CONTACT US TODAY

 or call (952) 279-5900

for IT Strategy, Operations & Technology to drive your business

We're looking for extremely talented team players. Are we looking for you?

Browse Open Positions >

Success Thrives in the Right Environment

Midwave leadership has created the right environment for success through sharing their vision and by giving employees the freedom to go the extra mile for their clients.

Meet Midwave Leadership:

Jim Leslie
Chairman & CEO
jleslie@midwave.com
952-279-5611

In 1999, Jim set a goal of creating a regional powerhouse in IT consulting. To achieve this vision, he took a different approach. He believed then, as he does today, that IT services firms were becoming too niche focused. They were no longer able to tackle the most vexing issues in IT – those that cross many if not all technical boundaries.

Data center migrations, information security, collaboration, and web services are all examples of key IT developments that impact the network, systems, databases, and applications across an entire organization.  Jim’s vision has been to create deep, niche competencies across a broad base of technical domains. Midwave achieved this through a fanatical focus on teaming and project coordination.

The result? With Jim and his team of experts at the helm, Midwave Corporation has grown into a thriving business.

Jim’s training for this leadership position began with graduating Magna Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa from the University of California, Berkeley.

Prior to Midwave, Jim’s professional career included sales and senior management positions at several Twin Cities based IT services firms. This path culminated in Jim’s role as President of OPM Information Systems, a business sold to a Fortune 500 company in 1998.

Jim has been honored for his success. He was named one of the Top 100 to Watch by Twin Cities Business Monthly, Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year, and the Minneapolis, Minnesota TwinWest Chamber of Commerce’s Entrepreneur of the Year.

Having created a charitable foundation in 1998, Jim and his wife actively serve on its board with his family.  In addition, Jim serves on the Board of Trustees of The Blake School.

Outside of work and family, Jim’s favorite pastimes include photography and high performance driving.  Jim’s often seen at the sidelines of his children’s sporting events getting close action shots of each player by season’s end.

Jim also manages to get to the racetrack throughout the year.  You can him at tracks throughout the central US, including Brainerd International, Road America, Heartland Park, and Mid-Ohio.

Steve Hysjulien
Chief Operating Officer
shysjulien@midwave.com
952-279-5633

As COO, Steve has executive responsibility for all services delivery and all operations. Prior to this, Steve served as Vice President of Integration Services from 2000 to 2007. During that time, he led the ongoing growth of Midwave’s service capabilities and client offerings and was responsible for overseeing the operations of Midwave’s advisory infrastructure practice areas.

Before coming to Midwave, Steve was employed by Inacom (formerly Perigee and DCC) from 1989 to 2000. Area Managing Director of Professional Services was his last position there. During his tenure, the company experienced several years of 100% growth.

Before this, Steve held a variety of positions at AT&T Bell Laboratories, General Mills and Cable Value Network. This gave him the opportunity to develop his skills with networking, UNIX operating systems and data center management.

Outside of the office, Steve’s time is filled with family, spending time on his farm, gardening, and composing or listening to music.

Bob Krocak, Principal
Vice President of Alliances
bkrocak@midwave.com
952-279-5612

Bob is Principal and VP of Alliances. He is responsible for technology sales of hardware and software products, along with the management of Midwave's partner relationships.

Previous to Midwave, Bob served as District Sales Executive for Inacom Corporation. Bob lead a sales team that generated $65 million in computer technology product and services revenue. From 1983 to 1998, Bob was employed by OPM Information Systems, most recently serving as Sales Manager.

Bob began his career as Assistant to the President for Consumer Goods International. He was responsible for national distribution and sales to major food retailers.

Bob graduated from St. John's University with degrees in Business Administration and Psychology.

Phil O'Konski

Principal Solutions Architect

pokonski@midwave.com
952-279-5644

Phil is responsible for helping clients and Midwave consultants define and deliver cross functional solutions for our clients, with a specialty in cloud development, IT analytics and monitoring, and application services delivery.

Phil joined Midwave in May 2003 as a consultant. Acting in many different roles, Phil has worked with clients in developing solutions to solve their data center business and technology challenges. Phil was promoted to Data Center Services Practice Lead in July 2004 and Vice President, Advisory and Infrastructure Services in May 2007.

Prior to joining Midwave, Phil was a lead consultant for Orion Consulting, an Oracle Application consulting firm, from 1999 to 2003. Previously, Phil held technical leadership positions at a pair of manufacturing organizations.

Phil graduated with a degree from University of Minnesota with a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering and Mechanics.

Darren Olson

Vice President, Integration Services

dolson@midwave.com
952-279-5970

Darren Olson serves as Vice President of Integration Services.  In his role, he is responsible for the leadership and direction of our IP communications, data center, security, and shared services practices.

Prior to joining Midwave in November 2007, Darren held the positions of Vice President of Operations and Director of Enterprise Services at Enventis.  In these positions, he had a proven track record of increasing sales revenue and operational efficiencies.

Prior to Enventis, he worked for Norstan, Inacom, and the U.S. Army progressively advancing his management and leadership skills through experience in application development, project and client management, service delivery, and sales.

Darren received his Bachelor of Science degree from the United States Military Academy at West Point.

Jeff Soderholm
Vice President, Advisory Services

jsoderholm@midwave.com
952-279-5917

Jeff is responsible for Midwave’s Advisory Services, incorporating strategic IT consulting along with Midwave’s program and project management offerings.

Jeff joined Midwave in 2007. Before joining Midwave, he was in executive leadership roles at Orion Consulting; later SSI Ltd., and Alliance of Computer Professionals. Jeff applied his diverse IT and business background to drive significant growth in both of those organizations. He began his IT career at Cargill in software development and deployment that progressed to various IT leadership roles across multiple Cargill business units.

Jeff is a graduate of the University of Minnesota with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration.

Tom Ossowski

Controller
tossowski@midwave.com
952-279-5619

Tom directs Midwave’s finance and administration functions. He has been an integral part of Midwave’s management team since its inception and has been responsible for driving the development and management of Midwave’s internal controls.

Tom worked with Inacom (formerly DCC and Perigee) from 1994 to 1997, most recently as Controller and Director of Purchasing.

Tom began his career by joining Con Agra in Omaha, Nebraska. He held a number of positions before being named Accounting Manager for the $2 billion Agribusiness division in Minneapolis, MN. He left Con Agra in 1985 to become Controller for SAF Products Corporation. During his tenure there he also served as head of logistics and administration.

Tom graduated with a degree in Accounting from Creighton University. He is also a graduate of the Minnesota Executive Program through the University of Minnesota Carlson School of Business.