Ep. #104 Nathan Foli, IT Asset Disposition Director of DMD Systems Recovery

Episode #104 of the Data Center Go-to-Market Podcast features an interview with Nathan Foli, IT Asset Disposition Director at DMD Systems Recovery.

Securely dispose of IT assets and the importance of compliance in asset disposition.
Learn about the career opportunities in the data center industry, including non-technical roles.
Explore advice for early and mid-career professionals looking to enter or pivot within the data center field.
Understand the challenges and trends in secure asset disposal, including shredding versus overwriting hard drives.
Gain insights into geographic and industry-specific differences in asset disposal preferences.
Leverage events, associations, and training programs to build a career in the data center industry.
Learn about the consultative approach to managing large-scale decommissioning projects.
Understand the role of security compliance, ESG, and AI in shaping the future of IT asset disposition.
Discover the productivity tools and strategies industry professionals use to manage complex projects.

Host:
Joshua Feinberg, CEO
DCSMI

Special Guest:
Nathan Foli, IT Asset Disposition Director
DMD Systems Recovery

Nathan Foli, IT Asset Disposition Director at DMD Systems Recovery, discusses the importance of securely disposing of old IT equipment, emphasizing the balance between destruction and reuse. He highlights the need for responsible recycling, noting that DMD has a zero landfill policy. Nathan advises young professionals to explore various career paths in the data center industry, suggesting resources like 7x24 Exchange and AFCOM. He also notes the growing importance of security, compliance, and ESG factors. Nathan's daily tools include Slack, Teams, LinkedIn, Microsoft Dynamics CRM, CoPilot, ChatGPT, ZoomInfo, and his cell phone.

Outline

Nathan Foli's Background and Career Path

Nathan Foli introduces himself as the IT Asset Disposition Director of DMD Systems Recovery, based in Tempe, Arizona.
Joshua Feinberg welcomes Nathan to the Data Center Go-to-Market Podcast and asks about Nathan's career journey.
Nathan explains that he fell into the industry through an internship at Ohio State University, starting with recycling used mobile phones.
Nathan transitioned to the complete IT asset disposition market, specializing in data center decommissioning and disposal.

Transition to Working with Enterprise Clients

Joshua inquires about Nathan's decision to work with enterprise clients and data centers.
Nathan recognizes the growing need for secure disposal of older assets due to the increasing use of data and data centers.
Joshua mentions the hockey stick growth curve in data center demand and the resulting need for secure disposal of old servers.
Nathan discusses the natural transition into working with enterprise clients and the importance of secure disposal.

Advice for Early Career Professionals

Joshua asks Nathan for advice for young people interested in non-technical career opportunities in the data center industry.
Nathan emphasizes the growing demand for data center services and the various career paths available, including construction, cooling, security, and compliance.
Nathan suggests starting with events and associations like 7x24 Exchange and AFCOM to explore interests and find opportunities.
He highlights the importance of scholarships and training programs available through these associations to support career development.

Resources and Training for Early Career Professionals

Joshua and Nathan discuss the lack of formal training for data center-related careers in K-12 and higher education.
Mentions organizations like CompTIA, Apple, Microsoft, and Google that offer resources and training in related fields.
Joshua notes the challenge of making data center careers appealing to young people, who often see more "sexy" IT opportunities.
Nathan advises early career professionals to explore various career paths and utilize available resources and training.

Mid-Career Professionals Seeking Direction

Joshua asks Nathan for advice for mid-career professionals who may be feeling burned out and seeking direction.
Nathan recommends attending events, reaching out to peers, and researching data center infrastructure positions and pay scales.
He suggests exploring specific areas of interest, such as power distribution, cooling systems, or security and compliance.
Nathan emphasizes the importance of finding a natural fit and seeking out more knowledge in specific categories.

Challenges in Secure Asset Disposal

Joshua asks Nathan about the biggest challenges companies face in securely disposing of their assets.
Nathan highlights the need for secure disposal of older equipment when upgrading to new hardware or moving to a different colocation.
He discusses the trend of shredding hard drives versus overwriting them for resale or reuse.
Nathan emphasizes the importance of responsible recycling and avoiding landfills, mentioning DMD's zero landfill policy.

Geographic and Industry Differences in Asset Disposal

Joshua inquires about geographic differences in asset disposal preferences and policies.
Nathan explains that the decision to shred or overwrite hard drives is usually driven by the company's compliance and security requirements.
Nathan mentions that finance companies often mandate destruction, while manufacturing companies may be more open to reuse.

Consultative Approach and Client Interactions

Joshua asks about the consultative approach Nathan takes with clients.
Nathan explains that he often works with large enterprise organizations with dedicated decommissioning teams.
He describes the importance of understanding the client's security compliance requirements and the specific needs of the colocation building.
Nathan highlights the need for efficient and secure execution of decommissioning projects, often involving large volumes of equipment.

Future Trends and Technological Advancements

Joshua asks Nathan about future trends and changes in his daily routine and client interactions.
Nathan predicts a greater focus on security compliance, ESG, and artificial intelligence.
He expects mundane tasks to be automated, leading to better information and a better buying experience for end users.
Nathan emphasizes the importance of staying updated with technological advancements and industry trends.

Productivity Tools and Professional Branding

Joshua inquires about Nathan's favorite productivity tools and their importance in his daily routine.
Nathan lists Slack, Teams, LinkedIn, Microsoft Dynamics CRM, CoPilot, ChatGPT, ZoomInfo, and his cell phone as essential tools.
He highlights the importance of trust and accessibility for his clients, often working outside traditional hours.
Nathan emphasizes the role of his service delivery team and project management in ensuring smooth project execution.

Connecting with Nathan and DMD Systems Recovery

Joshua asks how listeners can learn more about Nathan and DMD Systems Recovery.
Nathan recommends connecting with him on LinkedIn for more information and updates.
He mentions that the company's website and LinkedIn page provide links to additional resources and contact information.
Joshua concludes the podcast by thanking Nathan for his insights and encouraging listeners to reach out for potential projects or partnerships.

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Ep. #104 Nathan Foli, IT Asset Disposition Director of DMD Systems Recovery | Data Center Go-to-Market Podcast