Influential Voices in Technology™ : Broadband Futures | Connectivity | Energy | Infrastructure | Workforce

About Influential Voices in Technology™ : Broadband Futures | Connectivity | Energy | Infrastructure | Workforce

Technology isn’t evolving in isolation. Connectivity, artificial intelligence, energy, infrastructure, and workforce development are converging to shape the future, and the biggest opportunities are where those worlds intersect. Hosted by Kimberly Maki, Influential Voices in Technology™ brings together leaders and ideas from across industries to explore the trends, challenges, and opportunities defining what's next. If you’re a business leader, investor, policymaker, educator, employer, or simply curious about what’s next, join us as we explore the technologies powering human potential and the conversations shaping the future. About the Host:Kimberly Maki is the founder and CEO of Influential Voices, and a fractional Chief Growth and Strategy Officer. She partners with organizations navigating changing technology across industries, and her work spans strategic planning, brand and market development, partnerships, and revenue acceleration in emerging and converging technologies. Learn more and connect with Kimberly Maki at Influentialvoices.com Questions this Show will explore: What does the future of broadband look like? Can the electrical grid keep up with AI and Data Center Growth? Who will build and maintain the infrastructure we need? What opportunities will emerging technology create for communities and business? What does resilient infrastructure mean? How does leadership need to evolve in the age of AI? Influential Voices in Technology™ is a combination of interviews and conversations with leaders in business and government, and short-form commentary and Q and A about the different industries and organizations that rarely share seats at the same table. Popular Topics on the Influential Voices in Technology™ Podcast Include:Broadband infrastructure, AI, artificial intelligence, data centers, internet, rural internet, connectivity, power constraints, broadband expansion, workforce shortages, workforce development, job creation, economic transformation, networks, communications and technology, compute power, digital breakthroughs

Publisher

Kimberly Maki

Category

business · technology

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

2 Sept 2026

Latest episode

4 Nov 2026

Latest episodes

9 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   4 Nov 2026

   40% Revenue. 3% Land. Longer Lives? | Buddy Rizer, “The Godfather of Data Centers”

   Forty percent of a county’s tax revenue from just three percent of its land. That’s the remarkable economic impact of data centers in Loudoun County, Virginia. Twenty years ago, the county relied heavily on residential property taxes and struggled to keep pace with growing demands for public services. Today, it's home to one of the world's largest concentrations of data centers. Kimberly Maki talks with Buddy Rizer, Executive Director of Economic Development for Loudoun County, Virginia, whom The Wall Street Journal called “the godfather of data centers.” Together, they explore what Loudoun County got right, what it learned along the way, and why Buddy believes the industry must do more to earn the trust of the communities it serves. You'll hear them discuss: How Loudoun County grew its commercial share of the tax base from 19% to 51%, helping fund 22 schools, 15 fire stations, six libraries, and investments of approximately $117 million in 2,200 new affordable housing units since 2017, while reducing the residential property tax rate. Why Buddy points to Loudoun County's exceptional life expectancy and community health rankings as part of a broader story about economic opportunity, public investment, and quality of life. Why Buddy says the real question isn't simply whether to have data centers, but where and how to develop them responsibly, including lessons learned from Loudoun's siting decisions. How Loudoun County's reclaimed water infrastructure serves approximately one-third of its data centers, and why Buddy believes water use is an engineering choice. How Virginia is addressing concerns about data center electricity demand and protecting residential ratepayers from infrastructure costs. Why Buddy believes the data center industry must do more to build public trust through transparency, education, and meaningful community engagement. The three questions he'd ask before a community considers a major AI data center development. What communities should consider negotiating beyond tax revenue, including public services, affordable housing, workforce development, and educational partnerships. References: Buddy Rizer on LinkedIn | Loudoun County Kimberly Maki | Influential Voices in Technology™ | LinkedIn

2. 

   28 Oct 2026

   Who Decides Where AI Infrastructure Gets Built?

   The cloud has an address, and a surprising amount of it sits in one county in Virginia. In this episode of Influential Voices in Technology™, we look at what really decides where AI infrastructure lands: power, land, fiber, money, and people. We also look at what happens to the communities that say yes. Loudoun County, now one of the biggest data center markets in the world, shows what other places might want to think about before they do the same. References: Influential Voices in Technology™ Kimberly Maki on LinkedIn

3. 

   21 Oct 2026

   Does It Matter Who Owns Your Broadband Network?

   Who owns and operates a broadband network can influence how investment decisions are made, which communities are prioritized, and how success is measured. In this episode of Influential Voices in Technology™, we look at the different approaches to who owns and operates broadband networks, and their opportunities and challenges. References: ⁠Influential Voices in Technology™⁠ Kimberly Maki on ⁠LinkedIn⁠

4. 

   13 Oct 2026

   What Does 500 MW Mean?

   Not every data center is a 500-megawatt mega-project, but even a smaller one can place serious demands on the power grid. In this episode of Influential Voices in Technology™, we break down what a 50-megawatt data center really means for a community, from substations and transmission lines to new power generation, and tackle the question that matters most: who pays for it? References: Influential Voices in Technology™ Kimberly Maki on LinkedIn

5. 

   6 Oct 2026

   College Degree → Skilled Trade

   Your degree might be worth more than you think - just not where you expected. In this episode of Influential Voices in Technology™, we look at why skilled trades are becoming an increasingly attractive path for graduates. References: Influential Voices in Technology™ Kimberly Maki on LinkedIn

6. 

   1 Oct 2026

   AI Doesn't Build Data Centers. People Do.

   AI Doesn't Build Data Centers. People Do. AI is creating opportunities in familiar skilled trades, including electrical, fiber, welding, plumbing, and construction. Learn more and get involved at InfluentialVoices.com

7. 

   29 Sept 2026

   Data Centers: "Love Them or Hate Them?" Is the Wrong Question

   Communities need to move beyond a simple pro-or-con debate and ask who benefits, who pays, what resources a project requires, and how the community will share in its value. Learn more and get involved at InfluentialVoices.com

8. 

   28 Sept 2026

   Who Supports Us - Our Sponsors Introduced

   What does it take to build the future? Connectivity, energy, opportunity, and organisations willing to support conversations around all three. With the launch of the first season of Influential Voices in Technology™, a warm thank you goes out to the sponsors: ⁠The Syndeo Institute⁠, ⁠NCTI⁠, ⁠ATX Networks⁠, and the ⁠Broadband Library⁠. Your suport makes this possible!

9. 

   2 Sept 2026

   Introducing Influential Voices in Technology™ with Kimberly Maki

   Technology isn’t evolving in isolation. Connectivity, artificial intelligence, energy, infrastructure, and workforce development are converging to shape the future, and the biggest opportunities are where those worlds intersect. Influential Voices in Technology™, hosted by Kimberly Maki, brings together leaders and ideas from across industries to explore the trends, challenges, and opportunities defining what's next. If you’re a business leader, investor, policymaker, educator, employer, or simply curious about what’s next, join us as we explore the technologies powering human potential and the conversations shaping the future. Thank you to the sponsors of the first season of Influential Voices in Technology™: NCTI, ATX Networks, and the Broadband Library - their valuable contribution to this new and independant platform.

Reach and audience

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Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

1 ratings

Contact Influential Voices in Technology™ : Broadband Futures | Connectivity | Energy | Infrastructure | Workforce

Guest appearances

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