The demand for tech talent leads industry veteran to select Arizona
GUEST BLOG
CRAIG JACKMAN
Co-founder and President
With Phoenix being referred to as “the tech capital of the Southwest” companies have been flocking to the area over the past five years. But like most cities across the country, the demand for tech talent far exceeds supply – even during a pandemic.
As reported in early February, IT hiring saw little impact in 2020 and, according to TechServe Alliance, within the next few months the industry is on pace to regain all of last year’s lost IT jobs.
What’s this mean for the Greater Phoenix Area?
Well, it means that veteran staffing partners like, Paragon IT Professionals (Paragon), can help companies struggling to find qualified candidates. As an expert in tech talent, Paragon has spent the past 24 years focused on helping companies quickly attract hard-to-find talent.
“Arizona was attractive to us for a number of reasons,” said Craig Jackman, co-founder and president of Paragon IT Professionals. “It’s a bleeding-edge technology state with a business-friendly governor, home to universities with strong innovation and computer science programs, and its people share many of the same values as midwesterns.”
Jackman, who is on the board of directors for the Technology Association of Iowa, looks forward to getting involved with the Arizona Technology Council and collaborating to help bridge the skills gap.
“Our goal is to help make a measurable impact on the skills shortage in the area while integrating ourselves into the tech community,” said Jackman. “While I will share time between Phoenix and Des Moines, my hope is to build a team down here.”
Interested in connecting with Craig? Connect on LinkedIn or email [email protected].
MEET CRAIG JACKMAN
Craig Jackman, president of Paragon IT Professionals (Paragon), founded the company with his brother, Joel, in 1997 in Des Moines, Iowa. As a staffing firm focused solely on IT, the two were determined to be more than a service provider and were committed to providing exceptional service with consistency and authenticity. With a strong foundation and a lot of hard work, the company established the Paragon Proven Process that businesses have come to rely on to find contract, contract-to-hire and full-time tech talent.
Jackman’s career in technology began in 1993 as a computer hardware sales rep where he quickly understood the opportunities and needs companies would have for decades to come. With a deep desire to grow, the Jackmans expanded to Minnesota and Nebraska before setting their sights on Arizona. Jackman serves as a board member for the Technology Association of Iowa, is a member of the Arizona Tech Association and a member of the Entrepreneurs’ Organization. Craig is a graduate of the University of Iowa with a degree in economics.
About Paragon IT Professionals
Headquartered in Des Moines, Iowa, Paragon IT Professionals helps organizations drive performance through talent acquisition and IT solutions. Established in 1997 by brothers Craig and Joel Jackman, Paragon has grown to serve clients in Arizona, Iowa, Minnesota and Nebraska.
Visit paragonitpros.com for more information about Paragon and its services.