By: John Wildermuth, Business Development Manager at HL Solutions
When I began my professional journey in 1979, the world of technology looked very different. Business computing was in its infancy, email was a novelty, and digital transformation wasn’t even a term yet. What we had then was the beginning of a shift—one that I’ve had the unique opportunity to witness and contribute to for over four decades.
Today, as Business Development Manager at HL Solutions, I draw from this rich experience to help organizations build their future-ready teams. While technologies have evolved at an incredible pace, one thing has remained constant: the need to bring in the right people who can turn that technology into transformation.
Business Development in the Age of Specialized Talent
At HL Solutions, we specialize in connecting enterprises with top-tier IT talent in Cloud, Data & AI, and Application Integration. My role focuses on driving growth through strategic partnerships, client engagement, and a deep understanding of how emerging technologies are shaping workforce needs.
Over the years, I’ve come to see business development as more than just filling roles—it’s about building lasting relationships, understanding business goals, and ensuring our clients are equipped with the people they need to drive innovation forward.
From Manual to Intelligent: The Evolution of IT Talent
When I first entered the industry, automation meant mainframes and batch processing. Today, we’re in a world powered by cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), large language models (LLMs), agentic AI systems, and multimodal AI that processes and understands information across text, image, and video formats. Advancements such as retrieval-augmented generation (RAG), synthetic data generation, and AI orchestration platforms are redefining how intelligence is built and scaled. Meanwhile, innovations like edge AI, edge computing, digital twins, and conversational AI platforms are bringing real-time intelligence closer to users and operations. To support these shifts, modern enterprises are also embracing data fabric and data mesh architectures, adopting zero trust security frameworks, and evolving from DevOps to DevSecOps to ensure both speed and resilience. Businesses now need talent that understands not just these technologies—but how to apply them strategically to drive transformation, innovation, and growth.
At HL Solutions, we help clients identify and onboard future-ready professionals who bring deep expertise in technologies like AI/ML, Business Intelligence, cloud enablement, and application integration. These are not just technical roles—they’re strategic assets that help our clients stay ahead of the curve.
Precision in Talent: Matching Strategy with Skill
Whether it’s sourcing niche talent for a data modernization initiative, building a contract team for cloud migration, or identifying C-suite executives to lead transformation, our approach is always strategic.
Our process helps us stay ahead of tech trends and ensures we match the right professionals to the right roles with speed, accuracy, and insight.
I take pride in being part of this process—not just driving it commercially, but contributing to how we engage with clients, understand their pain points, and deliver meaningful value through talent that fits their vision.
What Four Decades Have Taught Me
Working across multiple organizations and industries over the past 40+ years has taught me a few simple yet powerful lessons:
- Adaptability – Technology and markets evolve. Our ability to adapt defines our relevance.
- Empathy – Listening and understanding our client’s true needs is where impactful work begins.
- Execution Excellence – Great ideas are only as powerful as the teams who bring them to life.
These principles continue to guide my work—whether it’s in shaping staffing strategies, mentoring recruiters, or collaborating with clients on long-term workforce planning.
Looking Ahead: Growth Through Partnership
At HL Solutions, we don’t just provide staffing—we become an extension of your team. We understand that building the right team is foundational to digital transformation, and we’re committed to helping our clients access talent that not only meets today’s needs but also positions them for tomorrow’s challenges.
As we continue to move toward an increasingly agile, data-driven, and AI-powered future, I’m excited to work with organizations that are ready to innovate, adapt, and lead—with the right people by their side.
If you’re exploring how to align your workforce strategy with emerging technologies, I’d love to connect and share insights from my journey. After all, building the future starts with building the right team—and that’s where we come in.
Let’s shape what’s next, together.
With over 40 years in the technology industry, John Wildermuth is the Business Development Manager at HL Solutions, helping organizations build future-ready teams in Cloud, Data & AI, and Application Integration. He combines deep industry insight with a focus on strategic partnerships to connect clients with the right talent to drive innovation and transformation.
