The Data Center Exchange

Welcome back to Data Center Exchange, a Harper Harrison podcast exploring the key topics, challenges and conversations shaping the data center industry.In this episode, Del Connolly is joined by Mara Ervin, Director of Data Centers at Stonebridge, to discuss one of the biggest challenges facing digital infrastructure today: community engagement.As data center development continues to grow, local opposition, moratoriums and public concern are becoming a bigger part of the conversation. Mara shares her perspective on why transparency, education and early community involvement are now essential for the future of the industry.Together, Del and Mara discuss how developers can build trust, why communities need to be brought into the process sooner, and how areas such as workforce development, adaptive reuse and local partnerships can create more meaningful long-term impact.Watch the full episode to hear Mara’s thoughts on how the industry can move forward in a more open, responsible and community-focused way.Host: Del ConnollyGuest: Mara Ervin, Director of Data Centers at StonebridgeFor career opportunities, market insight and more, visit:https://www.harperharrison.com #DataCenterExchange #DataCenters #DataCentres #DigitalInfrastructure #MissionCritical #CommunityEngagement #DataCenterDevelopment

Welcome to Data Centre Exchange, a Harper Harrison podcast exploring the key topics, challenges and conversations shaping the data centre industry.In this episode, Del Conolly is joined by Dereck Wischmeyer, Senior Advisor at Marsh, based in New York. Dereck works closely with developers, operators and investors across the industry, bringing a practical perspective shaped by his experience as both an executive and general counsel in the sector.Together, they discuss the risk behind today’s data centre deals, from power generation, procurement and hyperscaler contracts to logistics, marine cargo and project delivery.With significant capital being deployed across the industry, the opportunity is clear, but so is the complexity. This conversation looks at where risk sits, how it can impact value, and why understanding it early is becoming increasingly important for businesses operating in the space.Host: Del ConollyGuest: Dereck Wischmeyer, Senior Advisor at MarshLearn more about Marsh:https://www.marsh.com/en/home.htmlFor career opportunities, market insight and more, visit:https://www.harperharrison.com/jobs/

The purpose of the Data Center Exchange is to shine a positive light on the Data Center Industry. Often an industry misunderstood and often subject to great levels of scrutiny surrounding the environmental and social impact of the industry.

But it’s an industry that takes this seriously. There are so many great initiatives across the industry relating to ESG which are hugely positive.

And no better company to lift the lid on that Stack Infrastructure. Michillay Brown (Vice President of ESG) joins us to discuss her career background, her view on the Data Center Industry’s stance on ESG and what Stack Infrastructure are up to.

About Michillay Brown

With almost a decade of experience in the fields of environmental, social, and governance (ESG), sustainability, human rights and international relations, Michillay is passionate about creating positive impact and value for both the planet and the people. As the Vice President of ESG at STACK Infrastructure, a leading global data center provider, she is responsible for developing and implementing the company's ESG strategy, policies, and initiatives, and ensuring alignment with the industry standards and best practices.

In this podcast series, ⁠Del Connolly⁠ will be joined by industry leaders to discuss topics such as the culture of a fast-growing business within the sector, sustainability, engineering, construction challenges, diversity & inclusion, and much more.

Mergers and Acquisitions are fairly common across the Data Center Industry. When they occur, the complex process of integrating businesses begins. This episode we welcome Jeremy Pease- CEO of Colohouse/Hivelocity (recently merged) to discuss his experience of M&A’s across the industry, his thoughts on the challenges you have to navigate as a leader and what he believes are the most important aspects to consider to get this very sensitive process right.

About Jeremy:

A seasoned executive with over 20 years in the data center and cloud hosting industry, Jeremy Pease has built a career rooted in extreme ownership and servant leadership. As the CEO of Colohouse, he is harnessing his extensive background to guide the company toward a dominant position in the industry, targeting advancements in cloud technology, BareMetal, and retail Colo services.

In this podcast series, Del Connolly will be joined by industry leaders to discuss topics such as the culture of a fast-growing business within the sector, sustainability, engineering, construction challenges, diversity & inclusion, and much more.

In this episode we explore the Gender gap that exists within the Data Center industry, statistics show that only 20% of the workforce is made up of women. We discuss Lindsey’s journey, her view of the gender gap across the industry, what can help change this in the future and explore some of the positive initiatives out there.

Lindsey Bruner is COO of CleanArc Data Centers and is an accomplished Data Center Executive. A lawyer by trade, Lindsey has held several executive-level positions across the Data Center industry for both CyrusOne and CleanArc. Before entering the Data Center Industry, Lindsey was a senior Attorney at RES- one the largest independent Energy companies in the world. Lindsey studied Law at the University of Denver before completing an Executive MBA at Quantic School of Business & Technology.

In this episode of the Data Center Exchange podcast, Del Connolly was joined by Adam Gibson, a Data Center professional AND enthusiast.

If the industry is going to grow and overcome the skills shortages, it’s important we make it the industry of choice. And Adam is a great example of somebody who brings the industry to life.

Join me as we explore Adam’s own unique career journey, exploring his own goal to visit 1000 data centers in his lifetime. We discuss how we can raise awareness of the industry, how the industry has become more accessible and we explore what it’s like to take over 100 flights in a calendar year.

We look at how important building relationships is within the industry and despite being in a digital world, having that personal interaction is simply irreplaceable.

There are some more light-hearted points but the discussion attempts to discuss the critical aspects of raising the profile of the industry and shining a light on how interesting and exciting it can be.

About Adam:

Adam Gibson is a specialist in Data Centres and has been working in the industry for 17 years on Design, Operation and Management in varied Executive, C-Suite and board positions. Alongside this skilled knowledge Adam's ability to design, develop Fibre Optic Network and Network Technology services has been proven a strong play in ANZ with multiple executive roles. With a global understanding of Data Centres and enabling partnerships, Adam’s driven passion for Digital Infrastructure, Technology and Data has proven the ability to be a presenter, panelist and speaker at events globally. Being the next generation of Digital Professionals, Adam has started to seek further into the industry to support and create new opportunities to enhance the next Technology Revolution.

To get in touch with host, Del Connolly, Please email him at: [email protected]

Welcome to a special edition of the Data Center Exchange filmed live from PTC24 in Honolulu, Hawaii. Del was joined by Jesse Sargent, President of OVERWATCH - a veteran owned Strategic Consultancy serving the Data Center market with deep expertise in Operations and Management.

In this episode, we are joined by Susanna Kass to discuss all

Susanna is somebody who speaks with a huge amount of

To get in touch with host, Del Connolly, Please email him at:

[email protected]

We are delighted to welcome Tony Grayson to the Data Center Exchange. Tony is a former sub commander and now an Executive within the Digital Infrastructure world. As the General Manager of Compass Quantum, he is at the helm of a hugely exciting new modular Data Center solution. We touch on some of the features and advantages of the solution and look at the journey so far.

We also cannot invite Tony on the podcast without touching on his background in the services, how ex servicemen and women can help plug the undoubted skills gap within the industry, his role as Veterans Chair within the Infrastructure Masons and his views on some of the discussion points about nuclear energy within the Data Center market.

Tony is a well-known seasoned executive with over 25 years of technology and leadership experience. He is a decorated serviceman and a hugely experienced Data Center and Technology leader who is General Manager at Compass Quantum.

To get in touch with host, Del Connolly, Please email him at:

[email protected]