Greater Kansas City Chapter

Andrea Korte Jones Bio

Director of Digital Origination | Diode Ventures

Andrea Jones leads the Diode Ventures digital origination efforts. Andrea has been working in the architecture, engineering, construction, and real estate industry for 18 years. Andrea is the President of the Greater Kansas City Chapter of AFCOM, Board Member of the Kansas City Tech Council and WiMCO (Women in Mission Critical Operations), and an active member of 7x24 Exchange and SunPartners.

Prior to joining Diode, she was the Mission Critical Client Solutions Lead for JE Dunn Construction. She was critical in the development of national data center partnerships, and she oversaw the mission critical market relationships with individuals across the country both from an internal and external perspective. Andrea has a Bachelor of Art in Communication Studies from the University of Kansas.

Greg Edmonds Bio

Senior Electrical Engineer - Mission Critical | Burns & McDonnell

Graduated from Kansas State University with a degree in Architectural Engineering, emphasis in Mechanical. Changed to Electrical discipline in 1993 with overlap into Telecommunications Systems design, both inside and outside plant. Acquired RCDD certification in 2000. Worked in the Mission Critical sector since 1996 designing, building, and commissioning both greenfield and brownfield data centers with project sizes ranging from small computer rooms and IDF’s to large hyperscale facilities exceeding 100 MW. Some things I enjoy outside of work are running, biking, Chiefs & Royals games, K-State games, volleyball, skiing, reading (when I have time), and some, not all, home construction projects.

Kadee Weir Bio

Outside Sales Rep | Wesco

I am an Outside Sales Rep for Wesco and have been with the company for almost 4 years with a focus on Demand Creation, as well as working with our channel partners in the Kansas City market. I began my career in Telecommunications and have worked in staffing as an recruiter. I have loved learning about this industry and the opportunities it has given me. In addition to joining AFCOM as Secretary, I am also a member of Women in Mission Critical Operations (WiMCO) Midwest Chapter where I work along with some amazing women. I have a Bachelor’s Degree from Kansas State University and love cheering on the Wildcats! When I’m not at work I spend most of my time with my husband and our 2 girls. I enjoy being on the sidelines cheering my daughters on while they play soccer and volleyball.

Joseph Alvarez Bio

Director of Mission Critical | GBA Builders, LLC

Started professional career with four years of serving this GREAT country in the United States Navy. Followed by three years in working in various construction roles for Missouri Contracting. Received Associates in Applied Science (Electrical Applications) from Vatterott College. While attending Vatterott started a 20+ career at DST Systems starting on the Engineering night shift working to a Systems Officer learning and navigating how to operate Data Center, Mission Critical and all the ancillary pieces that are involved in a Enterprise Mission Critical operation. Worked at InSite Group and learned more about the engineering disciplines with regards to the Mission Critical Arena. Currently working with GBA Builders as the Director of Mission Critical. Building a talented team and maintaining and increasing our clients and their satisfaction.

Have been a member of the Uptime Institute with DST and was a Group III representative. Involved with Midwest Chapter of the 7x24 Exchange for 20+ years and currently serving as the Director of chapter. Currently serve as the Treasurer of the Greater Kansas City AFCOM and have been involved for many years.

First and foremost a proud Father of two talented sons. Love to ride motorcycles and listen to any kind of live music. Most say if I could get out my shy bubble and quit taking myself so seriously, that I would become a better asset in life.

Karl Tyler Bio

Assistant Vice President - Operations Manager- Enterprise Infrastructure Management | U.S. Bank

Willy Simmons Bio

President and CEO | SmartDog IT

Willy Simmons currently resides in Overland Park, Kansas and brings over 20 years of IT and technology experience. He obtained a degree in Organizational Communications from the University of Kansas in 1991 and shortly after began his career in Telecommunications. His extensive experience with MCI, Level 3, CenturyLink and MDL Technology has given him insight into some of the biggest challenges that companies face today and how technology can be leveraged to help them reach their IT Goals and Objectives. He is currently President and CEO of Smart Dog IT and helps design solutions to help building owners and property managers leverage Smart Building Technology to make buildings more intelligent, connected and integrated with the many systems inside the building.

Willy enjoys sharing his time and expertise with several non-for-profit organizations. He has participated in numerous philanthropies including Share the Blessing and COR Furnishings and is currently involved with Operation BBQ Relief helping provide meals to displaced families and first responders working onsite after natural disasters.

Mike Ebner Bio

Mike Ebner
Director of Education

Director of Sales and Business Development | Innovative Technology Solutions
Mike currently serves as Scholarship and Education Director for the Greater Kansas City Chapter of AFCOM. Mike has over 20 years of experience working in the industry and is responsible for mission critical power, cooling, and monitoring software solutions across all company geographies. He has supported end user customers and channel partners across a wide variety of vertical markets, and enjoys working to provide creative solutions to meet the objectives and budgets of complex projects. He is passionate about his family, the people he works with, and the purpose of driving opportunity for others in the mission critical industry.

Erica Froelich Bio

Client Solutions Manager - Mission Critical, JE Dunn