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Our Leadership

A team of mission-critical experts building the future of sustainable digital infrastructure.

Team of Experts and Advisors

Mission Critical Leaders for 25 Years

ROCHELLE JAMES

Chief Executive Officer

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CRAIG KURTZHALS

Chief Technology Officer

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Lalit Mahapatra

Chief Financial Officer

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DOUG SHANNON

Chief Revenue Officer

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CHRISTOF HAMMERLI

Senior Advisor, Customer Acquisitions & Finance

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DAVID SCHER

General Counsel

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SPENCER BECK

Chief Administration Officer

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BR WHITEHEAD- DINNING

Senior Advisor, Data Center Real Estate & Development

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PHIL OREND

Senior Advisor, Energy

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PHIL OREND

Senior Advisor, Energy

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ABU KIBRIA

Sustainability Program Analyst

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STEVE DINNING

Head of Procurement

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DAVE L. CAROSONE

Controller

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Technology that uplifts communities.

Our mission is to ensure that every megawatt of power also generates jobs, education, and opportunity. 

Let’s work together

ROCHELLE JAMES

Chief Executive Officer

Rochelle A. James is Chief Executive Officer of Iron City Data and Violet Micro, where she provides strategic leadership and governance oversight for two organizations at the forefront of climate-aligned digital infrastructure. She works closely with her Board of Directors to ensure fiduciary responsibility, long-term value creation, and operational alignment with the Company’s mission.

With a strong background in sustainability, corporate social responsibility, and the design and deployment of green frameworks, Rochelle has built her career at the intersection of digital infrastructure and environmental stewardship. At Iron City Data, she directs strategy for the transformation of brownfield and industrial sites into high-performance, net-zero data centers that integrate renewable energy systems and function as ecological restoration nodes. At Violet Micro, she oversees the deployment of modular, solar-powered micro data centers across underserved U.S. and global communities, expanding connectivity while supporting workforce development, women-led enterprises, and regenerative land use.

Previously, Rochelle supported the development of hyperscale projects serving CoreWeave, Inflection AI, and Microsoft, and advised both governments and private industry on green-aligned infrastructure initiatives.

Rochelle holds a Juris Doctor (in progress) from Lewis & Clark Law School, a Master of Environmental Management, and dual undergraduate degrees in Science and Business Management from The University of Queensland, Australia.

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CRAIG KURTZHAL

Chief Technology Officer

Craig Kurtzhals is Chief Technology Officer at Iron City Data, bringing over 25 years of expertise in mission-critical data center design, engineering, and construction.

He previously served in the same role for a major Al Hyperscale Data Center firm supporting Coreweave, Inflection Al, and Microsoft. There, he led more than 150 electrical engineers to deliver a fast-tracked build through successful commissioning. Craig also helped design a natural gas microgrid solution for on-site power at large-scale Al data centers.

A licensed Professional Engineer in several states, he holds a degree in Electrical Engineering from Penn State and has driven innovation in data center infrastructure since the start of his career. His journey began with the design of an EMP-hardened government data center built into a mountain-a high-security, high-impact project that launched his focus on resilient infrastructure. He went on to design facilities for top-tier financial institutions including Bank of America, JP Morgan Chase, BlackRock, and Vanguard.

During the dot-com boom, Craig played a key role in developing Northern Virginia’s data center market. As a consultant to Google, he led the design of large-scale campuses and contributed to cutting-edge R&D, later channeling this expertise into microgrid projects tailored to data center needs.

At Iron City Data, Craig leads the engineering strategy for hyperscale digital infrastructure, combining deep technical acumen with a focus on energy innovation and mission-critical performance.

