enverus

Construction Resilience in an Inflationary Era

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  David Coleman

  David Coleman brings a multigenerational legacy and deep industry expertise to his role as SVP of Data Centers & Intelligent Buildings at GCG. A fourth-generation leader in the wire and cable business, David’s career spans entrepreneurial ventures, private equity, and executive leadership across the security, IT, and intelligent infrastructure sectors. After cofounding Generation 3 Capital in 2008—a private equity firm focused on security and life safety—David worked hands-on with portfolio companies to drive innovation in sales, marketing, and product development. He later joined Paige in 2016, where he has led the charge in delivering game-changing connectivity solutions, including the award-winning GameChanger cable, to mission-critical environments. Today, David is a recognized voice in the evolution of smart buildings and data center infrastructure. He is a frequent speaker and panelist at industry events, where he shares insights on edge connectivity, operational efficiency, and the future of intelligent systems.

  GCG

  SVP, Data Centers & Intelligent Buildings

  David Coleman

  SVP, Data Centers & Intelligent Buildings

  GCG

• 

  Andy Kirby

  Andy Kirby is the AMER East & LATAM Build Partner at Microsoft, where he plays a pivotal role in overseeing various business operations and strategic initiatives within the Americas and LATAM region. With a focus on enhancing efficiency and consistency across the organization, Andy is dedicated to fostering a collaborative environment where team members are motivated to excel every day. In his current role, Andy is responsible for managing the development and execution of data center projects, ensuring that they meet the highest standards of safety, compliance, and operational excellence. His expertise in project management and risk mitigation has been instrumental in driving the successful completion of numerous high-profile projects. Before joining Microsoft, Andy spent 26 years working for general contractors, where he was involved in building highly sophisticated buildings to include the last 7 years focused on data centers. This extensive experience has provided him with a deep understanding of construction processes, project management, and the importance of collaboration and innovation in delivering complex projects. Andy is known for his visible leadership and commitment to building strong relationships with general contractors and trade partners. He has a keen eye for identifying potential challenges and implementing innovative solutions to keep projects on track and within budget. Throughout his career, Andy has demonstrated a passion for continuous improvement and learning. He has been actively involved in various training and workshop initiatives, including safety and compliance reviews, incident reviews, and corrective actions. Andy's dedication to professional development extends to his team, where he emphasizes the importance of building a culture of safety and excellence. In addition to his professional achievements, Andy is a strong advocate for community engagement and global citizenship. He has supported initiatives such as partnering with local high schools for engineering programs and participating in regional safety initiatives.

  Microsoft

  General Manager, AMERS EPC

  Andy Kirby

  General Manager, AMERS EPC

  Microsoft

• 

  Nithya Rathinam

  Nithya Rathinam is a Product Manager at Doxel, where she bridges the gap between construction and technology. She began her career as an architect at leading firms and led large-scale commercial projects. Today, she leverages her deep construction experience to develop AI-powered solutions that enhance efficiency and speed across the industry. By leveraging data-driven insights, Nithya is passionate about transforming the built environment and driving innovation that enhances collaboration and productivity on construction projects.

  Doxel

  Product Manager

  Nithya Rathinam

  Product Manager

  Doxel

• 

  Jennifer Toeppner

  Data Center Lead, Sales & Business Development

  Metromont

• 

  Kurt Lindorfer

  Kurt’s professional engineering career spans over 40 years. His expertise includes structural engineering design for Mission Critical Facilities such as Data Centers, Health Care Facilities such as Hospitals and Clinics and Life Sciences Facilities such as Biopharmaceutical Pilot Plants and Production Facilities around the United States and the World. His area of expertise is in designing buildings to be occupable after natural disasters including Tornados, Hurricanes and Earthquakes. He has been the structural engineer of record for conventional “fixed Base Buildings” ranging from 1-23 stories, “Base Isolated Buildings” ranging from 1-5 stories, and the retrofit and new construction of buildings incorporating Fluid Viscous Dampers ranging from 1-22 stories. He has published numerous papers on passive energy dissipation and presented the findings at various conventions in Boston, San Francisco and Milan. For over 23 years as the Founding Principal at PARADIGM Structural Engineers, Kurt spends most of his time developing new leaders at PARADIGM and mentoring staff in Chicago and San Francisco.

