Let's Get Digital with Carrie Charles

In this episode, Joel Ogren , Founder and CEO of Assured Communications , shares the remarkable journey that took him from serving in the United States Marine Corps to leading a global communications infrastructure company focused on building resilient, mission-critical networks. Drawing on more than two decades of military leadership, including roles supporting the White House and the Department...

In this episode, Christopher Lightfoot , Vice President of Future Infrastructure , shares a deeply personal and professional journey that has shaped his leadership philosophy and approach to building high-performing teams. From starting his career as a cell site technician and working through roles at AT&T, Mastec, Ericsson, Google Fiber, and private equity-backed ventures, Christopher offers...

In this episode, Dan Leaf, Founder and CEO of GUGLI , shares how his journey from telecom integrator to technology innovator led him to build a platform focused on one critical mission: ensuring public safety communication systems work when lives depend on them. Drawing from decades of experience deploying wireless and critical communication infrastructure, Dan offers a compelling look at how tech...

In this episode, Vincent Cioci , CEO of Luck Grove , shares how the company is scaling from a small fiber engineering firm into a rapidly growing infrastructure partner supporting fiber expansion, MDU deployments, and hyperscale data center growth. Drawing from his own journey—from field surveyor to CEO—Vincent offers a grounded and energetic perspective on what it takes to build infrastructure, t...

In this episode, Jeff Uphues , CEO of DC BLOX , shares how the company is reshaping digital infrastructure in the Southeast through a focused, vertically integrated strategy built on data centers, fiber networks, and cable landing stations. With more than 35 years in the communications industry, Jeff offers a candid look at scaling DC BLOX from a $5 million startup into a multi-billion-dollar plat...

In this episode, Rich Berliner , Founder of the Connected Digital Infrastructure Association (CDIA) , shares a forward-looking perspective on how the industry is evolving from siloed technologies into a fully integrated, “connected” digital infrastructure ecosystem. With more than 40 years in telecom and construction, Rich brings a unique lens on how the convergence of wireless, fiber, real estate...

In this episode, Patrick Halley, President and CEO of the Wireless Infrastructure Association (WIA), shares a comprehensive view of the evolving wireless infrastructure landscape—highlighting the critical intersection of policy, investment, and emerging technologies like AI that are shaping the future of connectivity. Drawing from his leadership at WIA, Patrick offers a front-row perspective on th...

In this episode, Steve Altizer , Founder and CEO of Compu Dynamics , shares how he has built a uniquely integrated data center services company—spanning design, construction, electrical, mechanical, and long-term maintenance—while continuously evolving to meet the demands of a rapidly changing digital infrastructure landscape. From his early days in construction to discovering data centers during...

In this episode, Suman Kanuganti , CEO of Personal AI , shares how he is redefining artificial intelligence by shifting the focus from generalized models to deeply personalized, human-centered intelligence. From founding Aira—an AI platform supporting the blind and low-vision community—to building Personal AI, Suman offers a unique perspective on creating technology that reflects individual memory...

In this episode, Bernard Borghei , Founder and CEO of Connected Infra Group , shares how he is building the next generation of wireless infrastructure platforms—drawing on more than three decades of experience across telecom, towers, and global network development. From his early days in analog cellular to helping scale industry leaders like Global Tower Partners and Vertical Bridge, Bernard offer...

In this episode, Raul Martynek , CEO of DataBank , shares how he has helped transform a six–data center platform into one of the largest and most geographically diverse data center operators in the United States. With three decades in digital infrastructure—spanning telecom, fiber, cloud, and now data centers—Raul offers a front-row perspective on how the industry has evolved from modest megawatt...

In this episode, Marcelo Cataldo, CEO of Digicel , shares the extraordinary story of how he led a sweeping turnaround across 25 countries—bringing new stability, focus, and innovation to the Caribbean’s largest mobile provider. From navigating hurricanes and economic uncertainty to investing in underserved communities and modernizing legacy systems, Marcelo’s journey reveals what it truly takes to...

In this episode, Robert Bye , Founder and President of Zenture Partners , unpacks why enterprise telecom remains stuck in a reactive, spreadsheet-driven world and how his company is using data, automation, and AI to change that. With a background spanning carrier networks, VARs, and global IT procurement, Robert shares how a surprising conversation with a major enterprise sparked the creation of Z...

