The data center industry is facing a significant talent shortage, making it crucial to attract the right people to design, build, and operate digital infrastructure. To tackle this challenge, DCD>Academy and iMasons are partnering on a workforce initiative to provide students and the military community with long-term career opportunities in the digital infrastructure industry.
The session will kick off with an industry overview, followed by panel discussions where experts will share their own expertise and guidance on how to enter this fascinating sector.
Visit the Show Floor to explore the market further, partner stands and better understand how the data center ecosystem works, followed by lunch with your peers and industry professionals.
Meeting Agenda:
9:00 – 9:15 am | Welcome & Intro to DCD & iMasons
- Alison Marlow, US Chair – Armed Forces, Infrastructure Masons
- Pranesha Soor, Marketing Manager, DCD>Academy
- Mark Gusakov, Advisory Board Member, Nomad Futurist
9:15 – 9:45 am | Data Centers 101: What are they and what do they mean to me?
This session is designed to demystify the data center and the world of digital infrastructure. Learn what data centers mean to our everyday lives and how they are evolving to meet the demands of an increasingly connected and digital world.
- Cyre Denny, Global Program Director, Schneider Electric
9:45 – 10:30 am | Panel Discussion: Data centers need you! What can the data center industry offer the next-gen workforce?
The data center industry is long-awaiting the next generation of leaders who have the ideas and passion for learning to design, build and operate the digital infrastructure required to meet future capacity demands.
Join industry experts with military experience as they share their career journeys and insights into the skills needed in digital infrastructure. Discover why the sector needs your unique talents and the impact you can make in this fast-growing industry.
- Steve Jolly, Data Center Cluster Manager, AWS
- Brian Green, Executive Vice President, EdgeConneX
- Preston Gilmore, Senior Manager – Data Center Operations, Coresight
- Ramsey Abastos-Denny, JROTC
- Jenn Nachman, Director of CX, Fulcrum Collaborations
- Moderator: Alison Marlow, US Chair – Armed Forces, Infrastructure Masons
10:30 – 11:30 am | Education & Next Steps
Hear from a local college professor teaching Data Center Operations and discuss with industry experts the various college majors, military paths, and training programs that can prepare you for a career in digital infrastructure.
- TJ Ciccone, Vice President, Critical Operations, STACK Infrastructure
- Steve Jolly, Data Center Cluster Manager, AWS
- Courtney Popp, Director of Education Programs, iMasons
- Pranesha Soor, Marketing Manager, DCD>Academy
- Mark Gusakov, Advisory Board Member, Nomad Futurist
- Tom Liddy, Head of Data Center Education Partnerships, DCD>Academy
11:30 – 1:30 pm | Show Floor Tour & Networking Lunch
Date: November 7, 2024
Time: 9:00 am – 1:30 pm EST
Location: DCD>Connect Virginia
The Armed Forces initiative aims to increase the number of military veterans, military spouses, veterans, guards, and reservists in the digital infrastructure industry worldwide.