Jim Hooton
- Former Founder and CEO of Vertiba (now retired)
Jim worked for 35 years in the IT industry as an entrepreneur, executive and leader. Jim was founder and CEO for Vertiba - a Platinum Salesforce.com implementation consulting firm based in Boulder CO, serving clients nationally. Jim sold Vertiba to the Publicis Groupe - a top 3 global advertising and digital marketing leader. Vertiba made the Inc. 5000, and was ranked as the #1 fastest growing company in the Boulder Valley by BizWest for 2017. Since his retirement Jim has served on the Board of Directors for I Have A Dream Foundation of Boulder County, and Go Electric Colorado. He also volunteers for Citizens' Climate Lobby and several other nonprofits. Jim has a Masters in International Business from Columbia University and a B.A. from Allegheny College.
My advice to students...
Leadership is about inspiring others, building trust, and fostering growth. Lead by example, listen actively, and communicate clearly. Empower your team by recognizing their strengths, giving them autonomy, and encouraging development. Embrace challenges as learning opportunities and guide your team through setbacks with resilience. Stay adaptable to change and open to new ideas. Celebrate successes, provide constructive feedback, and create a positive culture where innovation thrives. Leadership isn’t about having all the answers; it’s about helping the team succeed and grow together.