In this episode, David Bacino , CEO of Symphony Towers Operating Partner at Palistar Capital , shares a remarkable 40-year journey across the wireless ecosystem—from carrier-side operations to manufacturing, infrastructure ownership, and investment. His deep experience reveals how foundational towers and rooftops are to the wireless networks we use every day—and why they’re more valuable than ever...

In this episode, Jeremy Pease, CEO of Hivelocity, shares how a non-traditional path from teenage tech enthusiast to data center executive led him to the forefront of edge infrastructure innovation. From skipping college to coding at Microsoft and rising through IT leadership, Jeremy’s journey reveals the power of persistence, purpose, and people-first leadership in the fast-changing world of digit...

In this episode, Wes Cummins , Founder and CEO of Applied Digital , shares how a journey that began on a 200-person Idaho potato farm led to building some of the largest AI-optimized data center campuses in the world. From early days as a tech investor to pioneering high-density infrastructure in America’s rural heartland, Wes offers an inside look at the speed, scale, and conviction required to s...

In this episode, Bruno Berti , Senior Vice President of Global Product Management at NTT Global Data Centers , shares how a career rooted in telecom and community-first values has evolved into leading global strategy for one of the world’s largest digital infrastructure providers. From his early days in Canadian telecom labs to shaping data center innovation at scale, Bruno offers a compelling loo...

In this episode, Elya McCleave , Founder and CEO of Innovorg , shares her inspiring journey from frontline engineer to building one of the most forward-thinking workforce intelligence platforms in the digital infrastructure space. Drawing on 20 years of experience in cloud and data centers, Elya reveals how Innovorg is transforming how companies understand, develop, and empower their people. Today...

In this episode, Ron Mann, Vice President of Compu Dynamics Modular (CDM) , traces his path from pioneering rack and infrastructure design at Compaq to leading innovation in modular data centers tailored for today’s AI-driven demands. With decades of experience in IT and data center evolution, Ron explains how CDM is reshaping infrastructure deployment through fully integrated, application-focused...

In this episode, Bryant Tam, Vice President of Hanwha Data Centers, shares his journey from building substations at Southern California Edison to developing next-generation energy campuses for one of the world’s fastest-growing data center companies. Drawing on his experience as a “Zoogler”, a former Google data center strategist, Bryant reveals how Hanwha is leveraging its global energy expertise...

In this episode, Shawn Cutter , Founder and CEO of EnergiAcres , shares how his company is tackling the data center energy crisis with a truly circular solution that sustains energy, food, and water simultaneously. Drawing from his roots as a sixth-generation Ohio farmer and his experience in technology and oil and gas, Shawn explains how EnergiAcres integrates combined heat and power (CHP) system...

In this episode, Alessandro Lombardi , Founder and Chairman of Elea Data Centers , shares how Brazil is emerging as a global hub for green AI infrastructure. He discusses the vision behind Rio AI City, a multibillion-dollar project powered 100% by renewable energy, developed in partnership with the city of Rio de Janeiro. From leveraging Brazil’s abundant hydro, wind, and solar capacity to creatin...

In this episode, Jeff Mucci, Founder and CEO of Arden Media, shares the story behind acquiring RCR Wireless News and evolving it into RCR Tech, a broader platform covering telecom, enterprise networks, and AI infrastructure. From the early days of deregulation and broadband wireless to today’s trillion-dollar investments in data centers, Jeff highlights how technology shifts are reshaping media, r...

In this episode, Jim Beighley, CEO of Citadel Pacific, and Jose Santiago, Senior Manager of Interconnection Strategy at the Guam Exchange, join Carrie Charles to spotlight Guam’s rising role in the global digital infrastructure ecosystem. Strategically positioned on U.S. soil in the heart of Asia-Pacific, Guam is becoming a vital low-latency interconnection point between major markets like Japan,...

In this episode, Philbert Shih, Founder and Managing Director of Structure Research, offers a deep dive into the evolving landscape of digital infrastructure through the lens of market intelligence and industry specialization. From launching his boutique firm in 2011 to supporting over $3 billion in M&A transactions, Phil shares insights into the macro trends reshaping the sector, including th...