Data Center Energy Management Specialist Divcon Controls Hires Apple Veteran as VP of Sustainability: 4 Things to Know

Divcon Controls, a facility management, building automation and data center energy consumption specialist, has hired Apple veteran Molly Ward as VP of sustainability.

The Divcon hire comes at a key time, since many data center operators are struggling to manage generative AI (artificial intelligence) workloads and associated energy consumption challenge.

Here are four things to know about the company's business focus and sustainability strategy, and Ward's executive experience.

1. Business Focus: Divcon Controls is based in Farmers Branch, Texas -- in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. The systems integrator, which has 66 employees listed on LinkedIn as of November 2024, helps data centers to monitor, manage, optimize and reduce their energy consumption. Goldman Sachs Alternatives invested in Divcon Controls in February 2024.

2. Sustainability and Net-Zero Strategy: We have not seen an official Divcon Controls sustainability strategy. However, the company hired executive recruiter Weinreb Group in mid-2024 to help find and hire Divcon's first VP of sustainability, according to CEO Ellen Weinreb. Fast forward to November 2024, and Molly Ward now fulfills that role.

3. Molly Ward's Executive Experience: Ward since 2017 was a global energy and sustainability sourcing and supply manager at Apple, which has an expansive sustainability strategy. Earlier, she held key energy and climate posts at the U.S. Department of State and The White House. At Divcon, she will lead "strategic initiatives focused on integrating sustainable practices across all areas of the business, including a focus on partnering with Divcon’s customers," the company said.

4. Executive Perspectives: In a prepared statement, Divcon CEO Kevin Timmons said: “We are thrilled to have Molly’s passion and experience on our team. Her skills in the sustainability space, including strategy, building internal and external partnerships, operations, developing programs, and leading collaboration and coordination across teams, will be instrumental in continuing our leadership in designing increasingly efficient solutions for the mission critical sector.”

Timmons joined Divcon Controls as CEO in April 2024. He previously was CTO at CyrusOne, a global data center developer and operator.

Added Ward: “Data center operators are focused on improving efficiency and more sustainable practices, and Divcon plays a pivotal role in their efforts. I am excited about partnering with our customers and our team to develop innovative solutions to address industry challenges and minimize our environmental impact.”

Chief Sustainability Officers: Why Technology Partners Should Care

By 2027, 25% of Global 2000 companies will have assigned a chief sustainability officer (CSO) responsible for meeting their organization’s ESG goals and making ESG-related IT purchasing decisions, according to IDC.

The bottom line: Technology partners need to extend their sales, marketing, engagement and support strategies to successfully fulfill those CSO customer needs, Sustainable Tech Partner believes.