POSITION
REPORTS TO
DATE
MORE INFORMATION
SEARCH CONTACT
VICE PRESIDENT DATA CENTER DESIGN & ENGINEERING
Ken Kremer – CTO
August 2024
Andy Lane @ CFS Partners
M +414 807 4085
E andy@criticalfacility.com
COMPANY OVERVIEW
As of May 15, 2024, Involta became ark data centers.
The future is ark – The tides of data proliferation have shifted in the wake of AI, but ark’s commitment to delivering state-of-the-art infrastructure and solutions has never wavered. They saw the virtual flood of data coming years ago and are ready to help their customers thrive in this rapid technological revolution with purpose-built data centers and a robust suite of innovative hybrid cloud solutions.
As an enterprise data center, hybrid cloud and network infrastructure partner, ark’s innovative solutions and expertise empower customers to elevate their technology strategy without sacrificing the grounded, collaborative approach of a trusted regional provider. Their data-driven, people-powered and future-focused approach is your key to rising above the flood.
HISTORY
The beginning – The evolution of Involta began with the founding of Technology Resources Company (TRC) in 1998. CoVault Technology, LLC (CoVault) was founded in early 2006 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Involta was formed in 2007 through the merger of TRC and CoVault. The combination of CoVault, the only colocation data center company in the Cedar Rapids/Iowa City corridor, with the data management expertise of TRC created a company that prioritized IT security, both housing and providing support for clients’ increasingly critical data infrastructure. The combined companies provided both the physical facilities and technical expertise necessary to secure data and provide disaster recovery services for businesses’ critical data infrastructure.
Involta continues to expand – In 2015, Involta acquired substantially all of the assets of Data Recovery Services, LLC (DRS), a managed-services and IT consulting firm operating in Ohio and Pennsylvania. Acquired assets included more than 6,500 fiber route miles in Ohio and western Pennsylvania, and two Youngstown-based data centers owned and operated by DRS. BluPraire, acquired in 2018, expanded Involta’s Hybrid Cloud, managed services and cloud consulting services. Involta is now offering a full suite of cloud services, from ideation and strategic planning to enterprise and solution architecture, as well as consulting services for business process improvement and organizational change management.
Both acquisitions have enabled Involta to leverage the capacities and strengths of each company to better serve mid-market and enterprise clients with world-class IT infrastructure and services.
In 2022, funds managed by Carlyle (NASDAQ: CG) acquired Involta, expanding Involta’s ability to provide innovative, security-focused cloud and edge solutions. The investment positioned Involta to build on its national market leadership while continuing to serve and grow in existing markets.
CHAPTER
Brett Lindsey was hired as CEO in January 2024. He brings a very focused thesis round which is built an ambitious growth charter = Data Center + Network + Artificial Intelligence
The goal is to transform the data center + network + AI into a smart, flexible, scalable, and secure service …. reshaping how businesses operate in the digital age, enabling a new wave of digital innovation and emerging as a cornerstone of modern technological infrastructure.
CHARTER
As a leading enterprise data center, hybrid cloud and network partner, ark empowers customers to elevate their technology strategies with innovative solutions and expertise. Our data-driven, people-powered and future-focused approach is key to rising above the flood of data.
SOLUTIONS
SECURE POWER COLOCATION –
– Customers can empower their mission-critical infrastructure with SecurePower Colocation (SecurePower), where world-class technology and physical security provide unmatched protection for enterprises. ark’s power-based model offers predictability and reliability, safeguarding critical workloads to streamline business operations 24/7/365. When you colocate at one of our data centers, you prepare your business for the oncoming flood of data by connecting to so much more.
SECURITY –
– The ark team has been prioritizing security and compliance since we opened our first data center over 15 years ago. To us, being an enterprise cybersecurity solutions provider is about more than protecting customer environments and neutralizing potential threats before they can impact operations. It’s about creating a culture of security that everyone can get behind.
CLOUD –
– Getting financial advantages, productivity gains and continuity from the cloud isn’t as easy as the industry first implied. As an enterprise cloud solutions provider, ark’s holistic approach to infrastructure investment—spanning from connectivity to store and compute as well as support and management—is focused on attaining your business objectives and maximum ROI from public, private, hybrid or multi-cloud environments.
NETWORK INFRASTRUCTURE SOLUTIONS –
– Stay connected with ark’s interconnection options and network infrastructure. They leverage a keen understanding of business needs and a wealth of experience to help expand your network and optimize daily operations.
DATA CENTER LOCATIONS
ark’s Tucson data center is a 38,000+ square foot, concurrently maintainable facility that provides secure data storage in a state-of-the-art environment, while eliminating the expense associated with owning, operating and maintaining such a facility independently.
Capacity – 2,072kW
ark operates a world-class, purpose-built colocation facility in Boise, Idaho. The concurrently maintainable, 34,000+ square foot facility – provides secure data storage in a cutting-edge environment, saving clients the expense associated with owning, operating and maintaining such a facility independently.
