Originally posted on Authority Magazine

An Interview With Chad Silverstein

Build a Knowledgeable Team

Assemble a team that understands the market and knows how to address it. At Quantum Loophole, we brought together experts who could see the long-term potential of our Ecoscale approach. Our team’s deep understanding of both the data center industry and renewable energy integration was crucial in developing and executing our strategy. This alignment of expertise has been key to our success.

In today’s competitive business landscape, the race for profits often takes center stage. However, there are some leaders who also prioritize a mission-driven purpose. They use their business to make a positive social impact and recognize that success isn’t only about making money. In this interview series, we are talking with some of these distinct leaders and I had the pleasure of interviewing Rich Paul-Hus.

Rich is Senior Vice President at Quantum Loophole, overseeing sales, public relations, and lobbying efforts. Previously, he was the CEO of HUSdigital LLC, where he focused on strategy, business development, and growth initiatives. Rich has extensive experience from his roles at Whoop Wireless and Hypower, and he is dedicated to fostering corporate culture and attracting world-class talent in the digital ad space.

Thank you so much for doing this with us! Our readers would love to get to know you a bit better. Can you tell us your “Origin Story”? Can you tell us the story of how you grew up?

“I am the son of immigrants from Canada. My parents, who only spoke French, moved our family from Montreal to the US in the early 70s due to the weak economy there. My dad, a union electrician, initially sought work in Rochester, New York, and then on the East Shore of Long Island, but had no success. Eventually, we moved to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where he still struggled to find union work and was forced to become an entrepreneur.

One day, he left the union hall with his tool belt and pickup truck, going door-to-door to offer his services. Despite knowing little English, he managed to build a thriving business. Within ten years, he had 450 employees and became one of the largest electrical contractors in the southeastern United States. I grew up immersed in this entrepreneurial environment.

After school and during summers, I would help in the family business, doing tasks like cutting grass, sweeping floors, counting paychecks, and running tools to job sites. After completing my education, I joined the company full-time, and in 2000, we bought my dad out and significantly scaled the business.

In 1998, I took on a new challenge when the governor of Florida, for whom I had volunteered, wanted to diversify the state’s economy. I suggested building the fifth Tier 1 network access point in the United States, located in Miami, to bridge the digital gap between the US and Latin America. He asked me to lead the project, and over two years, I coordinated a consortium of 43 major telecom companies, resulting in the creation of the NAP of the Americas. This project connected me with key industry figures and marked my entry into the tech space.”

Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you began leading your company or organization?

“One of the most interesting experiences I had as a leader was during our efforts to pass the critical digital infrastructure bill in Maryland. For three months, we faced strong opposition from a group in the legislature. Then, on Earth Day at the University of Maryland, I had a pivotal conversation with an individual who had originally fought against our project.

During a 20-minute conversation, I explained the concept of Ecoscale to them. By the end of our discussion, they realized we weren’t the enemy but rather a path to achieving a brighter future for Maryland. This realization was a turning point, showcasing the power and potential of our work in developing data centers better. That day at the University of Maryland marked a significant shift in our journey.”

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