Leadership

Michael Cohen
President

Michael Cohen is focused on building cost effective yet robust state-of-the-art data centers in a way that offers Advanced Data Centers' clients the scale and cost of operations previously only available to companies with large budgets. Michael oversees data center site selection, development, financing and financial planning, in addition to corporate finance and legal responsibilities.

With more than a decade of experience in high technology venture capital focused on telecommunications and data center investments, Michael has had the unique opportunity to see some of the most important Internet technologies move from whiteboard to market. Michael is a Founder and Principal of Aperture Ventures, Inc. and a Venture Partner for Industry Ventures. He was previously employed by Global Crossing Ltd. (formally Frontier Communications and data center pioneer Frontier GlobalCenter), where he was the Managing Principal for Global Crossing Ventures, Inc. While managing the highly successful venture fund, Michael served on numerous boards and was responsible for leading financing rounds for a number of successful technology companies, including Granite Systems, Sonus Networks, and SpringTide Networks. Additionally, Michael has been associated with CIBC Oppenheimer and KPMG.

Michael received a Master of Science in Management from the Stanford Graduate School of Business, where he was an Alfred P. Sloan Fellow, and a Bachelor of Arts in International Political Economy with honors from Connecticut College. He is also an active member of the Guardsmen, a service organization dedicated to improving the lives of under-privileged youth.

Bob Seese, Ph.D.
Chief Data Center Architect

With more than 20 years of global data center design, project engineering, and project management experience, Bob Seese has worked extensively in the mission-critical facility, facility management, and construction industries.

Formerly the Chief Data Center Architect with EDS and the Director of Data Center Development with Equinix, he has managed numerous data center projects and has helped design many of the world's cutting edge facilities. While with Netscape and AOL, Bob helped design and build more than 300,000 square feet of data center space throughout the U.S. More recently, as a data center consultant, he has provided design assistance and training as well as end-to-end project support for engineers and end-users worldwide.

He has authored and co-authored numerous technical articles and presented to groups and organizations globally on issues related to energy efficiency in mission-critical environments, and on specific data center design concepts. He has completed in excess of 800 data center audits worldwide and has amassed a vast library of the "best and worst practices" in the design and operation of those facilities.

As a recognized leader in energy conservation, he participated in the San Jose Green Building Task Force and was later appointed by the mayor to a blue ribbon task force charged with evangelizing and implementing the city's first green building initiative. He actively participated in the Rocky Mountain Institute's Integrated Design Charrette, which resulted in the publication of the often quoted "Design Recommendations for High-Performance Data Centers". And, as a founding member of the Critical Facility Roundtable, Bob has continued to promote energy efficient design particularly in mission-critical environments.

Bob holds a Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering and a PhD in Educational Management, as well as Bachelor's degrees in Motion Pictures and Television and Liberal Arts.

Brett Jones
Vice President, Sales

As Vice President of Sales, Brett Jones brings over 20 years of experience in technology based sales, general management, and channel development to Advanced Data Centers. He is responsible for overseeing the company's business development efforts in Northern California and the expansion into new markets. Brett has extensive knowledge and expertise in the data center and telecommunications industries.

Prior to Advanced Data Centers, Brett served as Vice President of Channel Sales at Latisys where he developed and implemented a National Partner Program, and General Manager of Latisys' Englewood, Colorado data center facility, where he was responsible for sales, operations, and P&L. At Globix Corporation, Brett was the General Manager for the Western Region. Brett has also held various senior management positions at Exodus Communications, Digex, and MCI Telecommunications. Brett has worked with and has relationships with top tier customers ranging from Autodesk, Sun Microsystems, to Perot Systems.

Brett holds a BS in Education from the University of Colorado at Boulder.

Leah Lovelace
Vice President of Business Operations

Leah Lovelace has more than a decade of experience in program management and human resources in the financial services and legal industries. As Vice President of Business Operations at Advanced Data Centers, Leah oversees the strategic direction for marketing, public relations, human resources, and works closely with ADC's sales team. Her responsibilities include supervision of strategic partnerships and business development.

Prior to joining Advanced Data Centers, Leah was a Director at Morgan Stanley and was responsible for the recruiting programs and program management components for Capital Markets, Prime Brokerage and Securities Lending. She has held a variety of human resource and marketing positions at Robertson Stephens, Banc of America Securities, as well as Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, and Korn/Ferry International.

Leah has a BA in Government from Saint Lawrence University.