Hello Jerry! Shed some light on your life’s journey.
So, this might feel a bit like a history lesson—really.
Let’s go all the way back to 1983, when I was in high school. This was a time when computers were being introduced to the world. Microsoft and Apple were really the face of the computer at that time, while IBM had been around for decades. I don’t think you could convince anyone 40+ years ago that people would be walking around with more computing power in their pockets than we were able to even have on a home or office computer.
A brand-new class called Introduction to Computers was offered at my school, and I was instantly intrigued and jumped in. I took all three levels and was hooked. I went on to study CIS at Wright State University and started working at Computer Science Corporation, first as an intern and then full-time, doing program maintenance and development.
However, I found that I was not entirely happy with programming, so I explored networking and database administration. I found my niche as a Database Administrator and spent four years in that role. After a few years, a software vendor approached me and said, ‘Have you ever considered being a Sales Engineer?’ That was a turning point.
My true nature is problem-solving; I really like solving problems and challenges, particularly those that affect software. So, 30 years ago, I joined Compuware, supporting various software solutions and helping customers troubleshoot mainframe applications. I stayed in that role for 15 years before transitioning to Dynatrace in 2010. I became deeply interested in the distributed, web-based technologies and the evolving application landscape. So, for the last 15 years, I have been supporting the Dynatrace platform, helping our customers solve technology challenges with their broad-based multi-cloud hybrid applications.
Tell us about your work and what interesting things you’re working on.
For me, being a Sales Engineer is one of those rare roles that blends technical expertise with interpersonal finesse—and people who thrive in it often love it for exactly that reason. I get to dive deep into technical challenges and offer real solutions that help businesses grow.
I am in a client-facing, semi-sales role, but it’s not about pushing products. It’s about educating, advising, and building trust. Every client has different needs, so you're constantly learning and adapting how the Dynatrace platform can help them adopt solutions to help their business run smoothly.
Recently, I’ve been working with a large customer migrating over 100+ TB of logging data to Dynatrace. The platform has evolved in many ways, and helping customers consolidate tools and derive contextual value from their data to solve real business problems is what drives me every day.
What makes you excited about being a part of Dynatrace?
The people and the technology.
I have been a part of Dynatrace for a very long time, and I am always asked the question, ‘Why have you been with one company for so long?’ The answer is simple: the Dynatrace platform keeps evolving; it’s not just the rebranding; it’s a complete redesign from the ground up. It’s nothing like previous iterations, such as AppMon.
The innovation at Dynatrace is always churning, and our lab and leadership are always coming up with new and exciting solutions and features to address the technological challenges our customers are facing. I work with some great people and honestly have some lifelong friends after 30 years. I like that Dynatrace emphasizes innovation with passion, engagement with purpose, and winning with integrity. Employees are empowered and excited to come to work because there's always something new to learn or a fresh challenge to tackle.
What makes Dynatrace Community important to you?
The Dynatrace Community is one of the cornerstones of the company’s ecosystem—much more than just a forum.
"The best part about the Community is that it complements Dynatrace’s product and support experience, offering users a place to get help anytime from fellow Dynatracers."
I like being part of a Community where real users share insights, challenges, solutions, and best practices that go beyond documentation. My advice? Hit the Community page every day, mark a few conversations of interest, follow some topics, and, of course, always feel free to ask any question. There are no dumb questions, just different levels of expertise across every topic.
The Community is a great way to build your own knowledge base and grow into an expert.
Tell us something about you that most people don’t know. What is your biggest joy or passion in life?
I have always been very active. I am a regular at my gym. I enjoy skiing in the winter and playing golf throughout the summer. I also enjoy fishing and kayaking with my wife on the local lakes. We enjoy hiking, and my kids, when they were younger, often went along with us. Even today, they will take a hike with us now and then.
I would say my greatest joy in life is witnessing the success of my children. In marriage, with children of their own, it’s not just in what they achieve, but it’s who they become. Watching their growth, resilience, triumphs, and how they handle setbacks are the most meaningful reflections of purpose in our family.
🔹 I have a couple of ski destinations in mind, maybe even Austria.
🔹 I’m also planning some golf trips to courses I never thought I’d get to play.
🔹 I plan on spending some time on the water and enjoying time with family. I’m trying to spend as much time as I can with my wife, children, and grandchildren—hopefully doing activities we all enjoy together.
What achievement are you most proud of?
Professionally, it’s those moments when I use the Dynatrace platform to help a customer unlock a new insight/feature, solve a tough problem, or address something they’ve been struggling to provide a solution to.
Personally, I’m very proud of my daughters and the remarkable young women they’ve become. Their strength, kindness, and integrity reflect the values my wife and I have nurtured together. Watching them grow into their own is the greatest personal joy of my life.
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