Update - here is a reference to Mike Manos's post saying Adieu to Olivier

I just received the bad news that Olivier Sanche passed away on Thanksgiving Day. What first comes to mind is Olivier’s great family who I have had the pleasure of meeting many times.

His daughter Emilie is the same age as my daughter (both born in Sept 2001) and was Olivier’s inspiration to green the data center. I met Emilie 2 years ago and posted on her influence on Olivier’s environmental passion.

Leaving the conference, I ran into Olivier Sanche who I had blogged about at the Google data center event. We were chatting and he was short on time as he needed to meet his family. Olivier asked if I wanted to meet his daughter, Emilie Sanche. Why would Olivier want me to meet his daughter? Because I was the one who helped tell the story of how Olivier’s daughter was worried about global warming and the polar bears were going to drown.

A fond memory is also when Charles Kalko and I went over to Olivier’s house with his family for beer and pizza after his last day at eBay to celebrate his new beginning at Apple.

Apple didn’t know how important a data center person they hired until I blogged about his transition.

Apple Recruits eBay Data Center Executive Olivier Sanche, Can Apple Change Data Centers the way they changed cell phone and media players?

I have been lucky to meet eBay’s Sr. Director, Data Center Services & Strategy, Olivier Sanche at a variety of data center events and discuss many different green data center ideas. Last week, Olivier joined me as a panel member at Data Center Dynamics Seattle to discuss Carbon Reporting: Risk or Opportunity. Olivier took a position different than many that carbon reduction is a must, and should not be compromised.

This is a sad day as Olivier was first on my list today to reach out as I fly to SJ tomorrow. To hear before I even start an e-mail that Olivier passed away on Thanksgiving brings an end to one of the best data center friendships I have made.

Olivier loved being at Apple as he could do things he could get done no where else. He had vision, passion, and drive to do the right thing, especially for the environment. One of the sadder parts is Olivier couldn’t talk about what he was doing at Apple, but we had many other data center things we could talk about without touching on any Apple topics.

My trips to SJ are going to be one of my saddest trips for a long time as I know I can no longer visit my dear friend Olivier. But what is even sadder is thinking of Emilie no longer having her awesome Dad.

At the Uptime Institute, Thomas L. Friedman presented his ideas from his latest book “Hot, Flat, and Crowded – why we need a green revolution – and how it can renew America .” it was impressive to have Friedman speak. Curious I decided to look up what Friedman’s speaking fees are.

Friedman has built a comfortable life, even leaving aside his wife’s family fortune. His speaking fee recently passed $50,000; with his Times salary, syndication rights, and royalties from his bestselling books, his annual income easily reaches seven figures.

Listening to Friedman’s talk was in some ways depressing, trying to inspire people to take action to do the right thing for the environment.

Here is a video you can view to give you an idea on what Friedman presented.

Leaving the conference, I ran into Olivier Sanche who I had blogged about at the Google data center event. We were chatting and he was short on time as he needed to meet his family. Olivier asked if I wanted to meet his daughter, Emilie Sanche. Why would Olivier want me to meet his daughter? Because I was the one who helped tell the story of how Olivier’s daughter was worried about global warming and the polar bears were going to drown.

One of the questions for the panel members was on subject of green and sustainability.

Ken Brill gave a practical view of show me the money. Green is overhyped and a clear ROI needs to be established for projects.

Olivier Sanche starts by telling the story of his child telling him how the polar bears are drowning, then he thinks he is potentially building a data center that will have a bigger impact to global warming than any other action he has as an individual. Olivier tells his team we need to do the right thing, and how we impact the environment is part of the equation.

I have 7 year old daughter as well, and quite frankly thinking about my children’s future is a big inspiration to do the right thing.

I had great conversations with Google and Microsoft engineers who get the whole idea of taking risks to be environmentally sensitive in data center design and operation. Financially all the ideas may not pay out, but taking risks to be innovative in sustainability is worth it in the long run.

So at the end of the day was I more inspired by a Pulitzer winning author or a 7 year old who is proud of her dad’s efforts?

Emilie it was a pleasure to meet you, and keep on prodding your dad to do the right thing.