The data center industry faces a huge talent shortage and bringing in the right people to design, build and operate digital infrastructure is absolutely critical. To help address this huge challenge, DCD>Academy and iMasons are partnering for this dedicated workforce initiative designed to support students and the military community with long-term career opportunities in the digital infrastructure industry.

The session will kick off with an industry overview, followed by panel discussions where experts will share their own expertise and guidance on how to enter this fascinating sector.

Click here for Students to register for free

9:00 - 9:15 am | Welcome & Intro to DCD & iMasons

• Alison Marlow, US Chair - Armed Forces, Infrastructure Masons
• Tom Liddy, Sales Manager, DCD>Academy
• Michael Evans, SVP Sales, Salute

9:15 - 9:45 am | Data Centers 101: What are they and what do they mean to me?

This session is designed to demystify the data center and the world of digital infrastructure. Learn what data centers mean to our everyday lives and how they are evolving to meet the demands of an increasingly connected and digital world.

• Cyre Denny, Global Program Director, Schneider Electric

9:45 - 10:30 am | Panel Discussion: Data centers need you! What can the data center industry offer the next-gen workforce?

The data center industry is long-awaiting the next generation of leaders who have the ideas and passion for learning to design, build and operate the digital infrastructure required to meet future capacity demands.

In this dedicated panel discussion, industry experts with military experience, will share their experiences and career journeys, providing insight into the backgrounds they came from, the skills required and where digital infrastructure can take the next generation. Learn why the sector needs you, the much sought-after skills you already have to offer, and the impact you could have on this exciting, fast-growth industry.

• Steve Jolly, Data Center Cluster Manager, AWS
• Thomas Ciccone III, Critical Facilities Engineer, Iron Mountain
• Preston Gilmore, Senior Manager - Data Center Operations, Coresight
• Ramzey Abastos-Denny, JROTC
• Jenn Nachman, Director of CX, Fulcrum Collaborations
• Michael Evans, SVP Sales, Salute

Moderator: Alison Marlow, US Chair - Armed Forces, Infrastructure Masons

10:30 - 11:30 am | Education & Next Steps

Hear from a local college professor that teaches a course in Data Center Operations at a local program at a community college, and discuss the different college majors, Military paths, and dedicated training programs with industry experts, that can help prepare you for the digital infrastructure industry.

• TJ Ciccone, Vice President, Critical Operations, STACK Infrastructure
• Steve Jolly, Data Center Cluster Manager, AWS
• Courtney Popp, Director of Education Programs, iMasons
• Tom Liddy, Head of Data Center Education Partnerships, DCD>Academy
• Mark Gusakov, Advisory Board Member, Nomad Futurist
  

11:30 - 1:30 pm | Show Floor Tour & Networking Lunch

Visit the Show Floor to explore the market further, visit partner stands and better understand how the data center ecosystem works, followed by lunch with your peers and industry professionals.

1:30 - 2:30pm | Executive roundtable

Students will gather for roundtable sessions with Industry professionals from a variety of backgrounds. Students can ask questions about the industry, get career advice and discuss their learnings from the previous session.

Students can register for free here.