365 Data Centers Co-Founder and CEO Bob DeSantis to Retire

365 Data Centers (“365”), a provider of network-centric colocation, network, cloud and other managed services, announces that Co-Founder and CEO Bob DeSantis has notified the Company of his planned retirement and, as of October 1, 2025, has initiated the transition of his CEO responsibilities to the Company’s CRO, Derek Gillespie and to the Company’s long-time CFO, Steve Amelio, who has been promoted to the position of president & CFO. DeSantis will remain an employee of the company on a part time basis through the end of the year to oversee strategic initiatives that are in progress and ensure a seamless transition of his CEO responsibilities. Beginning January 1, 2026, DeSantis will continue as Co-Founder and Board Member.

“After 48 years in financial, legal, operations, strategic, M&A, and leadership roles in the communications, energy, network equipment, cloud, and infrastructure-as-a-service sectors, with the last 15 years dedicated to building two data center businesses, it is the right time for me to transition from the significant time commitment of a CEO in a 24/7 industry to that of an experienced Board member. This is a well-planned succession with a natural handoff to Derek, who will lead the business as CEO and CRO, and Steve, who will take on major operational responsibilities as president and CFO. Derek and Steve are highly capable professionals and more than ready to lead the Company forward. I have had the great privilege of building 365 with my very talented and dedicated equity partners, fellow 365 management team and employees, and outside service providers. I look forward to focusing on a balance of family time, personal pursuits, 365 Board and strategic matters, and other select affiliations,” said DeSantis.

DeSantis’ leadership at 365 completely transformed the Company. Since 2017, the business grew from 8 stand-alone colocation facilities to 20 network interconnected data centers, 9MW to 80MW of capacity, 40 to 180 employees, 150 to over 1,200 customers, and added 80 additional network points-of-presence, over 700 peering partners, 4 cloud regions, and a suite of network, cloud, and other managed service offerings.

“We appreciate Bob’s leadership and extended time commitment as CEO since our investment and partnership which began in 2020. Bob has built a strong management team, and we are very pleased to support Derek and Steve as we continue to drive 365’s success,” said Lance Hirt, managing partner, Stonecourt Capital. 

“Having partnered with Bob since the inception of 365, I’ve had a front-row seat to the spectacular growth of 365 Data Centers. Bob is one of the best acquirors, integrators, and operators I’ve worked with, and we look forward to his continued involvement as a board member,” said Matt Kim, founder and managing partner, Lumerity Capital.