US data center provider Fortrust has appointed David Shepard, senior VP at Fortrust's partner company IO, to the position of its senior VP of sales and marketing. He will lead the positioning of the two companies as a combined data center infrastructure solution.

The addition of Shepard was a response to increased demand Fortrust has experienced for IO.Anywhere data modules it provides in its data center locations. The provider has IO data modules in all three of its locations, including Denver, Phoenix and Edison, New Jersey.

To date, Fortrust has deployed more than 1.5MW of module capacity for customers across the three locations for their customers.

Commenting on Shepard's appointment, Steve Knudson, vice chairman and CEO of Fortrust, said, “David Shepard has years of experience conveying IO’s value proposition to prospective customers. Having that expertise at our fingertips will enable both IO and Fortrust to maximize the value of this partnership.”

During Shepard’s tenure, IO has added new customers, including publicly announced Goldman Sachs and LexisNexis.

The two companies first partnered in April 2012, launching IO’s Powered by IO program. Shepard led the program's development. Because of Shepard’s work, Fortrust was named the first and exclusive provider of IO.Anywhere modules in Colorado.