SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 11, 2015 /PRNewswire/ --Digital Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE: DLR), a leading global provider of data center and colocation solutions, announced today the appointments of Chris Sharp as Chief Technology Officer and Philip Lin as Senior Vice President, Strategy. Mr. Sharp will be responsible for leading technology innovation and expanding the company's service portfolio to support key industry trends. In the newly-created position of Senior Vice President, Strategy, Mr. Lin will be responsible for overseeing Digital Realty's global market strategic roadmap. Both appointments are effective immediately, and both will report directly to Chief Operating Officer Jarrett Appleby.

Mr. Sharp has over 20 years of experience in the technology industry, with an extensive background in developing technology strategies in global markets. He has a deep knowledge of the data center sector and is well positioned to expand technical innovation at Digital Realty. Most recently, he was responsible for cloud innovation at Equinix, where he led the development of innovative cloud services solutions and developed new capabilities enabling next-generation, high-performance exchange and interconnection solutions, facilitating broad commercial adoption of cloud computing on a global basis. Previously, Mr. Sharp held leadership positions at top network and colocation providers, including Qwest Communications, MCI/Verizon Business and Reliance Globalcom.

Mr. Lin is a seasoned technology executive with decades of experience developing and leading strategic initiatives for various U.S. and China-based technology companies. He comes to Digital Realty after serving as Executive Vice President of Strategy and Development at 21 Vianet, a leading carrier-neutral internet data center services provider in China. Mr. Lin will play a key role in overseeing the company's integration efforts and ensuring the company's strategic priorities and long-term product development are aligned.

"We are excited to welcome Chris and Philip to the Digital Realty team," commented A. William Stein, Chief Executive Officer. "Chris brings a unique blend of strategic, technical and business experience to Digital Realty's executive team. His guidance will be instrumental as we leverage Telx's cloud and networking ecosystem capabilities across the robust cloud compute-engine presence within our global data center campus footprint. Digital Realty remains laser-focused on improving the return on invested capital across our global portfolio, and Philip will help to ensure we remain on target by driving a multi-year strategic plan. In addition to their technical expertise, both of these seasoned professionals bring a deep understanding of our customers and strategic channel partners."

Mr. Sharp stated, "Digital Realty is an outstanding global company and I am thrilled to join the team. It's an important and exciting time in the company's history, with customers increasingly demanding comprehensive and flexible data center solutions, and I look forward to playing a key role as we work to meet and exceed these demands."

Mr. Lin said, "I look forward to joining Digital Realty and leading strategy for the company as it continues to build out its technology offerings and strengthen relationships with strategic channel partners. Following several years of experience in Asia-Pac, I am particularly excited to help Digital Realty pursue the growing global data center opportunity set."

In connection with these appointments, Digital Realty also announced that Jim Smith, the company's previous Chief Technology Officer, and David Schirmacher, formerly Senior Vice President, Design & Construction, have stepped down from these roles at the company.

Daniel Lane, who has served in various capacities with the company since 2005, most recently as Vice President, Property Operations, has been appointed to lead Portfolio Operations, a position most recently held by Mr. Smith. Prior to joining Digital Realty, Mr. Lane managed data center and telecom portfolios for CB Richard Ellis and CoreSite (formerly CRG West).

Mr. Stein added, "On behalf of the entire Digital Realty team, I would like to thank Jim and David for their years of service. From 2004 through 2014, Jim and his team delivered more than 300 megawatts of data center projects, totaling over $4 billion of capital investment, and contributing significantly to the world-class global platform we are able to provide our customers today. Similarly, David led our Portfolio Operations team from 2012 through 2014, prior to assuming responsibility for Design & Construction. He was also responsible for the development of EnVision, our Data Center Infrastructure Management offering. We thank them both for their many contributions, and we wish them all the best in their future endeavors."

For Additional Information:

Media Inquiries
John Christiansen / Lindsay Andrews
Sard Verbinnen & Co
(415) 618-8750

Investor Relations
John J. Stewart
Senior Vice President
Investor Relations
Digital Realty Trust, Inc.
(415) 738-6500

About Digital Realty

Digital Realty Trust, Inc. supports the data center and colocation strategies of more than 600 firms across its secure, network-rich portfolio of data centers located throughout North America, Europe, Asia and Australia. Digital Realty's clients include domestic and international companies of all sizes, ranging from financial services, cloud and information technology services, to manufacturing, energy, gaming, life sciences and consumer products. For more information about data center solutions from Digital Realty, visit www.digitalrealty.com.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements which are based on current expectations, forecasts and assumptions that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially, including statements related to our management changes, strategies, plans and organization. These risks and uncertainties include, among others, the following: the impact of current global economic, credit and market conditions; current local economic conditions in our metropolitan areas; decreases in information technology spending, including as a result of economic slowdowns or recession; adverse economic or real estate developments in our industry or the industry sectors that we sell to (including risks relating to decreasing real estate valuations and impairment charges); our dependence upon significant tenants; bankruptcy or insolvency of a major tenant or a significant number of smaller tenants; defaults on or non-renewal of leases by tenants; our failure to obtain necessary debt and equity financing; risks associated with using debt to fund our business activities, including re-financing and interest rate risks, our failure to repay debt when due, adverse changes in our credit ratings or our breach of covenants or other terms contained in our loan facilities and agreements; financial market fluctuations; changes in foreign currency exchange rates; our inability to manage our growth effectively; difficulty acquiring or operating properties in foreign jurisdictions; our failure to successfully integrate and operate acquired or developed properties or businesses; the suitability of our properties and data center infrastructure, delays or disruptions in connectivity, failure of our physical infrastructure or services or availability of power; risks related to joint venture investments, including as a result of our lack of control of such investments; delays or unexpected costs in development of properties; decreased rental rates, increased operating costs or increased vacancy rates; increased competition or available supply of data center space; our inability to successfully develop and lease new properties and development space; difficulties in identifying properties to acquire and completing acquisitions; our inability to acquire off-market properties; our inability to comply with the rules and regulations applicable to reporting companies; our failure to maintain our status as a REIT; possible adverse changes to tax laws; restrictions on our ability to engage in certain business activities; environmental uncertainties and risks related to natural disasters; losses in excess of our insurance coverage; changes in foreign laws and regulations, including those related to taxation and real estate ownership and operation; and changes in local, state and federal regulatory requirements, including changes in real estate and zoning laws and increases in real property tax rates. For a further list and description of such risks and uncertainties, see the reports and other filings by the company with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2015 and June 30, 2015. The company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

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SOURCE Digital Realty Trust, Inc.

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