Ep. 132 Howie Berry, Principal and Data Center Specialist at Avison Young

Episode 132 of the Data Center Go-to-Market Podcast features an interview with Howie Berry, Principal and Data Center Specialist at Avison Young.

Discover the intricate process of vetting potential data center sites
Explore career pathways in data center real estate and technology
Uncover the critical challenges facing data center development
Navigate the complex landscape of power infrastructure and alternative energy sources
Examine the evolving role of AI in data center site selection
Investigate the intersection of technical skills and relationship-building in the industry
Understand the importance of skilled labor in data center operations
Recognize the potential career opportunities in emerging digital infrastructure
Analyze the impact of technological shifts on real estate investment
Evaluate the future trends shaping data center development
Identify key considerations for site selection and power management
Assess the role of community engagement in data center projects

Host:
Joshua Feinberg, CEO
DCSMI

Special Guest:
Howie Berry, Principal and Data Center Specialist
Avison Young

Howie Berry, a principal and data center specialist at Avison Young, discusses the vetting process for potential data center sites, emphasizing the importance of zoning, power availability, and natural disasters. He shares his career journey from electrical contracting to commercial real estate, focusing on data centers. Berry highlights the challenges of power availability, particularly in California, and the potential of alternative power sources like natural gas and hydrogen. He also discusses the evolving needs of data centers, such as higher power densities and the impact of AI on the industry. Berry emphasizes the importance of community involvement and skilled labor in the data center sector.

Outline

Data Center Site Vetting Process

Howie Berry explains the internal tools and processes used to vet potential data center sites quickly, including zoning, flooding issues, power availability, and natural gas access.
The team uses software and internal staff, including IT professionals, to evaluate sites based on various criteria.
Howie Berry emphasizes that any team member can vet out sites efficiently, leading to a go or no-go decision.
Introduction of Howie Berry from Avison Young and Joshua Feinberg, host of the Data Center Go-to-Market Podcast.

Howie Berry's Career Journey

Joshua Feinberg interviews Howie Berry, who has specialized in the data center industry for over a decade.
Howie started as an electrical contractor, working in commercial fields like hospitals, which often have data centers.
He transitioned to commercial real estate, focusing on value-add brokerage with a specialty in data centers.
Howie discusses his career path, including working at Grubanellis and Colliers International before joining Avison Young.

Challenges and Opportunities in Data Center Real Estate

Howie shares his experience in identifying and improving R&D properties in Silicon Valley, often involving three transactions on one property.
He fully immersed himself in the data center practice around 2017-2018, focusing on the technical aspects of data centers.
Joshua and Howie discuss the unique challenges and opportunities in the data center industry, including the need for technical expertise and relationship-building.
Howie highlights the importance of understanding the complex components of data centers, including power, cooling, and infrastructure.

Education and Career Advice for Aspiring Data Center Professionals

Joshua asks Howie about advising young people interested in careers in the data center industry.
Howie explains the three traits needed in real estate: finder, minder, and grinder, and how different personalities excel in these roles.
He emphasizes the importance of hands-on experience and technical knowledge in the data center industry.
Howie suggests that aspiring professionals should consider working in the data center industry to gain the necessary skills and relationships.

Power and Site Selection Challenges

Howie discusses the challenges of finding suitable sites for data centers, including power availability and natural disasters.
He explains the importance of having a reliable power source and the potential use of alternative power sources like natural gas turbines.
Howie mentions the competition from other industries, such as manufacturing, for power-intensive sites.
He highlights the high costs and risks associated with developing data centers, especially in areas prone to natural disasters.

Community and Environmental Considerations

Joshua and Howie discuss the impact of data centers on local communities and the environment.
Howie notes that he has never encountered significant community opposition to data center projects, but acknowledges the importance of community involvement.
He mentions the positive economic and tax benefits that data centers bring to local communities.
Howie emphasizes the need for better education and awareness about data centers among community stakeholders and local legislators.

Future of Data Center Real Estate and Technology

Howie reflects on the rapid growth and evolution of the data center industry, driven by advancements in technology and AI.
He discusses the increasing demand for power and the challenges of scaling data centers to meet this demand.
Howie highlights the importance of AI tools in improving efficiency and productivity in the data center industry.
He shares his thoughts on the future of data center real estate and the potential impact of AI on the industry.

Personal Insights and Career Guidance

Joshua asks Howie for advice on career development and opportunities in the data center industry.
Howie encourages professionals to seek new challenges and opportunities that align with their interests and skills.
He emphasizes the importance of continuous learning and staying updated with industry trends and technologies.
Howie offers to mentor and guide young professionals interested in the data center industry, sharing his expertise and experience.

Impact of AI and Automation on the Data Center Industry

Howie and Joshua discuss the potential impact of AI and automation on the data center industry.
Howie expresses concerns about the potential replacement of human roles by AI, but acknowledges the benefits of AI in improving efficiency and accuracy.
They explore the future of AI in data center operations, including site selection, power management, and maintenance.
Howie highlights the importance of maintaining a balance between AI and human expertise in the data center industry.

Final Thoughts and Contact Information

Joshua thanks Howie for sharing his insights and experiences on the podcast.
Howie provides his contact information for anyone interested in learning more about the data center industry or seeking career advice.
He encourages listeners to reach out to him via LinkedIn or email for further guidance and support.
The podcast concludes with a reminder to subscribe to the Data Center Sales and Marketing newsletter for updates on upcoming episodes.

Guest Resources

Resources

Do you want to stay up to date about upcoming episodes?

Subscribe to the Data Center Sales and Marketing Newsletter

Data Center Go-to-Market Podcast, Data Center Go-to-Market Podcast | Guest Interview

Ep. 132 Howie Berry, Principal and Data Center Specialist at Avison Young | Data Center Go-to-Market Podcast