Wholesale data center provider Digital Realty Trust has appointed its former SVP of Sales and Technical Services Chris Crosby to a newly created position of SVP of Corporate Development. In his new role, Crosby will focus on further growth opportunities for the firm: new markets, new products, new partnerships and new alliances.

Crosby's appointment elevates both recently hired SVP of Technical Services Mike Manos (formerly of Microsoft) and VP of Global Sales Brent Behrman, who will now report to the company's CEO Michael Foust. Manos oversees the company's Design and Construction and Technical Operations and Engineering teams in addition to the POD Architecture Services program. Behrman leads the Sales and Leasing and Sales Engineering teams.

Crosby will retain oversight of DRT's marketing wing. He will report to CFO William Stein "to align opportunities with the company's financial objectives and capital planning process," according to a DRT statement.

While refraining from specifics, Crosby said the company was looking at growth opportunities in new markets in Europe, Asia and Middle East. DRT was not looking at Africa or South America at this time, he added.

Crosby joined DRT at the completion of the company's initial public offering in 2004. Prior to coming on board, he did leasing and sales - focusing on technology-related leasing - at private investment firm GI Partners, according to a bio on the DRT Web site. He has also worked as a consultant for CRG West (now CoreSite) and sales and product development at Nortel Networks.