Not Your Father’s Data Center

In this special Veterans Day edition, the conversation features two Compass Data Centers professionals with distinguished military backgrounds: Crystal Conroy, an Army administrative specialist from Wyoming, motivated to serve after 9/11, and Michael Carvalho, a Navy operations and aviation maintenance expert from Texas, whose deployments spanned the Pacific and beyond.The discussion explores their journeys from military service to the data center industry, highlighting experiences from boot camp to technical specializations and global deployments. Both guests share insights into their transition through the Texas State Technical College’s MEI (Mechanical, Electrical, and Information Technology) program—an intensive, hands-on 12-week course designed to address the industry’s growing need for skilled technicians.Topics covered include the evolving labor and technical demands of the data center sector, the myth of limited employment opportunities, the downstream economic impact on local communities, and the exciting role of veterans in powering modern digital infrastructure. The episode underscores the sense of purpose, camaraderie, and adaptability veterans bring to the ever-expanding world of data centers.00:00 Veterans Day edition introduction05:13 Choosing a military career path08:34 Navy traditions and first-time experiences10:34 Deciding on a new career path13:55 Rebuilding confidence after military service18:53 First cohort job fair challenges21:41 Demand for data center staffing25:06 Embracing data center technology27:58 Impact of data centers on economy

In this episode, Raymond Hawkins, Chief Revenue Officer at Compass Datacenters, sits down with Sean Farney, Vice President of Data Center Strategy at JLL and an industry veteran with decades of hands-on experience. Sean Farney reflects on his journey from early computing—programming on TRS-80s and managing computer labs—to leading large-scale data center projects for clients like Microsoft.The conversation explores the evolution of the data center industry, comparing past and present buildout booms and examining how technological shifts, particularly AI, have rapidly transformed demand, design, and operational practices. Sean Farney and Raymond Hawkins address the fundamental drivers of data growth, the challenges of community pushback, and the importance of transparency in the industry.The episode also debunks common myths about data centers’ impact on power, water, and job creation, highlighting their positive role in local economies. The discussion wraps up with book recommendations and a call for better industry storytelling as data centers become essential infrastructure for modern life.Timestamps00:00 Choosing a career path06:18 Raised floors and fiber buildout history10:08 Information growth and tech for kids10:54 Cultural impact of data consumption17:03 Developers shifting to new locations21:08 Data tracking and future challenges24:46 Discussing sustainable water use in data centers27:21 Building a Data Center Team30:10 Discussing data center decision-making32:35 Reflecting on the data center industry

On this episode of Not Your Fathers Datacenter, Raymond Hawkins sits down with Jerome Soltani, Global Head of Services at Schneider Electric, to explore how predictive maintenance and partnership are transforming data center operations. Jerome Soltani shares his global journey from France to the US, reflecting on his two decades at Schneider, his experiences growing service teams, and the challenges of managing critical infrastructure at ever-increasing scale.The conversation dives deep into the technological shifts shaping the data center industry—especially the move from traditional, reactive maintenance toward predictive, data-driven strategies that leverage AI and advanced connectivity. Jerome Soltani explains how maintaining at a system level, rather than an asset-by-asset approach, is essential for uptime, efficiency, and ultimately customer satisfaction. The discussion also highlights workforce challenges, the importance of training the next generation through initiatives like the Texas State Technical College partnership, and ongoing efforts to drive sustainability and community impact.Through candid insights and real-world examples—including managing more than 1200 power centers across multiple US sites—Raymond Hawkins and Jerome Soltani showcase how collaborative innovation is enabling the data center industry to scale, adapt, and thrive. Whether you’re on the operations floor or in the boardroom, this episode offers valuable perspectives on the future of digital infrastructure.00:00 Intro & Welcome04:29 Rising Through the Ranks to SVP09:02 Epic Haleakala Climb Adventure12:14 The Untold Challenges of Liquid Cooling in AI14:16 Embracing Predictive Maintenance Revolution18:24 Predictive Maintenance Revolutionizes Data Centers20:24 Unlocking Massive Opex Savings26:15 Addressing Industry Workforce Crisis29:26 Reno Campus' Game-Changing Donation33:57 Streamlining Systems to Boost Satisfaction36:33 Schneider's Bold Sustainability Mission39:40 Behind-the-Scenes Partnership Secrets

In this episode, Raymond Hawkins, Chief Revenue Officer at Compass Datacenters, is joined by David Porter, Vice President of Electrification and Sustainable Energy Strategy at EPRI—formerly known as the Electric Power Research Institute. With a career spanning mechanical engineering at Duke Energy, stints across the US energy landscape, and over 17 years at EPRI, David Porter brings deep industry insight into the intersection of energy and data infrastructure.Their discussion explores the rapid evolution of data center power demand, shifting from kilowatt to gigawatt requirements within a decade. The conversation unpacks the unique challenges this poses for power utilities, such as mismatched development timelines, grid transmission constraints, and the need for adaptable grid-responsive infrastructure. Key topics include EPRI’s nonprofit, science-based research mission; the rise of grid-interactive data centers; the DC Flex initiative for flexible load management; and the critical impact of load growth on grid affordability and efficiency. The episode offers a detailed look at how collaboration between data centers and utilities can enhance grid resilience and lower costs for everyone.Timestamped Overview00:00 Intro03:25 EPRI's public benefit mission09:50 Data centers and electric transport13:02 Energy demand forecasting for developers15:00 Challenges with data center power constraints17:49 Transmission vs. distribution systems21:45 Improving energy transmission efficiency23:35 Bridging data centers and utilities28:06 Evolution of the Data Center Industry31:42 Explaining the Flex Mosaic framework35:30 Planning for grid capacity challenges38:31 Importance of Frequency in Power Grids41:05 Energy demand and frequency issues45:56 Golfing chat

In this episode, Raymond Hawkins, Chief Customer Officer at Compass Data Centers, sits down with Dan Cook, founder and Managing Director of Solar Stone. Hailing from Cleveland, Ohio, Dan Cook brings a diverse background rooted in commodities and metals trading before moving into utility-scale solar and battery development, overseeing projects totaling approximately 2 gigawatts.The conversation spans the dramatic growth in data center power demand, including how this surge has challenged both generation and transmission infrastructure. Dan Cook provides context from his energy brokerage and commodity experience, discussing supply chain constraints, queue backlogs for new generation assets, and the complexities of interconnection.Key themes include the impact of speculative projects on development timelines, the evolving landscape of long-duration storage technologies, and the role of federal incentives in renewable energy. The discussion also covers PR challenges for data centers, grid-connected versus behind-the-meter solutions, and the nuanced relationship between data center developers, utilities, and end users.Timestamped Overview:00:00 Rising demand for copper mining06:11 Challenges in energy transmission09:50 Challenges with data center power needs11:04 Challenges for Data Center Development16:12 Land strategy for renewable projects18:24 Challenges in grid development collaboration22:14 Rise of renewable energy in data centers25:09 Discussing project site opportunities27:58 Focusing on regional solar projects32:53 Utility procurement and renewable energy trends36:28 Long duration energy storage38:27 Federal tax credits discussion43:33 Discussing solar energy basics