| Kristi Longshore Vice President of Data Center Sales at Exponential Power I hols a BSEE from Prairie View A&M University. With nearly 20 years of experience in the data center industry, Kristi has worked alongside and for some of the best people and customers in the field. Her journey began in engineering roles at Scientific Atlanta and Ameritech. In 2006, she transitioned to the world of Emergency Backup Power as a technical sales representative for Enersys Battery Mfg. Later, in 2009, she joined Quality Standby Services (now Exponential Power) to contribute to the growth of their Utilities and Data Center business. Her dedication and expertise led to her being granted part ownership. In her current role, Kristi is driving Exponential Power’s expansion into the Data Center market segment. She’s launching a new Data Center business vertical from the ground up, leading through change management and innovation, overseeing technical staffing, managing large projects, and driving sales initiatives. Her responsibilities span the growth and development of the overall organization, product and service implementation planning, systems implementation, and risk management. Kristi is also actively involved in industry communities. She serves on the board for 7X24 Atlanta - WiMCO and is a member of IMasons Women – Atlanta, where she continues to empower and support women in technology. |
| Lauren Barbir HDR, Inc. Lauren Barbir is the Business Development Director at HDR and based outside of Philadelphia. HDR is a global architecture, engineering, environmental, and commissioning firm. Born and raised in Texas, Lauren grew up around the chemical, refining, and power industries that dominate the US Gulf Coast. She went onto Notre Dame to study Chemical Engineering where she first found a passion for balancing water and energy in design, plus incorporating sustainability. Her career initially focused on supply chain operations for General Electric (GE)E before a pivot to sales/marketing after competing her EMBA at Penn State. In her current role at HDR, Lauren collaborates globally to support client programs and initiatives in the tech sector, which includes data centers, telecom, and broadband. Her role is more than data centers at HDR – the focus is on anything a tech client needs – from site due diligence and master planning to substation design, water treatment plants, office workplace design, data center design, and commissioning. It’s part of what she’s loved so much at HDR - the entire range of solutions for clients that she supports, all on any given day. Lauren serves on the board for the United Way of Bucks County (PA) and Notre Dame Club of Philadelphia. She is passionate about IDE and is active in HDR’s Women and Employees with Disabilities ENGs. She also recently joined the new IDE Council for her business group at HDR. For the MC industry, she serves on the board of 7x24 Greater Philadelphia Chapter, is an iMason and member of iMWomen and DEI round table for their Inclusion pillar, and contributing member of Open Compute Project (OCP) for Data Center Facilities, Sustainability. |
| Leah Farlow Director of Marketing, InfraPros, LLC Leah Farlow has worked in the mission-critical industry for over ten years, providing marketing expertise in various roles for HVAC, Engineering, and Modular Construction companies. She is currently serving as Director of Marketing for InfraPros, a certified Minority Business Enterprise providing pre-manufactured modular solutions. Her responsibilities include developing and implementing effective strategies to increase brand awareness, customer acquisition, and sales. Leah has been an active member of the 7x24 Carolinas Chapter throughout her career, providing administrative support, and was recently voted onto the Board of Directors as Vice President. She was part of the group that founded Women in Mission Critical Operations (WiMCO), acting upon her passion to encourage underrepresented individuals to join the industry. Leah currently lives in Greensboro, North Carolina, with her fiancé, Seth, and two dogs, Maeby and Seymour. |
| Melinda Parrish Brumfield Vice President of Development, Barge Design Melinda Parrish Brumfield is an accomplished professional with over two decades of experience in Atlanta's architecture, engineering, construction (AEC), and real estate industries. Serving as Vice President and Director of Development - Private Markets for Barge Design Solutions, Melinda oversees the firm's mission critical, industrial, energy, healthcare, and land development markets throughout Georgia and the Southeast. Her responsibilities include strategic development and execution, talent acquisition, and identifying and cultivating strategic partnerships and acquisition targets. Melinda is an industry leader known for her expertise and dedication to her craft. She mentors Barge's client service leaders and team members, playing a critical role in the firm's growth and success. She also founded the monthly "Ladies' Luncheon," which features speakers on various topics geared toward professional women in Atlanta. Melinda is a board member of the Women in Mission Critical Operations (WIMCO) Carolinas and Atlanta chapters, where she partnered with friends to create a space that encouraged more women to pursue careers in data centers and mission critical operations beyond just sales. Her professional involvement also extends to various industry-related groups in Georgia and the Southeastern United States, including CREW Atlanta, ISPE, 7x24 Exchange International, NAIOP, SIOR, and SAME. She is a member of the Infrastructure Society Board at the Technology Association of Georgia (TAG). Her commitment to giving back to the community is equally impressive. Melinda actively fundraises and volunteers for worthy causes such as the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Light the Night program, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, and the Northside Athletic Foundation. In 2022 and 2023, Melinda was named a Titan 100 honoree for her industry and community contributions in Georgia, recognizing her as one of the top 100 CEOs and C-level executives. |
| Sandy Young Service Sales Representative, Envirotrol I'm Sandy Young with Envirotrol, we are an HVAC/BMS contractor in the Carolinas that provides both turnkey and after-market services. My current role is as a Service Sales Rep, and I am responsible for uncovering business opportunities at commercial and industrial facilities. I fell into this Mission Critical world after deciding to leave college and find a job, any job! A connection led me to an admin/coordinator role working for an HVAC company in Charlotte NC that had existing business in data centers and closets. After learning the lingo and fully understanding what MC meant after seven years there, I had an organic opportunity to come aboard at a manufacturer's rep for a Power products company, so that put me further into the Mission Critical space. This is where I got the most training; I was blessed to be surrounded by knowledgeable people that always helped me feel competent, regardless of my lack of knowledge. Prior to my first role, I knew nothing of what Mission Critical was. But now thinking back on my career, I probably would have done the same roles but with more intention. This leads to the advice I want to give other women interested in MC: take the job. A job is a network, it leads you to other opportunities and skills you may have never thought of. And if you are able to have people that support your advancement, even better - nurture those connections. Technology changes, but the Connections and Relationships we develop are what keeps us all staying around in this ever-evolving industry. |
