Featured Keynotes
Keynote Speakers
David Bell
Vice President of Utility and Microgrid Development, VoltaGrid
Chris Crosby
Chief Executive Officer, Compass
Mike Dunleavy
Governor, State of Alaska
David Holmes
Global Industries CTO & Energy Lead, Dell Technologies
Michael McNamara
Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Lancium
Woody Rickerson
Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT)
Keynotes
Arctic Advantage: Alaska's Emerging Data Center Frontier
A Keynote Conversation with Governor Mike Dunleavy
Governor Mike Dunleavy delivered an eye-opening presentation that positioned Alaska as the next frontier for sustainable data center development! This exclusive session revealed why the Last Frontier could be the industry's best-kept secret.
Game-Changing Advantages Unveiled:
- Natural Cooling Power: Alaska's climate slashes cooling costs and environmental impact
- Energy Abundance: Vast natural gas reserves plus untapped hydro and geothermal potential
- Strategic Security: Geographic resilience with reduced geopolitical risks
- Economic Incentives: Compelling cost advantages and tax benefits for early adopters
Mark your calendars for DCW Power 2026! We're already working to bring you even more groundbreaking insights from visionary leaders who are reshaping the data center landscape. The future of sustainable, scalable infrastructure is being written now—and you won't want to miss what's next!
Mike Dunleavy
Governor, State of Alaska
Governor Mike Dunleavy arrived in Alaska in 1983 as a young man looking for opportunity, and he found it. His first job was working in a logging camp in Southeast Alaska. Later on, Governor Dunleavy pursued his dream of becoming a teacher. He earned his teacher's certificate, and then a Master of Education degree from the University of Alaska Fairbanks. He spent nearly two decades in northwest Arctic communities working as a teacher, principal, and superintendent.
Governor Dunleavy and his family moved to Wasilla in 2004, where he owned an educational consulting firm and worked on several statewide education projects. Dunleavy served on the Mat-Su Borough School Board, with two years as Board President, and then as a state senator for five years.
Dunleavy was first elected Governor in 2018 and then again in 2022, making him the first Republican Governor in Alaska to win re-election since 1978. Governor Dunleavy has kept the health of the economy and jobs at the forefront of his Administration’s policy setting initiatives and has been a true champion for the Alaskan business community.
Governor Dunleavy’s wife Rose is from the Kobuk River Valley community of Noorvik. Together, they have three children – Maggie, Catherine, and Ceil – who were raised in both rural and urban Alaska. The Dunleavy’s enjoy spending time together as a family, often in Alaska’s great outdoors. Hunting, fishing, snowmachining, and camping are all favorite activities.
Governor Dunleavy is focused on moving Alaska forward and believes that our greatest years are yet to come if we work together to maximize our potential.
Power Paradigm Shift: How Texas is Leading the Charge in Powering Digital Infrastructure to Support the AI Roadmap
Featuring Chris Crosby & Woody Rickerson
What a powerhouse session! Chris Crosby (CEO, Compass Data Centers) and Woody Rickerson (COO, ERCOT) delivered an executive-level masterclass on navigating the explosive intersection of AI, data centers, and grid reliability in America's fastest-growing digital market.
Key Takeaways:
- ERCOT's cutting-edge strategies for grid modernization and demand forecasting
- Proven collaboration models between data center operators and grid authorities
- How Texas is leading national energy reliability and sustainability efforts
- Real-world solutions for balancing hyperscale AI deployments with grid stability
This candid dialogue showcased why Texas has become the proving ground for the future of digital infrastructure and energy—setting the blueprint that the nation and world will follow.
Can't wait to see what groundbreaking insights our 2026 keynote speakers will bring to DCW Power! The energy and digital infrastructure landscape is evolving at lightning speed, and we'll continue bringing you exclusive access to the visionaries shaping tomorrow's power ecosystem.
Chris Crosby
Chief Executive Officer, Compass
After years of working at the intersection of tech and real estate development, Chris Crosby set out in 2011 to take a new approach to data center development. His vision was to focus on greenfield projects and deliver customizable, scalable, sustainable, and low-cost data centers in an expedited time frame and, therefore, established Compass.
A testament to Chris’ bold vision and a solid culture centered around four core convictions from which the company has never wavered, Compass has grown at a remarkable rate. From completing its first 1.2 MW data center in 2012 to serving the campus-level hyperscale market with developments underway across the globe less than a decade later, Compass’s success is the result of Chris’ vision, a strong foundation, and a talented team of innovative thinkers.
