VerityThree Founder Finds Validation in HTG Peer Groups

To be an HTG member is to be among the best of the best of IT solution providers in the market. We share successes and challenges to collectively make each other stronger and able to provide better products to our clients.
Jonathan Smith, Founder and President, VerityThree

LEADERSHIP LEADERSHIP
What began as one business students dream has catapulted into an enterprise that brought in $4.5 million in 2011 and was named one of the Top 200 IT solution providers in North America by MSPMentor.

Jonathan Smith, Founder & President, VerityThree

When youre surrounded by success, failure is not a consideration, said Jonathan Smith, president and founder of VerityThree, a technology solutions provider headquartered in McHenry, Illinois. Growing up, Jonathan watched his father build a thriving engineering firm from the ground up in the midst of a recession. It was this firsthand perspective of fearless entrepreneurship that would eventually lead Jonathan on a similar path of his own.

At age 20, when most of us were still trying to figure out what to do with our lives, Jonathan, along with friend Pete Smothers, founded VerityThree. The young businessman was in his junior year of college when the company which offered technology and Web site development was incorporated in 1999. Ten years after VerityThrees founding, Jonathan started hearing great things about a network of IT professionals that met on a regular basis to share best practices. Intrigued, he attended his first HTG Peer Group meeting in August 2009. He has been a dedicated member ever since. I reached out to HTG because I recognize that theres a whole level of experience out there that I dont have, Jonathan remembers. I could either wait for that experience or join up with partners to get it. As a member of HTG Peer Groups, Jonathan was able to tap into years of collective experience from veterans in the IT field. Hes had the chance to sit down and compare notes with other IT business leaders, formulate strategies and craft his four plans life, leadership, business and legacy which are required for HTG membership.
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Company: VerityThree McHenry, IL Web Site: www.veritythree.com About VerityThree: VerityThree, Inc. (VTI) is a leading provider of technology solutions for community banks, engineering firms and other innovative businesses. We build IT strategies for our clients by understanding their long-term vision and goals and applying a customized delivery of consulting and technology management services. VerityThrees high-performing culture of excellence leverages strategic partnerships, continuing education and industry-leading best practices to convey our commitment to long-term client relationships and mutual success. IT Services and Solutions from VerityThree: vCIO Services - The vCIO (Virtual Chief Information Officer) ensures that your technology infrastructure is working for you Technology Consulting - Create a technology roadmap and provide project and service recommendations Technology Management/Support Reduce operating expenses, increase the level of the organizations IT experience, manage compliance and establish effective IT strategies

HTG Peer Groups 653 Oak Road, Harlan, IA 51537 (712) 744-3619 www.HTGPeerGroups.com/apply

Peer Groups

For VerityThree, Relationships Are Key

Within the positive environment created by HTG, Jonathan was able to discuss business challenges with his group a group he says helps everyone keep their ducks in a row. HTG brings a culture of accountability from a community of the most well respected people in the IT solution provider industry. In one instance, Jonathan was in the middle of a quarterly peer group meeting when he received an urgent call from his office. One of VerityThrees biggest clients needed a major job completed within a quick timeframe 72 hours.

In order to facilitate his employees vision, Jonathan shares the companys financials with his executive leadership team on a monthly basis so they can see where the cash is coming from and where it's going. I have to be very vulnerable, he said. It takes a deep level of trust. He also believes that good talent and professionals are looking for great leadership. Its my responsibility as president to lead and create a framework that is loose enough so that employees feel they can use their talent, but measurable enough so we can track our progress as a company. In addition to gaining leadership skills, HTG has also given Jonathan a deeper appreciation for the importance of relationships within the channel. We know we cant do this on our own. Building relationships with strategic partners and preferred vendors is also fundamental to our success, Jonathan notes. One of our most significant partnerships is with HTG Peer Groups.

There are so many intelligent people out there, and when you have an idea, you wonder if its the best thing to pursue. It's a good feeling to be able to gain validation from successful industry veterans.
Though the notice was short, the timing was impeccable. After all, Jonathan was in the presence of some of the most talented IT leaders in the country. He immediately returned to his group and explained the situation. In true HTG fashion, the group members put their heads together to come up with the best plan for conquering the project. For Jonathan, the positive reinforcement that underscores all of HTG's programs provides muchneeded support in his role as president. There are so many intelligent people out there, and when you have an idea, you wonder if its the best thing to pursue, he said. It's a good feeling to be able to gain validation from successful industry veterans. Jonathans leadership style which has been heavily influenced by his HTG involvement is one that gives his employees ownership of their individual tasks. Im a big believer in delegation. I hire the best people possible with unbelievable work ethic. I let them completely take ownership of their vision, he said.

In fact, Jonathan holds the partnership with HTG in such high regard that VerityThree is committed to supporting all aspects of the organization by making substantial time, financial and personal commitments to it. Neglecting to participate in HTGs quarterly two-day meeting would mean missing out on key business reviews, benchmarking, technology evaluations, planning, sharing of best practices and goal setting, he said. What began as one business students dream has catapulted into an enterprise that brought in $4.5 million in 2011, and was named one of the Top 200 IT solution providers in North America by MSPMentor. And while Jonathan may be a chip off the old block just following in his fathers footsteps, he credits a great measure of the businessman he is today to HTG Peer Groups. Everyone needs validation. HTG gives me that and much more.

HTG Peer Groups 653 Oak Road, Harlan, IA 51537 (712) 744-3619 www.HTGPeerGroups.com/apply

Peer Groups