Connect | Virginia // Student & Military Community Next-Gen Workforce Session

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  • —
  • Management & Operations
  • Open Session
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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.

Speakers confirmed include:

  • Hiba Agha, Director of People Programs, Infrastructure Masons
  • Cyre Denny, Global Program Director, Schneider Electric
  • Lee Kirby, Co-Founder, Salute
  • Steve Jolly, Data Center Cluster Manager, AWS
  • Brian Green, Executive Vice President, EdgeConnex
  • Fritz Little, Director of Program Delivery, Salute
  • Preston Gilmore, Director - Data Center Operations, Coresite
  • Nicolas Nicolan, Director of Revenue Programs, Switch
  • Rob Bunger, Director of Data Center Solution Architecture, Schneider Electric
  • Alison Marlow, Global Chair Armed Forces, Infrastructure Masons

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

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.

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.

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, CTO, Menlo Digital
  • Steve Jolly, Data Center Cluster Manager, AWS
  • Hiba Agha, Director of People Programs, iMasons
  • Tom Liddy, Head of Data Center Education Partnerships, DCD>Academy

11:30 - 2:00 pm | Show Floor Tour & Networking Lunch