Conference Day One | Tuesday October 28, 2025

7:00 am Check-In & Coffee

8:00 am Chair’s Opening Remarks

Improving Local Support for Data Centers

8:10 am Utility Panel: Uncovering How Utilities & Grid Operators Are Responding to the Demand to Build Power-First Development Strategies

  • Lon Huber Senior Vice President of Pricing & Customer Solutions, Duke Energy Corporation
  • David Sorrick Senior Vice President, PIKE

Synopsis

  • Understanding current grid constraints to better anticipate and deal with delays
  • Examining the complexities of utility interconnection processes across regions, ISOs and utility types – from co-ops to merchant generators – to navigate approvals more effectively
  • Building solution-orientated relationships with utilities to ensure long-term planning and grid citizenship models support mutual growth and reliability

9:10 am Engaging Civic, Government & Local Business Communities Early to Build Trust & Economic Alignment in Data Center Development

  • David McCall Brand Evangelist, QTS Data Centers
  • Tobe Aguocha Senior Director of Project Management - Americas, EdgeConneX

Synopsis

  • Establishing early-stage engagement frameworks to build transparency, trust and alignment on long-term infrastructure impacts
  • Collaborating with local governments and businesses to shape favorable regulatory and zoning environments
  • Quantifying economic benefits to shift public perception and build community support for data center developments, such as tax revenue forecasts and job creation data
  • Integrating community needs into project planning to align data center growth with regional development goals and ensure data center projects continue to benefit the region beyond the construction phase

10:10 am Speed Networking & Morning Refreshments

Track 1
Setting Up Projects

Diversifying Power Sources

11:10 am Case Study: Deploying Onsite Natural Gas Generation to Bridge Utility Delays & Accelerate Energization

  • Drew Thompson Assistant Vice President - Data Center & Mission Critical Facilities, Black & Veatch

Synopsis

See Full Event Guide for more information.

12:10 pm Preparing for the Nuclear Future: Navigating Advanced Nuclear Regulatory Hurdles & Site Readiness to Enable Long-Term Energy Resilience

  • Marie Rinowski Senior Manager of Clean Energy Policy, Constellation Energy

Synopsis

See Full Event Guide for more information.

Track 2
Preconstruction

Minimizing Risk in Partnerships

11:10 am Selecting the Right Projects for Your Business to Maximize on Opportunities While Decreasing Risk & Resource Strain

  • Jordan Grimm Senior Early Development Manager - Mission Critical, Barton Malow Company

Synopsis

See Full Event Guide for more information.

12:10 pm Panel: Choosing the Right Delivery Models & Contract Structures for More Effective Collaboration & Risk Management

Synopsis

See Full Event Guide for more information.

Track 3
Construction & Project Delivery

Improving Workforce Satisfaction

11:10 am Panel: Developing Effective Strategies for Hiring, Training & Retaining Skilled & Qualified Talent to Meet Demands of Large-Scale Projects

Synopsis

See Full Event Guide for more information.

12:10 pm Case Study: Advancing Jobsite Safety Programs to Foster a Culture of Care, Accountability & Operational Excellence

  • Rachel Neal Vice President of Global Safety, Compass Datacenters

Synopsis

See Full Event Guide for more information.

12:40 pm Lunch

Track 1
Setting Up Projects

Securing Power & Sites for Future Growth

1:40 pm Navigating the Realities of Renewable Energy Systems to Help Meet Capacity Demands & Net-Zero Goals

Synopsis

See Full Event Guide for more information.

2:40 pm Audience Roundtable: Exploring Land Positioning, Permitting & Entitlement to De-Risk Acquisition, Construction & Operations

Synopsis

See Full Event Guide for more information.

Track 2
Preconstruction

Enhancing Preconstruction Accuracy & Quality

1:40 pm Case Study: Mastering Estimating in a Volatile Market to Effectively Consider Tariffs, Supply Chain Challenges & Emerging AI Costs

Synopsis

See Full Event Guide for more information.

2:40 pm Harnessing Analytics for Smarter Preconstruction: Thinking Differently to Support Evolving Industry Trends

Synopsis

See Full Event Guide for more information.

Track 3
Construction & Project Delivery

Increasing Jobsite Efficiency

1:40 pm Panel: Addressing Differences in Data Center Build Standards Across Different Regions & Major Clients to Increase Standardization in Construction Operations

  • Michael Clark Senior Vice President - Data Center Construction, DC BLOX
  • Jonathan Clay President & CEO, The Blue River Group
  • Ben Hilderbrand Executive Vice President - Construction Services, T5 Data Centers

Synopsis

See Full Event Guide for more information.

2:40 pm Overcoming Onsite Changes: How to Adjust Schedules & Maintain Project Integrity to Minimize Disruptions

  • Brian Lowell Mission Critical & Division Manager, Maron Electric

Synopsis

See Full Event Guide for more information.

3:20 pm Afternoon Refreshments

Meet Your Speakers

Synopsis

Meet the experts who led today’s discussions and make the most of the chance to ask follow-up questions and dive deeper into key takeaways. Whether you’re looking to continue the conversation, gain further insights, or simply say thanks, this is your opportunity to engage directly with the voices shaping the agenda.

Optimizing Construction for Liquid Cooling

4:20 pm Panel: Constructing for Liquid Cooling: Aligning Design, Construction & Site Readiness to Support Next-Gen Infrastructure at Scale

  • Allison Boen DCEP President & Immersion Cooling Consultant & Advisor, Alcatex
  • Bryan Vrla Vice President - Integrated Manufacturing, Cummings Electrical
  • Brad Mohler Virtual Construction Manager, ColonialWebb

Synopsis

  • Aligning manufacturers, designers and contractors on final design and construction responsibilities for liquid-cooled infrastructure
  • Understanding material and installation requirements unique to liquid cooling systems to ensure system reliability and longevity
  • Preparing the physical space to accommodate liquid cooling components including structural supports, raised floors and overhead pathways to ensure efficient installation

4:50 pm Chair’s Closing Remarks & End of Day One

5:00 pm Drinks Reception

Synopsis

Unwind and connect with peers at our drinks reception, an opportunity to continue the day’s conversations in a relaxed setting. Whether you’re building new partnerships or catching up with familiar faces, this is the perfect place to expand your network over drink!