Who We Are
Crane was founded after realizing there was a need to develop and operate data centers in a new and more sustainable way. As both former buyers of capacity and developers of hyperscale data centers for some of the world’s largest technology companies, our team has a unique perspective on innovation and design. We put our clients first and offer flexible, sustainable data center capacity when and where they need it most.
Our team has helped design and build some of the largest hyperscale data centers in the world. We have extensive experience in data center design, engineering, site selection, retrofitting, leasing, and operations.
We deeply care about our clients, employees, communities, partners, and the environment. We prioritize sustainable building practices and the communities we operate in, creating data centers that are not only environmentally responsible, but also contribute to the well-being of the areas we serve. Thoughtful stewardship of time, materials, and resources is the foundation upon which we are built.
Our innovative technology, rapid execution, and team of experts enable us to provide solutions for the biggest issues facing the data center industry.
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Rapid ExecutionOur unique structure is designed to enable us to rapidly deliver capacity when and where you need it most
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ExpertiseOur team has built some of the world's largest data centers and understand client needs
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FlexibilityOur products are designed to provide flexibility for our clients allowing them to scale
The Team
Our team has helped design and build some of the largest data centers in the world. We have decades of experience with expertise in data center design and engineering, site selection, and operations.
We’re hiring! Interested in joining the team?
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Matt PfileFounder & CEO
Recognizing the need for sustainable, innovative, customer-centric data center solutions, Matt founded Crane to redefine industry standards. Matt has over 20 years of experience spanning telecom engineering, critical infrastructure acquisition, corporate banking, management consulting, and commercial negotiations. At Google, he spent over 12 years driving global infrastructure investments, leading data center site selection, third-party leasing, utility interconnections, and land acquisitions across the Americas and Asia. He led the entry of Google Cloud Platform (GCP) into Japan, Australia, and India, and led acquisition of Google’s data center sites in Asia and the Americas. He holds a BS from Georgetown University and an MBA from Washington University in St. Louis.
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Adam WitkopCTO
Adam has over 15 years of mission critical infrastructure experience. As CTO at Crane, he brings a proven track record of success in mission-critical environments, including developing Meta’s global data center retrofit program and managing utility interconnections for campuses impacting over 800 MW. He also led a $300M+ retrofit of a data center building, earning global recognition for innovation. Prior to Meta, Adam spent a decade at Shell Oil managing $400M+ in critical upgrades, including leading 1400+ person teams executing complex construction projects. A licensed Professional Engineer, Adam holds a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Penn State, an MBA from UC Berkeley, and an MS in Mechanical Engineering from Georgia Tech.
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Connie ZweigleChief Engagement Officer
Connie has over 15 years of experience helping some of the world’s fastest growing startups and largest technology companies scale. Prior to Crane, she helped build and operationalize teams at Slack (acquired by Salesforce), X (formerly Twitter), and Google. As Chief Engagement Officer, she focuses on building meaningful connections across every aspect of the organization. From contributing to the communities Crane engages with to enhancing the experiences of employees and clients, her goal is to ensure that every interaction reflects Crane’s commitment to mutual growth and positive impact. Connie holds a BA in Sociology from the University of Washington.
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Nate HodgesEngineering & Innovation
Nate has over 25 years of experience working in telecom planning, data center design, implementation, and power systems operations. As Chief Innovation Officer, he drives the company’s innovation strategy. Prior to Crane, he spent 15 years at Google working on globally scaling data center and network infrastructure to be the largest and most distributed in the world, and led teams managing network and power needs. He also previously led the IP planning team for AT&T. He received a BS in Marine Systems Engineering from the US Merchant Marine Academy, Kings Point.
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Sasha LaunerInternal Operations
Sasha has over 12 years of experience in project management and administration, coordination, and internal operations. Her background includes work in the research and nonprofit sectors, including founding a successful nonprofit organization focused on diversity and inclusion within the world of classical music (One Found Sound). She holds a BFA from Carnegie Mellon.
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Chelsea KulhanekSite Acquisition & Development
Chelsea has over 12 years of experience in the real estate industry. At Google, Chelsea was involved in more than $5 billion of global infrastructure investments and held multiple roles, including leading development of best practices for the company’s global site selection and portfolio management team. As Head of Site Acquisition and Development at Crane, Chelsea leads site selection in target markets and optimizes Crane’s land acquisition strategy. She believes two things are fundamental to success: asking the right questions and thinking creatively. As Albert Einstein said, "Logic will get you from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere.” Chelsea holds a master’s degree in real estate development and finance and a law degree.
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Peter CarrollVP, Data Center Development
Peter has over 17 years of experience leading and scaling some of the largest data center projects in the world. Prior to Crane, he spent over 11 years at Apple managing a team responsible for design, construction, and commissioning of Apple’s global data center program with upwards of $2.5B in annual CAPEX. In his role, he identified strategic goals and implemented project standards across the data center program. Prior to Apple, Peter spent five years at Cupertino Electric managing large scale data center construction projects. As VP of DC Development, he leverages his extensive expertise to oversee the design and construction of Crane’s state-of-the-art data centers.
Our partnership model is enabling a new era of data center investment
We believe the ownership, operation, and construction of data centers needs to be more sustainable, flexible, and accessible.
Our partnership model transforms the data center ownership structure by creating the opportunity for a wide range of institutional capital investors and land owners to directly invest in the data center asset class.
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Foundational InfrastructureData centers create the foundation for today’s data-driven society and are an increasingly asset class.
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A New Model of PartnershipWe enable institutional capital investors to directly invest in the data center asset class.