Episode 1

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Published on:

8th Jan 2024

Behind the Servers: an Entrepreneurial Journey

In this episode of Nomad Futurist, Phillip Koblence and Nabeel Mahmood are joined by Chris Crosby, the CEO and Founder of Compass Datacenters. Crosby is a visionary leader in the data center industry, renowned for his innovative approach and significant contributions to the field. Crosby’s leadership has been instrumental in Compass Datacenters’ rise to prominence, earning recognition as one of Inc. Magazine’s 5000 fastest-growing companies.

As one of the few people in the data infrastructure space who went to college for computer science, Crosby has observed trends for a while, leading with the perspective of inevitable continued growth for the data center industry: 

“I've seen the pendulum swing from centralized computing to distributed computing, and it will swing again, at various points in time. The one thing we can be certain of in technology is it's never this or that, it's this and this. So we just keep growing on that front.”

Regarding Crosby’s learning experience from networks to transitioning into data center real estate, Crosby reflects:

“Every door that closes creates a new door that opens if you're willing to walk through it."

Toward the end of the interview, Crosby highlights Compass’s focus on a diverse workforce motivated by a desire for diversity of thought:

“It is really key to us that we are bringing women into the space, bringing vets into the space, bringing diversity, and bringing people that just want to express an interest to come into it."

Beyond a career overview, Chris Crosby's episode is a lesson in entrepreneurship and encourages curiosity. This episode is a must-listen for those on their own personal growth and career journey in the realm of telecommunications. Connect with Chris Crosby on LinkedIn to stay updated on inspiring insights.

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About the Podcast

Nomad Futurist
The #nomadfuturist show is a true tech podcast phenomenon. The two hosts are technologists and futurists, so they really know their stuff, and following their in-depth conversations feels like you have a backstage pass to a gathering of the best of the
The nomads put a new spin on the tech genre by shining a light not only on technology but also on the human side of the digital age. Tune in if you find yourself thinking about how to integrate into the digital landscape and be a part of the evolving industry.

For over two decades, Phil and Nabeel have provided a powerful catalyst for organizations to create a vision of the future and the will to innovate. As futurists, they deliver a dynamic and entertaining vision of change, blending technology, economics, demographics, culture, and human nature.

With real business experience and a deep understanding of technology, the two nomads know the difference between science fiction and useful forecasting. Rather than focusing on the distant future, they devote themselves to scanning the horizon for emerging technologies and disruptive shifts in human behavior, thereby sharing a compelling vision of tomorrow’s opportunities.