JOHN STAFFORD
Osseo
Summary
Engineering leader with a strong history at Heartland Business Systems, achieving over $15M in Verkada revenue growth. Specializes in partner development and scaling practices, with expertise in leading multi-state teams and engaging executive stakeholders. Focused on delivering high-quality solutions in physical security and driving customer success.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
Vice President of Engineering – Physical Security
Heartland Business Systems (HBS)
01.2024 - Current
- Lead the Physical Security practice and Verkada partner practice, overseeing strategy, capacity, and execution.
- Led the transformation of HBS from a Regional to National Verkada Partner, establishing the organization as a benchmark for partner growth.
- Delivered $15M+ in Verkada bookings (2025) through close alignment with sales and partner teams.
- Scaled team from 3 to 50+ technicians and installers across Midwest corridor, enhancing certification coverage and ensuring consistent delivery.
- Established scalable delivery models and performance metrics, enabling predictable, high-quality growth.
Vice President / Director of Engineering – Collaboration & Physical Security
Heartland Business Systems (HBS)
01.2020 - 01.2024
- Directed collaboration, AV, structured cabling, and physical security teams across multiple Midwest states, aligning project execution with revenue goals and partner objectives.
- Guided expansion during shift to remote work, ensuring delivery excellence and operational discipline across teams.
- Acted as senior interface among technology partners, sales, and delivery, facilitating alignment of solutions with readiness and pipeline.
Senior Consulting Engineer – Collaboration
Heartland Business Systems (HBS)
01.2013 - 01.2020
- Led presales and delivery of Cisco collaboration solutions, enhancing client engagement through voice, video, and contact center capabilities.
- Partnered with sales to translate business requirements into scalable, enterprise-ready solutions, increasing adoption and ensuring customer success.
- Developed strategic solutions for complex client challenges in technology integration.
- Led cross-functional teams to implement enterprise resource planning systems effectively.
- Analyzed client needs to design customized software applications and services.
Co-Founder
3RT Networks
LaCrosse
01.2007 - 01.2013
- Co-founded and built a LaCrosse, WI based IT services company, delivering network and collaboration solutions.
- Established operations, client relationships, and technical offerings that enabled sustainable business growth.
- Developed long-term customer partnerships through strategic IT consulting and successful implementations.
Education
Bachelor of Science -
University
MBA - Business
University
VCE, VCE-I, VSP -
Verkada
Skills
- Security platforms
- Go-To-Market Strategy
- Channel Enablement
- Field Enablement
- Revenue Growth
- Practice Scaling
- Strategic Partnerships
- Partner Development
- Stakeholder engagement
- Team leadership
- Customer Success
Partner Channel Highlights
- Drove 115% growth by scaling a top-performing Verkada partner practice through disciplined sales alignment and delivery enablement.
- Led the top-performing Regional Verkada partner nationwide, exceeding peers in growth, execution, and partner impact.
- Recognized by Verkada as a model partner for growth and execution, setting a standard for other partners.
- Earned Verkada Regional Impact Partner of the Year for two consecutive years.
- Implemented certification programs, enablement processes, and repeatable deployment models across technical teams operating across the Midwest corridor.
- Served as executive liaison between Verkada, sales leadership, and delivery teams, accelerating deal velocity and partner readiness.
- Translated product roadmap and GTM strategy into field-ready solutions, capturing emerging market opportunities.
Timeline
Vice President of Engineering – Physical Security
Heartland Business Systems (HBS)
01.2024 - Current
Vice President / Director of Engineering – Collaboration & Physical Security
Heartland Business Systems (HBS)
01.2020 - 01.2024
Senior Consulting Engineer – Collaboration
Heartland Business Systems (HBS)
01.2013 - 01.2020
Co-Founder
3RT Networks
01.2007 - 01.2013
Bachelor of Science -
University
MBA - Business
University
VCE, VCE-I, VSP -
Verkada