Your leading mission-critical industry resource

Andreas has over two decades of experience driving growth, transformation, and strategic partnerships across the technology and infrastructure sectors. As Senior Director of Global Expansion at Microsoft, he leads strategy for Public and Sovereign Clouds, delivering high-performance infrastructure for the world’s most demanding customers. His scope includes planning, designing and launching Azure regions, leading strategic client engagements with top cloud adopters, and developing advanced cloud architectures.

Prior to Microsoft, Andreas served in technical and commercial leadership roles at Baselayer Technology, a manufacturer of modular datacenters, IO Datacenter, a global colocation provider, and industrial automation leader Parker Hannifin. 

Andreas also is a strong supporter of Diversity and Inclusion programs, sustainability initiatives reducing our industry’s environmental footprint, and educational programs to attract and train our future workforce.

Mr. Maples is an Advanced Tech Core Market Leader for DPR Construction and a member of their Phoenix Regional Management Team. He works with their data center project teams throughout the southwest. A former data center developer, he is also active in sustainability, renewable energy and advanced manufacturing projects. He received his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science Degrees in Civil Engineering from Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He is a licensed Civil Engineer and LEED AP accredited.

Mr. Simmons is an experienced big picture strategist with the unique ability to evaluate business landscapes and help companies create/implement strategic plans that lead to a competitive advantage.

He helps to lead the  Data Center Market  for UMP and is a member of their leadership team.

In his role at UMP (founded as United Metal Products, Inc) Harold helps lead the data center division with a particular external focus on helping large scale companies execute strategic initiatives, such as reducing the OPEX associated with their mission critical infrastructure

He holds a  Masters and Bachelors degree in Communication related fields and has acquired additional Corporate Strategy training from Harvard Business School.

Harold Simmons - Chapter Secretary

Leading-Edge Information

​​Keeping members updated on related developments in allied industries and market sectors affecting end-to-end reliability of mission critical facilities, especially the convergence of technology.

Open Forum

Our members receive premier peer-to-peer consulting on leading-edge, best practices by those who operate, design and provide specialized expertise for small, mid-market and large mission critical facilities.

Advancing the Industry

​​Presenting topics relevant to infrastructure reliability while collecting and disseminating statistics, case studies, guidelines, practices and standards for use by its members. ​

Solicitation-Free

​​In order to share viable options for members, vendors are occasionally allowed to share their latest products. However, the use of meetings or contact lists to exclusively sell or promote products or services is prohibited.

Brad Smidt - Chapter Board Member

Pete Melucci has been in the construction and real estate industry since the 1990s. His experience is primarily in large, complex projects at a national level, with a passion for the data center sector. His experience in this community includes Meta, Google, Microsoft, Amazon, Oracle and American Express, to name a few.

Pete began as a steamfitter’s apprentice at 16 years old continuing to Senior Leadership today. Pete holds an AAS, BS & MS degrees and is also a LEED AP and a MRICS. Pete has worked in the trades, on the subcontractor, general contractor, owner’s representation and consultant ends of the construction industry. He also operates his real estate investment company and leads a nonprofit organization. His current role is serving as Vice President of Mission Critical with AECOM Hunt.

Pete’s other passions are his “family, friends and food”. He is an active member of the Italian American community and supports various charities & causes.

Kristen, a graduate of NAU’s prestigious Construction Management Program and recipient of the Outstanding Student Leadership Award; had spent the greater part of her career as a General Contractor, working for one of the largest Contractors in the Southwest.  She held various roles and spearheaded many initiatives – one of her proudest moments was in 2009, when she introduced the Federal Government to the aspect of using healing gardens to help heal our wounded warriors as they transitioned out of combat https://www.sundt.com/2011/08/02/fort-bliss-federal-construction-project-to-serve-returning-soldiers/.  She was introduced to datacenters in 2018 and hasn’t looked back – she thrives in this dynamic, forward-thinking industry.  She took a leap of faith a couple years ago to explore opportunities on the Owners side and has joined Microsoft as their America’s Regional Director of Strategic Sourcing for General Contractors and Professional Services within their Commercial Cloud program (CO+I). 

Kristen is married with 2 kids, and a puppy named Peaches. Together they enjoy traveling, hiking, mountain biking, and cheering each other on in their other activities. 

The 7x24 Exchange - Arizona Chapter is your local, leading informational resource comprised of data center managers, consultants, engineers and end users.  We serve IT and facility professionals by providing a local forum for information exchange. The 7x24 Exchange - Arizona Chapter of the 7x24 International Exchange operates as a separate membership with local interests. 

Mark serves as a Vice Chairman and Co-Leader within JLL's Data Center Solutions group, bringing unparalleled expertise and strategic vision to the rapidly evolving data center landscape. With nearly three decades of specialized experience in multi-tenant data center environments, he has established himself as one of the industry's most trusted advisors, providing clients with sophisticated strategic guidance and representation to successfully navigate complex investment, acquisition, leasing, and development.

