Tom Roberts Named New President of AFCOM

Data center industry veteran Tom Roberts is the new president of AFCOM, the leading association for data center managers, the group announced today.

Roberts steps into AFCOM's top position after years of experience as president of a local AFCOM chapter and serving on the board of AFCOM's Data Center Institute. He was also named AFCOM’s Data Center Manager of the Year in 2011 for his work leading the data center team at Trinity Health.

“After 30 years growing as a data center professional, I could not have found a greater next step in my career nor such a fulfilling opportunity to give back to an industry and a profession I have passionately practiced for so long, “ said Roberts. “The data center industry is evolving rapidly and creating greater pressures on the ongoing knowledge demands of data center and facilities managers. My vision is to ensure that AFCOM delivers data center management professionals the relevant tools and knowledge to share, connect and learn in preparation for opportunities and challenges in the future.”

Focus on Local Chapters

AFCOM was founded in 1980 to support the educational and professional development needs of data center and facilities management professionals around the globe. The association has more than 4,500 members and 40 chapters worldwide, and provides education and networking for data center managers through its Data Center World conferences, regional chapters, and Data Center Management magazine.

Roberts has more than 30 years of experience spanning all facets of the data center business, including IT and facilities management, computer operations and data center management. He most recently served as Senior Technical Architect for Data Centers at Trinity Health, a $9 billion health care system where he was responsible for 25 data centers across nine states.

As AFCOM President, Roberts duties will include the growth and continual improvement of AFCOM’s Chapter program and member services. He will serve as Chair of the Data Center World conference, and lead the Data Center Institute with a focus on thought leading research and best practices.

Roberts said he is particularly excited about the opportunity to build membership at AFCOM's local chapters. Roberts was one of the founders of AFCOM’s Michigan chapter and served as its Chapter President from 2003 to 2012. He said he intends to visit with local chapters over the next year, and work closely with local units.

'I think we need to bolster our ability to support our chapter leaders,' he said. "When you're a chapter leader, it's your second or third job, but you feel it's an important one."

Jill Yaoz Steps Down

After 10 years as AFCOM’s president, Jill Yaoz is stepping down to pursue new ambitions, including starting a family. “I know Tom well and believe he is the perfect person to lead this association,” said Yaoz. “He brings an incomparable wealth of industry knowledge and a love of AFCOM that is sure to help him succeed at this new venture in his life.”

“Jill has been an exceptional leader for AFCOM and its members, keeping the association current and relevant in the face of enormous changes in technology and economic volatility,” said Roberts. “I look forward to leveraging what I have learned to take AFCOM to the next level in serving the needs of data center professionals around the world.”

AFCOM is part of iNET Interactive, which is also the parent company of Data Center Knowledge.