Mike Connell

Dallas, Texas USA

With a general contractor for a grandfather and a master cabinet maker for a father, Mike was destined to work in the building trades. However, inspired by his passion for art, he set his sights on architecture. In his more than 40 years as an architect, and 20+ years in data center design, Mike has witnessed many changes in the industry. “I started out drawing by hand and learned CAD in my spare time when the company didn’t yet support the technology,” he said. “Today, we use Revit as a powerful CAD tool for design and renderings, but I still occasionally draw by hand.”

Mike’s expertise developed over years of specialization for over 10 million square feet of data center space across the country. He has been instrumental in establishing and maintaining schedule and budget parameters, leveraging his skills in project management and planning. Early in his career, he had the opportunity to pursue clients himself, which helped to define the trajectory of his career. As a leader, Mike inspires and mentors the next generation of architects, laying the groundwork for them to take the reins.

In keeping with his ancestry roots, Mike enjoys building and woodworking in his spare time. “My wife and I have renovated five houses, so she’s suffered through many construction sites,” he says, “but for me, it comes naturally.”