Neocloud Fluidstack poached Google’s long-serving data center networking supply chain manager.
Josh Boxer had been at the hyperscaler for more than a decade, but has taken a role as the cloud disruptor’s networking sourcing manager.
Boxer confirmed the departure via LinkedIn, noting his decade-plus at Google has “prepared” him for the next chapter, adding: “I couldn’t be more excited to leverage that foundation as we build high-performance AI infrastructure at the speed of light.”
Boxer joined Google in 2015 as a program manager for data center deployments, including leading development of automated scheduling software forecasting labor and fiber resources for new builds.
Boxer joined a hyperscaler investing heavily in networking amid ongoing AI infrastructure buildout. Google's recent fabric innovations like Virgo for scale-out networking and the Jupiter architecture feed into its global WAN backbone.
On the supply side, Google struck a $1 billion-plus deal with Verizon for dark fiber to connect its data centers.
“I’m deeply grateful for the opportunities, challenges, and lifelong friendships built along the way. Working alongside such talented Googlers has shaped how I approach complex problems, build at scale, and lead with compassion,” the departing exec wrote.
Boxer's new employer is one of growing cohort of AI cloud providers flush with funding. Fluidstack was originally founded in London in 2017 but relocated its headquarters to the U.S.
The neocloud already has a partnership with Google, as well as Claude developer Anthropic. It’s also reportedly in talks with the Pentagon regarding $5 billion in debt funding.