Nomad Futurist

Nancy Novak , Chief Innovation Officer at Compass Datacenters , joins Nabeel Mahmood and Phillip Koblence at Nomad Futurist Podcast to share her extensive experience and perspectives on the importance of diversity and inclusion in the tech and construction industries. As a champion of gender diversity in these traditionally male-dominated fields, Novak offers valuable insights into the practical s...

In this engaging episode of Nomad Futurist , hosts Nabeel Mahmood and Phillip Koblence sit down with Ray Sidler , the Chief Executive Officer at DataVerge . With over two decades of experience in data center operations and management, Ray Sidler brings a wealth of knowledge and a deep understanding of the evolving landscape of digital infrastructure. Sidler discusses his early beginnings in web ho...

In the latest episode of Nomad Futurist , Founder and Managing Director of Structure Research , Philbert Shih , shares with Nabeel Mahmood and Phillip Koblence a wealth of insights and reflections spanning his extensive career in the data center sector. From entrepreneurial beginnings to navigating industry shifts and embracing digital transformation, Shih’s journey offers invaluable lessons for p...

In this insightful episode of Nomad Futurist, hosts Nabeel Mahmood and Phillip Koblence meet with John Bonczek , a seasoned professional with a rich background in sales and data centers, currently at fifteenfortyseven Critical Systems Realty (1547) . Bonczek's journey, marked by his sales prowess and his experiences navigating the evolving data center landscape, offers valuable lessons for those i...

Nabeel Mahmood and Phillip Koblence sat down with Doris Li Yeh , CEO and Founder of Mirapath , a Data Center Critical Infrastructure Total Solution Provider, to discuss her education, travels, how she started her career, and much more. At Mirapath, Doris drives growth strategy for the company with a focus on nurturing relationships, committing to excellence, being driven by results, and striving f...

This week Nabeel and Phillip had the pleasure of speaking with Grant Kirkwood , a serial entrepreneur with over 25 years of experience building and operating both networks and companies. Kirkwood currently serves as the CEO of Contrivian, a new Cloud Service Provider (CSP) focused on transforming the enterprise experience of finding and utilizing connectivity services. Kirkwood joined from north o...

In this episode of Nomad Futurist, hosts Nabeel Mahmood and Phillip Koblence talk with  Deidre’ (Dee) Smith , a leader in technology and sustainability. Smith brings deep expertise in problem-solving, risk advisory, and technology deployment, and has managed multi-million dollar P&Ls. Committed to sustainability, she promotes responsible AI development for a greener future. Recognized as...

In this engaging episode of Nomad Futurist, Nabeel Mahmood and Phillip Koblence are joined by Jaymie Scotto Cutaia , a leading figure in marketing for the telecom and data center industries worldwide. As CEO and founder of Jaymie Scotto & Associates (JSA), Scotto heads an award-winning firm specializing in public relations, marketing, and event planning, with a focus on the industry. At JSA, s...

In the latest episode of Nomad Futurist, hosts Nabeel Mahmood and Phillip Koblence welcome Jeff Barber , the Vice President of Global Data Centers for Bloom Energy. In his role, he is dedicated to empowering data center developers, tenants, and operators to take control of all their data center power requirements with greener, more reliable, more resilient, and more predictable onsite power via fu...

In this episode of the Nomad Futurist, hosts Nabeel Mahmood and Phillip Koblence welcome Daniel Pope , Chief Technology Officer of Submer , an immersion cooling technology company. Pope embarked on his journey in the web hosting business at just 16, transforming a single-bedroom server into a multi-million dollar data center. Boasting over 20 years of experience in data center design and operation...

In this episode of the Nomad Futurist, hosts Nabeel Mahmood and Phillip Koblence welcome Kevin Imboden , the Global Director of Market Research and Competitive Intelligence at EdgeConneX . With a strong research background in commercial real estate, Imboden’s work at EdgeConneX involves advising hyperscalers and investors in the data center industry and discovering trends in current and future mar...

In this community-minded episode of Nomad Futurist, hosts Nabeel Mahmood and Phillip Koblence welcome Paul Hammer , the co-founder and host of Uptime Punks , a digital transformation-focused podcast that interviews tech experts from Europe and all over the world. With a background in tech events and marketing, Hammer leverages his skills in events with tech. STARS , an event series centered on bui...

