DIGITAL INFRASTRUCTURE BRIEFING:

MINNESOTA'S DATA CENTER FUTURE

CONNECT. LEARN. COLLABORATE.

Interact with the key Minnesota stakeholders shaping the future of data and infrastructure, including elected officials, industry professionals, data center operators, utility providers, sustainability advocates, and AEC (architecture, engineering, and construction) firms.

Join fellow community and industry leaders for a full-day forum to explore how Minnesota can lead the charge in responsible, energy-efficient data center development.

Digital Infrastructure Briefing: Minnesota’s Data Center Future (MNDCF) seeks to strengthen our understanding of the importance of data centers—their purpose, benefits, and role in responsible growth—to build community trust and unlock new opportunities in sustainable certification and AI-ready infrastructure.

Agenda

8:00 AM - 10:00 AM - Registration and networking breakfast
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM - Expert-led keynote contextualizing Minnesota’s digital infrastructure

Panel Discussions

10:00 AM - 11:00 AM - Power, Permitting and Policy
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM - Innovative Design and Operations
12:00 PM - 1:30 PM - Networking Lunch
1:30 PM - 2:30 PM - Creating a Shared Blueprint for Impact
2:30 PM - 3:30 PM - Interactive Session: Fact or Fiction
3:30 PM - 5:30 PM - Additional Q&A and networking social hour with light appetizers

Download the Event Overview Now!

PURCHASE TICKETS

Extended Deadline for Tickets - Monday, January 26, 2026

General Admission Ticket

General Admission Ticket

General Admission Ticket

$100.00 USD

Meet Our Speakers

Industry experts sharing their insights
Megan Baker

Megan Baker

VP of Engagement, Data Center Lead - The GBI

As Vice President of Engagement, Megan Baker leads development and execution of GBI’s global marketing and communications strategy. Since joining GBI in 2017, she has advanced through roles in client services, business development, and education, assuming her current position in 2023. A strong advocate for accessible, sustainable, and resilient buildings, Megan builds strategic partnerships, identifies recognition opportunities, and expands markets for GBI’s flagship programs, Green Globes and Ascent. Her outreach helped GBI reach nearly one billion certified square feet in 2025 and quadruple membership in three years. Megan leads GBI’s data center market development and serves as a Nomad Futurist Ambassador. She is a 2024 IM100 Award recipient and holds an MBA from Regis University and a BA from University of Mary Washington.
Emily Bowers

Emily Bowers

Founder and Principal - Fordwell Strategies

Emily Bowers is the founder and principal of Fordwell Strategies, bringing more than a decade of experience in state and local policy, legislative strategy, and client advocacy. Her expertise spans across the built environment, labor, energy, sustainability, and tax policy—allowing her to navigate complex issues with both technical skill and strategic insight. Emily’s approach goes beyond policy papers and legislative calendars: she believes the most effective change begins with the people it impacts.
Adam Driscoll

Adam Driscoll

Vice President / Sr. Environmental Engineer

Adam Driscoll is a Vice President and Senior Environmental Engineer in Barr’s Minneapolis office. He is in his 20th year as an environmental professional, with his time split between Barr and 3M Company. He supports clients across the country representing a variety of industries, in areas which include complex air quality permitting, regulatory compliance, and multimedia auditing. Adam has served clients in the power generation industry throughout his tenure and, in recent years, has applied that experience to support new generation projects across the country for independent developers and regulated utilities alike. Adam has a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from the University of North Dakota and is a registered professional engineer in Minnesota, Michigan, and Florida.
Luke Gaalswyck

Luke Gaalswyck

Preseident and CEO

As President and CEO of Ever-Green Energy and its parent company, District Energy St. Paul, Luke Gaalswyk leads a growing team focused on advancing sustainable building heating and cooling solutions. Under his leadership, Ever-Green has expanded its footprint across the Twin Cities and increased its capacity to deliver innovative approaches such as networked geothermal systems and waste heat recycling from wastewater treatment facilities and data centers. Prior to joining Ever-Green, Luke held leadership roles in the power generation and district energy sectors with Xcel Energy and NRG Thermal (now Cordia). He has worked in energy, operations, and engineering since 2007, building on the leadership foundation developed as an officer in the United States Air Force. Luke serves on the boards of the Saint Paul Area Chamber of Commerce and the Saint Paul Downtown Alliance and is a drill-status member of the Minnesota Air National Guard. He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in mechanical engineering.
Jason George