  PARADIGM Structural Engineers

  Founding Principal

  Moderator

  Kurt Lindorfer

  Founding Principal

  PARADIGM Structural Engineers

Presentation: From Design to Operation: Best Practices to Optimize Direct-to-Chip Cooling

• 

  Eric Kangas

  Sr. Engineered Solutions Manager

  Nalco Water, an Ecolab Company

Ameristar Session

• 

  Carlos Francisco

  Carlos is an accomplished security customer-centric executive. He is an expert in building world-class customer-centric security experiences by providing the strategic direction necessary to create memorable outcomes. Carlos has a record of leadership success as a Disney World leadership team member and a Tech Global Security Leader. Under his leadership, security teams surprised and delighted millions of guests and employees worldwide. In the last 25 years, Carlos Francisco, CPP, has led the security teams of some of the largest corporations in the world. This includes Walt Disney World, Amazon, and Meta (Facebook). He also has had the tremendous responsibility of leading security teams during major international events such as Super Bowl 50, Major League Baseball, National Basketball Association, World-Class Marathons, and many more. Carlos was a prior Deputy Sheriff and holds a bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice with a Security Leadership certificate from the University of Central Florida, and a Master's in Disaster & Emergency Management from American Military University. Carlos is an accomplished security operations executive, a podcaster, and an Amazon #1 Release, "So, You Want to Get into Corporate Security?" with proven leadership in driving corporate security programs. Carlos created the moniker, "The Corporate Security Translator," which he uses to go out into the world and share his security knowledge.

  Meta

  Regional Security Leader

  Carlos Francisco

  Regional Security Leader

  Meta

• 

  Chad Tancil

  EVP, M1 Experience

  Metro One Security Management

• 

  Brandy Byrd Chapman

  Brandy Chapman is a seasoned Business Development Specialist with a passion for safeguarding Mission Critical Sites. Collaborating closely with Directors of Security, Construction Managers, Architects, and Security Consultant firms, Brandy focuses on fortifying site perimeters to ensure utmost security. She firmly believes that the integrity of a high-security site begins with its perimeter, setting the standard for the level of protection afforded to valuable assets within.

  Ameristar Perimeter Security

  Business Development Specialist l Mission Critical

  Brandy Byrd Chapman

  Business Development Specialist l Mission Critical

  Ameristar Perimeter Security

Retrofitting Existing Data Centers for Today’s Needs

• 

  Marc Bhuyan

  Product Manager

  Google

• 

  Jay Brummett

  President

  Ares Technology Consultants

• 

  Charles Casey

  Account Executive

  Johnson Controls

• 

  Malcolm Ferguson

  Malcolm is a Hybrid IT Distinguished Technologist for HPE in Dallas, Texas. He is responsible for understanding enterprise clients' business and technology requirements and architecting the appropriate Transformation solutions to address those critical workload needs, including HPC-AI, SAP, Cloud, Network, Disaster Recovery and Colocation. Malcolm has been in an advisory role with HPE for over 15 years and was a customer for 15 years prior.

  Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE)

  Distinguished Technologist

  Malcolm Ferguson

  Distinguished Technologist

  Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE)

• Moderator

  Mike Herwald

  Manager, North American Sales

  Munters Corporation

Mitigating Risk Across All Phases of Project Delivery

• 

  Lindsey Bruner

  An accomplished executive, Lindsey brings together expertise in project development for both data centers and renewable energy. Lindsey led the advancement of several hundred megawatts of data center pipelines across the US and Europe, and her renewable energy development experience extends to the US, Canada and parts of South America. Prior to joining CleanArc, Lindsey served as Vice President of Project Development at CyrusOne, a leading global data center developer and operator specializing in delivering state-of-the-art digital infrastructure solutions across the globe. At CyrusOne, she led the global Project Development team and was responsible for the strategy, execution, and delivery of the company’s organic data center development projects. Prior to this role, Lindsey served as CyrusOne’s Senior Corporate Counsel of Real Estate & Construction, working alongside the company’s U.S. and global site selection and construction teams in all aspects of site selection and development. Previously, Lindsey served as Senior Attorney for the Americas division of RES Group, the world’s largest independent renewable energy company, where she represented the organization in various matters related to the development and construction of utility scale renewable energy projects. Lindsey began her career as an attorney in private practice focused on commercial and industrial real estate. Lindsey holds an AB in English from Duke University, a JD from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law, and an Executive MBA from Quantic School of Business and Technology.

  CleanArc Data Centers

  COO

  Lindsey Bruner

  COO

  CleanArc Data Centers

• 

  Jon Chesser

  Jon Chesser is a seasoned Project Manager and construction technology leader with more than two decades of experience delivering complex projects in the data center and energy sectors. As Chief Growth Officer at Cumulus Quality, he has been at the forefront of developing and implementing innovative solutions that transform how construction teams manage quality, safety, and efficiency. Throughout his career, Jon has specialized in creating and deploying digital platforms that replace manual, paper-based workflows with technology-driven solutions designed to reduce rework, improve productivity, and ensure projects are delivered on time and to the highest standards. His recent work has focused on applying artificial intelligence to automate QA/QC processes in large-scale data center construction, helping teams minimize risk while accelerating schedules and maintaining uncompromising quality. Passionate about advancing construction practices, Jon brings a deep understanding of how technology can be leveraged across every phase of project delivery to mitigate risk and achieve better outcomes.

  Cumulus

  Project Manager

  Jon Chesser

  Project Manager

  Cumulus

• 

  Barak Gur-Arie

  Barak Gur-Arie is a mission-critical construction leader with deep experience delivering some of the world’s most complex data center projects. As VP of Mission Critical at Buildots, he works with owners and contractors to improve predictability and reduce risk through data, digital workflows, and lean practices. Known for aligning diverse stakeholders and driving measurable impact on cost, quality, and speed, he sits at the forefront of innovation in large-scale project delivery. Barak brings a forward-looking perspective on how technology will shape the next generation of resilient, sustainable data centers.

  Buildots

  VP

  Barak Gur-Arie

  VP

  Buildots

• 

  Sean Maguire

  SVP & Global Head of Data Centers

  Black Box

• 

  Hani Noshi

  Hani Noshi is a Principal Program Manager at Microsoft. Hani has 20+ years of Projects, Operations, Strategy, and Business Transformation experience. In the Operations Excellence space, Hani focused on the full life cycle of operations transformation: from target operating model design through to operations transformation delivery, change management and implementation. Hani has led projects in Oil & Gas, Resources, and Consumer Products operating groups in 4 continents and 36 countries. In consulting, Hani has provided services involving supply chain lean transformation and process excellence for several large clients. He prides himself on his ability to help clients through complex transformations. A few noteworthy examples include: Helping an Energy Supermajor organization to develop a multi-million dollar business case to streamline their Capital Projects and Engineering processes resulting in $200M in savings and a 15 times return on investment. Advising a public utility company through a full core business transformation and helping an executive team through the development of one of the most ambitious business transformation strategies in their industry resulting in an $148M in cummulative savings over 3 years. During this time Hani was also involved in innovative thought leadership where he published white paper articles in the Lean New Product Introduction and Rapid & Sustained Cost Management space. Prior to joining Accenture, Hani started his career in industry with General Electric Company in 1999, where he joined their Operations Management Leadership program. He then held various functions in hard core manufacturing, supply chain, and product development with increasing levels of responsibility. Throughout Hani’s career in GE, he was promoted throughout several GE businesses where he invented five US and European patents.

  Microsoft

  Principal Program Manager, Data Center Delivery (DCD)

  Hani Noshi

  Principal Program Manager, Data Center Delivery (DCD)

  Microsoft

• Moderator

  Fernando Espana

  President

  Construct X

Building for AI and Advanced Tech Infrastructure: New Demands in Design, Procurement, and Delivery

• 

  Jon Gibbs

  As the Senior Director of Site Development at Core Scientific, Jon Gibbs brings almost three decades of comprehensive construction expertise to the forefront. His impressive career journey includes mission-critical procurement, project management, and preconstruction leadership throughout North America. Jon's foundational experience began in his early days as a journeyman electrician and program manager. He further bolstered his skills with certifications in estimating and a degree in Construction Management.

  Core Scientific

  Sr. Director, Site Development

  Jon Gibbs

  Sr. Director, Site Development

  Core Scientific

• 

  Mustafa Husaini

  Mustafa has 20 years of experience including a Director-level role. He has a strong leadership background and track record of success, including overseeing the procurement for one of the world’s largest projects valued at $100B+, setting up sourcing programs, managing hundreds of sourcing events, and leading negotiations for $10B+ in services and materials. In his role at Google, Mustafa leads strategic initiatives for the data center construction category as part of the Google Procurement Organization. He builds cross-functional relationships to influence and impact decision-making to enable effective sourcing, incorporating best industry practices while obtaining best value for the organization. Mustafa has been recognized with multiple awards, including awards for advancing DEI efforts across the organization and the Finance organization's prestigious annual 2021 Renaissance ‘Innovator’ Award for enabling a data center construction industry-leading diverse strategic alliances.

  Google

  Senior Category Manager, Construction

  Mustafa Husaini

  Senior Category Manager, Construction

  Google

• 

  Ed Osborne

  Ed Osborne is an Enterprise Account Manager at Nucor Corporation, bringing over 25 years of experience across the construction industry—from boots on the ground in the field to leadership roles in manufacturing. With a deep understanding of project delivery and a sharp focus on efficiency, Ed has carved out a specialty in mission critical work, particularly through the lens of pre-engineered building systems. His career has been defined by a commitment to speed, precision, and proactive engagement. Ed champions early involvement in the project lifecycle, working closely with clients, designers, and contractors to align goals, accelerate timelines, and reduce risk. His hands-on knowledge of both construction execution and manufacturing logistics allows him to bridge communication gaps and drive smarter, faster outcomes. At Nucor, Ed is a trusted partner to enterprise clients looking to scale with confidence, especially in sectors where uptime and precision are non-negotiable. He remains passionate about innovation in building systems and is continually focused on delivering high-performance solutions that meet today’s evolving industrial and infrastructure demands.

  Nucor Corporation

  Enterprise Account Manager

  Ed Osborne

  Enterprise Account Manager

  Nucor Corporation

• 

  Rodney Willis

  Rodney Willis brings over 20 years of data center and IT experience to Align. Prior to joining Align, Rodney was the Vice President of Enterprise Sales at NTT Global Data Centers America. He has held progressive roles ranging from sales positions to technical support and channel management and holds two patents for infrastructure management solutions. Rodney's integrity and focus on understanding his customers and delivering proactive solutions have earned him a number of esteemed awards. Rodney graduated from Western Carolina University with a degree in Business Management and a Minor in Marketing. His history as a high school and collegiate athlete has taught him the importance of teamwork, dependability, and work ethic which he brings to his professional endeavors. In his spare time he enjoys woodworking, cooking and grilling, and watching his son’s sports.

  Align

  VP, Sales

  Rodney Willis

  VP, Sales

  Align

• 

  Michael Collins

  Mike has been a forward-thinking leader in the energy space for over 28 years covering many facets of energy solutions from power generation / CHP, electric and natural gas infrastructure, load response, energy efficiency, and LNG / CNG / RNG solutions. Experience navigating large and small utilities, developers, multinational corporations, military branches, universities, large and small companies creating innovative solutions to meet each project’s specific target and requirements. Mike is responsible for growing Jenbacher North America’s Hydrogen and Natural Gas Generator Market.

  INNIO Jenbacher

  Manager, North America

  Moderator

  Michael Collins

  Manager, North America

  INNIO Jenbacher