John Peterson, PE, CEM, has joined DLR Group as the firm’s mission critical leader. He will lead integrated teams to design and deliver mission critical facilities for clients throughout the country. Peterson, who works from DLR Group’s Washington D.C. office, is a licensed mechanical engineer with two decades of experience in the data center industry in detailed design, project management, and construction management.

“Mission critical is one of the fastest growing project types in the United States, and John adds a great depth of proven expertise in this technical sector to support our ever-expanding portfolio of work,” said DLR Group Principal Rodney Oathout, PE, CEM, LEED AP, global energy services leader. “He is a highly respected expert within the industry, presenting at national conferences and authoring numerous articles in industry publications, such as the ASHRAE Journal, 7×24 Exchange magazine, and Mission Critical magazine.”

Peterson is also actively involved in the industry as a member of the ASHRAE Technical Committee 9.9 focused on mission critical facilities, technology spaces, and electronic equipment.

“Data centers are one of the most energy intensive building types, consuming five to six percent of the total U.S. electricity. Every data center update, or new design, is an opportunity to push for the latest in technologies and design to maximize efficiency while still providing scalable, flexible, maintainable, best-value facilities,” said Peterson.

In addition to the mission critical/data center facilities, DLR Group offers expertise in building optimization, SMART Building Technology, commissioning, and renewable energy system design within the firm’s integrated design organization of architecture, engineering, planning, and interiors services.  Recent mission critical and energy projects include the EdgeCore Mesa Data Center Campus in Mesa, Arizona, the American Airlines Arena Solar Canopy in Miami, and the Mandalay Bay Solar Array in Las Vegas.