Data Center Roundtable

Fred Ellermeier is Vice President of Black & Veatch’s Connected Communities business. Connected Communities is Black & Veatch’s innovation and technology hub that leverages a distributed infrastructure development capability and a world-class data analytics platform (ASSET360^TM) focused on IoT and Smart Cities frameworks.  Connected Communities addresses the areas of Smart City infrastructure engineering and construction; public safety infrastructure consulting, engineering, and construction; and community broadband networks.

Greg Kratofil's experience includes complex technology and commercial contracting transactions, technology and software-based mergers and acquisitions, as well as information security and data breach related issues.

Jill leads a high-achieving team for KCADC—driving new business, talent attraction and capital investment to KC’s 18 county, 50+ city, bi-state region. Jill works with companies and national site location consultants considering the KC metropolitan area for expansion or relocation. Jill holds board/advisory positions with the KC Tech Council, CREW KC and ULI; and is active in 7x24 Exchange, AFCOM, ACCP, IEDC and the state economic development groups, KEDA & MEDC. Jill is a mentor in CREW Network's international Leadership Certificate Program, is engaged with Team Fidelis, combatting Veteran suicide, and on the Queens of the Diamond steering committee supporting the KC MLB Urban Youth Academy. Jill is a 2018 Honoree of the KCBJ Women Who Mean Business.

Neelima Parasker has a Bachelor’s of Science in Mechanical Engineering, Master’s Degree in Computer Science, and Project Management Professional (PMP®) Certification. Neelima is the Owner, President and Chief Executive Officer of SnapIT Solutions®, LLC, an innovative technology services and solutions company with a mission to unleash our collective human potential to deliver innovative world-class technology solutions. 

As Diode’s Sr Project Lead, Ashlynn Horras leverages her background in execution of large, complex projects to identify the critical resources to achieve project success. She has helped to bring more than five gigawatts of power to the grid across three countries, as well as projects in energy intensive industries of data infrastructure and textiles. Ashlynn has experience in utility scale solar and natural gas design, mission critical development, and construction in the U.S. and Asia. 
 

I am the Sales and Engineering Manager at Foley Power Solutions.  I started my career with Caterpillar in engineering and have over 30 years of experience in the power generation business, the past six at Foley in Kansas City.  I am a seasoned manager of customer relations, sales and engineering professionals..I have completed several mission critical projects throughout the country.  Recently, we added renewables to our product mix at Caterpillar, selling solar, battery energy storage and microgrid controls.  I graduated from Iowa State University with a degree in Electrical Engineering.  

Andrea Jones leads the Diode Ventures digital origination efforts. Andrea has been working in the architecture, engineering, construction, and real estate industry for 18 years. Andrea is the President of the Greater Kansas City Chapter of AFCOM, Board Member of the Kansas City Tech Council and WiMCO (Women in Mission Critical Operations), and an active member of 7x24 Exchange and SunPartners. Prior to joining Diode, she was the Mission Critical Client Solutions Lead for JE Dunn Construction. She was critical in the development of national data center partnerships, and she oversaw the mission critical market relationships with individuals across the country both from an internal and external perspective. Andrea has a Bachelor of Art in Communication Studies from the University of Kansas.

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As Ascend Learning’s Chief Technology Officer, Ash Siebecker is responsible for innovative strategy designed to mature our technology foundation with a focus on customer delight, efficiency and security.

A dynamic & versatile senior level IT leader with 25 years of diverse professional experience both domestically and abroad. A critical thinker who is uniquely versed in IT management, enterprise architecture, operational analysis, strategic thinking and IT innovation. Known to employ both traditional and innovative mechanisms in order to ensure the best possible outcomes for employers, colleagues, clients, and the community. A master of building, and maintaining, a sustainable and productive culture.
 

I've served many business and tech leaders in the Kansas City Metro and Heartland for over 30 years, providing consulting and solutions in every area of the tech stack, to remove complexity, while empowering their vision and business goals.  I appreciate meeting and connecting with people, developing long term relationships, tackling new challenges, am an eternal learner, and love applying new ideas to amplify and accelerate results.  I thoroughly enjoy spending time with my family and friends, working on personal passion projects and enjoying scenic locations.

I have been a part of the Bell/Knott team since joining the firm in June of 1998, after graduating from the University of Kansas.  Over the years, I have worked closely with our founding partners, John Bell and Kerry Knott, to develop my knowledge of Data Center design.  I now utilize this knowledge to lead our Mission Critical design team.