Business Unit Leader of Advanced Technology
Evans General Contractors
As Business Unit Leader of Advanced Technology, Corey is responsible for leading all mission-critical and advanced technology initiatives for Evans General Contractors. Corey is a graduate of the McWhorter School of Building Science at Auburn University and has been in the advanced technology general contracting business for over 16 years. Corey has led large colocation and hyperscale data center programs nationally for some of the largest technology clients in the world. He has also built advanced tech workspace and innovation and design centers, such as Apple Park in California.
What new apps would be a game-changer in the next five (5) years?
Construction technology and application that brings collaboration between the large ecosystem of people and companies together for a more seamless workflow are important to our industry. Construction is an imperfect process with a lot of moving parts and getting information in the hands of the builders and solving challenges remotely continues to be a challenge of our time. Apps that encourage and train people in any construction craft are going to be key to the growth of the AI generation.
If one thing should be redeveloped within the telecom and related industries, what should it be?
For telecom and data centers, generation of power will be the story of our next decade. I believe that we will see the emergence of a self-generation of power through on–site microgrids and data centers becoming a more friendly part of the overall infrastructure ecosystem.
Is it important for companies to continue to innovate their organization or offerings, and why?
Our industry has the greatest ability to solve the skilled labor crisis, which is the biggest threat to economic growth. By simplifying tasks and automating with AI, we will create jobs and free up resources to build new infrastructure and industries.
What value does PTC hold for you/your company?
As a global builder of infrastructure, PTC offers us insight into where our clients are headed with infrastructure design and demand. PTC has great events that are attended by many end users of technology infrastructure.
What advice would you share with current and future graduates interested in this field?
Our industry is reshaping how global digital infrastructure works. Additionally, AI/Machine Learning technology will reshape how the next several generations interact, work, and collaborate with each other. There has never been a better time to be in this industry!
What industry mogul or up-and-coming leader have you followed or are currently pursuing, and why?
I’ve had the pleasure of building multiple high-profile buildings for Apple. During my career, I met Tim Cook and several other Apple executives. Their desire to create products and buildings that redefine thousands of years of conventional design is inspiring.
About Evans General Contractors
As a national/international design-build, general contracting, and construction management firm, Evans provides cost-effective solutions and comprehensive project development to clients across a broad spectrum of markets. Whether the requirement is for cold storage, a state-of-the-art distribution center, a high-performance additive manufacturing plant, mission-critical data center, or an ISO-level cleanroom, we create solutions and provide turn-key facilities to some of the best minds and companies in their industries.