Advertise on podcast: NEDAS Live! Where Wireline and Wireless Meet

In this episode of NEDAS Live!, Scott Longhurst, Data Center Services Director at Datalec Precision Installations, explores what it takes to keep data centers resilient as AI drives unprecedented demands for power and cooling. Drawing on more than 35 years of experience, Scott discusses a growing challenge: facilities are being built faster than people can be trained to operate them. He explains how liquid cooling is changing maintenance responsibilities, why proactive maintenance requires more than following a calendar, and how skilled teams and better monitoring help prevent costly failures. The conversation offers practical insights into protecting reliability and improving energy efficiency as the industry races to support the AI era.

Tune in as we are joined by Dr. Atif Ansar, Executive Chairman and Co-Founder of Foresight, for a compelling conversation about the digital race and the true economics of delay. Dr. Ansar explains why time has become one of the most valuable resources in digital infrastructure, how even brief delays can dramatically affect the economics of data center projects, and why organizations may need a "Chief Time Officer" to bring greater discipline to project delivery. He also explores how data, AI, professional standards, and honest conversations about risk can help companies anticipate challenges, accelerate construction, and remain competitive in a rapidly evolving industry.

Tune in as Brittani Clarke Clayman, Director of Marketing & Sustainability at ESI Total Fuel Management, explores how strategic fuel management strengthens the reliability, resiliency, and sustainability of data centers and other mission-critical infrastructure. Brittani discusses the often-overlooked risks posed by fuel quality, storage conditions, and emergency-delivery logistics; the potential of cleaner alternatives such as hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO); and how data-driven tools can help operators anticipate worst-case scenarios and protect uptime. She also shares why sustainability and reliability can reinforce one another, as well as her thoughts on expanding career pathways into the rapidly growing digital-infrastructure industry.

In this episode of NEDAS Live!, Steve Altizer, President and CEO of Compu Dynamics, explores how modular infrastructure is transforming the way AI-ready, edge, and high-density data centers are designed and deployed. He discusses the advantages of factory-built systems—including greater speed, scalability, flexibility, quality, and predictability—while addressing workforce constraints, liquid-cooling needs, and growing community concerns about data center development. He also shares how Compu Dynamics Modular is expanding its manufacturing capabilities to meet extraordinary demand and explains his vision for a future in which standardized, fully integrated data centers can be configured and ordered online.

In this episode of NEDAS Live!, we are joined by Priscilla Favors of Aureon, Chris Crowe of T3 Broadband, Kurt Raaflaub of Nokia, and Jeff Sanders of Midco for a timely conversation on Delivering the AI Era: Building a 100-Terabit Midwest Connectivity Corridor. Together, they explore how surging AI demand is reshaping the communications infrastructure landscape, why the Midwest is becoming a critical hub for data center and transport connectivity, and what it takes to coordinate large-scale network deployments across regional providers, technology partners, and equipment innovators. The conversation highlights the growing need for fiber diversity, power-efficient optical networking, supply chain coordination, and trusted partnerships as the industry prepares for the next wave of AI-driven bandwidth, compute, and connectivity needs.

Tune in for a conversation with Phil Shih, Managing Director at Structure Research, as he explores the rapid evolution of digital infrastructure in the age of AI. The discussion dives into the growing demand for AI-driven data centers, the emergence of neo-cloud providers, the crossover of crypto infrastructure companies into the AI ecosystem, and the global race to build sovereign AI capabilities. Phil also shares insights from Structure Research's latest findings on infrastructure investment, hyperscale growth, energy demands, and how regions like Europe are responding to the changing landscape of cloud, compute, and data center development.

In this episode, you'll hear a wide-ranging conversation with David Bacino, CEO of Symphony Towers Infrastructure, exploring how wireless networks are built, scaled, and future-proofed across the United States. Drawing on more than three decades of leadership in telecom and digital infrastructure, David breaks down what it takes to support nationwide connectivity, the role towers and rooftops play in everyday wireless use, and how emerging technologies like 5G, 6G, and AI are shaping the next phase of the industry. Listeners will gain a behind-the-scenes look at the infrastructure powering modern life—and what's coming next as demand for wireless connectivity continues to grow.