Capacity – 1,000kW
ark’s Cedar Rapids data center is a 19,000+ square foot, concurrently maintainable facility that provides secure data storage in a state-of-the-art environment, while saving clients the expense associated with owning, operating and maintaining such a facility independently.
Capacity – 810kW
ark operates two diversely connected colocation facilities in Duluth, Minnesota. Both facilities – one a 3rd-generation, 6,000 square foot facility, the other a concurrently maintainable, 3rd-generation, 26,000+ square foot facility – provide secure data storage in a cutting-edge environment, saving clients the expense associated with owning, operating and maintaining such a facility independently.
Capacity – 1,000kW
ark owns and operates four data centers in the northeast Ohio region. The facilities provide nearly 130,000 square feet of world-class enterprise space. All five facilities are diversely connected to one another, including a robust fiber ring that provides millisecond latency between our Akron I & II and Independence facilities.
Akron I & II Capacity – 5MW
Canton Capacity – 1.5MW
Cleveland – 2.5MW
ark’s Pittsburgh data center is a 39,000+ square foot, concurrently maintainable facility that provides secure data storage in a state-of-the-art environment, while saving clients the expense associated with owning, operating and maintaining such a facility independently.
Capacity – 1,500kW
ark’s Green Bay data center is a concurrently maintainable facility that provides secure data storage in a state-of-the-art environment, while eliminating the expense associated with owning, operating and maintaining such a facility independently.
Expandable up to 20MW
BRAND PROMISE
Superior Infrastructure and Services – ark data center’s state-of-the-art, purpose-built facilities are the most reliable data centers in the regions we serve–and our full suite of hybrid IT services are delivered with the same level of detail. Their locations and teams specifically address the most exacting performance, compliance and security requirements of the industries we serve.
Operational Excellence – ark data centers is expanding their ability to serve customers through new data centers and cloud platforms, consulting and managed services and well-defined and rigorous processes. They are constantly introducing new products and hybrid IT solutions and developing new strategies for efficient, predictable automation.
People Who Deliver – Good relationships require trust, communication, and collaboration. That’s why ark data centers hires, trains, and retains the best employees to ensure that these qualities are present in all of their valued partnerships. They pride themselves on being subject matter experts customers can call any time, whether they would like assistance or to offer feedback on how ark can do better.
LEADERSHIP
ark data center NEWS
June 2024 – ark data centers Wins 2024 Datacloud Global Award for Excellence
May 2024 – Involta Is Now ark data centers
May 2024 – Involta centers Launches Annual ESG Report
January 2024 – Involta offers new colo payment model charging by kW instead of rackspace
January 2024 – Involta SecurePower Colocation Launches to Support Mission-Critical Enterprise IT Workloads
January 2024 – Involta Appoints Brett Lindsey as CEO
December 2023 – Involta Acquires Data Center and Land in Green Bay, Plans for 20MW Colocation Campus
December 2023 – Involta Expands Data Center Capacity in Tucson to Meet Enterprise Demand
February 2022 – Carlyle’s Acquisition of Hybrid Cloud Data Center Provider Involta Closes
FINANCIAL PARTNER
Carlyle is a global investment firm with deep industry expertise that deploys private capital across three business segments: Global Private Equity, Global Credit and Global Investment Solutions. With $382 billion of assets under management as of September 30, 2023, Carlyle’s purpose is to invest wisely and create value on behalf of its investors, portfolio companies and the communities in which we live and invest. Carlyle employs more than 2,200 people in 28 offices across four continents. Carlyle is committed to Better Impact, Better Results.
Jan 2024 – Carlyle to Announce 4th Quarter & Full Year 2023 Financial Results Feb 8th
Dec 2023 – AlpInvest and Leonard Green Close $2B Continuation Fund
VICE PRESIDENT DATA CENTER DESIGN & ENGINEERING
ark data centers is entering a new chapter of growth enabling a progressive era of AI defined network and data center solutions for hyperscale and enterprise customers. ark builds new, Tier III-designed, state-of-the-art data centers fully connected by AI defined, low-latency private network in select markets across the US. The Vice President Data Center Design & Engineering (VPDCDE) will leverage his/her expertise with the executive team to reimagine the design and development of products that build and expand high-quality, multi-tenant data center facilities into a world class platform.
The VPDCDE will oversee and manage design and engineering and be intimately aware of construction, commissioning, operations, and sustainability of all ark data center facilities to include –
– Lead design and engineering teams to ensure seamless delivery of new inventory
– Coordinate and plan supply chain activities, including management of major vendor relationships
– Provide thought leadership as ark evolves its product delivery to meet changing market and specific customer demands
– Participate with the executive team to continuously support new revenue growth requirements.
– Develop plans and strategies aligned with revenue goals and keeping inventory ahead of leasing requirements.
