Uptime Institute announced that Lee Kirby, a recognized leader in data center operations, has joined the organization as senior vice president, Uptime Institute Management Services. In the role, Kirby will be responsible for serving Uptime Institute clients throughout the lifecycle of their data centers, from design through operations. Kirby's experience includes senior executive positions at Skanska, Lee Technologies and Exodus Communications, as well as 36 years of military service. He also has extensive experience working cooperatively with leading organizations across many industries, including Morgan Stanley, Citibank, Digital Realty, Microsoft, Cisco, and BP.
"Lee brings to Uptime Institute a wealth of experience in facilities management of global data center portfolios," comments Julian Kudritzki, Uptime Institute's CEO. "Building upon the foundational Uptime Institute Operational Sustainability and Management & Operations criteria, Lee will be key to Uptime Institute's mission to assist our members and clients, and the industry at large, to address the shortcoming in facilities management that can be found in data centers around the world, regardless of vertical or organization."
Kudritzki adds, "Prime examples of these chronic issues are the recruiting, training and retention of qualified operations professionals; maintenance management; and vendor controls. Lee's longstanding pursuit of operational excellence finds a unique and powerful platform at Uptime Institute."
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With a global client list and offices in key locations around the world, including New York, Boston, Seattle, Denver, Moscow, London, Singapore, Taipei, Sao Paulo and Dubai, Uptime Institute serves all industry stakeholders, but concentrates on enterprise and third-party data center owners and operators. Best known for its creation and global administration of the Tier Standard for Data Center Design, Construction and Operational Sustainability, Uptime Institute delivers certifications, accreditations, and consulting to industry stakeholders across the Americas, EMEA, APAC, and LATAM regions.
"Uptime Institute has from its inception provided thought leadership backed by a wealth of data-centric knowledge and experience," says Kirby. "True operational excellence in the data center world requires an alignment of IT, operations, and business groups early in the design and construction phases. I can't think of a better place to help instill best practices and encourage operational excellence. I also appreciate that Uptime Institute supports my passion to fully realize the value of military veterans in the civilian workplace."
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