Inside the world of
commissioning.

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 Data Center Go-to-Market Podcast https://www.dcsmi.com/podcast Connect with Joshua Feinberg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuafeinbergconsulting/

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 LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/cal-blair-talent

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/ Links and Resources Website: www.baselinecx.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cal-blair-talent

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 -

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 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.