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Lalit Mahapatra

Chief Financial Officer

Lalit Mahapatra is Chief Financial Officer at Iron City Data, where he provides financial leadership and capital strategy for the Company’s climate-aligned digital infrastructure platform. He works closely with the leadership team and investors to ensure disciplined growth, robust financial governance, and long-term value creation.
With more than 24 years of international experience, Lalit has guided organizations across the manufacturing, engineering, technology and life sciences industries through IPO readiness, cross-border M&A, private equity exits, and large-scale financings. Earlier in his career, he held leadership positions at Siemens and Schneider Electric, adding global exposure in engineering and technology-driven businesses.
A Chartered Accountant (India) and Certified Public Accountant (USA), Lalit combines technical expertise with a global perspective. At Iron City Data, he directs the Company’s financial strategy to support expansion, investor confidence, and the development of next-generation, pathway-to-net-zero data centers.

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Doug Shannon

Chief Revenue Officer

Doug Shannon is the Chief Revenue Officer for Iron City Data Corporation, where he leads business development, strategic partnerships, and revenue growth initiatives across the company’s AI data center portfolio. With more than four decades of experience driving commercial success across high-technology sectors—including medicine, software, and energy—Doug specializes in identifying emerging technologies and building relationships that translate innovation into measurable results.

He currently also serves as CEO of Sagewerks Energy Consulting, a firm focused on behind-the-meter energy solutions for data centers and industrial clients. His work centers on integrating efficient, resilient energy assets that enhance operational performance and reduce costs for large-scale infrastructure users.

At Iron City Data, Doug applies his deep experience in energy and technology commercialization to expand the company’s project pipeline, strengthen investor and client partnerships, and help position Iron City as a leader in responsible, next-generation digital infrastructure.

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CHRISTOF HAMMERLI

Senior Advisor, Customer Acquisitions & Finance

Christof is a Senior Advisor, Customer Acquisitions & Finance at Iron City Data Corporation and is based in Tampa, Florida. Christof brings over 25 years of data center C-Suite experience in strategic acquisitions, corporate development, finance, and risk management. He has project managed and/or acquired over 100 data centers.

Prior to joining Iron City Data, Christof was the Senior Managing Director of Cloud Capital and CloudHQ and he was a senior member of the investment committee. In this role, Christof worked closely with the seven largest data center customers including Meta, Microsoft and AWS.

In an earlier role, Christof led the Digital Infrastructure Division at Landmark Dividend as its EVP and Founder of the division. Under his leadership, the company acquired -$1.5B of data center assets. Christof was responsible for sourcing, negotiating, and closing of the acquisitions with continued responsibility for asset, property management and leasing. Landmark Dividend is a subsidiary of DigitalBridge. Before Landmark Dividend, Christof was Chief Acquisitions Officer at Carter Validus, where he was responsible for sourcing, negotiating, structuring, and closing acquisitions for the company. During his tenure, he oversaw the acquisition of ~$4B worth of mission critical real estate assets for this highly-regarded Data Center REIT.

Previously, Christof was Director of Corporate Development for Equinix, Inc. where he was responsible for coordinating both organic and inorganic growth initiatives in Europe. Christof also worked at MetLife and Credit Suisse based in the U.S and Switzerland.
Christof received a B.Sc. from the University of Tampa and an MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Business.

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DAVID SCHER

General Counsel

Dave Scher is a founding member of Hoyer Law Group, PLLC. He operates the firm’s Washington, D.C. office. His expertise in employment law and whistleblower/False Claims Act litigation are valued additions to our experienced team. 

Dave comes to Hoyer Law Group after serving as principal for the past decade at the Employment Law Group in Washington, D.C, and as a partner at James Hoyer, P.A. He has built a reputation as a fierce advocate for his clients in whistleblower and employee wrongful termination cases. He has achieved major victories for clients totaling more than $90 million in multiple areas, including student loan fraud, medical fraud, equal pay, gender bias, discrimination, and retaliation cases. 

Dave graduated from Cornell University with degrees in Statistics and Biochemistry and received his law degree from Fordham Law School. 