In this episode, we explore what it really takes to build the next generation of talent in the digital infrastructure industry. Guest Luke Adams, Co-Founder of Data Center Youngbloods and an analyst at DPGlobal Assets, shares his journey from discovering the world of data centers in college to launching a fast-growing community designed to make the industry more visible, accessible, and welcoming to young professionals. Luke discusses the gaps in education-to-career pathways, the power of mentorship, the misconceptions young people have about entering the field, and why curiosity, resilience, and real human connection are essential for the future of digital infrastructure. This conversation offers a rare look at how emerging leaders are shaping the sector—and how seasoned professionals can play a role in elevating the next generation.

In this episode, we are joined by Brian Moon, CEO of the Pacific Telecommunications Council (PTC), for a timely conversation about how the organization is evolving in the age of AI, data centers, and global connectivity. Brian shares how PTC is expanding member benefits, reimagining its annual conference, and launching new initiatives—from The Alakaʻi Stage, a new leadership and innovation platform, to next-gen talent programs and the Week of Laulima for women in the industry. It's an inside look at how PTC is shaping the future of connectivity and why PTC '26 is set to be one of the most impactful events yet.

Tune in for a conversation with Marci Nigro, Founder and CEO of Purpose Consulting Services, for a thought-provoking conversation on leadership in the age of AI. Drawing on nearly three decades of executive search experience, Marci shares how artificial intelligence is transforming not just technology, but the very fabric of leadership—reshaping what investors seek, how executives are evaluated, and which skills define success in today's AI-driven landscape. From navigating hyper-growth and managing complexity to cultivating emotional intelligence and culture alignment, Marci offers candid insights on what it takes to lead—and stay human—in an era defined by intelligence, innovation, and rapid change.

Tune in for a conversation with David Dorman, Director of Commercial Operations at APR Energy. David shares how mobile gas-turbine solutions deliver hundreds of megawatts "behind the meter," enabling data centers and municipalities to bridge grid delays, accelerate AI and cloud expansion, and meet surging energy demands. From disaster recovery projects in Puerto Rico to modular power strategies for hyperscale growth, this conversation reveals how converging energy and digital networks power the future of connectivity.

Tune in for a conversation with Josh Dorfman, CEO and host at Supercool, about real-world climate solutions revolutionizing the digital infrastructure industry. From seawater-cooled data centers in Finland to Amazon's experiments with mass timber, Josh unpacks how sustainable innovations are not only possible but already reshaping business models. He shares his journey from "Lazy Environmentalist" to climate tech leader, offering insights on how companies can harness emerging technologies to cut carbon, drive growth, and build a more resilient future.

In the latest episode of NEDAS Live!, host, and founder and CEO of iMiller Public Relations, Ilissa Miller welcomes Tod Higginbotham, COO of ZincFive and an expert in energy storage solutions and the former CEO of Powergenics. Episode #58 dives into the critical role that innovative battery technologies play in powering digital infrastructure today and in the future. Tod's extensive background in the energy storage, semiconductor, and solar markets brings invaluable insights into the conversation. His expertise sheds light on the transformative impact of advanced battery solutions, especially within the context of digital infrastructure. Throughout the discussion, Tod emphasizes the importance of battery technology in ensuring that data centers, communication networks, and cloud services remain sustainable, resilient, and efficient.

In this episode of NEDAS Live! podcast, you'll join host Ilissa Miller as she sits down with Joel Ogren, CEO and founder of Assured Communications, for a fascinating look at how communications infrastructure has evolved over his 40+ year career. You'll discover how the telecommunications landscape has transformed since Joel founded his company more than twelve years ago, learn why resilient networks are increasingly crucial as businesses depend more heavily on data and cloud services, and hear Joel's insights on how AI is revolutionizing network management. This conversation offers you a unique perspective from an industry veteran on the past, present, and future challenges of building the digital infrastructure that powers our global economy.

Tune in for a conversation with Jonathan Hjembo, Senior Manager of Infrastructure Research at TeleGeography. The discussion explores the critical challenges and opportunities in the communications infrastructure ecosystem, particularly focusing on the unprecedented growth driven by AI deployment needs in 2024-2025. Jonathan explains TeleGeography's role in tracking global network development and discusses the ongoing power crisis affecting major data center markets worldwide, from Singapore to Northern Virginia.