I have been working in data centers for over 18 years and have had the privilege of working with a lot of talented people. Many of them have transitioned from the military and share a similar veteran-to-data center story. At CoreSite, across the strata of roles, about 35 percent of data center professionals are veterans.
That got me thinking about how the data center industry resonates with people who have served in the armed forces. I enjoy listening to the stories they share about their experiences in the military and how they transitioned into digital infrastructure. My guess is that others enjoy that as well, so I decided to interview these veterans and share some insights.
What follows are perspectives on leadership philosophy, culture, learning, and—of course—data centers through the lens of those who have served our nation through the military. These perspectives come from interview transcripts that have been edited for clarity.
With that, I’ll introduce you to Scot Hartman, who is soon retiring as Colonel in the National Guard after 35 years of combined service in the Army and Guard, and Preston Gilmore, who finished his 27-year naval career as Commanding Officer of the USS Hawaii, a nuclear-powered, Virginia-class, fast-attack submarine nicknamed The War Canoe.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Anthony Hatzenbuehler is responsible for CoreSite’s on-site data center operations activities, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) and network engineering, network operations, client success, capacity management, technical training, physical security, safety, and the Operations Support Center (OSC).
Scot Harman is responsible for establishing, implementing, and maintaining CoreSite’s information security program, which includes procedures and policies designed to protect enterprise infrastructure, the operations technology environment, and the underlying systems, networks, and assets from internal and external threats. In addition to overseeing information security, he also plans and oversees design, deployment, and maintenance of CoreSite’s IT infrastructure as well as the operations technology environment required by various teams to manage facilities and product delivery systems.
Preston Gilmore is responsible for overseeing the systems, processes, teams, and infrastructure involved in CoreSite’s data center operations with a focus on uptime, performance, and security. With expertise in strategic planning and communication, risk analysis, leadership development, and sound decision making, he anticipates, mitigates, and resolves complex technical and personnel problems.
