Lee Kirby is a highly accomplished leader with over three decades of experience in both the private and public sectors. He has spearheaded numerous technology start-ups, turn-arounds, and global operations, earning him a reputation as a trusted adviser in the data center industry. Kirby retired as President of Uptime Institute, where he provided thought leadership, global services strategy, new product development, and strategic marketing. Kirby is also an accomplished military veteran, having served as a Colonel in the United States Army Reserve for over 36 years. He is the Chairman and Co-Founder of Salute Inc., a champion for military veterans in the data center industry, and served as an adviser to various veteran support organizations. Kirby holds an MBA from the University of Washington, and professional certifications in management and security, including ITIL v3 Expert, Lean Six Sigma, and CCO.