– Lead facility diligence efforts in support of potential M&A opportunities
– Develop and implement design and engineering best practices; incorporate operating standards into security and operations practices.
– Identify process improvement and cost savings, evaluate, implement, and resolve as needed.
– Lead and be held accountable for the Design and Engineering performance against plan
– Manage and positively influence key customer relationships, vendors, and partners in the design, build, procurement, commissioning, and turnover to operations ecosystem.
– Oversight and accountability for preparing, presenting, negotiating, and delivering to appropriately risk managed contractual obligations.
– Interface and align with corporate and local operations personnel to ensure appropriate design of customer solutions and to guarantee the quality-of-service delivery
– Provide input into the annual budgeting and planning process
– Continually seek industry and market information to provide ark data centers with the information necessary for successful business development.
– Understands and practices performance management disciplines.
KNOWLEDGE & COMPETENCIES
The VPDCDE is expected to be both a data center subject matter expert and a business executive. Technical product knowledge in electrical and mechanical systems, building systems (BIM), DCIM, controls, contracts, and project management is expected. Executive characteristic and communication demands include –
– Explain via business case presentation the relevancy of information to executive and board level individuals
– Plan, organize, and implement major projects. Perceive and identify issues in advance of critical problems developing. Perform well under crisis management
– Negotiate effectively and command the respect of markets and vendors
– Understand and implement preventive and predictive maintenance procedures
– Exceptional analytical and decision-making skills to evaluate complex problems, including analyzing, comparing, and selecting the best solution for each circumstance
– Strong understanding of data center design and how it impacts SLA agreements
– Financial acumen including the ability to create and understand budgets, financial analysis, and invoicing
– Prioritize work based on business and customer demands, articulate concepts and ideas to a nontechnical audience, and lead customer-requested business reviews and audits
– Expert in design characteristics, installation, and operation of all data center infrastructure systems including electrical, mechanical, life safety, controls and security.
– Responsible attitude, ability to take initiative and ownership, and adapt in a fast-paced environment.
– Requires intermittent travel to data center, partners, and customer locations
KEY QUALIFYING CRITERIA
Data Center Design & Engineering – Evaluate the breadth and complexity of data center design projects managed to successful completion –
– Breadth and complexity of different mission critical real estate infrastructure designs.
– Philosophy and roadmap on current and future state of the market, ie liquid cooling.
– Track record of delivering design and engineering on schedule and budget
– Demonstrated command of the design-build theatre of engineers, contractors, suppliers, labor, safety, security, audit, and public / municipal authorities
Business Acumen – Growth oriented commercial disposition with innovative thought leadership in line with the organization’s holistic P&L, human capital leverage, resource allocation, and technology utilization considerations.
Technical Acumen & Credentials – Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, Bluebeam, AutoCAD, and other relevant software. PE (Professional Engineer) license is a significant plus. PMP (Project Management Professional) certification is also highly desirable.
Leadership – Demonstrated gravitas and history of leading people, processes, and projects to consistently perform at or above plan. Members of ark’s management communicate extensively and proactively to ensure collective alignment with the growth strategy.
Culture – Alignment of core values with arVP’s vision, mission, and guiding principles which lead to excellence, fairness, and justice in the workplace.
WHY CONSIDER THIS OPPORTUNITY?
Ambition – The Carlyle Group’s hire of Brett Lindsey as CEO is telling of their conviction to grow and evolve a national platform of AI defined, network connected, data center infrastructure to meet hyperscale and enterprise data center capacity requirements.
Difference – ark data center’s value proposition to the market and their customers simultaneously achieves the most progressive technological and sustainable infrastructure and service initiatives available in their target markets.
Progressive – ark data centers is investing in every aspect of its physical and software infrastructure in preparation to build and exceed the next generation of HPC compute requirements.
Precedent – CEO Brett Lindsey has a remarkable track record bringing large, ambitious capital plans together and exceeding expectations. Ken Kremer’s track record of infrastructure growth is 2nd to none. Professionals who enjoy headroom to execute will flourish working with this team.
Prepared – Carlyle, Bruce Lehrman, and The Board have been planning this directionality for the business for the past couple years. Brett joins with a defined plan to deliver what the industry requires with a successful history of timely execution.
Confidence – Overall consensus on ark’s plans in the hands of Brett Lindsey is a high likelihood of success. The plan is clear, practical, and reasonable in order to achieve target returns sooner than forecasted.
COMPENSATION
The compensation package for the VPDCDE will include a competitive base salary, annual performance bonus, and long-term incentive compensation in the form of equity reflecting ark’s value creation.
SEARCH PROCESS
Following the receipt of a resume and mutually addressing Key Qualifying Criteria, culture fit, and professional motivation, we’ll make an Introduction to Ken Kremer, CTO in August 2024. Subseqent meetings with the Senior Leadership Team and members of The Carlyle Group to follow. The selected finalist will be presented with a compelling and competitive offer contingent on background check and thorough references.