About Me
Overview
I come from a background of frequent moves and diverse experiences. Born in Germany while my father served in the US Army, I had lived in 12 different places by the time I reached high school in Wheaton, Illinois. After completing my studies in Philadelphia, I continued my journey and settled in Phoenix in 2013, which became my ~14th home.
For the record, here are the places I’ve called home: Frankfurt, West Germany, South Bend, Indiana, 4 places in Lousiana (Lafayette, Metairie, La Place, and Baton Rouge), Sandy, Utah, Odessa, Texas, Midland, Texas, Birmingham, Michigan, Wheaton, Illinois, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (multiple), and now Scottsdale, Arizona.
Growing up, I developed a strong sense of adaptability and resilience. Constantly adapting to new environments helped me to better understand people, and I’ve carried that skill into my career. After graduating from college, I landed my first job at Primavera Systems, an up-and-coming software company focused on project management software. As the 135th employee, I was part of an exciting entrepreneurial culture that grew to over 600 people before being acquired by Oracle.
Although I started on the technical side of the business as a quality assurance specialist, I quickly realized that product management was where my skills in both technology and business truly shone. The role of a product leader can make all the difference to a software company, and I have since dedicated myself to perfecting this craft.
Outside of work, I cherish time spent with my family. My wife, Kim, is the Director of Specialty APPs at Banner Medical Group, while my son, Ryan, will be starting medical school in the Fall of 2023. My daughter, Erica, is studying animation and digital arts at the University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts.
Fun Fact:
I have hand-built every desktop computer I have owned.
(It keeps me in touch with the wonder and excitement about technology that got me into this business in the first place)
Professional
“Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure, than to take rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much, because they live in the gray twilight that knows neither victory nor defeat.” - Theodore Roosevelt
Experience
Since I was a child, I have always loved computers. I am fortunate in that I have been able to build a career working in the global software business.
I love the fast-pace and international nature of the technology world, and, though all my products have provided value, my favorite times were with companies that created software that helped highly-visible companies and projects succeed.
I started my career in software testing (QA) and then, after 4 years, realized I wanted to get out more so I transfered to Marketing, where I nurtured a vibrant ecosystem of integrated software partners.
From there, I have found my sweet spot in a variety of Product Marketing and Product Management roles. I am often the first person to fill a role in a company and I leverage my energy and experience to fill gaps and help the company grow, building and coaching teams along the way.
Through my adventures, I have gained exposure and experience in a wide range of business types – from seed-funded startups to VC-backed companies, to hyper-growth PE-backed rocket ships.
It’s all been a great experience (so far!) and I have appreciated the constant learning and evolution in this wonderful industry.
Values
My values are centered around understanding each other and building relationships based on trust and understanding. We each have our own strengths (and weaknesses), and together we are stronger.
Qualities I value and look for in my teams include:
Curiousity, Integrity, and Action
I have found that these characteristics are the building blocks of strong relationships and high-performing teams.
My leadership style can be summarized as coaching. I love growing and mentoring teams to help them realize their full professional potential and career goals.
Favorite Quotes:
“Believe”
“There is no I in TEAM. “
“If you want to go fast, go alone.
If you want to go far, go together.
Fun Fact:
My family bought our first home computer (an Apple IIc) after my mom matched 5 out of 6 numbers in the weekly Michigan State Lottery.
(Matching all 6 numbers would have been worth a few million dollars, but matching 5 was enough to inspire my brother and me to pursue technology careers - Product for me, Finance for him)
Personal
Arizona is my 14th place to live, and we love it here.
Family
I have been blessed in my life by having loving family all around me:
My parents and in-laws all live in Scottsdale, just 15 miles away.
While I have gone the software technology and business route in my career, my wife, Kim, is focused on helping others in the healthcare field. She is currently a pediatric nurse practitioner and the director of specialty advanced practice providers (APPs) in Arizona at Banner Medical Group.
My son, Ryan, recently graduated from the University of Miami, and will soon start his own career in medicine by entering medical school.
My daughter, Erica, landed at her dream school – The School of Cinematic Arts at The University of Southern California – where she is studying animation + digital arts. To get a sample of her work, check out her Instagram here. #fighton
My brother, Eric, also went into software: He is a financial leader in gaming software companies.
Beyond Family
Business & Technology
My first job (mowing neighbor lawns) and my first computer (an Apple IIc) entered my life at about the same time, and the combination of the two has been with me ever since. I could go on, but I just love the intersection of business and technology…
High School Soccer Referee
I love soccer, and I stay involved by refereeing high school soccer games for the Arizona Interscholastic Association. During the soccer season, you will often find me on the soccer fields of local high schools, including Chapparal, Paradise Valley, Desert Mountain, Horizon, and more.
Did you know you can ski and swim in the same day?
It’s possible in Arizona, and skiing at Snowbowl in Flagstaff is another activity I like to do with family and friends.
"You should consider yourself lucky if you have a boss whom you can respect and learn from him/her. I was fortunate that John was my manager during my tenure at InEight. He encouraged me to embrace my strength and gave me guidance to work on my weaknesses. I learned so much from his people-focused management style and goal-driven project management skills. What I learned from John has helped me to succeed in my current role. John is a real mentor. Anyone who gets to know John and work with John should consider yourself lucky!"
Makiko Hultz
Marketing Manager
InEight, Inc.