April 23, 2026
Rutgers University
AIA New Jersey President Elect Bharath Ramamoorthy, AIA, attended the ACE NJ Spring 2026 Data Center Panel & Cocktail Reception on April 23rd. Hosted at Rutgers University, the event supported the ACE Mentor Program of New Jersey. The gathering brought together a multi-generational cohort of the AEC community, including ACE volunteers, mentors, and even a former ACE student from the class of 2000. Major design firms in attendance included AECOM, Gensler, STV, WareMalcomb, and Margulies Hoelzli, among others, alongside numerous industry partners.
The panel provided a lively and educational deep dive into the infrastructure demands of the digital age:
* **Cristina Martinez** (Business Development Director, Margulies Hoelzli) served as the moderator for the evening’s discussion.
* **David Schulz, AIA** (VP, Planning, Development, and Design at Rutgers) opened the session with a brief history of data center evolution at the University.
* **Michael Melton and Robert McMaster** (CrystaTech Park) discussed the intense pace of design, noting that requirements often shift radically between the planning and final design phases. They also explored the necessity of alternative cooling sources.
* **Alexander Pacheco** (Associate CIO, NJIT) spoke on the technical side of optimizing current data centers to accommodate the explosive growth in chip technology and high-performance computing.
* **Rafael Wilches** (Director, Transmission Development & Technical Support, PSEG) addressed the critical need for increased grid capacity and highlighted the growing competition from neighboring states as New Jersey utility rates increase.
* **Doug MacDonald** (Manager, Technology Innovation Partnerships, NJEDA) concluded with a focus on state-level incentives designed to attract and retain tech companies within New Jersey.