A sweeping perspective of real-life experience has taught Tim Van Hammond much about the needs of businesses, small and large. And Tim puts the lessons that he’s learned to work daily as a Director of Enterprise Portals for Skyline Technologies, providing a clear view of his clients’ businesses through his talents in the ever-changing field of software development.

With more than 20 years of professional experience, Tim has climbed from ground level to senior management. Tim’s even made his way through the labyrinth of starting and eventually selling his own successful consulting business.

“I think the diversity of my background does help,” Tim explains from Skyline’s office in downtown Appleton, Wisconsin. “I have a great deal of empathy for those small and midsized clients and what they’re going through in their day-to-day decisions.”

A native of nearby Kimberly, Wisconsin, Tim is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, with a degree in management information systems. His studies were primarily a business program with computer-science elements.

After graduating, Tim landed a job in software development at the data center of a major Milwaukee financial institution. After two years Tim got the itch to escape winter and experience Southern California. He quickly landed a job with a major defense contractor, but before long was lured to a position with a banking firm in downtown Los Angeles.

Tim moved up the corporate ladder and became lead developer for the largest software development project that the bank had ever done. Four years later, Tim moved to another major financial institution, rising to the post of vice president of microtechnology for more than 100 branch sites in California.

“During my time at the California financial institution where I became VP, I graduated from the Pacific Coast Banking School, which is a graduate-level course in executive bank management at the University of Washington.”

Returning to Wisconsin

Longing to reconnect with family and friends, Tim and his wife, Roxanne, returned to Northeastern Wisconsin in 1996. After two years with a Milwaukee-based consulting company that was starting an Appleton branch, Tim launched his own business, eCom Resources.

“Reflecting on the time before I had my own business, it’s easy to remember that I would make a suggestion and couldn’t understand why a business wouldn’t just roll over and agree,” Tim recalls. “But having had my own business, I learned that major decisions are never quite that simple. I think I’ve learned to appreciate the complexity of business decisions.”

In February of 2005, having sold his business (not to Skyline Technologies), Tim joined Skyline.

“I had known about Skyline for some time, and at one point when I was working for a competitor I actually had an office at Skyline’s headquarters,” Tim says. “One thing that struck me then was how committed and dedicated the employees were and how they appreciated the values of the organization.”

Tim wears a number of hats at Skyline, working in some capacity or another with about 10 clients. He also makes some presale calls, trying to procure business for the organization, and provides a bit of education for customers, teaching them about new technology.

“Lately I’ve been spending more time with a new Microsoft product, the latest version of a product called SharePoint. We feel that organizations will gain a great deal of benefit by implementing it. We are able to expand and extend a company’s use of that product.”

The learning never ends

A facet of his profession that Tim has always enjoyed is the notion that there’s always something new to learn. As a technology professional, it’s his duty to stay on the leading edge; so he helps clients stay ahead.

“We try to project what the next big thing is and be prepared for the next big wave, because you’re just a commodity if you follow what everyone else does,” he asserts. “I really feel that I can help bring clarity to clients that may not know where to go. I love helping a client, and it’s personally satisfying when the client recognizes that you’re there to help them.”

Developing a client’s trust is essential. And in Tim’s mind, Skyline’s strong commitment to values is reflected in its strong commitment to serving clients. After all, it’s easier to represent someone that you believe in, and Tim clearly believes in Skyline.

“Our values aren’t just words that we throw out there. These are the virtues that the organization strives to live by.”

Staying competitive, while staying true to principle, is a characteristic that Tim also follows outside of the office. The father of sons, Tim has coached soccer, basketball and football. He confesses that he’s found great satisfaction in guiding young athletes.

It may not be a stretch, in fact, to say that some of the same traits that come into play as a coach are valid in the workplace.

“I try to be totally honest with a client. Initially, clients have to put faith in you, but once that plays out and they see that you’re telling them like it is and warning them of any potential pitfalls, you become a partner on their side. They recognize that you bring more value to the table than just doing software development. You’re really there helping with their whole operation, providing them with a clear view of their business.”