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 for innovation and excellence – while having fun and enjoying the journey together. Yeh is passionate...
Jun 10, 2024•44 min•Season 5Ep. 16
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 of San Francisco, California to discuss his experience that spans multiple startups, technology evolu...
May 27, 2024•34 min•Season 5Ep. 15
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 a visionary, Smith has a proven track record in business growth, major restructuring, and operational enha...
May 13, 2024•38 min•Season 5Ep. 14
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, she is responsible for overseeing every aspect of the company’s operations, from finance and marketin...
Apr 29, 2024•37 min•Season 5Ep. 13
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 fuel cells from Bloom Energy. Barber joined from Roseville, California, home to the 100-megawatt Bloo...
Apr 15, 2024•40 min•Season 5Ep. 12
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 operations, his expertise and vision are focused on enabling the transition toward sustainable and future-pro...
Apr 01, 2024•34 min•Season 5Ep. 11
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 markets across the world. During the episode, Imboden talks about the future markets of the data center...
Mar 18, 2024•34 min•Season 5Ep. 10
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 building community in tech. During the episode, Hammer discusses the ground-up approach to changing tech...
Mar 04, 2024•38 min•Season 5Ep. 9
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 addressing sustainability challenges within the digital infrastructure sector, she thrives on interdiscipli...
Feb 26, 2024•9 min•Season 5Ep. 8
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 Yurok Tribe reservation in Northern California—a place largely untouched by modern conveniences like ...
Feb 19, 2024•39 min•Season 5Ep. 7
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 background as the director of design at Digital Realty Trust , she is a driving force behind cutting-edge dev...
Feb 12, 2024•22 min•Season 5Ep. 6
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 Critical Magazine. Beyond her background in marketing and communications, Melissa has lent her voic...
Feb 05, 2024•35 min•Season 5Ep. 5
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 and Advisor for the Nomad Futurists, she holds a unique position as the head of the Audience Quality...
Jan 29, 2024•14 min•Season 5Ep. 4
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, redesigning datacenters for an advanced energy future with carbon-storing cement, and even testing under...
Jan 22, 2024•35 min•Season 5Ep. 3
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 clients in their overall performance and stresses the importance of data-driven accuracy for management ...
Jan 15, 2024•23 min•Season 5Ep. 2
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 Inc. Magazine’s 5000 fastest-growing companies. As one of the few people in the data infrastructure ...
Jan 08, 2024•35 min•Season 5Ep. 1
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 industry. Looking forward, the nomads are thrilled about launching an academy, enhancing scholarship funds...
Dec 22, 2023•16 min•Season 4Ep. 25
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 Lumenisity, which brought Hollow Core Fiber technology into the spotlight, showcases his dedication ...
Dec 11, 2023•42 min•Season 4Ep. 24
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 marked by his instrumental role in Ascendance Partners, a firm committed to commercial real estate i...
Nov 27, 2023•46 min•Season 4Ep. 23
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 company toward its mission and objectives. His expertise is not just limited to technical strategy; Sco...
Nov 13, 2023•33 min•Season 4Ep. 22
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 captured his interest. Over the years, he's taken on various roles, from hands-on engineering to busi...
Oct 30, 2023•38 min•Season 4Ep. 21
In our latest episode, Nabeel Mahmood and Phillip Koblence sit down with John Lee , a professional whose 30-year journey through the digital infrastructure landscape has been nothing short of remarkable. Starting his career in the dynamic world of financial services, John quickly developed a nuanced understanding of the pivotal role digital infrastructure plays in this critical industry. From network engineer to IT director, his roles have been varied but always centered around the vital compone...
Oct 16, 2023•48 min•Season 4Ep. 20
This week on the Nomad Futurist Podcast, Nabeel Mahmood and Phillip Koblence welcome Randolph and Michael Borron from Cushman & Wakefield’s Global Data Center Advisory Group . Randolph, a Vice Chairman with 37 years of experience, is a specialist in data center and portfolio optimization, while Michael, an Associate Vice President, brings expertise in office leasing and data center advisory. Together, they offer a wealth of knowledge and insights into the intricate world of data center real ...
Oct 02, 2023•42 min•Season 4Ep. 19
This week, Isabelle Paradis , President and Founder of HOT TELECOM , joins Nabeel Mahmood and Phillip Koblence on the Nomad Futurist Podcast to jump into her transformative journey in the telecom industry. With an impressive 30 years of global experience, Isabelle is a visionary leader specializing in international and wholesale telecom services. Before founding HOT TELECOM, she earned a bachelor’s degree in engineering and an MBA in Finance. Isabelle is not only an industry expert, but also an ...
Sep 18, 2023•33 min•Season 4Ep. 18
This week, Jeremy Pease , Chief Executive Officer of Colohouse , joins Nabeel Mahmood and Phillip Koblence on the Nomad Futurist Podcast to unpack his illustrious career in the digital infrastructure industry. With over 20 years of experience specializing in data centers and cloud hosting, Jeremy is no stranger to leading high-performing teams. Before taking the helm at Colohouse, he served as the Senior Vice President of Managed Services at DataBank, where he revitalized revenue streams across ...
Sep 05, 2023•40 min•Season 4Ep. 17
This week, Michael Morey , President & CEO at Bluebird Network LLC , joins Nabeel Mahmood and Phillip Koblence on the Nomad Futurist Podcast to discuss his impressive career in the digital infrastructure industry. With more than 37 years of telecommunications experience, Morey has served as President & CEO of Voxitas, Senior Vice President at NuVox, Regional Vice President of Electric Lightwave, Inc. and held various management positions within his 13 years at AT&T. During his tenure...
Aug 21, 2023•42 min•Season 4Ep. 16
In this episode, Nabeel Mahmood and Phillip Koblence are accompanied by Paul Peterson , Senior Director Facilities Manager at JLL overseeing operations at multiple data center locations in the Northeast on the CyrusOne account. In this position, Paul is a major piece in the puzzle to ensure that customers have uptime, availability and connectivity with their data set and data set requirements. Nabeel digs deeper asking, “What's your day-to-day job? Are you just keeping the data center active in ...
Aug 07, 2023•41 min•Season 4Ep. 15
On this episode, Nabeel and Phil are joined by Lee Smith , Data Center Consultant and Education Ambassador for the Nomad Futurist Foundation. Lee has over 30 years of digital infrastructure industry experience and is an accomplished international data center consultant, covering planning, strategy, design, and operations. During the last 15 years, he's been fully immersed in all matters related to designing, building, and operating mission-critical data centers. Lee’s educational background is i...
Jul 24, 2023•46 min•Season 4Ep. 14
On this episode of the Nomad Futurist Podcast, Nabeel and Phillip are joined by Walter Cannon , Vice President, Business Development at ZenFi Networks, a Boldyn Networks company. Walter leverages over 30 years of technology sales and executive management experience in the wireless, wholesale, and enterprise markets to lead sales teams in efficient delivery of network solutions that enable customers to grow their businesses more effectively. Walter serves as a perfect example that success can be ...
Jul 10, 2023•29 min•Season 4Ep. 13
The Nomad Futurist team has had a lot of great people on the podcast over the last three and a half years, and a few personal experiences along the way as well. In this episode, Nabeel and Phillip take the opportunity to recap the first half of 2023, discuss future goals for the Foundation, and share some insights on the industry. The duo takes a look back at their journey thus far and discusses a question they get asked a lot: Why did they start this podcast? Nabeel shares: “At the bottom of ou...
Jun 19, 2023•27 min•Season 4Ep. 12
