Uptime Institute Strengthens Data Center Operational Expertise by Appointing Data Center Operations Veteran Lee Kirby as SVP, Uptime Institute Management Services

SEATTLE, July 23, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Uptime Institute, a division of The 451 Group, announced today that Lee Kirby, a recognized leader in data center operations, has joined Uptime Institute as Senior Vice President, Uptime Institute Management Services. In his role, Lee will be responsible for serving Uptime Institute clients throughout the lifecycle of the data center – from design through operations. Lee's experience includes senior executive positions at Skanska, Lee Technologies and Exodus Communications, as well as 36 years of military service. Lee also has extensive experience working cooperatively with leading organizations across many industries, including Morgan Stanley, Citibank, Digital Realty, Microsoft, Cisco and BP.    

With a global client list and offices in key locations around the world, including New York, Boston, Seattle, Denver, Moscow, London, Singapore, Taipei, Sao Paulo and Dubai, Uptime Institute serves all industry stakeholders, but concentrates on enterprise and third-party data center owners and operators. Best known for its creation and global administration of the Tier Standard for Data Center Design, Construction and Operational Sustainability, Uptime Institute delivers certifications, accreditations and consulting to industry stakeholders across the Americas, EMEA, APAC and LATAM regions.

In commenting on the appointment, Uptime Institute's Chief Operating Officer Julian Kudritzki said:

"Lee brings to Uptime Institute a wealth of experience in facilities management of global data center portfolios. Building upon the foundational Uptime Institute Operational Sustainability and Management & Operations criteria, Lee will be key to Uptime Institute's mission to assist our members and clients, and the industry at large, to address the shortcoming in Facilities Management that can be found in data centers around the world, regardless of vertical or organization. Prime examples of these chronic issues are the recruiting, training and retention of qualified operations professionals; maintenance management; and vendor controls. Lee's longstanding pursuit of operational excellence finds a unique and powerful platform at Uptime Institute.

In commenting on his appointment, Lee Kirby said:  

"Uptime Institute has from its inception provided thought leadership backed by a wealth of data-centric knowledge and experience. True operational excellence in the data center world requires an alignment of IT, operations, and business groups early in the design and construction phases. I can't think of a better place to help instill best practices and encourage operational excellence. I also appreciate that Uptime Institute supports my passion to fully realize the value of military veterans in the civilian workplace."    

About Uptime Institute
Uptime Institute, a division of The 451 Group, provides independent thought leadership, certification, education and professional services for the global data center and emerging digital infrastructure industry. Uptime Institute is best known for its creation and global administration of the Tier Standard for Data Center Design, Construction and Operational Sustainability. It serves all industry stakeholders, but concentrates on enterprise and third-party data center owners and operators. IT and facilities equipment manufacturers, service providers, design engineers, and construction firms are also served.

About The 451 Group

Headquartered in New York, with offices in key locations – including Boston, San Francisco, Washington DC, London, Seattle, Denver, Sao Paulo, Dubai, Singapore and Moscow – The 451 Group owns and operates Uptime Institute, an independent provider of thought leadership, certification, education and professional services for the global data center and emerging Digital Infrastructure industry. The 451 Group also owns 451 Research, a leading technology-industry syndicated research and data firm focused on the business of enterprise IT innovation, and Yankee Group, the preeminent research and advisory firm equipping companies to profit in a mobile world.

SOURCE Uptime Institute