Former digital realty trust exec Chris Crosby launched Compass Datacenters in 2011, aiming to leverage his tech and real estate expertise. Today, the company designs and constructs data centers for some of the world’s largest hyperscalers and cloud providers. It was named one of the fastest-growing businesses for 2023 by Inc. magazine, and in recent months completed a $5.7 billion recapitalization. Crosby says Compass has grown 100 times over during the past five years. It’s currently at work on two data centers in Red Oak totaling 500,000 square feet; they’re expected to be delivered in 2025. Compass is also redeveloping Sears’ former headquarters in Chicago into a five-building, $10 billion data center mega campus. Crosby has served as vice chair of SMU’s masters of data center systems engineering program since 2014.
Education
The University of Texas at Austin (BS)
Birthplace
Norwalk, Connecticut
Destinations of Choice
“Las Vegas, Monterrey Peninsula, Bandon Dunes, and Portofino”
Pivotal Moment
“When 9/11 happened, I found myself just a few months away from not being able to pay a mortgage. I poured into what I knew best—telecom and technology—and found my way into technology real estate. That drive to draw upon my past experiences to parlay into a new frontier led me into the world of data centers at the advent of the industry.”
I Collect
“I was a big baseball card collector as a kid. Nowadays, it seems I just aggregate places where I can play more golf.”
Key Strategies
“Humility, tenacity, curiosity, and a commitment to improvement”
Best Advice
“Understand that humility is the biggest key to success. The humility that I refer to stems not from thinking less of yourself but thinking of yourself less. The ability and discipline to look at things from others’ perspectives before applying my lens has had the greatest impact.”
Must-Read
“I think everyone should read Good to Great by Jim Collins.”
Karaoke Song
“‘Regulate’ by Warren G and Nate Dogg”
Childhood Dream
“I always wanted to play professional sports. I’d always sign my name with the number 10 by it.”
Industry Change
“We need better coordination as an industry to tell our story. We are the infrastructure for the modern world—the last utility. People don’t understand the significance and importance of the places that house the internet and touch their lives every day, every moment.”
Spirit Animal
“A bull elephant; it has a presence even when it doesn’t mean to have one.”
Food I Hate
“Bouillabaisse”
Local Fare
“I love Drake’s on Lovers and usually order the A5 Strip. It’s the best in town.”
Future Forecast
“Compass is on a rocket ship. It is so much fun to work with my team to manage a company within this velocity. The challenges we face are all associated with growth. That’s a positive place to be. My favorite phrase is, ‘I can’t wait for six months from now.’ The incremental improvements we make lead to huge marginal gains.”
