2026 Speakers

Ernest Popescu is the CEO and founder of metrobloks, a data center company built on the vision of creating the customer-centric infrastructure he wished existed during his time as a customer. With a relentless focus on reliability, efficiency, sustainability, and earning customer trust, Ernest leads a passionate team of industry experts to redefine the data center model. Before founding metrobloks, Ernest held leadership roles at AWS, Meta, and Iron Mountain Data Centers, where he gained extensive experience in global data center development, capacity planning, and procurement. At AWS, he managed the Americas data center development team, overseeing the acquisition and development of over 10GW of capacity. At Meta, he scaled AI/ML infrastructure demand globally, introducing innovative third-party programs. At Iron Mountain, he developed a pipeline of over 2GW across the US and Europe, closing key deals in Madrid and Miami. Ernest is recognized as an industry expert, frequently contributing to podcasts and articles. He holds a Mechanical Engineering degree from McGill University and began his career in automotive and aerospace supply chain management. Fluent in Romanian, French, and English, Ernest splits his time between Seattle and Montreal with his wife and four children.

Presenting:

• Investor Briefing Panel | Not in My Backyard: Diffusing Tensions and Accelerating Approvals 
• Public Policy Forum: Data Center Doubts: How the Industry’s Addressing Growing Community Concerns