“After seeing Aligned’s data center platform and hearing directly from customers about their client-centric experience, I was eager to join. Aligned is laser-focused on delivering dynamic solutions, with industry-leading technology, to their clients.”
Andrew Schaap
Andrew is a data center, IT, private equity and real estate executive with over 25 years of complex transactional experience and multi-disciplinary senior leadership. As CEO of Aligned, Andrew is focused on accelerating business growth by delivering data center solutions through industry-leading technology and adaptive infrastructure. During his tenure, he has propelled Aligned to an impressive 65x growth, successfully led the company’s first international acquisition (ODATA) and strategic investment (QScale), and several historic capital raises. He has also cultivated an ecosystem of innovation, reinforcing Aligned’s commitment to reducing the digital era’s social, economic, and environmental impact, and positioning the company as one of the top-performing private data center companies in the Americas.
Prior to joining Aligned, Andrew held numerous leadership positions over an 11-year period with Digital Realty Trust (NYSE: DLR). Most recently serving as Senior Vice President, he was responsible for global large-scale, client-driven data center builds and was part of the executive leadership team that grew revenue to $2 billion. He also oversaw all major international transactions, including the successful negotiation and execution of projects in Osaka, Singapore, Hong Kong and Sydney. Prior to Digital Realty Trust, Andrew held leadership roles at Sterling Network Services and Sysix Technologies.
Andrew is the Founder and Board Member of DC Delta, an advisory council comprised of global data center end-users and innovators, connectivity providers and sustainability thought leaders focused on improving data center efficiency and sustainability. He is also a Board Member of Aligned Data Centers and sits on the Advisory Council of SMU Lyle School of Engineering, where he was instrumental in launching the world’s first Master of Science in Datacenter Systems Engineering. Additionally, Andrew serves as a mentor for Great Minds in STEM, an association dedicated to keeping America technologically strong by promoting Science, Technology, Engineering and Math careers, especially in underserved communities.
He holds a B.A. in Business Administration and Marketing from Cornerstone University, in addition to completing graduate programs in Executive Negotiations and Management Training at Harvard University.
