Let's Break

the ICE

2024 Speakers

8:30AM CST - Opening Remarks

CELINA BERGLUND

SHE-E-O | BROGAV Solutions

Celina Berglund is a seasoned professional with 14 years of extensive experience in selling communication and network products. Throughout her career, she has focused on catering to telecom companies, carriers, and data centers. From splicing fibers, assembling cabinets, and installing containment, she has hands on experience that shows she’s not afraid of a challenge. In 2022, Celina took her expertise to the next level by founding BROGAV Solutions.

At the helm of BROGAV Solutions, Celina proudly steers a woman-owned and operated business, injecting a refreshing dose of diversity into the mission-critical field. Celina is dedicated to empowering and inspiring individuals to enter technology careers, making meaningful contributions to the transformative journey of the mission-critical industry. Her vision extends to fostering industry growth, with a specific emphasis on advancements in her home state of Minnesota.

Her journey is not just a chronicle of professional growth but a narrative of resilience and adaptability in an industry that demands nothing less.

8:35AM CST - Keynote - The Future of AI and the Connected Ecosystem

ADAM KNOBLOCH

Bisnow Media| VP & Head of Data Centers

Adam Knobloch has been involved in the commercial real estate event and media space since 2010, having held roles in sales, account management, production, and coordination. He joined Bisnow Media as the Global Director of Data Centers after having led event sales and strategy efforts in the CRE space for nearly a decade. Since 2012, he has found a significant passion for the data center and digital infrastructure sectors, while building an international network of active followers across numerous asset classes in the US, UK, Canada and Ireland.

In his current role as Vice President and Head of Data Centers, Adam oversees Bisnow Media's event and sponsored media strategy for the data center sector, having expanded its Datacenter Investment Conference & Expo (DICE) Series event offerings to more than 15 markets, with an international presence in the UK and Canada.

He previously held a board member role on the Telecom Exchange (TEX) Advisory Board, collaborating on content, speaker recommendations and event strategy. Additionally, he has made a point of promoting local and national organizations with a focus on STEM education and advancing the next generation into the technology sector through support, collaboration, and ambassadorship. Notable organizations include the Nomad Futurist Foundation, Infrastructure Masons, H5 Data Centers' STEM Fest and local chapters of both 7X24 Exchange and AFCOM.

9:00AM CST - Unleash the Power Within: A Dive into Battery Energy Storage Solutions (BESS) for a Sustainable Energy Revolution!

Donavon has 20 plus years in power generation. He has a EE from MSOE. He also has 8 years of experience application engineering with MC- Medium Voltage, Grid Sustainability, CHP- Combined Heat and Power, COP – Critical Operations Systems, Data Systems and PV Systems.

DONAVON STEINMETZ

GENERAC | Power Solutions Manager

9:30AM CST - Backstage Chill: Rear Door Coolers Panel

HEATHER BACCI

USystems | Regional Sales Manager, North America

CHRISTIE MAXWELL
Moderator

ERIC OLLERMAN

Data Center Systems | President

JOHN BUYSE

nVent | Director, Global Key Accounts

RLE Technologies | Sales Manager, Western US

Heather is the Region Sales Manager for North America at USystems, a Legrand company located in Bedford, England and manufacturer of the ColdLogik products. With over 30 years of experience in the Datacenter Industry, Heather began her career as a manufacturer’s representative in Northern CA. She was fortunate to enter the industry at the perfect time – right before the DOT COM boom. After riding the wave of the boom (and surviving the crash), she took on the role of Western Regional Manager for Cyberex where she would grow the region by 200%. This success prompted Cyberex to move her to NYC to manage the NE Region. Over time, she eventually became bi-coastal for Cyberex. When ABB acquired Cyberex, she became a Director of Mission Critical Applications in the International market selling across all business units of ABB, thereby expanding her product knowledge and networking connections to an even broader level. Further opportunities found Heather gaining experience with S&C Electric and LayerZero Power Systems. She recently joined USystems in Sept 2023, which has allowed her to take on a much bigger role creating sales strategy and managing all sales for the North America markets, while also learning about the mechanical side of the industry. Heather sits on the Board of Directors for the 7x24 Metro NY Chapter. She is active with WiMCO and the 7x24 International Chapter, and still enjoys the Bi-Coastal lifestyle.

Eric is the President of Data Center Systems, a leading provider of thermal and power solutions for Data Centers and Critical facilities. Eric leads the thermal and power engineering teams to provide solutions for critical infrastructure from edge deployments to data centers and all aspects of mechanical and electrical systems. With his vast knowledge from 35 years of experience in the Data Center, he has become the trusted advisor in providing solutions and designs to overcome the challenges facing this complex, constantly evolving industry.

Eric sits on the Principal Advisory Council for Thermal Solutions for Vertiv to help steer new product development.

John graduated from Wheaton College with a Business of Science degree in Economics. Later, he earned his MMI MBA from The University of Minnesota Carlson School of Management. With over 40 years of experience in cooling electronics and over 15 years of experience in liquid cooling, he serves as the Director of Key Global Accounts for nVent Data Solutions. In addition, John played a key role in successfully launching our standard Data Center products with global customers in the Enterprise, Edge, Global Web Services, and High Performance Computing to manage next generation AI chips.

