Chapter Board Members

Data Center Operations Manager, OCLC Inc.

Michael has spent his career building and supporting mission critical infrastructure on both the IT and Data Center (facilities) sides of the house. He is currently working for OCLC Inc. managing their global data center portfolio. Prior to his move to OCLC, Michael worked for OhioHealth as Data Center Engineer responsible for critical power, cooling, DCIM, monitoring and environmentals in Data Centers and embedded IT environments in the hospital system. He came to central Ohio from the University of New Hampshire where he worked as the Data Center Manager and focused on increasing Data Center resiliency, reducing energy consumption, improving monitoring and alerting capabilities and developing Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity strategies. In previous roles Michael worked with enterprise computing hardware, virtualization infrastructure, operating systems, Data Center networks, load balancing equipment, storage networks and backups, middleware, and monitoring technologies.

Michael holds ITIL Foundations and CDCP / CDCS certifications and has bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Ohio University. He is interested in energy efficiency, emerging technologies, next generation Data Center architecture and capacity planning. In his free time Michael enjoys hiking, camping, sailing, and travel.

Data Center Operations Manager The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center

Through learning, development and implementation, Kevin Kent is an agile and action oriented leader who maximizes robust data center and IT infrastructure management. He understands customer objectives to develop effective business solutions. Kevin drives continuous improvement initiatives as trusted business partner to leaders, customers, and contributors.

Kevin is a skilled communicator who excels in conveying vision, expressing passion, and mentoring excellence. He is an international speaker on data center energy efficiency creating awareness and providing education through his travels.  Kevin is an AFCOM member and serves as a board member for Central Ohio AFCOM chapter. 

Kevin has been employed at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center since 2003 and is the founder and CEO for Critical Facilities Efficiency Solutions.  Kevin has association with several environmental foundations including National Resource Defense Council, Citizen’s Climate Lobby, Clean Seas, and Conservation International.  His ultimate objective is to reduce the overall data center industry carbon footprint.

President and CFO of Data Center Solutions, Inc.

As President and CFO, Emily utilizes over 15 years of professional experience in business consulting, entrepreneurial-leadership, and finance to direct Data Center Solutions. Responsibilities include company leadership and oversight, sales, fiscal management, contract negotiations, and employee management. Data Center Solutions provides data center managers and IT professionals with an array of solutions specializing in technical cleaning of critical areas and many of the newest technologies in the industry. Many of our clients will utilize our expertise and vast network of end-users and vendors to identify solutions to the challenges they face on a daily basis. Emily earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and Finance from The Ohio State University.

RCDD, Director of Business Development, Network9, LLC

Gilbert is an experienced Registered Communications Distribution Designer (RCDD) in all aspects of Information Transport Systems (ITS). Gilbert provides Design / Build and Design / Bid / Build wired, wireless, and field implementation solutions to Enterprise level Fortune 1000 clients, as well as Health Care, Higher Education, National Roll-Outs, Manufacturing and Distribution.

Currently Gilbert directs business development and strategic planning for Network9, LLC (N9). N9’s growth has been directly fueled by our team’s ability to provide repeatable, flexible, scalable, high quality solutions that exceed client expectations in the Data Center as well as in the local area network.

Fred Shemas has been involved in information technology since 1974. After earning his degree in Computer Science from Pennsylvania College of Technology, Fred started his career at Penn Traffic (Du Bois, Pennsylvania) as a computer operator/programmer. For the next 25 years, Fred served in a number of technology leadership positions at Penn Traffic. In 1998, Fred relocated to Columbus, Ohio to join Limited Brands (Victoria’s Secret, Bath & Body Works, Henri Bendel, and La Senza) as the Manager of Data Centers and Operations.

In his current role, Fred is responsible for 7 data centers (over 45,000 square feet of raised floor space) located throughout the north east United State and Canada. Fred is also responsible for the day to day computer room operations, leading a team in providing 24/7/365 monitoring and support for Limited Brands’ most critical information systems. Fred has recently managed the construction of a 5,000 square foot Tier 3 data center addition and the complete replacement and doubling of capacity of the electrical system for Limited Brands largest data center.

IT Director Metro Data Center, LLC

Jason works as IT Director at Metro Data Center and has 22 years of experience in IT and data center management from working in the private and public sectors. Jason holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Telecommunication and Networking and an Associate Degree in Management, both from Ohio University.

Jason enjoys Fly Fishing, Hiking, Camping, Traveling, eating BBQ and coaching baseball.