The QTS Experience

I've got Luke Saladyga sharing his wild ride from nukes on subs to hyperscale data centers at Google and now Oracle. We dive into operational maturity, high availability nines, and why curiosity beats repetition every time – because who wants boring when you can automate the chaos? Studies, References, and External Mentions Myers-Briggs personality test (referenced in leadership course):  https://...

Sustainability in data centers boils down to slashing carbon footprints and waste—think Lean Six Sigma magic and robotic automation. I geek out with Joel Chakkalakal on decommissioning hacks, circular economies, and why ops folks deserve a seat at the design table. Let's make our industry greener, one velcro trace at a time! Studies, References, Data, or External Agencies Lean Six Sigma: https://w...

 I'm diving into the grid's growing pains with Raiford Smith! Raiford says the grid is a balloon dog—squeeze it here, make it an anteater there. We unpack the stress on aging infrastructure and explore innovative fixes.  Join us for a charged QTS Experience!

He went from pouring pints to powering platforms—and once dreamed of being the next great Irish basketball star (don’t we all). Cathal Quinn and I discuss big builds, mental health, and why Ireland is still punching above its digital weight class. Referenced Reports / Concepts FLAP-D: Frankfurt, London, Amsterdam, Paris, Dublin as major European DC hubs Compound growth of the EU data center market...

Sean James spills on sustainable tech, smart designs, and why flops spark wins. Plus, how to hired by a Hyperscale in 3 easy steps—proof nice guys finish first! Join me for a hilarious, eye-opening chat! References Duke University Study: Duke University's Energy Initiative. https://nicholasinstitute.duke.edu/sites/default/files/publications/rethinking-load-growth.pdf Don Saddaway (MIT): TED Talk....

What do you get when you mix solar panels, shipping containers, and sheer willpower? A data center in the wild. Dagi Berhane joins me to talk trust, technology, and why availability should come before sustainability. Also, what happens when your cloud has no internet? (Spoiler: Dagi builds one.) Guest Links Dagi Berhane’s LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/dagi-berhane/ Salesforce Website:  ht...

What do AI, energy, and rural America have in common? Everything. Congresswoman Julie Fedorchak joins me to talk about working together—across communities, industries, and the aisle—to tackle tough challenges with common sense and shared purpose, from Wahpeton to Washington. Guest Info Congresswoman Julie Fedorchak – U.S. House of Representatives:  https://fedorchak.house.gov References & Ment...

What if we stopped asking “what’s left?” and started asking “what’s possible?” In this episode, JP Buzzell helps us shake off the doom and gloom with a fresh take on what’s next for power, AI, and the people building the future. He’s all about big ideas, smart grids, and working together to get things done. If you’re tired of hearing “that’ll never work,” this one’s for you. Optimism is on the tab...

David McCall sits down with John Coster, the master electrician turned systems thinker, to explore why AI might break your systems — and why your best defense is a little philosophy, a lot of collaboration, and maybe a good spreadsheet. Expect humor, reflection, and big questions about human flourishing.

AI is learning, growing, and optimizing our world—but can it make a proper peanut butter and jelly sandwich? Jim Gao joins David McCall to discuss how AI went from winning board games to optimizing data centers, why trusting AI is like supervising an intern, and how data centers might just become the next big "player" in AI’s game of efficiency. Guest Links Jim Gao’s Company (Phaidra): https://www...

AI isn’t coming for your job—but it might take the boring parts! Carrie Goetz joins David McCall to talk about mentorship, career opportunities in tech, and how to make AI work for us (instead of the other way around). Plus, why data centers are the best-kept secret in the job market and how one simple trick can clean up your social media feed. Guest Links: Carrie Goetz LinkedIn: https://www.linke...

How do we transform conflict into peace? Dr. Paul Root Wolpe returns to discuss his mission to make Atlanta a global hub for conflict resolution. Can AI help in this process? Maybe—but should we trust it blindly? Probably not. This episode unpacks the balance between technology and human connection. Plus, Dave investigates Dr. Wolpe’s suspiciously youthful appearance. Dr. Paul Root Wolpe’s LinkedI...