Mark has focused exclusively on the data center and colocation industry for 26 years, cultivating an extensive network and deep technical knowledge that enables him to deliver exceptional value across the full spectrum of client needs. As a versatile advisor to tenants, landlords, buyers, and sellers alike, he also serves as a high-level consultant to enterprise clients, data center developers, and operators on a global scale, helping them optimize their digital infrastructure strategies and portfolios. He has negotiated over $5 billion in total transaction consideration and facilitating more than 25 million SF of transactions.

Arielle Noren - Chapter Board Member

Arielle Noren is a Senior Business Development Associate at The Weitz Company’s Arizona office, where she focuses on strengthening client relationships and driving company growth in key markets including Industrial, Mission Critical and Commercial. Arielle’s passion for building meaningful connections, understanding client needs, and fostering collaborative partnerships continues to shape her approach within the community and long-term success.

Prior to Weitz, Arielle worked in healthcare focusing Population Health and acute/long term care facilities in New York State. In 2023,  Arielle took a leap of faith by changing industries and moving to Arizona.

In her spare time, she enjoys quality time with loved ones, trying new things, volunteering, and spending time outdoors.  

7x24 Exchange

- The Arizona Chapter –

Pete Melucci - Chapter Board Member

Krystal Carraway entered the construction industry in 2018 with one of the nation’s leading electrical contracting firms, immersing herself in the fast-paced, high-stakes mission-critical market. From day one, she was captivated by the data center world—its challenges, its growth, and its impact—and has been hooked ever since. In early 2024, she brought that passion and drive to DP Electric, hitting the ground running to help grow the company’s mission-critical presence.

As an active member of the 7x24 Chapter, Krystal is excited to connect, collaborate, and contribute to this ever-evolving industry. Outside of work, she and her husband are raising two amazing children and building a legacy they’ll be proud to pass on.

Kristen Bejarano - Chapter Board Member

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The Arizona Chapter Board

Krystal Carraway - Event/Program Chair

Andreas Zoll - Chapter President

Brent brings 25 years of industry experience in telecom and data center operations where he has been of the forefront of deploying and operating new technologies.  Currently, he is a Senior Manager at PayPal, responsible for data center operations and service delivery in Phoenix AZ, Santa Clara CA, Chicago IL, Ireland and Luxembourg.

His career started in Ohio with the regional Bell company, leading a team that built the first hybrid fiber-coax system for the company.  This was followed by a move to Arizona to startup a team with the regional Bell company that built the first DSL network in Phoenix.  Moving into data centers in 2008, Brent started with eBay where he lead the technical services team.  He went on manage operations of the eBay multi-tier data center campus, as well as multiple colocation deployments in the Phoenix metro area.  eBay and PayPal separated in 2015 and Brent was recruited to become a founding member of the PayPal data center team.

After graduating with a degree in Architectural Engineering Construction Management from Pennsylvania State University, Bill began his career with Holder Construction. Over the last 25 years, Bill has been directly involved with putting more than $1.9B of work in place on a wide variety of projects including corporate and commercial office, higher education, hospitality, and mission critical. His resume is extensive and includes projects all over the United Stated for clients such as American Express, Banner Health, Cox Communications, State Farm, Charles Schwab, JP Morgan Chase, MUFG and Arizona State University.

As Senior Vice President, Bill has built his career managing large, complex projects and teams, as well as company-wide initiatives within Holder Construction. He and his wife have 4 children, and spends his time hiking, biking, playing tennis, and anything else outdoors! Bill is a Licensed Professional Engineer and LEED AP BD+C Accredited Professional.

Bill Headley - Chapter Treasurer

Brent Mitchell - Chapter Board Member

Thomas Maples - Chapter Board Member

Mark Bauer - Chapter Vice President

Brad Smidt is the Senior Vice President of Business Development for GPEC. He manages the team that works with companies considering large industrial, office and data center projects in Greater Phoenix, and oversees the organization’s EDDT Council. Over his 28 years in economic development, 21 of which have been with GPEC, Brad has helped more than 250 companies expand or relocate to the region. 

Prior to GPEC, Brad worked in economic development in both the cities of Mesa and Chandler. Brad is a native Arizonan who grew up in Greater Phoenix. His local ties have contributed to his vast knowledge of the area and familiarity with the unique assets of its workforce. In 2008, Brad was named the Economic Developer of the Year by the Arizona Association of Economic Development. 

Brad is an active member of the Fiesta Bowl Committee, and serves on the University of Arizona Eller MBA Industry Advisory Board. Brad earned a Bachelor’s degree in Regional Development from the University of Arizona. He holds a Certified Economic Developer Certification from the International Economic Development Council.