Inside Commissioning

About Inside Commissioning

Conversations with the engineers, project leads and commissioning professionals doing the work: how the industry has evolved, where it’s heading, and what it takes to get systems working as intended. Hosted by Cal Blair & Jeremy Curtis

Publisher

Cal Blair & Jeremy Curtis

Category

business

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

12 May 2026

Latest episode

23 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

6 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   23 Oct 2026

   What Does It Take to Become a Great Commissioning Leader with Adam Muggleton

   What does it take to move from being a great commissioning engineer to becoming an effective leader? In this episode of Inside Commissioning, hosts Cal Blair and Jeremy are joined by Adam Muggleton, CTO at ASG, to discuss leadership, management, career development and the changing commissioning industry. With a career spanning more than four decades and experience across 21 countries, Adam shares his journey through engineering, commissioning, property development and business leadership. He explains why technical expertise alone is not enough to lead a team, and why communication, accountability, self-awareness and the ability to deliver results through others become increasingly important as engineers progress in their careers. The conversation also explores the challenges facing the commissioning industry, from inconsistent data centre commissioning standards and skills shortages to the growing demand for experienced professionals. Adam shares his thoughts on the data centre market, why firms need to prepare for changing demand, and where future opportunities may emerge across infrastructure, refurbishment and other sectors. In This Episode How technical experts can transition into management and develop effective leadership skills The difference between managing day-to-day operations and leading through uncertainty Why communication, coaching, humility and self-awareness matter in leadership How digitalisation and standardisation can improve commissioning processes and project delivery The differences between UK and North American commissioning practices What clients value most, from reliable service and clear communication to consistent results The growing skills shortage in commissioning and the importance of developing new talent The future of the data centre industry and why businesses should explore opportunities in other sectors Adam also shares practical advice for engineers who want to progress in their careers, including the value of continuous learning, developing communication skills and understanding the commercial side of the business. Whether you're an engineer looking to move into management, a commissioning professional responsible for leading teams, or a business owner navigating the data centre boom, this conversation offers valuable perspectives on building better people, stronger teams and more successful commissioning businesses. Links & Resources Adam Muggleton – LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/buildingwhisperer/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/buildingwhisperer/) Adam Muggleton – AESG https://aesg.com/key-people/adam-muggleton/ (https://aesg.com/key-people/adam-muggleton/) Toastmasters International https://www.toastmasters.org/ (https://www.toastmasters.org/) Copywriting Course https://copywritingcourse.com/ (https://copywritingcourse.com/) Listen to the Podcast Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inside-commissioning/id1896619373 (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inside-commissioning/id1896619373) Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/033fnPwBMhHgddKleUf8tG (https://open.spotify.com/show/033fnPwBMhHgddKleUf8tG) Connect with the Hosts Cal Blair – LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cal-blair-talent/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/cal-blair-talent/) Jeremy Curtis – LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cx-jeremy/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/cx-jeremy/)

2. 

   28 Jul 2026

   How Commissioning Firms Win Better Work with Joshua Feinberg

   In this episode of Inside Commissioning, host Cal Blair sits down with Joshua Feinberg, Founder of the Data Center Sales & Marketing Institute (DCSMI), to explore how commissioning firms can stand out, build trust, and win better work in today's competitive data center market. Drawing on decades of experience in technology consulting, sales strategy, and the data center industry, Joshua shares why the traditional approach to business development is no longer enough. Together, Cal and Joshua discuss how buying behavior has changed, why education is becoming the new sales strategy, and how commissioning firms can position themselves as trusted advisors long before an RFP is ever released. In This Episode How Joshua transitioned from technology consulting into the data center industry Why relationships alone are no longer enough to win new business How commissioning firms can build trust before prospects are ready to buy Why educational content is replacing traditional sales tactics The role of podcasts, webinars, and thought leadership in winning better work How commissioning firms can reach owners and hyperscalers earlier in the project lifecycle Why understanding your ideal client profile is critical for long-term growth How micro events and workshops can outperform expensive industry conferences The importance of employer branding when attracting top commissioning talent Why engineers are becoming key voices in business development and client relationships How AI and self-guided research are changing the buying process Why firms that educate the market will have a competitive advantage over those that simply promote their services Resources & Links Data Center Sales & Marketing Institute (DCSMI) https://www.dcsmi.com (https://www.dcsmi.com) Data Center Go-to-Market Podcast https://www.dcsmi.com/podcast (https://www.dcsmi.com/podcast) Connect with Joshua Feinberg on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuafeinbergconsulting/)

3. 

   13 Jul 2026

   Adopt or Lose: AI, Tooling & the Future of Commissioning Teams with Thomas Jarloev

   In this episode of Inside Commissioning, host Cal Blair sits down with Thomas T. Jarloev, Founder and CEO of CX Planner, to discuss how AI, modern software, and digital workflows are transforming the commissioning industry. From starting his career as an electrician in Denmark to becoming a commissioning expert, author, and software founder, Thomas shares why the future of commissioning depends on embracing technology, not resisting it. Together, Cal and Thomas explore the rapid growth of mission-critical projects, the limitations of spreadsheets, and how AI is helping commissioning teams work faster, smarter, and with greater confidence. They also discuss what the next generation of commissioning professionals will need to succeed as technology continues to reshape the industry. They also discuss: How Thomas went from electrician to commissioning expert and software founder Why he created CX Planner after years of managing projects with Excel and Microsoft Project How commissioning has evolved from a niche discipline into a global standard Why data centers are accelerating innovation across the commissioning industry The biggest limitations of spreadsheets on large mission-critical projects How AI is reducing repetitive work and improving project efficiency Why commissioning teams must embrace new technology or risk falling behind How AI can automate documentation, testing, and asset management without replacing engineers The importance of experienced commissioning professionals in an AI-powered future Why standardized commissioning processes are still missing across many data center operators How commissioning software is helping owners, contractors, and suppliers collaborate more effectively What commissioning teams may look like over the next five years as AI becomes part of everyday project delivery Thomas also shares his vision for the future of commissioning, why technology should enhance rather than replace engineering expertise, and why the firms that adopt AI today will be the ones leading the industry tomorrow. Connect with Thomas: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomastoftgaardjarloev/ CXPlanner: https://cxplanner.com/ Links and Resources Website: ⁠www.baselinecx.com⁠ (http://www.baselinecx.com) LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/cal-blair-talent (https://www.linkedin.com/in/cal-blair-talent)

4. 

