 Welcome back to JSA TV and JSA podcast where we're covering the latest stories trends and innovations from leaders across the digital infrastructure industry and we are at PTC Wrapping things up just about here day three at PTC and beautiful Honolulu Hawaii and I'm joined now by Curtis freeson He's the head of North America at the International Data Center Authority. Thanks so much for being here. Thank you. Kelly. I'm having a fantastic time Yeah, I think we're all kind of seeing the you know, everybody's running on fumes It's still just such a great environment here on day three at PTC. I am exhausted in a very exhilarating way in view like you said beautiful and Windy Honolulu. It's been a bit windy the last couple days, but it's been nice. Yes We all have that nice beachy look at this point, but you know what no complaints were in Honolulu, so But you guys have quite a lot going on at IDCA But first before we dive into that Can you just give us a quick background on who you are and how you help serve the data center industry? Yeah, you bet. So the International Data Center Authority does training and certifications for data center operators We also do facility audits and facility certifications and we do a lot of government consulting as well So between those those three divisions we we have a lot going on. Yeah. Yeah Well, you had a big piece of news semi recently with the appointment of a new chief development officer with buddy riser Of course, he's no stranger to the industry and how it works. So I'll let you take it from there. Yeah We are really thrilled about that. In fact, the genesis of that really was back last summer We were hosting an African country the minister of IT and her entire delegation came out for a tour of Loudoun County And we started off at buddy's office and he kind of you know went over somewhat of his playbook of what he's what he's been able to accomplish and how over the last 20 years because this particular country is very eager to Transition from an agricultural based economy to digital economy. There's already undersea cable going into the country They just they need a lot a little bit of hand-holding and and are utilizing the IDCA to To help guide them and and build that roadmap for them to develop this this digital economy So we gave them a tour of Loudoun County in fact One of the stops on the tour was one of JSA's clients powerhouse data centers and the and the shell that powerhouse was building for for Cyrus one, I believe and And we and we toured Sabie as well So it was great for them to be able to see, you know, the kind of the before and after a Shell being built and then and then the and then the completed completed thing And then we've we cut that conversation going with buddy and and he was, you know, really excited to be able to Apply his skills and experience and everything that he's been able to accomplish in Loudoun County over the last 20 years And and and apply that to some of these other emerging markets and developing economies So so we're engaged. I can't specifically see I can't say the names of the countries but Later this week Medi Parri Avi and I and buddy will be heading to the Middle East To a couple different countries there. So we leave on I get home later today and Then we leave again on Friday and then we'll be gone all of the next week Well, what's the saying no rest for the weary, right? Yeah, there we go Yeah, let's stay on that for just a moment with that a lot of your international work What are your key findings there and how are you continuing to build that bridge? Well, you know that I'm gonna leave all that the smart stuff for buddy I I'll be there in a diplomatic capacity as the head of North America and just try to keep my mouth shut and shake hands, right? but there's There's a lot of exciting work to be done in terms of Laying the groundwork bringing in the proper infrastructure and and setting up the future-proofing economies and and Digital transformation for these these developing countries not just in the Middle East but in North Africa and in Asia and and and Many many more to come and then back here at home still a lot going on you just finished up a Pretty detailed audit for the state of Indiana and you have hopes to replicate that. Can you tell us about that? Yeah, we? We started this this infrastructure audit for the state of Indiana about Just under a year ago and and that that had started from a Conversation that came out of us training their deputy director of IT went through some IDCA training and certifications and Realized that the state kind of had their backs against the wall and and needed to to get it together They have a primary and a DR and an edge facility and they actually lost their lease on that edge facility and Realized that They were running some very very critical applications out of out of all three of those and and if they didn't figure out What to properly put in place the state could potentially shut down, right? We're talking about you know healthcare welfare Health insurance etc payroll for the entire state so we we went in and did an entire audit and assessment of Phase one is on the infrastructure level Phase two will actually be on the application level. They'll be like even a lot more labor intensive And we were able to identify a lot of gaps and a lot of weaknesses and and once we provide our recommendations report they're gonna be In a way better position again for future-proofing and this key Lee This is a an engagement that absolutely has to be replicated with all the other 49 states You know they all whether they know it or they don't This this is something that needs to happen and and kudos to Indiana for really Stepping up and and set in that bar Because they they'll be the leaders in in in that space and and setting an example for all the other states moving forward Yeah, absolutely. Well and with some good guidance as well. We might add so that's great And then before we let you go here Do you want to talk to us a little bit about the consulting? Engagements that you guys can get involved in yeah so also now again with with buddy coming on board and With north of Virginia now kind of reeling back a bit on on all the development that's been going on I mean they're essentially out of power to sell right and that has Now create opportunities for other states to step up so I and and buddy and and Medi Prairie Aviar founder and chairman will be engaging with other states and other municipalities again to help lay that groundwork to to provide some feasibility studies and to engage with the economic development divisions to make sure that that the proper Steps are in place and and the and the right PR is is in place to make sure that their constituents are know that The the major benefits that they can receive from from being open to data center development Yeah, absolutely. There's a lot of economic growth opportunities there that the right education around would help the industry Exponentially so thank you for coming to JSA TV. Thanks for having me. Thank you for all of the great work The IDCA is doing here at home and then of course all across the world We really appreciate it and look forward to catching up with you again soon. Absolutely. All right And thanks to our viewers for tuning in stay connected everyone