Jason George

Labor Relations and Government Affairs Director

Jason brings 18 years of experience in the construction industry, including 16 years with the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 49, Minnesota’s largest construction union representing more than 15,000 members. He spent nearly a decade as Legislative Director before being elected Business Manager, leading the union’s operations and strategy. Throughout his tenure, Jason played a key role in permitting and securing funding for major regional projects, including sports stadiums, oil and gas pipelines, mining, wind and solar developments, large-scale industrial facilities, and transportation infrastructure. In late 2024, Jason transitioned to the private sector, accepting a newly created leadership role as Director of Labor Relations and Government Affairs for Ames Construction. Ames is a union contractor and one of the largest heavy civil contractors in the United States, with more than $2 billion in annual revenue. Jason offers a unique perspective shaped by senior-level experience in organized labor, government relations, and business leadership.
David Hryvniak

David Hryvniak

Fitwel Amb. GBI Fellow LEED AP BD+C Senior Project Manager, Sustainability JLL

David Hryvniak is a Senior Project Manager in Richmond, VA, supporting the Sustainable Buildings team within Project and Development Services. David leads project teams to assess sustainability goals, implement strategies appropriate for projects, and document accomplishments. His work at JLL includes certification management, sustainability strategy, and sustainability program management for a variety of project types including portfolio-wide initiatives. David leads teams to manage sustainability programs for new construction projects as well as existing buildings and operations. Experience David has over 11 years of industry experience in green building certification management, building energy efficiency and decarbonization, daylight modeling, waste management programs, and biodiversity. He has contributed to hundreds of certification projects including programs such as LEED, WELL, Fitwel, Zero Carbon, Green Globes, TRUE, ENERGY STAR, IgCC, Enterprise Green Communities, NGBS, and NWF Certified Wildlife Habitat. Industries and building types include office, retail, data centers, higher education, life sciences, and more.
Spencer Ingaldson 

Spencer Ingaldson 

Chief Development Officer

Spencer Ingaldson serves as the Chief Development Officer at Darcy Solutions, overseeing Business Development, Sales, Marketing, and Applications Engineering. With over 16 years of specialized experience in HVAC systems sales, Spencer brings a wealth of knowledge in applied HVAC systems, along with a deep understanding of the commercial and industrial HVAC markets. A graduate of Purdue University with a degree in Mechanical Engineering, Spencer also holds a USGBC-LEED Accredited Professional certification, underscoring his commitment to sustainable building practices.
Tiffany Kovaleski

Tiffany Kovaleski

Founder and CEO

Tiffany Kovaleski is the Founder and CEO of The GOR Group, a mission critical focused firm operating at the intersection of workforce development within the data center ecosystem. Her veteran led team brings over 100 years of combined service and translates real world execution into scalable staffing through increased representation of women and the military veteran community, training capabilities that leverage state of the art AI to scale teams of any size, and partner of a global .waterless micro data center enabling scalable and sustainable power infrastructure through an integrated development arm. Tiffany is a recognized voice in expanding the mission critical workforce. She serves on the AFCOM Minnesota Board and iMason Armed Forces and iMason Women, where she convenes owners, operators, utilities, developers, and industry partners to advance Minnesota and global data center initiatives. At her core, Tiffany is a Minnesota mom and wife committed to building strong communities and a more sustainable future for the next generation.
Molly Malone

Molly Malone

Clean Energy Economy Minnesota Board Member

As a former Murray County Commissioner in Minnesota’s wind belt and a participating landowner in two utility scale energy projects, Molly Malone brings on the ground experience with development in rural communities. She has attended dozens of meetings on data center development across the upper Midwest and has witnessed firsthand what works and what doesn't. She will provide candid insight and recommendations for better policy making and collaborative development in rural areas.
Zach Martin

