Tennessee Technological University

College of Engineering at Tennessee Technological University

Network Solutions - Strategy at World Wide Technology

As a Practice Manager within the sales organization, I lead a technical team specializing in AI and Data Solutions. At the heart of our mission is the transformative potential of AI to redefine business landscapes, streamline processes, and enrich both customer and employee experiences. We adopt a consultative approach, guiding our customers through the sea of AI possibilities to find solutions that best meet their unique business objectives.
Our expertise lies in not just understanding the technical intricacies of AI but in translating these capabilities into tangible business outcomes. Collaborating closely with industry leaders across various sectors, we are committed to bringing innovative, insightful, and impactful ideas to the table. We deliver AI strategies that are both visionary and grounded in practicality.  This is the WWT Practical AI approach.
In this role, my primary focus is not only leading our team to solve complex business challenges but also fostering an ecosystem of continuous learning and innovation. We are committed to accelerating our customers' AI journeys; ensuring they achieve success in a world transformed by AI.

World Wide Technology

Sales Practice Manager, AI & Data Solutions

As a co-founder and co-host of "The Startup Lantern" podcast, I embark on a journey alongside Druce Macfarlane to illuminate the path for entrepreneurs navigating the exhilarating yet daunting world of startups. Delivered from a wealth of experience within the sphere of startup organizations, our podcast is a beacon for those seeking to avoid the common challenges and obstacles inherent in bringing a new company to life.
The insights and advice we share provide value to entrepreneurs regardless of their field or industry.  Each episode of "The Startup Lantern" is carefully crafted to dissect complex topics, transforming them into actionable, digestible steps. Our discussions span the breadth of essential themes, from finance and fundraising strategies to cultivating a thriving corporate culture and everything in between.
Our backgrounds, rich with experiences in working with and for startups, fuel our passion for this project. We've witnessed firsthand the highs and lows of the startup journey and are driven by a shared mission to smooth the path for future innovators. Through "The Startup Lantern," we aim to demystify the startup process, reduce the friction for new ideas to flourish, and empower entrepreneurs to transform their visions into successful companies.
In this role, my focus is not only on sharing knowledge and insights but also on engaging with a community of like-minded individuals. Together with Druce, we strive to create a supportive ecosystem where entrepreneurs can find guidance, inspiration, and the tools needed to succeed in the competitive world of startups.

The Startup Lantern

IT Professional services, Strategic network and data center design, developing technology solutions to meet business goals

Duren Network Services

IT Professional

I spearhead a team of presales cloud architects, distinguished by their deep expertise across the leading public cloud platforms: AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud. Our team’s collective experience, forged through years of direct collaboration with these cloud giants, positions WWT uniquely to tackle the most intricate cloud challenges faced by our customers.
Our mission is to utilize our extensive cloud knowledge and experience in pioneering innovative solutions that empower our customers to leverage cloud technologies in achieving their strategic objectives. Through a blend of consultative engagements, tailored briefings, and hands-on workshops, we guide our customers through the complexities of cloud adoption, enabling them to visualize and implement cutting-edge strategies for digital transformation.
Beyond our direct customer engagements, we are deeply involved in the creation and dissemination of thought leadership content. This includes authoring insightful articles, white papers, and demonstrating groundbreaking cloud technologies. These resources are curated and made available to a broader audience via the WWT web platform, serving as a valuable repository of cloud knowledge and best practices.

Sales Practice Manager - Cloud Infrastructure

Applications are more distributed than ever.  With SaaS and Public Cloud options driving global deployments, organizations need a secure connectivity fabric to meet the needs of the applications and provide optimal performance.

Sales Practice Manager - Secure Datacenter Fabrics

Focused on overall networking practice strategy, partnerships, future direction and industry transitions.

Sales Practice Manager - Network Solutions Strategy

Sales Practice Manager - Datacenter Networking

Regional sales engineering overlay supporting all technologies and services provided by WWT.   Developing and leading teams of engineers to accomplish tasks in marketing, services, and sales.

Principal Architect

Consulting Solutions Architects are the Regional Technology Specialists covering the various Business Practices within WWT.  CSA's represent, Mobility, Collaboration, Security, Networking, and Data Center technologies.

CSA Manager

Consulting Systems Engineering Manager for WWT Commercial Southeast region.

CSE Manager

Assist customers by aligning technology solutions to business challenges.

CSE, Professional Services

Providing visionary insight into the design and planning of IdleAire’s technical architecture.  Ensure IdleAire develops the highest quality and most readily supportable solutions to meet all technology challenges.  Through constant research and deep-rich communication with technology vendors, keeping a pulse on the direction of technology in surrounding markets and in general, identifying trends and movements that may have an impact on IdleAire.  Working to secure the core technologies needed for future success, while further developing technologies commonly used throughout IdleAire.

IdleAire Technologies

Led a team of engineers in the design and architecture of a national Internet network connecting customers and organizations.

Jon Duren