In 2024, Compass was recognized as one of Inc. Magazine’s 5000 fastest-growing companies. In Dallas, Compass ranked second for fastest growth, and the Dallas Business Journal named Compass as one of the city’s best places to work. Chris has also been named as an EY Entrepreneur of the Year.
Compass continues to drive industry-leading sustainability practices under Chris’ leadership, creating a lasting impact on the data center industry.
Woody Rickerson
Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT)
As Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer (COO), Woody Rickerson oversees Grid Operations, Commercial Operations, and Planning and Weatherization.
Mr. Rickerson brings a considerable amount of electric industry experience to his position, including more than 25 years at ERCOT in various roles. A licensed professional engineer, Mr. Rickerson has worked for utilities in Texas, Arizona, and New Mexico. He has a bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from New Mexico State University and a master’s degree in Engineering Management from the University of Colorado.
Powering the AI Era with Future-Ready Data Centers
Featuring David Holmes & Michael McNamara
David Holmes (Global Industries CTO & Energy Lead, Dell Technologies) and Michael McNamara (CEO, Lancium) delivered a visionary dialogue on the most pressing challenge of our time—scaling AI infrastructure without overwhelming the power grid.
DCW POWER 2026 is going to be incredible! As AI continues to reshape every aspect of digital infrastructure, we're already planning to bring you even more game-changing insights from the pioneers defining tomorrow's power-efficient, AI-ready data centers. The future is being built now—don't miss what's coming next! Stay tuned!
David Holmes
Global Industries CTO & Energy Lead, Dell Technologies
David leads energy industry engagements at Dell Technologies, helping customers enhance operational efficiency and ensure energy security. He works closely with a global team focused on solution development, strategic partnerships, product innovation, and go-to-market execution. A strong advocate for open industry standards, David served on The Open Group OSDU Forum Management Committee. He holds multiple patents related to geotechnical visualization and workflow optimization and has contributed to several industry bodies throughout his career.
Michael McNamara
Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Lancium
Michael McNamara is the Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Lancium, where he leads the company’s mission to deliver innovative infrastructure solutions that meet the rapidly growing power demands of AI data centers. Since co-founding Lancium in 2017, Michael has played a central role in defining the company’s strategic direction and positioning it at the forefront of the next generation of data center development.
Under his leadership, Lancium is actively designing and developing Clean Campuses in West Texas—highly scalable, intelligently orchestrated facilities purpose-built to support gigawatt-scale AI data centers. These campuses are engineered to optimize energy use, enable fast interconnection, and bring large flexible load to the grid, helping meet the needs of both operators and power systems.
Before founding Lancium, Michael built a successful career in finance and energy investment. He founded ROR Capital in 2012, working with private equity firms to restructure several multi-billion-dollar natural resource companies. He also held senior investment and research roles at Talpion Fund Management LP, One East Partners, and Twin Capital Management, where he specialized in natural resources and event-driven strategies across North America and Europe.
Michael earned his Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Finance, Magna Cum Laude, from Georgetown University. Drawing on his deep experience in both capital markets and the energy sector, Michael continues to lead Lancium’s efforts to meet the power infrastructure needs of tomorrow’s most demanding technologies.
How Energy is Changing New Site Selection
This power-packed session delivered critical insights into how evolving energy landscapes are fundamentally reshaping the data center industry! Industry leaders explored the seismic shifts driving new approaches to growth, location strategy, and power solutions.
David Bell
Vice President of Utility and Microgrid Development, VoltaGrid
Dave Bell is the Vice President of Data Center and MicroGrid Development at VoltaGrid, where he spearheads the strategic identification and implementation of microgrid solutions tailored to the needs of large industry and utility entities. With a keen focus on integrating clean and reliable energy sources,
Dave ensures seamless support for operational requirements and bolsters the resilience of the utility grid. With an impressive portfolio, Dave has overseen the installation of multi-terawatt hours of energy solutions, both upstream and downstream, catering to the needs of major industrial players and utilities.
Prior to joining VoltaGrid, Dave held a leadership position at a prominent multinational corporation, where he led the Utility division. His contributions were instrumental in enhancing utility reliability metrics, particularly during periods of planned and unplanned outages. Dave brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the table, making him a valuable asset in navigating the complex landscape of utility and microgrid development.