The Data Center Frontier Show

In this DCF Trends-Nomads at the Summit Podcast episode, the Data Center Frontier and Nomad Futurist hosts engage in a dynamic, behind-the-scenes conversation with two of the most influential voices shaping digital infrastructure communications: Illisa Miller, founder of iMiller PR, and Adam Waitkunas, founder of Milldam PR. With decades of experience guiding some of the industry's most prominent brands through launches, crises, and rebranding efforts, Miller and Waitkunas offer an unfiltered look at what it really takes to cut through the noise in a crowded, technically complex market. From telling the right story about AI and sustainability, to building trust across hyperscalers, investors, and public stakeholders, this episode explores the evolving narrative demands of the data center space—and why strategic communications is now mission-critical to business success. Expect honest reflections, practical PR wisdom, and a few war stories from the front lines of digital infrastructure storytelling.

In this DCF Trends-Nomads at the Summit Podcast episode, the editors of Data Center Frontier and the hosts of Nomad Futurist sit down with Lovisa Tedestedt, Sales Executive at Schneider Electric, where she focuses on colo acquisition accounts. With more than 25 years of experience in international sales management, business development, and leadership, Lovisa has built a career defined by strong client relationships, bold growth strategies, and a passion for delivering excellence. From Sweden to China, Europe to the U.S., Lovisa brings a truly global perspective to the data center industry. In this conversation, she shares insights on strategic planning, high-stakes negotiations, and the importance of adaptability in today’s fast-changing market. Beyond her career, Lovisa talks about life outside of work as an avid hockey mom, now based in Des Moines, Iowa with her husband and two teenage children. Join us for a conversation that blends global business lessons, sales leadership, and the personal side of a career in the digital infrastructure world.

In this DCF Trends-Nomads at the Summit Podcast episode, the editors of Data Center Frontier and the hosts of Nomad Futurist sit down with Doug Recker, a telecommunications veteran and edge data center pioneer with more than 30 years of industry leadership. Today, Recker leads Duos Edge AI, driving initiatives to bring multi-access edge data centers (EDCs) to underserved communities, including schools and health facilities across the U.S. From founding Edge Presence (acquired by Ubiquity in 2023) and Colo5 Data Centers (later acquired by Cologix in 2014), to deploying more than 40 TM2500 units worldwide, Recker has consistently been at the forefront of building scalable, resilient infrastructure. His career is marked by multiple honors, including Northeast Florida’s Ultimate CEO Award and recognition among Inc. 500’s fastest-growing companies. In this conversation, Recker shares insights on the evolution of edge computing, lessons learned from decades in telecom and data centers, and how his time in the U.S. Marine Corps shaped his leadership philosophy. Tune in for a wide-ranging discussion on innovation, resilience, and the future of edge AI.

In this DCF Trends-Nomads at the Summit Podcast episode, Matt Grandbois, Vice President at AirJoule, introduces a game-changing approach to one of the data center industry’s most pressing challenges: water sustainability. As power-hungry, high-density environments collide with growing water scarcity concerns, Grandbois lays out a compelling vision for water-positive data centers—facilities that produce more water than they consume. Leveraging AirJoule’s advanced atmospheric water harvesting technology, he explains how waste heat, typically seen as a problem to mitigate, can become a valuable resource for onsite water generation. From adiabatic cooling and humidification to local water replenishment, this conversation opens up new possibilities for sustainable design, reduced PUE, and location flexibility—redefining what it means for data centers to be responsible community partners.

Speakers:  Mike Klassen, Director of Business Development, ZincFive Sugam Patel, VP of Product Management, DG Matrix In this DCF Trends-Nomads at the Summit Podcast episode, experts from ZincFive and DG Matrix unpack how medium voltage (MV) UPS architectures are redefining the way data centers power up for AI. As AI densification pushes traditional infrastructure to its limits, MV UPS solutions offer a path forward—boosting efficiency, reducing heat and losses, and reclaiming floor space for compute. The conversation delves into how higher voltage translates into smarter, more scalable designs that not only meet the demands of today's high-performance AI workloads but also future-proof facilities for what's coming next. From design frameworks to deployment strategies, Klassen and Patel provide a grounded, technical look at the UPS shift already underway.

