In this episode of People Behind the Power (EP08), host George Bacon sits down with Joe Capes, Co-Founder of LiquidStack, to explore his journey through the evolving landscape of data center technology. From his early career in industrial automation to pioneering liquid cooling solutions for hyperscale environments, Joe shares the leadership lessons he has learned while scaling high-performing teams.

In this episode, we discuss:

Leadership & Grit: Joe’s philosophy on hiring for adaptability and the importance of empathy in building resilient, mission-driven teams (9:05).

The Evolution of Cooling: How liquid cooling has shifted from a niche technology to an essential sustainability driver for modern AI workloads (18:03).

Industry Insights: A deep dive into why liquid cooling is critical for reducing energy and water consumption in the era of AI (19:02).

Navigating Ambiguity: Why risk tolerance is the defining trait for leaders in 2026 as the industry faces rapid growth and supply chain challenges (24:00).

About the Guest:

Joe Capes is an industry veteran and the Co-Founder of LiquidStack, currently serving as VP and head of the company following its acquisition by Trane Technologies. With a background in electrical engineering and a history of successful startups, Joe brings a wealth of knowledge on building tech infrastructure that stands the test of time.

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