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AGENDA AT A GLANCE

Explore the featured panels, expert discussions, and industry topics for the 3rd Annual Maryland Data Center Summit.

Kelly Schulz, Chief Executive Officer, Maryland Tech Council

Maryland’s advantage in digital infrastructure is not just geographic. It is mission-driven. With close proximity to the federal government, major defense and cyber activity, leading research institutions, and globally significant public health and medical assets, Maryland is uniquely positioned to compete for digital infrastructure investment tied to national security, health resilience, and next-generation innovation. This panel will explore how Maryland compares with peer states, what investors and site selectors are prioritizing, and how the state can better align business attraction, infrastructure planning, and public policy to win high-value projects. The conversation will also examine how federal demand, mission-critical use cases, and real-world development opportunities can help Maryland stand out in an increasingly competitive national landscape.

Moderator: Katie Malone, Market and National Editor, Technical.ly 

Panelists:

  • Stephen Jenkins, Chief Development Officer, Rowan Digital Infrastructure

Data centers create far more than a small number of on-site operational roles. They support a much broader employment ecosystem that includes skilled trades, union labor, general contractors, equipment suppliers, professional services, maintenance, logistics, and long-term community college and workforce training pathways. This panel will examine how Maryland can better define and communicate the industry’s full workforce impact while building the talent pipeline needed to support continued growth. The discussion will cover immediate construction and infrastructure labor needs, long-term permanent roles, the role of apprenticeship and training partnerships, and the downstream employment effects that data center development can generate across the regional economy.

Moderator: Melody Simmons, Senior Reporter, Baltimore Business Journal

Panelists:

  • Dana Blackwood, General Manager, Turner Construction Company
  • Jason Friedman, Senior Council Representative, Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters 
  • Brian Hatmaker, President, Stulz Air Technology Systems
  • Paul O’Connell, General Manager, Performance Contracting, Inc. (PCI) 
AI’s Influence on Data Center Infrastructure, Power, and Cooling
Rich Lappenbusch, Senior Principal, Super Micro Computer

As data centers move closer to the center of Maryland’s economic and land use debates, state and local leaders are being asked to weigh tax policy, development incentives, zoning, infrastructure needs, and public concerns in real time. This panel will examine how those decisions are being shaped in Annapolis and in local jurisdictions, and what they mean for Maryland’s competitiveness. Just as importantly, it will connect policy choices to real community outcomes by exploring how data center projects can generate revenue, support public services, strengthen infrastructure, and contribute to broader local economic development goals. The discussion will also address common misconceptions and consider how Maryland can pursue a policy approach that is both economically credible and locally responsive.

Moderator:  Matthew Doyle, Senior Business Development Rep, Maryland Department of Commerce

Panelists:

  • Rob Corradi, Manager, Mid-Atlantic Region, AWS State and Local Public Policy, Amazon Web Services (AWS)
  • Doug Kelly, Chief Executive Officer, American Edge Project 
  • Mike McHale, Business Manager, IBEW Local 24 

Power availability has become one of the defining constraints on digital infrastructure development nationwide, and Maryland is no exception. This panel will examine the full energy chain behind data center growth, from generation and transmission planning to utility distribution, regulatory oversight, and emerging on-site and advanced energy solutions. The discussion will focus on Maryland’s current energy outlook, PJM’s role in forecasting and planning for future demand, and the policy and infrastructure decisions needed to support economic growth while preserving reliability and affordability. It will also explore what a realistic, durable strategy looks like for serving large new loads in a state facing both rising demand and increasing scrutiny of energy costs.

Panelists:

  • Dinkar Bhatia, Chief Commercial Officer , X-Energy
  • Jason Stanek, Executive Director, PJM Interconnection – Governmental Services 

Barbara Comstock, Founder, Comstock Strategies

Public debate around data centers often centers on water use, backup generation, land use, and grid impacts, but the best version of this conversation is broader and more practical. This panel will examine how developers and operators are approaching sustainability, operational efficiency, and community stewardship in the real world, and what standards and practices are beginning to define responsible growth across the industry. The discussion will cover water and cooling strategies, energy demand, backup power, environmental performance, and the challenge of aligning project development with community expectations and long-term resilience goals. It will also explore how Maryland can encourage development that is both economically competitive and environmentally credible.

Moderator: J.D. Lambert, Director, Sustainable Practices, Rowan Digital Infrastructure 

Panelists:

  • Chris Baughman, Director, Chief Platform & Sustainability Officer, Atmosphere
  • Dr. Damena Agonafer, Associate Professor and Clark Faculty Fellow, University of Maryland 
  • Chris Cleet, Vice President of Policy, Energy, and Environment, Information Technology Industry Council
  • John Peterson, Design Manager, Green Data Center Guide