|
Member Spotlight - Vali Sorell
We're proud to recognize Vali Sorell, Principal Data Center Design Engineer at Oracle and a longtime leader within the mission critical industry.
Vali is a respected leader in the mission critical industry with more than 35 years of engineering experience, including over 20 years focused on the design and optimization of data centers and critical facilities. As a Principal Data Center Design Engineer at Oracle, Vali helps develop innovative, reliable, and energy-efficient solutions that support the next generation of digital infrastructure.
A longtime contributor to the mission critical community, Vali is a frequent industry speaker, published technical author, and active participant in organizations such as ASHRAE and 7x24 Exchange. His expertise in cooling technologies, energy efficiency, and data center best practices has made him a trusted voice across the industry.
Within the 7x24 Exchange Carolinas Chapter, Vali is best known for his commitment to mentorship, leadership, and collaboration. As a longtime chapter leader and past Chapter President, he has helped strengthen the Carolinas mission critical community by encouraging knowledge sharing and fostering the next generation of industry professionals.
Fun Fact: Vali holds degrees in both Genetics from McGill University and Mechanical Engineering from Columbia University, giving him a uniquely multidisciplinary perspective on solving complex engineering challenges.
Thank you, Vali, for your leadership, expertise, and continued commitment to advancing our industry and our chapter.
Member Spotlight - Jeff Farlow
Jeff's roots in mission-critical work run deep. He studied physics at Appalachian State, came up through building automation in the early 1980s, and was running a regional office by 25. He went on to co-found Envirotrol, a firm built around the demanding microelectronics and clean-process environments of the Research Triangle. After Comfort Systems USA acquired that business, Jeff served as an Operating Group President before founding InfraPros in 2016. Call it a 40-year career across mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems, from the controls room to the C-suite.
At InfraPros, Jeff and his team design and build modular infrastructure for data centers and other mission-critical environments: pre-engineered hydronic and cooling skids, hot aisle containment, integrated electrical components, and process systems that arrive on site ready to set and connect. The modular approach means tighter quality control, faster schedules, and fewer surprises in the field. It's a model built for exactly the kind of uptime this chapter cares about.
Beyond the business, Jeff has been a steady contributor to our chapter and to the broader trade. He previously served as Executive Director of 7x24 Exchange Carolinas, has held a legislative affairs role with PHCC, and in 2024 was appointed by the Governor to the North Carolina State Board of Examiners of Plumbing, Heating, and Fire Sprinkler Contractors. He's also a longtime advocate for bringing more women into the MEP trades. Ask him what success really looks like, and the answer is simple: do right by the customer, every time.
Thank you, Jeff, for your leadership, perspective, and years of service to this community. We're fortunate to have you.
Member Spotlight - David Knight
David Knight is a seasoned mission‑critical infrastructure executive with decades of experience supporting the design, delivery, and operation of highly reliable facilities. David previously served as Co-Owner & Chief Executive Officer of Mission Critical Services, Inc., where he led the company’s growth and execution of electrical and power systems services supporting data centers and other mission‑critical environments across the USA. David currently serves as an Industry Consultant providing strategic guidance grounded in deep operational and industry experience.
David has been a long‑standing leader within the 7x24 Exchange of the Carolinas, having served for many years as Membership Chairman, and remains active today as a Director Emeritus, supporting chapter engagement, industry collaboration, and workforce development efforts across the Carolinas.
David says "The 7x24 Exchange National Organization provides a solid platform for the Carolinas Chapter to flourish into one of the top Chapters in the Country. Our goal is to promote better understanding of the design, implementation and management issues involved in achieving high levels of uninterrupted infrastructure support for data centers. This journey started in 2009 with National granting us our new Chapter Charter. We conducted our first Board of Directors meeting and first Chapter meeting in 2010. Since then we have built a Team of professionals from all corners of the Mission Critical Industry. Today we have over 270 member companies with the most active Executive Committee and Board Members to provide a uniquely memorable atmosphere at our Chapter Meetings; attended from multiple states. It has been my honor to have been involved with starting the Carolinas Chapter and seeing it develop to what it is now. Membership and participation is an absolute must for those who design, build, operate, and maintain mission critical enterprise information infrastructures."
Enya Schumacher
Welcome to Our New Board Member, Enya Schumacher, PE!
We’re excited to introduce Enya Schumacher, who brings extensive experience in mechanical engineering, critical facilities, project management, HVAC design, and building operations.
Enya Schumacher is currently the Regional Commissioning Director at Microsoft. Previously holding roles at Wells Fargo, Bureau Veritas Primary Integration, Bank of America, and Syska Hennessy, where they led data center and mission-critical projects in commissioning, construction, and engineering across various industries.
Natalie Silva
Our WiMCO Committee Chair, Natalie Silva, was featured on 7x24 Exchange International's Meet a Member spotlight!
Amy Landis
Board Member, Amy Landis, was featured on 7x24 Exchange International's Meet a Member spotlight! |
Search the Site | Member Login |
7x24 Exchange Carolinas Chapter | Info@7x24Carolinas.org | Terms of Use/Agreement | Privacy Policy | Accessibility
|