JLL executive taps Navy veterans to staff data center boom
Matt Landek, global president of data centers and critical environments at JLL, is recruiting military veterans for one of real estate's fastest-growing sectors. The Chicago-based executive said the firm cannot find enough qualified staff to keep pace with tech companies' spending on data center construction and operations.
Landek rose from account executive at JLL in 2012 to lead the division 18 months ago. He now oversees more than 2,000 employees across 340 facilities and projects worldwide.
Navy nukes fill critical roles
Landek targets so-called "Navy nukes" - sailors and officers trained to operate nuclear reactors powering aircraft carriers and submarines. Their expertise in managing critical infrastructure translates directly to data center work.
"We can't get our hands on enough Navy nukes," Landek said. "There's a long history of trying to find appropriate roles for veterans as they return, and data centers have been a great home for them."
He recently hired Brandon Keesee, a former Apple data center operations leader, and promoted Michael Martin to managing director of national data center operations. Both are Navy veterans.
West Texas projects create high-paying jobs
Data center projects in West Texas are transforming local economies. Abilene and El Paso host one of the world's largest emerging data center clusters, with projects from OpenAI, Oracle, SoftBank's Stargate, Crusoe Energy, and Vantage Data Centers.
Landek said workers who previously earned minimum wage now make six-figure salaries. One multiyear project alone created 5,000 construction jobs.
"For me, it's life changing as an employer," he said.
Sector growth outpaces construction capacity
McKinsey estimates companies will spend nearly $7 trillion on data centers supporting artificial intelligence networks by 2030, with over 40% invested in the United States.
When Landek started in the sector 15 years ago, data centers were "more of an afterthought" for large real estate firms. The AI boom has changed that calculation. Top executives at real estate companies now see multibillion-dollar opportunities in brokering land deals and managing hyperscale facilities.
JLL doesn't disclose data center revenue separately, but the firm's real estate management services generated $20 billion in 2025, up 11% annually. Landek said the data center division is "growing exponentially."
Background in critical infrastructure
Landek began his career in 2006 at Cook County, managing facilities including corrections facilities, courthouses, hospitals, and government buildings. He maintained the computer system tracking building and maintenance work orders.
That experience managing government buildings, laboratories, banks, and other critical facilities taught him how even brief losses of power, cooling, or networks can disable an organization. JLL hired him in 2012 to lead facilities and project management.
He became managing director for data center work dynamics in 2021, helping clients optimize existing facilities and prepare for future needs. Three years later, he was promoted to global president.
Commissioning ensures zero downtime
Among Landek's key responsibilities is commissioning data centers - a rigorous process testing all mechanical, electrical, security, and backup systems before facilities go live.
"Our clients trust us with their most critical assets," he said. "We keep their operations running."
His clients include AT&T, Microsoft, the London Stock Exchange, Prudential, UnitedHealth Group, U.S. Bank, and Verizon.
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