   25 Jun 2026

   The Other Side of Mission Critical with Tim Shukri

   In this episode of Inside Commissioning, host Cal Blair sits down with Tim Shukri, General Manager of Cornerstone Commissioning, to explore his journey from mechanical engineering graduate and commissioning intern to leading the organization. Tim shares how he accidentally discovered commissioning, why he nearly walked away from the industry during his first few months, and the moment he realized the impact commissioning professionals have on owners, contractors, and mission-critical facilities. Together, Cal and Tim discuss the evolution of Cornerstone Commissioning, the unique demands of life science and biocontainment projects, and the lessons that data center commissioning teams can learn from other mission-critical industries. They also discuss: How Tim went from commissioning intern to leading Cornerstone Commissioning The early project experiences that shaped his confidence and career growth How Cornerstone was founded after 9/11 to support critical biocontainment facilities The impact of COVID-19 on life science construction and BSL lab development Why mission-critical environments require a different commissioning mindset The similarities and differences between life science and data center commissioning How commissioning processes vary across industries and project types Why direct involvement during pre-functional checks creates stronger project outcomes How technology, commissioning software, and AI are improving efficiency The role of AI in generating test protocols and supporting project delivery Why Cornerstone focuses on hiring and developing junior engineering talent The importance of communication, humility, and soft skills for commissioning professionals How company culture helps retain talent in a competitive industry Why building long-term client relationships is essential for future growth Tim also shares his thoughts on the future of commissioning, the potential expansion into data centers, and why the best commissioning professionals combine technical expertise with curiosity, teamwork, and the willingness to keep learning. Connect with Tim: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timothy-shukri-pe-ccp-b434256a/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/timothy-shukri-pe-ccp-b434256a/) Links and Resources Website: www.baselinecx.com (http://www.baselinecx.com) LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cal-blair-talent (https://www.linkedin.com/in/cal-blair-talent)

5. 

   3 Jun 2026

   Commissioning From Every Side of The Table with Priya Velamakanni

   In this episode of Inside Commissioning, host Cal Blair sits down with Priya Velamakanni, Vice President of Commissioning and Construction Services at CPG, to explore her 20+ year journey through the mission-critical and data center industry. Priya shares how she accidentally discovered commissioning after graduating as a mechanical engineer and stepping into the world of data centers without even knowing what they were. From her early days as a project coordinator to leading large-scale commissioning teams, she reflects on how the industry has evolved from small megawatt facilities to today’s massive hyperscale developments. Together, Cal and Priya discuss the changing role of commissioning, the increasing complexity of data center projects, and why commissioning professionals are now becoming a critical voice earlier in the construction process. They also discuss: How Priya unexpectedly entered the mission-critical industry and built a long-term commissioning career What commissioning really involves and why testing, validation, and attention to detail matter How data center projects have evolved from megawatts to gigawatt-scale developments Why commissioning has moved from an afterthought to a key driver of project success The biggest challenges that cause commissioning issues on site What makes a great commissioning professional and the transferable skills from other industries The growing talent shortage and how companies can build stronger commissioning teams Why flexibility and adaptability are essential for engineers entering the industry How modular construction and factory-based testing could shape the future of commissioning The importance of maintaining culture, teamwork, and connection while scaling globally How the industry can become more collaborative as demand continues to accelerate The rise of women in mission-critical environments and how the industry is changing Priya also shares lessons from challenging projects, her approach to leadership, and why the best part of commissioning is that no two days or problems are ever the same. Connect with Priya Velamakanni: https://www.linkedin.com/in/priya-velamakanni-40a7453 Links and Resources Website: www.baselinecx.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cal-blair-talent -

6. 

   12 May 2026

   From Construction to Commissioning: Jeremy Curtis on Building a Global Career in Data Centers

   In the very first episode of Inside Commissioning, host Cal Blair sits down with Jeremy Curtis — commissioning leader, industry educator, and founder of ConstructandCommission.com (constructandcommission.com)for a deep dive into the world of commissioning and the rapidly evolving data center industry. Jeremy shares his journey from working as a mechanical engineer in the UK to building a successful commissioning career across Hong Kong and the APAC region. Along the way, the conversation explores the realities of modern commissioning, leadership, training the next generation of engineers, and how AI and automation could reshape the industry over the next decade. They also discuss: How Jeremy accidentally discovered commissioning through a conversation over lunch The transition from construction into mission-critical data center projects Why data centers are putting more focus on commissioning than ever before The inspiration behind ConstructandCommission.com and how it became a global resource for engineers The growing talent shortage in commissioning and why experienced engineers are becoming harder to find The importance of mentorship, self-learning, and soft skills for young engineers How AI and automation may improve project delivery — and the risks of overreliance on AI-generated work Why smaller firms have a huge opportunity to innovate and scale using technology Advice for engineers looking to build a long-term career in commissioning Jeremy also shares personal stories from his early career, lessons learned from difficult projects, and his perspective on what truly makes a great commissioning professional.

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Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

1 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

4 ratings

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