Christie Maxwell, Sales Manager with RLE Technologies, is a seasoned sales professional specializing in mission-critical solutions, fixed broadband wireless, RF, and telecom power. With a background in both manufacturing and distribution, she offers a unique perspective on direct and channel sales. Her ability to connect with a diverse range of clients is a testament to her versatility, as she adeptly engages with C-level executives and skillfully negotiates multi-year purchase agreements. Christie values relationships with clients ranging from industry leaders to small end-users. Her career has predominantly focused on the Rocky Mountains and the West Coast. A Colorado native and Colorado State University alumna, Christie's local roots complement her strategic and versatile approach to sales in the dynamic technology sector.

10:15 - 10:45AM CST - Unleashing Innovation: Harnessing the Power of the Open Compute Platform for Unrestricted Data Center Advancements

Michael is a passionate advocate for all things open source, with a focus on the datacenter space. As Community Director for the Open Compute Project (OCP), Michael works closely with a large community of volunteers all seeking to drive innovation through collaboration. His experience covers a wide range of topics, from HW/SW spec and design contribution, to open source licensing, as well as community management. Michael is always eager to explore how individuals and companies alike can benefit from open source community participation. He graduated from Sewanee, The University of the South and resides now in Wisconsin.

MICHAEL SCHILL

Open Compute Project Foundation | OCP Community Director

10:45 - 11:15AM CST - Commissioning in the World of Emerging Technologies

JOSH HOOPS

CAI | Vice President

Josh has over 27 years of management and operations experience in the United States Navy as a Submarine Officer and Nuclear Engineer and nearly a decade of experience in Building Commissioning and Management Consulting. During his tenure in the United States Navy, Josh held several operational and executive management level positions culminating in his oversight of annual budgets up to $2.9 million, the daily activities of up to 1200 employees, management and coordination of a comprehensive skills-based training program (including operations and maintenance, safety, personnel qualification, and personal professional development), and the development and execution of fully integrated predictive, preventive and corrective maintenance programs. Before joining CAI, Josh was a Senior Associate at a Management Consulting Firm, managing multiple projects involving major organizational strategy and process transformations, including capital program management (up to $200MM in capital budgeting), asset management, organizational efficiency and structure, and in the training environment.

TRENT B. VADEN

CAI | Director of Client Engagement

With extensive strategic account / customer relationship management and direct consultative sales experience, Trent serves CAI as Director of Client Engagement for the Data Center Solutions Team in the Americas. His business development background spans roles in the finance, construction and data center industries.

Trent comes to CAI from ComRent Load Bank Solutions, where he managed multiple national accounts and sales responsibilities for 23 states, providing project and testing support during FPT and IST stages of commissioning.

11:15AM - 12:00PM CST- Amping Up the Game with Innovations in Rack PDUs Panel

MARK MOODY

Powerlok | Vice President of Sales & Marketing

EVAN JONES

HM CRAGG | Sales Engineer

RON VOKOUN
Moderator

DAVE STORY

VERTIV | Technical Business Develpment Manager

JOHN BUYSE

nVent | Director, Global Key Accounts

MDU Construction Services Group | Director, National Market Development

Mark brings a wealth of industry knowledge & connections built over many years in the industry. His success is due to the strength of the relationships he has built over the years managing various segments of the industry. Mark sees how everything & everyone is connected in the industry & is effective at bringing the right people & companies together to have success.

Mark has a passion for bringing new & more diverse talent to the industry. Through close engagement with AFCOM & 7x24 Chapters around the country, Mark has been able to help launch Scholarship & Internships that will ensure the industry continues to improve & remain strong.

Evan Jones, has 15 years of dedicated service in the data center industry. As a valuable member of HM Cragg Critical Power, Evan specializes in selling and configuring battery backup power solutions for Data Centers and Critical Facilities. His expertise extends into to the whitespace for racks and power distribution, for seamless integration of essential infrastructure. Evan's commitment to ensuring reliable power in critical environments has made him a trusted figure in the field.

For the past 20 years Dave has been an industry leading solution architect for datacenter hardware and services. His focus has been assisting national companies deploy critical power/cooling solutions and aligning those solutions with key IT initiatives and objectives. With deep knowledge of UPS’s, generators, cooling, software, and construction needs; Dave provides insight into whole solution design and is a self-professed expert translator in between IT and Facilities teams. Dave has a deep interest in emerging technology and is especially excited about what artificial intelligence and further adoption of IOT will do for next generation of businesses and stands ready to assist clients and partners navigating the increasing needs for critical power/cooling.

Dave currently is lead for small/medium 3phase UPS growth within Vertiv.

Ron is a 35-year veteran of the construction industry with a primary focus on Digital Infrastructure. As Director of National Market Development for MDU Construction Services Group, Ron collaborates with large customers to understand their program needs and works to fill those needs with MDU’s stable of operating companies. He is also the Program Chair for AFCOM’s Data Center Build Summit Content Advisory Board, a Content Advisory Board Member for AFCOM’s Data Center World, a member of AFCOM’s Data Center Institute, and a member of the Infrastructure Masons Technology Committee.

Ron focuses on scalable, energy efficient, water conscious, and sustainable data center solutions with the lowest Total Cost of Ownership. He is also an author and blogger writing about the intersection of data centers and sustainability. Ron has successfully managed large projects and programs globally and has lived and worked in Nebraska, Texas, Oklahoma, California, Colorado, Japan, Washington, Arizona, Minnesota, and South Carolina. Ron has a B.S. in Construction Management from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln.