About Cortex Construct
We built Cortex Construct because the data center industry deserves a staffing partner that understands its unique demands. General staffing firms treat data centers like any other construction vertical. We know better.
Our Mission
Cortex Construct exists to solve the construction labor challenge for the data center industry. We provide the skilled tradespeople that build the digital infrastructure powering the modern economy.
The data center construction boom has created an unprecedented demand for skilled labor — demand that general staffing agencies are not equipped to meet. Data centers require electricians who understand medium voltage power distribution, pipefitters who can install precision cooling systems, and ironworkers who know the difference between structural steel and server racking. That specialization is what we deliver.
Every worker we place has been vetted for data center construction experience, verified for certifications and safety training, and prepared for the quality standards that mission-critical construction demands. We are not a general staffing firm that happens to do data centers. We are a data center staffing firm. Period.
Our Values
Safety Above All
Every worker goes home safe every day. Our 0.82 EMR reflects a genuine commitment to safety, not just a policy on paper.
Quality Is Reliability
In mission-critical construction, installation quality directly impacts facility reliability. We select workers who understand this.
Speed With Standards
Fast deployment does not mean cutting corners. We maintain a ready bench so we can move quickly without sacrificing quality.
Industry Expertise
We invest in understanding data center construction at a technical level, so we can match the right workers to the right projects.
Partnership Over Transactions
We build long-term relationships with our clients, not transactional staffing arrangements. Your success is our success.
Leadership Team
Our leadership brings decades of combined experience in construction, staffing, and the data center industry.
Michael Torres
Chief Executive Officer
25+ years in construction staffing, 10 years focused on data center and mission-critical projects. Former VP at a national staffing firm.
Sarah Chen
VP of Operations
15 years in construction workforce management. Led staffing operations for multiple hyperscale campus builds exceeding 200MW.
James Walker
VP of Business Development
20 years in commercial construction as a project executive. Direct experience managing data center builds for top-tier GCs.
David Okafor
Director of Safety
Former OSHA compliance officer. 18 years in construction safety management. CHST certified.
Maria Rodriguez
Director of Recruiting
12 years recruiting skilled tradespeople for mission-critical construction. Deep network across all major data center markets.
Advisory Board
Robert Heinz
Advisory Board
Retired VP of Construction, major colocation operator. 30 years in mission-critical facility construction.
Patricia Nguyen
Advisory Board
Former President, regional chapter of Associated Builders and Contractors. 25 years in construction workforce development.
William Barrett
Advisory Board
Former Managing Director, national EPC firm. Led data center construction programs exceeding $2B in value.
Our Growth
Founded in Reston, Virginia with a focus on the Northern Virginia data center market
First major deployment: 85 electricians to a hyperscale campus in Loudoun County
Expanded to Dallas-Fort Worth and Phoenix markets
Surpassed 1,000 total workers placed
Added Columbus, Atlanta, and Chicago markets
Reached 2,500+ workers placed across 14 markets
Launched project-based workforce solutions for hyperscale programs