The QTS Experience

Ep232: Manja Thessin: Densification Drama– Fiber Highways to AI Superhighways; Squeeze in More Chaos

Join me as Manja Thessin from AFL dives into the wild world of data center densification–think packing 10x more fiber into racks without turning techs into contortionists. We geek out on AI's fiber frenzy, modular magic, and why spreadsheets are so last decade. Buckle up for this eye-opening chat!

Guest Links

Manja Thessin's LinkedIn Profile: (31) Manja Thessin, RCDD, RTPM | LinkedIn

Company Website (AFL): https://www.aflglobal.com/

Ep231: Joe Rozza – The Power of Purpose, Water, and Sustainable Innovation

Joe Rozza joins me to explore how passion, purpose, and practical sustainability collide. From Florida’s drainage ditches to corporate water stewardship, we dig into resilience, governance, and how real business value flows when companies stop treating sustainability like a side project. Dive in—this one’s deep.

External References

• Jimmy Carter's book "Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid" (referenced regarding PLO formation and water diversion): https://www.amazon.com/Palestine-Peace-Not-Apartheid-Carter/dp/0743285034
• American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Infrastructure Report Card (referenced for U.S. infrastructure grade of D): https://infrastructurereportcard.org/
• Net Zero Carbon commitments (general reference to corporate pledges): https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2021/11/net-zero-emissions-cop26-climate-change/

Guest Links

• Joe Rozza's LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-rozza-p-e-bcee-a8143b12
• Ryan Companies Website: https://www.ryancompanies.com/

Ep230: Brent Trenga: Recovering Architect Redefines Building – Circularity, Data Centers, & Legos

Brent Trenga joins me to spill on why construction is stuck in the Stone Age while we run space-age data centers. We geek out on circular economies, ethical capitalism, and why data centers should be built like Legos—easy to snap together, just as easy to snap apart—so growth and reuse don’t come with carbon regret. Tune in for laughs and lightbulb moments!

References to Studies, Reports, Data, or External Agencies

• Katerra (failed mass timber company) – Company history https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katerra 
• Sidewalk Labs – Alphabet project https://www.sidewalklabs.com/ 

Guest Links

• Brent Trenga's LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brent-trenga-a077278
• Company Website: Kingspan Insulated Panels North America https://www.kingspan.com/us/en-us/product-groups/insulated-panels

Ep229: Luke Saladyga: Submarine Officer to Oracle Innovator–Systems Engineering, Data Centers, & AI

I've got Luke Saladyga sharing his wild ride from nukes on subs to hyperscale data centers at Google and now Oracle. We dive into operational maturity, high availability nines, and why curiosity beats repetition every time – because who wants boring when you can automate the chaos?

Studies, References, and External Mentions

• Myers-Briggs personality test (referenced in leadership course): https://www.myersbriggs.org/
• Open Compute Project (initiated by Meta): https://www.opencompute.org/
• Nvidia GTC conference and GB200 GPUs: https://www.nvidia.com/gtc/
• IEC 61850 standard (substation protocol): https://webstore.iec.ch/publication/6028

Guest Links

• Luke Saladyga's LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/saladyga/
• Oracle Company Website: https://www.oracle.com/

The QTS Experience 228: with Joel Chakkalakal; Waste, Recycling, and the tubing at Schlitterbahn

Sustainability in data centers boils down to slashing carbon footprints and waste—think Lean Six Sigma magic and robotic automation. I geek out with Joel Chakkalakal on decommissioning hacks, circular economies, and why ops folks deserve a seat at the design table. Let's make our industry greener, one velcro trace at a time!

Studies, References, Data, or External Agencies

• Lean Six Sigma: https://www.asq.org/quality-resources/six-sigma
• Open Compute Project (OCP): https://www.opencompute.org/
• IEEE Working Group on Data Sanitization (IEEE P2883): https://standards.ieee.org/ieee/2883/10711/
• Nomad Futurist: https://nomadfuturist.com/
• Pegasus Logistics: https://www.pegasuslogistics.com/ 

Guest Links Joel Chakkalakal's

• LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chakkalakal 
• Company Website (Critical Risk Solution): https://www.criticalrisksolution.com/ 

Episode 227: Raiford Smith – Balloon Dogs, Grid Stress, and Data Center Ingenuity

 I'm diving into the grid's growing pains with Raiford Smith! Raiford says the grid is a balloon dog—squeeze it here, make it an anteater there. We unpack the stress

on aging infrastructure and explore innovative fixes.  Join us for a charged QTS Experience!

Episode 226: Cathal Quinn – From Rooftops to Resilience: Data Centers, Mental Health & Irish Grit

He went from pouring pints to powering platforms—and once dreamed of being the next great Irish basketball star (don’t we all). Cathal Quinn and I discuss big builds, mental health, and why Ireland is still punching above its digital weight class.

Referenced Reports / Concepts

• FLAP-D: Frankfurt, London, Amsterdam, Paris, Dublin as major European DC hubs
• Compound growth of the EU data center market: Estimated 15–20% YoY over 3–5 years (no direct link, summary from guest)
• The concept of Ireland missing the “first wave of AI” due to energy constraints

Guest Links

• Cathal Quinn https://www.linkedin.com/in/cathal-quinn-15099837/
• MOY Group Company Website

Episode 225: Sean James: Data Centers, Green Tech, and AI Adventures

Sean James spills on sustainable tech, smart designs, and why flops spark wins. Plus, how to hired by a Hyperscale in 3 easy steps—proof nice guys finish first! Join me for a hilarious, eye-opening chat!

References

Duke University Study: Duke University's Energy Initiative. https://nicholasinstitute.duke.edu/sites/default/files/publications/rethinking-load-growth.pdf
Don Saddaway (MIT): TED Talk. https://youtu.be/Sddb0Khx0yA?si=NMTm50HkE-WmovR5 

Guest Information

LinkedIn Profile: Sean James https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-james-6592524/ 
Company Website: Microsoft https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/ 

Episode 224: Dagi Berhane – Building Data Centers Where There’s No Power, Water, or Patience

What do you get when you mix solar panels, shipping containers, and sheer willpower? A data center in the wild. Dagi Berhane joins me to talk trust, technology, and why availability should come before sustainability. Also, what happens when your cloud has no internet? (Spoiler: Dagi builds one.)

Guest Links

• Dagi Berhane’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dagi-berhane/
• Salesforce Website: https://www.salesforce.com/

References & Studies Mentioned

• Salesforce 1-1-1 Philanthropic Model: https://www.salesforce.com/company/philanthropy/
• Red Fox Data Center Initiative: https://redfoxsolutionsgroup.com/
• The Innovator’s Dilemma by Clayton Christensen: https://www.hbs.edu/faculty/Pages/item.aspx?num=46
• Habitat for Humanity: https://www.habitat.org/

Episode 223: Julie Fedorchak – AI, Energy Policy, and Other Energy Lessons (or How to Not Get Run Out of Town)

What do AI, energy, and rural America have in common? Everything. Congresswoman Julie Fedorchak joins me to talk about working together—across communities, industries, and the aisle—to tackle tough challenges with common sense and shared purpose, from Wahpeton to Washington.

Guest Info
Congresswoman Julie Fedorchak – U.S. House of Representatives: https://fedorchak.house.gov

References & Mentions

•  National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC): https://www.naruc.org
•  U.S. House Energy & Commerce Committee: https://energycommerce.house.gov
• Applied Digital (Ellendale, ND): https://applieddigital.com
• David Wright – U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission: https://www.nrc.gov/about-nrc/organization/commission/wright.html