He began his career in New York and New Jersey practicing in the field of corporate commercial litigation. He then worked as in-house counsel for several major corporations, including Sony Electronics, Pearson PLC, and USWeb where he focused on Silicon Valley during the high point of the Internet boom. 

He has specialized in technology transactions, intellectual property, and commercial law. Since then, Dave has focused his talents on being a whistleblower lawyer who fights for justice in qui tam, False Claims Act, whistleblower, and employment cases. 

Dave is also a frequent news commentator and has been interviewed by ABC Network News, Forbes.com, Politico, MarketWatch, AARP, and several local news channels in Washington and Florida. 

Dave is licensed to practice in the District of Columbia, the states of New York, New Jersey, California, and Virginia; U.S. Tax Court; Court of Federal Claims; federal courts for the Eastern District of Michigan, District of Columbia, Maryland, Eastern District of Virginia, Eastern District of California, Central District of California, Eastern District of New York, and Southern District of New York; and the appellate courts for the Fourth, Fifth, and Ninth Circuit Courts of Appeals. 

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SPENCER BECK

Chief Innovation & Sustainability Officer

Serving as Director and Chief Administrative Officer at Iron City Data, Spencer Beck is responsible for corporate governance, investor communications, and strategic development initiatives as part of the executive leadership team. With over 20 years of experience as a C-Suite entrepreneur, Spencer has led transformative growth, financial optimization, and corporate advisory efforts across a diverse range of industries. One of Spencer’s key responsibilities is corporate oversight and administration of the Iron City Group of Companies


Spencer’s background is broad and accomplished, with a proven track record in investment banking, M&A, and strategic consulting. Since founding Hermes Global in 2003-a boutique investment bank specializing in high-growth and distressed assets -he has provided advisory services to over 60 companies across sectors including digital technology, healthcare, Al, blockchain, fintech, SaaS, Web3, and data center infrastructure. His investor network has contributed more than $1.5 billion in capital to early- and late-stage ventures.


In addition to his role at Iron City Data, Beck currently serves on several boards of directors, including Windom Media and Metex.Al. Beck holds a Bachelor of Science in Marketing with a minor in Economics from Millikin University. He is based in Malibu, California.

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BR WHITEHEAD- DINNING

Senior Advisor, Data Center Real Estate & Development

US Datasphere and its team of seasoned data center professionals provide strategic investment and financial guidance to the industry. From 2022 to 2024, our team played a pivotal role in growing two significant ventures: a data center microgrid and another data center development company, both of which achieved valuations exceeding $1 billion.

Dr. Whitehead-Dinning, a key consultant for Iron City, offers strategic guidance and data center real estate advisory services. With extensive experience in the energy, natural resources, and data center sectors, Dr. Whitehead-Dinning brings a wealth of knowledge to the company. His academic credentials include a Juris Doctor and a Master of Laws in Taxation from Georgetown University, complemented by three doctoral degrees in relevant fields.

Leveraging his specialized expertise, Dr. Whitehead-Dinning is integrally involved in Iron City’s data center real estate acquisition planning, business planning and exit strategy development. His unique blend of legal, financial, and industry-specific knowledge positions Iron City to navigate the complex landscape of data center development and management effectively.

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PHIL OREND

Senior Advisor, Energy

Phil Orend is Senior Advisor, Energy to Iron City Data, where he provides strategic insight into the complex dynamics of the electric grid, natural gas markets, and renewable energy integration in Pennsylvania. His deep expertise spans natural gas, power markets, renewable energy, carbon trading, and the development of strategic channel and stakeholder relationships—critical components in ensuring resilient and sustainable data center operations. 

Phil brings nearly two decades of leadership experience in the energy sector, including 18 years with World Kinect, a global Fortune 100 leader in fuel and energy solutions. Since joining the industry in 2006, he has advanced from local sales to leading North American marketing initiatives for Kinect Energy (formerly a subsidiary of World Fuel Services) driving growth optimization and channel development across the continent. His career reflects a proven track record of navigating complex markets and delivering energy solutions at scale. 

