ASU alumnus gives back to the community through instruction, volunteering

As a global business leader in the ever-changing technology industry, Arizona State University alumnus Jon Hunter has been mentoring the next generation of leaders to exceed in today’s world.

“It was an industry filled with high energy, lots of change, lots of opportunity for people who can manage well,” said Hunter, a Class of 1994 graduate with a Bachelor of Science in criminal justice/police science. “My preparation and my DNA was well suited for that industry.”

Hunter’s original plan was to pursue a career in juvenile justice because he always had an affinity for law enforcement and family in the FBI, DEA and Chicago Police Department, he said. However, his academic training and early work experience guided him toward another career path.

“I was passionate about juvenile justice but I also got a political science minor which is the emphasis of influencing people, brokering deals and coming to consensus,” Hunter said. “And that was a big part of the technology industry.” 

From taking an entry-level job at Mastering Computers right out of college to managing teams of 1,500 people in multi-billion-dollar corporations, Hunter built a successful 20-year career running various software companies.

“You know technology in particular is where innovation is key,” said Hunter, the former executive vice president of worldwide field operations at OpenText — an enterprise information management company. “All the preparation and all the schooling I wanted to apply toward an industry that was changing, that was innovating, that was having a lot of fun and really rewarded people taking chances, breaking some rules, being a bit of a maverick if you will.”

Thanks to the knowledgeable professors at ASU, Hunter said he learned the skills necessary to excel as a leader in the business world, including how to think, handle emotional topics and have an opinion on broad issues.   

“I was challenged and trained the right way,” said Hunter. “And I think developing the next generation of leaders has been one of my proudest accomplishments.”

Currently, Hunter is the worldwide head of sales for digital service management at BMC, a global leader in innovative software solutions that enable businesses to transform into digital enterprises. Hunter handles global sales for the company’s information technology service management portfolio, including the Remedy suite, Digital Workplace software and Discovery for Multi-Cloud. Hunter leads the sales strategy team and helps the company reach new lines of business leaders beyond the IT industry.

“The software industry has just been a wonderful place to be around innovative people who are usually super positive of spirit and take learning as a high priority,” said Hunter, when asked what he liked most about his career path. 

As a well-educated citizen, Hunter believes it’s his duty to help build a great society and contribute to it. He says it is good to learn from mistakes as well as successes in order to leave places better in better condition than they were found.

“I’ve often use the words learn, earn and return,” said Hunter. “And it really does shift to giving back. Whether it be knowledge, money, wisdom, support or shelter.”

Hunter currently serves as a board member for Celebrity Fight Night, a local charity initiative focused on raising money and awareness for Parkinson’s disease and other neurological diseases.

“We’ve seen a remarkable flood of more knowledge, wisdom and people who have been affected by the money raised to fight Parkinson’s and help Muhammad Ali,” Hunter said.

Hunter has also contributed significantly to St. Vincent de Paul, the Never Give Up Foundation and a shelter for the homeless in central Phoenix.

“Do your part,” Hunter said. “Have a good attitude, never blame other people, find the positive, listen and really build a culture around positive people who care about each other. Leave a legacy of helping others.”