Meet John Vanderlinde: Builder of IT Systems and Saltwater Aquariums
If you told John Vanderlinde in high school that he’d end up working in tech, he probably wouldn’t have believed you.
“I didn’t even consider a career in tech until I was 23,” he says. “After high school, I had no clear direction, so I took short college courses in a variety of areas until I found my path in technology.”
That winding road led him into the fast-paced worlds of consulting and startups, where he cut his teeth working with the Microsoft tech stack and beyond—from the early days of ASP.Net WebForms to modern frameworks, web APIs, and front-end development. Today, he brings that experience and innate curiosity to his role as Director of Solution Development at Convverge.
What drew him here?
“The people,” he says. “It was immediately clear that Convverge is home to an incredibly talented team with a genuine hunger for learning and growth. I was excited to be part of that—to contribute as a mentor and also continue learning from others.”
But it wasn’t just the talent. It was the culture, too. “There’s a refreshing absence of ego here,” John adds. “The trust and teamwork across departments are truly inspiring.”
John was also eager to explore new territory outside of the traditional SaaS space, like Microsoft’s Power Platform and new data and analytics capabilities—areas where Convverge is already well-versed, and where he’s excited to deepen his contributions.
That mindset—equal parts learner and leader—shows up in how he works with clients, too.
I love delivering solutions that create real value. In one recent project, we transformed a 9-hour forecasting process into an 8-minute one—with improved accuracy. Seeing that kind of impact never gets old.
Outside of work, John’s curiosity and attention to detail come to life in a surprising way: he’s a saltwater aquarium enthusiast, running a 200-gallon setup at home. “It’s a mix of science and art—problem-solving, precision, and attention to detail all come into play,” John says. “That mindset translates surprisingly well to my work in tech.”
He brings that same thoughtful energy into the office. And when asked what guides his philosophy at work, John points to his faith.
“I try to lead with care and service. Here, that means helping others, supporting the team, and leading with compassion.”
From mentorship to process improvement, John’s goal is simple: help Convverge grow. Not just in size, but in maturity, and in the lasting value delivered to clients. And if his path into tech proves anything, it’s that meaningful growth doesn’t always follow a straight line.
If you haven’t had the pleasure yet, connect with John on LinkedIn.