In addition to his corporate leadership, Phil has served his community as President of the Hopewell Area School Board and as a Trustee on the Board of Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School. He is a graduate of Pennsylvania State University and continues to combine his passion for energy innovation with his commitment to advancing sustainable, community-focused infrastructure. 

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ABU KIBRIA

Environmental Economist

Abu Kibria is a sustainability data management and ESG specialist with deep expertise in advancing environmental performance across hyperscale and AI data centers. He provides strategic guidance on integrating sustainability principles into infrastructure design, enhancing operational efficiency, and aligning disclosures with leading ESG frameworks including GRI, CDP, SASB, and TCFD.

With a strong background in environmental economics and applied data science, Kibria develops AI-driven solutions to optimize supply chains, reduce carbon footprints, and improve energy and resource efficiency. His leadership has accelerated ESG reporting, strengthened compliance, and delivered measurable emissions reductions for leading data center operators.

Kibria holds a Ph.D. in Environmental Economics from the Australian National University and an M.S. in Climate Economics from the University of Tokyo. He also holds advanced certifications in machine learning and deep learning, with hands-on expertise in Python, cloud platforms, and data visualization tools. His interdisciplinary approach brings together economics, technology, and sustainability to drive impact at the intersection of digital infrastructure and climate resilience.

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STEVE DINNING

Head of Procurement

Steve is the founder and President of Iron City Conveyors and Plant Fabrication Corporation. He brings over 35 years of experience in the Manufacturing and Demolition Industry. Having worked in the fabrication sector of the tri-state area, Steve has deep ties with many industrial property owners and corporations. He has also been manufacturing skids and modular industrial plants for the last 12 years. Steve specializes in plant fabrication, electrical and mechanical equipment, skid mounted data center equipment systems, modular plant construction and underutilized equipment and electrical transmission equipment.


Serving as the Vice President of Equipment & Procurement for Iron City Data, Steve is responsible for the procurement and fabrication of all data center equipment and onsite power infrastructure. With over 35 years of experience in the manufacturing and demolition industries, he is a veteran industrialist known for his hands-on leadership and pioneering spirit.


Steve’s background is diverse with proven accomplishments across fabrication, industrial plant construction, and product development. He has spent more than a decade manufacturing skids and modular industrial plants, serving a broad range of clients including ACNR, ADM, Cargill, Halliburton, LaFarge, Old Castle, and Rio Tinto.


Steve founded several highly trafficked platforms including AggregateConveyor.com, RadialStacker.com, and MineTrader.com, helping to modernize product visibility and customer engagement across the sector. Steve has lived and worked across the United States, Canada, and South Africa, bringing a global perspective to his manufacturing and industrial business ventures. Mr. Dining holds a BS degree from Clarion University and a MS in Communications from Regent University.

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DAVE L. CAROSONE

Controller

David L. Carosone is Controller for Iron City Data, where he oversees financial operations, internal controls, and compliance. He brings more than two decades of diversified experience in real estate accounting, financial systems design, and risk management to ensure scalable and transparent financial frameworks for the Iron City Group of Companies. 

Prior to Iron City Data, David served as Chief Financial Officer for both Sun Associates, Inc., an investment banking firm with a focus on technology sector clients, and FinMed Corp., a healthcare technology startup, where he built financial infrastructures from the ground up and managed multi-round funding initiatives. He also held leadership roles at Hytorc Penn-Ohio Sales, Atlantis Financial Services, and McKesson Corp., where he specialized in process automation, credit analysis, and real estate accounting. 

David holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (Accounting, Economics minor) from Pennsylvania State University. He is a Certified Credit Consultant with advanced certification in QuickBooks Enterprise and has authored proprietary financial software solutions for the equipment leasing industry. With expertise spanning data center financial modeling, real estate acquisitions, ESG reporting, and internal controls, David brings a rigorous, technology-driven approach to his role as Controller for Iron City Data. 

 

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