In this special series podcast episode spotlighting Ambassadors for the Nomad Futurist Foundation, host Nabeel Mahmood warmly introduces Lindsay McConville , a Senior Consulting Engineer based in Amsterdam at Northshore . McConville's expertise spans energy efficiency projects, asset validation, and data analytics across various client portfolios. Passionate about fostering connections and address...

In this compelling episode of Nomad Futurist, hosts Nabeel Mahmood and Phillip Koblence welcome Shannon Hulbert , the CEO of Opus Interactive and a member of the Yurok Tribe. With over twenty years of experience in data centers, cloud, utilities, and advocating for digital inclusion, Hulbert offers a unique blend of professional expertise and personal background. Raised in a rural village on the Y...

Dive into the dynamic world of data center innovation with Karen Petersburg as she joins Jodie Lin in this engaging episode of the Academy Committee special series. With 17 years of expertise, Petersburg has navigated through complex projects and spearheaded major infrastructure renovations. As the Vice President of Data Center Development and Construction at PowerHouse , and with a rich backgroun...

In this engaging episode of Nomad Futurist, Nabeel Mahmood and Phillip Koblence are joined by Melissa Reali-Elliott , the Content Marketing Manager for DC BLOX. With nearly two decades dedicated to marketing digital technologies, Melissa, a self-proclaimed data center enthusiast, is a consistent contributor to various industry publications. Notably, she authors the Data-Centered column for Mission...

In this captivating episode of the Academy Committee special series, Emma Grace Myers , Community Engagement Manager at iMiller Public Relations (iMPR), engages in an insightful discussion with Phillip Koblence , host of Nomad Futurist. Transitioning directly from college to the digital infrastructure world two years ago, Myers has been on a journey of growth. Alongside her role as a Board Member...

In this captivating episode of Nomad Futurist, Phillip Koblence and Nabeel Mahmood are joined by Sean James , Senior Director of Datacenter Research at Microsoft . Sean, a visionary leader and innovator in the field of datacenter technology, has been instrumental in advancing groundbreaking projects. These include using hydrogen fuel cells to provide emission-free backup power at datacenters, rede...

Mark Gusakov , Director of Client Resiliency for Uptime Institute , launches the Academy Committee series of special episodes with Phillip Koblence. With a two-decade career spanning automation, process control, and value-added consultation, Gusakov has dedicated himself to elevating client facilities and interests to world-class performance standards. Gusakov continues to pursue advocacy for clie...

In this episode of Nomad Futurist, Phillip Koblence and Nabeel Mahmood are joined by Chris Crosby , the CEO and Founder of Compass Datacenters . Crosby is a visionary leader in the data center industry, renowned for his innovative approach and significant contributions to the field. Crosby’s leadership has been instrumental in Compass Datacenters’ rise to prominence, earning recognition as one of...

In this special year-end episode, Phillip Koblence and Nabeel Mahmood of the Nomad Futurist Foundation (NFF) reflect on the significant progress made over the past year. A highlight of their mission's success has been the support given to children, encompassing educational initiatives, provision of computing devices, and ultimately, guiding these young minds towards opportunities within the indust...

In this episode of Nomad Futurist, Nabeel Mahmood and Phillip Koblence sit down with Frank Rey , leader of Microsoft's Hyperscale Network Connectivity team. Frank's role is crucial in managing Microsoft’s global network infrastructure, a key element in supporting the company's vast array of online services. His involvement in significant projects like the MAREA subsea cable and the acquisition of...

In this engaging episode of Nomad Futurist, Nabeel Mahmood and Phillip Koblence are delighted to have Craig Huffman , Co-Founder and CEO of Metro Edge Development Partners (MetroEdge), as our esteemed guest. A luminary in real estate private equity, Craig brings nearly two decades of rich experience, particularly in pioneering endeavors in metropolitan Chicago's real estate sector. His journey is...

In the latest episode of the Nomad Futurist Podcast, Nabeel Mahmood and Phillip Koblence have the pleasure of welcoming Scott Brookshire , the innovative Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at OpenColo. With over two decades of experience in the data center realm, Scott is not only instrumental in crafting the technical vision at OpenColo but also plays a crucial role in steering the com...

In this episode, Nabeel Mahmood and Phillip Koblence chat with Rob Coyle , Community Technical Program Manager at Open Compute Project Foundation , who has a rich background in digital infrastructure. Starting in the aviation sector, Rob worked on updating aircraft systems, giving him a strong understanding of electronic and mechanical systems. However, it was the data center industry that truly c...