Jeffrey Thomas Ballard

Jeffrey Thomas Ballard, a distinguished global marketing executive from South Bend, Indiana, currently holds the position of senior director at the Partners & Alliances Program at Aerospike. With a background rich in knowledge and vast industry experience, he epitomizes professionalism. He lives in Westfield, Indiana, with his wife Vicki and their two pet dogs. His strategic approach and extensive hands-on expertise have significantly influenced the industry by propelling organizational growth, revenue, and market share.

Professional Background

His remarkable ability to drive revenue and increase market share through innovative products, channels, and global markets is apparent from his work across various organizations. He focuses on developing channels and forging alliances, creating groundbreaking go-to-market partner programs that promote sales development, technical enablement, and demand generation.

Prior to his role at Aerospike, he was the Senior Director of Partners and Alliances in the Cloud division at IBM, where he led numerous successful partner development initiatives. Before IBM, he led Market and Channel Development for Kofax Solutions at EOH, a South African distributor. In his earlier roles, he collaborated with several high-value and emerging technology companies, including Seagate Software, Symantec, FileNet, and Kofax.

Known for successfully launching products, opening new markets, and developing distribution channels, he has used his expertise and strategic marketing insights to assist Independent Software Vendors (ISVs), Value-Added Resellers (VARs), and Service Providers in expanding their business operations.

Education and Skills

Jeffrey earned a communications degree from Valparaiso University. His core competencies include strategic go-to-market elements such as channel marketing, product marketing, sales enablement, industry marketing, international market development, demand generation programs, and customer engagement. He has also shown a talent for successful team building and leadership.

Accomplishments

Throughout his career, he has founded a full-service marketing agency that supports early-stage and high-growth technology companies and has launched numerous products. His decade-long tenure at IBM and over twenty years of experience with high-growth companies and startups attest to his ability to drive business growth. Additionally, he is a recognized speaker at global conferences and events, as well as on podcasts and webinars, where he shares his expertise on marketing, customer engagement, and personal development, as well as his passion for tiki culture.

Ballard’s diverse career spans significant achievements in various industries, driving business for companies in sectors like financial services, insurance, telecom, manufacturing, retail, ad tech, and government. His extensive experience in high-tech cloud, software, and hardware products and services has continually opened new opportunities and spurred growth across many sectors.

His significant accomplishments also include developing an innovative partner program currently used by IBM, Aerospike, and numerous IT service organizations worldwide. He has led a cutting-edge marketing strategy for Artisoft, which led to its ranking as the 39th fastest-growing company and a highly successful IPO. Moreover, he produced and hosted a webcast series during the COVID-19 era that supported artists, musicians, and business owners in the Polynesian Pop community.

Personal Life

Despite his busy professional life, he maintains a balance of fulfilling hobbies and a deep love for tiki culture. He enjoys DIY home projects, particularly those related to his home tiki bar, photography, and scuba diving. A sports enthusiast, he is an avid fan of Notre Dame football, the Los Angeles Lakers, and the Miami Dolphins. His interests also extend to pop culture, including a particular affection for music and films.

Jeffrey Thomas Ballard remains actively involved in his community, offering his expertise to several nonprofits. His charitable work includes supporting organizations like the ALS Association of Orange County and the Karaffa Business Academy for Women. His commitment to community service and his personal and professional endeavors showcase a well-rounded and impactful individual.