In this episode of the DCF Trends–Nomads at the Summit podcast, we bring together two dynamic voices shaping the future of digital infrastructure: Melissa Farney, Editor at Large for Data Center Frontier and board member of the Nomad Futurist Foundation, and Bill Kleyman, Contributing Editor for Data Center Frontier and CEO of Apolo, who also serves as a member of the Nomad Futurist Foundation. Melissa and Bill join up for a candid discussion on the biggest trends transforming the data center and digital ecosystem. From AI-driven growth and sustainability challenges to the human capital needed to sustain the industry’s rapid expansion, they share a unique blend of editorial perspective and executive experience. This episode also dives into the mission of the Nomad Futurist Foundation: inspiring and equipping the next generation of leaders in the digital infrastructure space. Listeners will gain insights not just into market shifts, but also into the values and vision shaping the future of the field. Tune in for an engaging conversation at the intersection of thought leadership, industry transformation, and the mission to build a more resilient, inclusive digital future.

Speakers:  Joseph Ford, Senior Associate – Technology, Bala Consulting Engineers Eric Klaiber, Data Center Design Manager, Bala Consulting Engineers In this DCF Trends-Nomads at the Summit Podcast episode, Joseph Ford and Eric Klaiber of Bala Consulting Engineers offer a consultant engineer’s hard-won perspective on the complex realities of designing infrastructure for hyperscale, MTDC, and wholesale data centers. Drawing on years of field experience, they dig into the nuanced choreography required to align incoming duct banks, meet-me room layouts, and overlapping network systems—all while staying within the spatial constraints driven by power and cooling demands. This candid conversation highlights what it really takes to create design harmony across client expectations, design teams, and contractors, with insights into space planning, coordination strategy, and the delicate balance of infrastructure coexistence that underpins modern high-performance facilities.

In this DCF Trends-Nomads at the Summit Podcast episode, Data Center Frontier and Nomad Futurist hosts sit down with Bob Cassiliano, Chairman & CEO of 7x24 Exchange International, for a wide-ranging conversation on the state of mission-critical infrastructure and the evolving challenges facing the data center industry. As the leader of one of the most influential organizations in the space, Cassiliano offers a national perspective on power constraints, workforce development, sustainability pressures, and the cultural shifts reshaping operations and leadership across the digital infrastructure landscape. The discussion also highlights how 7x24 Exchange continues to serve as a vital convening force for collaboration, education, and resilience in an industry tasked with powering the AI era. With decades of insight and a pulse on what’s next, Cassiliano shares where the data center sector must go to meet the moment.

AI has pushed liquid cooling from a niche technology to a critical requirement for high density data centers. In this episode, Pat McGinn, COO and President of CoolIT Systems, shares why AI is driving liquid cooling from optional to essential. He explains how CoolIT helps customers deliver AI systems at speed and scale through proven capacity, modular solutions, and dedicated engineering support. Listeners will gain insight into the trends shaping adoption, examples of customer success, and what the future holds for high performance and sustainable cooling.

In this episode, we’re joined by Justin Loritz, Product Manager for Large Diesel at Rehlko, to explore how the company is redefining the role of a manufacturer in today’s dynamic data center landscape. Rehlko isn’t just delivering equipment, they’re delivering answers. As Justin shares, Rehlko’s philosophy centers on being a true solutions provider: collaborating early, working through complexity, and staying flexible to meet each customer’s unique challenges. Whether it’s identifying alternative components, navigating supply constraints, or designing systems that meet aggressive density and uptime requirements, Rehlko’s engineers partner closely with customers to ensure no detail is overlooked. Their process is driven by a deep understanding of the application, operational goals, and broader market context, allowing them to fine-tune specifications and avoid missteps that could compromise performance or timelines. Justin also discusses how this proactive, collaborative mindset extends beyond the customer relationship. By engaging with industry organizations like iMasons and contributing to shared challenges, like power availability and infrastructure strain, Rehlko helps move the entire ecosystem forward. Key discussion points include: What it means to be a solutions provider in a high-demand, high-stakes environment How Rehlko engineers collaborate to solve challenges before they impact project delivery Why deep application knowledge is essential to right-sizing designs and avoiding over- or under-specification How industry collaboration is key to unlocking new energy strategies, sourcing approaches, and long-term resilience For data center leaders navigating rising demand and tighter constraints, this episode highlights how Rehlko’s engineering-first, collaboration-driven approach is helping customers stay ahead, delivering smarter, more resilient infrastructure for the AI-powered future.