Data Center Operations for Today and Tomorrow: Challenges, Innovations & Leadership

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  Dan Ephraim

  VP

  PointOne Data Centers

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  Jack Funchion

  Jack Funchion is the Vice President of Sales, Global Financial Services at Digital Realty. Jack and his team support the data center and interconnection needs of the largest US and European banks throughout the Digital Realty global property portfolio. Over the past 18 years Jack has worked with every major financial institution including investment, commercial and consumer banks, brokerage firms, asset managers, hedge funds, financial exchanges and market data providers. These companies rely on Digital Realty to supply enterprise-grade data center capacity in all major financial marketplaces around the world: New York/New Jersey, Chicago, London, Tokyo, Singapore, Hong Kong, Paris, Amsterdam, Frankfurt and Sydney. Jack is a frequent speaker and/or panelist at financial industry technology conferences, webinars, and podcasts. Jack began his career many years ago working for former Wall Street titan EF Hutton and over the years has filled many roles in data center operations, management and consulting. Jack is a Philadelphia native but has been based in New York City for his entire multi-decade career. He has, of course, always remained a loyal fan of the Eagles and Phillies.

  Digital Realty

  VP

  Jack Funchion

  VP

  Digital Realty

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  Patty Anderson

  Patty Anderson is a seasoned business development leader with over 25 years of experience in technology solutions, energy optimization, and smart building systems. Currently Vice President of Business Development at BGIS, she specializes in leveraging AI, machine learning, and energy-saving technologies to drive operational efficiency. Patty's career includes leadership roles focused on cooling management systems for data centers and driving energy optimization for industrial and healthcare facilities. She has provided high-performance technology solutions and implemented smart building strategies throughout her career. With a passion for improving operational performance, Patty is committed to advancing technology solutions in critical environments.

  BGIS

  VP, Data Center Solutions

  Moderator

  Patty Anderson

  VP, Data Center Solutions

  BGIS

Operability at Scale: Engineering Resilient Data Centers with Next-Generation Cooling

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  Vishnu Anasoori

  Electrical Field Engineer

  Amazon Web Services (AWS)

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  Tamara Budec

  Tamara Budec joined Digital Realty in April 2013 as VP Portfolio Operations. Since then, Tamara has held various roles in Operations, Design & Construction and Colocation Interconnection Service Delivery, with her current role as VP of Implementation Services. Prior to Digital Realty, Ms. Budec was VP Critical Systems and Engineering with Goldman Sachs & Co where she was responsible for risk management of the firm’s business critical environments and held various roles supporting service fulfilment including provisioning of compute and network infrastructure. Tamara has received BS (Dipl. Eng. Arch) degree from Zagreb University, Croatia and Masters from Cornell University.

  Digital Realty Trust

  VP, Implementation Services

  Tamara Budec

  VP, Implementation Services

  Digital Realty Trust

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  Dave Meadows

  David C. Meadows II has worked in data center cooling since 1999.  He is currently the Director of Technology with STULZ USA, a manufacturer of precision air conditioning, humidification, and dehumidification products specifically designed for the data center.  Previously David has served as both the Design Engineering Manager and the Applications Engineering Manager at Stulz.  David holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Maryland Baltimore County.  David is also a graduate of the United States Navy Nuclear Power School.

  STULZ Air Technology Systems

  Director, Technology

  Dave Meadows

  Director, Technology

  STULZ Air Technology Systems

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  Jacob Paugh

  Director

  ChemTreat

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  Terry Rodgers

  Terry has over 40 years of progressive experience in Critical Facilities operations and management including strategic planning, critical infrastructure design, operations, and commissioning; business protection and recovery; preventive and predictive maintenance; technical training and professional training development. Terry is an ASHRAE Distinguished Lecturer and a voting member of ASHRAE TC9.9 "Mission Critical Facilities, Data Centers, Technology Spaces, & Electronic Equipment", ASHRAE SSPC 90.4 "Energy Standard for Data Centers”, ASHRAE SPC-127 "Method of Testing for Rating Computer Room Air Conditioners”, and GPC-1.6P “Commissioning Process for Data Centers”. He is on the Board of Directors of the 7x24 Exchange Carolinas Chapter. He is on the Board of Directors of the Building Commissioning Association’s Southeast Region and has authored or co-authored books, whitepapers, and presentations on Critical Facilities, facilities management, and formal commissioning. He has developed and taught multiple training classes in the design, construction, operation, and maintenance of critical facilities including commercial nuclear power plants, aerospace facilities, and large data centers. Terry has performed site reliability assessments for more than 50 sites in over 20 countries and 5 continents. Terry writes a bi-monthly column in Mission Critical magazine called Sustainable Operations.