Zach Martin

Manager of Government Affairs

Zach Martin serves as Manager of Government Affairs at ALLETE / Minnesota Power, leading the company’s state and federal advocacy across Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Dakota, and Washington, D.C. His work focuses on energy policy issues including data center development, transmission modernization, electric infrastructure, and wildfire mitigation. In recent legislative sessions, Zach played a key role in advancing data center–related policy and appropriations. Prior to joining ALLETE, Zach spent a decade in Washington, D.C., serving as Senior Legislative Assistant to former U.S. Representative Collin Peterson, managing energy, environmental, foreign affairs, and intelligence portfolios. He later served as Director of Government Affairs for a national ethanol trade association. Zach is a graduate of University of Minnesota–Twin Cities and lives in Lakeville with his wife, Mallika, their two children, and their German Shepherd.
Lucas Mistelske

Lucas Mistelske

Chief Experience Officer

Lucas Mistelske is a passionate executive with a proven track record of leading strategic initiatives that expand market reach, strengthen organizational excellence, and drive profitable growth. A skilled communicator and relationship builder, Lucas brings more than 25 years of leadership experience across the manufacturing and technology sectors, helping executive teams build lasting talent, retention, and value. Lucas works directly with senior leaders to guide complex industrial development and expansion projects, leveraging deep insight into local and state dynamics alongside Giant’s full-service capabilities to deliver end-to-end solutions or augment existing teams. He partners with organizations to redesign operations, elevate service delivery, and create client experiences that deepen loyalty and accelerate ROI through data-driven, human-centered approaches. In addition, Lucas helps organizations cultivate strong cultures, align teams, and develop high-performing talent pipelines. He also leads strategic stakeholder engagement efforts, crafting thoughtful, values-driven communications that navigate policy, regulation, and commerce to influence key audiences and support sustainable growth.
Lindsay T. Smith

Lindsay T. Smith

Vice President of External Affairs & Communications

Lindsay T. Smith has spent more than a decade with Geronimo Power, beginning her career as an associate and advancing to Vice President of External Affairs & Communications. In her current role, she leads the company’s Marketing & Communications, State Regulatory and Legislative Policy, and Community Engagement functions. Lindsay built and scaled Geronimo Power’s Marketing & Communications and Community Engagement departments from the ground up, helping bring the company’s community-centered values and brand to life. Her responsibilities span internal and external communications, brand strategy, state policy, local stakeholder engagement, and impactful charitable initiatives, all focused on elevating the company’s corporate presence. Prior to Geronimo Power, Lindsay held roles at Genus Technologies and in the performing arts sector, gaining broad experience in sales, marketing, and management. She earned her MBA from University at Albany and holds degrees from Skidmore College, graduating Cum Laude with Honors.
Randal Wichuk

Randal Wichuk

Chief Executive Officer

Mr. Wichuk brings more than 20 years of experience in financial management, executive leadership, and corporate strategy across the energy and infrastructure sectors. Prior to joining Teverra, he served as Chief Financial Officer of RNWBL, a pure-play renewable energy services company operating in the U.S. and Canada. Earlier, he held progressive leadership roles at Premier Corex, advancing from CFO to President & CEO while supporting oil & gas and energy transition initiatives. He also served as Vice President of Finance and Chief Operating Officer at PTW Energy Services. From 2005 to 2015, Mr. Wichuk held multiple finance roles at Trican Well Service, ultimately becoming Senior Finance Director for North America. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce and a Bachelor of Education from the University of Alberta and is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) in Canada.

SPONSORSHIP OPTIONS

Premier Sponsor

Premier Sponsor

Premier Sponsor

$15,000.00 USD
Reception Sponsor

Reception Sponsor

Reception Sponsor

$5,000.00 USD
Food & Beverage Sponsors

Food & Beverage Sponsors

Food & Beverage Sponsors

$3,500.00 USD
Panel Sponsor

Panel Sponsor

Panel Sponsor

$2,000.00 USD
Registration Sponsor

Registration Sponsor

Registration Sponsor

$2,000.00 USD

DRIVING PROGRESS
THROUGH PARTNERSHIP

MNDCF is made possible by our strategic partners, who offer their diverse expertise and perspectives to connect environmental responsibility, industry advancement, and local economic opportunity. 

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