Open-IXGlobal data center IP traffic is expected to reach seven zettabytes per year by 2017.  As the Internet grows, it has become incumbent upon the entire Internet community to overcome the connectivity, resiliency and security challenges that have arisen from its proliferation.  The Open-IX Association is one of the organizations leading the charge.  Open-IX establishes consensus-based standards that not only ensure performance, reliability and security for data centers and interconnection exchanges, but that in effect protect the lifeblood and future growth of a global economy.

Gabe ColeOIX is on a mission to promote higher standards for interconnectivity around the world, generating a uniform landscape of open and simplified connections.  As it pushes forward with its international expansion, OIX is expanding its team with knowledgeable industry veterans to ensure global success.  Its latest addition: the appointment of 20-year technology veteran and Open-IX’s Data Center Standards Committee Chair, Gabe Cole, to the newly created position of Executive Director.

In his new role, Mr. Cole is instrumental in the overall design and execution of strategic practices to advance the OIX mission, as well as general management and operations of certification and member programs.  Having served as the Chair of the Open-IX Data Center Standards Committee charged with overseeing the development of facility, infrastructure and operating standards necessary to support installation of an OIX-endorsed Internet exchange, Mr. Cole has extensive and proven leadership experience as well as critical knowledge of the inner workings of both OIX as well as the technology and Internet communities around the world.  Mr. Cole is also the Co-Founder of RTE Group, an infrastructure strategy consulting firm and real estate brokerage specializing in data centers, network interconnection exchanges and other mission-critical facilities, and CO Space, Inc., a leading provider of colocation and data Center facilities and related operations services.  Gabe also founded / participated in several venture-backed emergent technology companies, including Telwares, Virtustream, Verne Global, Enclave, and Ixpanse.

If you’re interested in learning more about the appointment of Gabe Cole to the position of OIX Executive Director, please view the full release here.