  T5 Data Centers

  VP, Design & Engineering

  Terry Rodgers

  VP, Design & Engineering

  T5 Data Centers

• Moderator

  Frank LeBlanc

  Account Executive

  HVAC - NoVA | DC Metro Market, Johnson Controls

Energizing Expansion: Meeting Data Center Power Demands in a Growing Market

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  Evan Pierce

  VP, Site Development - Americas

  EdgeConneX

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  Jim McDonald

  As a Co-founder in 1992, and currently the Director of Environmental Impact at MIRATECH Corporation, Jim provides leadership, strategy and product design expertise for their Power Generation division. Jim rejoined Miratech Corporation in 2019 heading up the ENP Concepts consulting arm after management positions at Rypos Corporation and leading the environmental department at PowerSecure’s microgrid group. In charge of tracking all Federal, State and Local emissions regulations as they pertain to backup generators located at Datacenters in North America and Europe, he ensures MIRATECH’s products and services offer ongoing compliance. Mr. McDonald has testified before the Federal EPA numerous times and is considered a valuable stakeholder on several rulemaking teams at the State Level. For 15 years he has been an instructor for the Advanced School of the Electrical Generating Systems Association on the subject of Emissions from Diesel engines and has authored the textbook chapter on the same. He has a Patent Pending on the use of wire mesh DPF substrates in the pre-heating of SCR catalyst blocks. As the originator of the ‘GVU’ measurement parameter, Jim performs analyses to show the relative comparison on Ultraclean diesel generators versus grid supplied power. As such he advocates for the environmentally justifiable use of stationary generators until emerging renewable technologies are proven and cost effective. Jim holds a B.S in mechanical Engineering from the University of Delaware.

  MIRATECH Corporation

  Founder & Director, ENP Consultants, A Miratech Group

  Jim McDonald

  Founder & Director, ENP Consultants, A Miratech Group

  MIRATECH Corporation

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  Steven Mathews

  Engineer

  E-Finity

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  Andrew Vesey

  Andy Vesey is the CEO of EdgePrimePower, where he drives its Energy-as-a-Service offering to provide reliable power solutions for data centers. He brings over 30 years of leadership experience in utilities, power markets, and renewable energy to EdgePrimePower. His proven track record of navigating complex operational, regulatory, and technological challenges informs the company’s approach to reliability and performance. Before founding EdgePrimePower, Andy served as president and CEO of North America for Fortescue Future Industries, focusing on green hydrogen. Earlier, he led PG&E Company as president and CEO, steering it through bankruptcy while implementing major safety, reliability, and technology improvements. As managing director and CEO of AGL, he spearheaded the world’s largest residential virtual power plant, deployed grid-scale battery farms, and launched a $3 billion renewables fund. Prior to that, Andy rose through the ranks at AES to become COO, overseeing operations in 21 countries. He led initiatives to optimize portfolio performance and integrate distributed energy and storage systems, efforts recognized with four Edison Electric Institute awards. Andy holds degrees in mechanical engineering and economics from Union College and an MS in applied science from New York University. He co-authored Unlocking the Benefits of Restructuring and contributed to The Virtual Utility: Accounting, Technology & Competitive Aspects of the Emerging Industry. He has received the S&P Global Platts CEO of the Year and Climate Alliance Business Leader of the Year awards.

  EdgePrimePower

  CEO

  Andrew Vesey

  CEO

  EdgePrimePower

• Moderator

  Michael Mindell

  Senior National Account Executive

  CPower Energy Management