Dan Crosby sheds light on the exciting world of data center power, exploring innovative solutions for a sustainable future. Discover how microgrids, strategic partnerships, and a touch of optimism can power the data centers of tomorrow! Dan Crosby:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-crosby-a58a3212/ Legend Energy Advisors:  https://legendenergyadvisors.com/

Craig Pennington takes us on a journey from adventures with the Royal Air Force to rethinking data centers for AI environments. Tune in for GPU gossip, liquid cooling confessions, and why collaboration might just save us all! This episode is as electrifying as a 130-kilowatt cabinet!

David McCall, Christine King, and Chris Lohse dive into nuclear power’s pivotal role in meeting rising energy demand and decarbonization goals. They explore AI-driven challenges, grid reliability, SMRs, microreactors, energy justice, and policy hurdles. Spoiler: even gummy bears find their way into this electrifying discussion on resilience and innovation.   Christine King: https://www.linkedin.co...

Greg Stover, Vertiv’s Global Director of High Tech Development, takes us on a wild ride from IBM laser printers to AI-driven liquid cooling solutions. Learn how data centers are saving humanity, embracing renewables, and battling 43kW racks—one kilowatt at a time. Greg Stover: LinkedIn Vertiv: https://www.vertiv.com/en-emea/ External References Supercomputing 2024 Conference (SC24): Highlights eme...

James Walker, nuclear physicist, engineer, and proud salmon fisherman-accent holder, dives deep into the future of nuclear energy with me on this episode of the QTS Experience. From debunking safety myths and exploring microreactor innovation to tackling the energy sovereignty puzzle, James shares why nuclear is poised to power our data centers, remote islands, and even military bases. We discuss...

Bloom Energy’s Jeff Barber joins me to discuss why reliable, sustainable, and innovative power generation is the key to the future of data centers. From his days as a mainframe operator at Chico State to leading the charge with hydrogen fuel cells, Jeff shares his insights into the evolving energy landscape. We tackle the challenges of scaling AI workloads, oscillating power demands, and why your...

Adam Black joins me to talk leadership, construction, and the complex world of critical infrastructure. From his early days as a fresh Georgia Tech grad to leading multi-million dollar data center projects, Adam shares how his journey shaped his philosophy: leadership is service to others. We discuss why failures are often the best teachers, how to identify potential leaders (hint: it involves ris...

Peter Gross, a pioneer in the data center industry, joins me to discuss the seismic shifts reshaping critical infrastructure. From AI-driven innovation to the challenges of power shortages and the rise of Data Center Campuses, Peter delivers a masterclass on why this industry is experiencing explosive growth—and why it’s never been more exciting (or complicated). We explore everything from high-de...

Scott Bergs joins the QTS Experience to demystify the world of dark fiber and communications infrastructure. Scott is CEO of Dark Fiber and Infrastructure (DF&I), a private builder, owner, operator of secure dark fiber and conduit infrastructure. From Midwest hog farms to the race for data, Scott shares insights on the urgent need for scalable power, connectivity, and the evolving architecture...

In this episode, I sit down with Ciaran Flanagan, VP & Global Head of Data Center Solutions & Services at Siemens, to discuss the future of data centers amidst the challenges of the "Energy Trilemma"—balancing cost, reliability, and decarbonization. Ciaran shares his insights into how Siemens leverages digital twins to enhance data center design, real-time operations, and risk management....

Buddy Rizer: LinkedIn Loudon County Economic Development Authority Buddy Rizer is the Executive Director of the Loudoun County Department of Economic Development, the 2021 Economic Development Organization of the Year. During his tenure, Rizer and his team have attracted more than $50 billion in new commercial investment and more than 50 thousand new jobs. During this time, the growth in the comme...

In this episode, I sit down with Bill Kleyman, CEO of Apolo, to discuss the rapid evolution of the data center industry and the impact of AI on design and operations. We explore how AI-driven platforms are changing the game with higher-density racks, liquid cooling, and managed services for enterprise customers. Bill shares insights on the market's "micro shifts," why bravery is essential in this...

In this episode of The QTS Experience, David McCall is joined by Jon Trout, CEO of Chekhub and an expert in data center operations and workflow. They delve into the transformative potential of AI for workforce enablement, exploring how AI can be used to build efficient processes and procedures, convert raw data into actionable insights, and ultimately enhance operational efficiency. Jon also share...