Thrive Spotlight: Jonathan Connolly – Director, Service Operations

Welcome back to another installment of our “Thrive Spotlight” blog series.

Our featured employee is Jonathan Connolly, Director, Service Operations.  Jonathan is responsible for all service delivery PODs in Canada.  He leads technical support management and engineering groups to ensure our customers receive exceptional service and effectively address any technical concerns that may arise.

Jonathan is a long-time resident of Ottawa and works out of our Ottawa, Canada office.  Outside of work, you can find Jonathan reading a good book.  His “to read” list tends to grow faster than he can make it through the books.  He also enjoys traveling, movies and staying active by biking, hiking, and playing pickleball or tennis with his wife.

Jonathan is also a mentor for MBA students, allowing him to meaningfully contribute to the academic community and his alma mater.  He is able to guide successful generations of business leaders, helping them navigate their educational journey and providing guidance to them along their career preparations.  Jonathan is making a tremendous impact on these young professionals’ lives.

Hi Jonathan!  Can you tell us about your background and how you came to Thrive?

I have spent nearly 2 decades within the IT and Managed Services industry while holding various technical and leadership roles.  In 2014, I began working for GridWay Computing Corp in Ottawa, Canada.  In 2019, GridWay was acquired by Storagepipe, which was then acquired by Thrive in 2023.

I successfully led the Service Delivery, Senior Engineering, and Professional Services teams as the Director of Operation at Storagepipe.  My journey continued when I seamlessly transitioned into my current role at Thrive.

Where did you go to school or get training?

As an autodidact, I have passionately pursued knowledge through independent learning and practical experience.  In 2020, I was accepted to Aston University in Birmingham, England, where I obtained my Master’s Degree in Business Administration with a specialization in Entrepreneurship.  The pursuit of knowledge is a lifelong journey and one I enjoy.

Working full-time while pursuing my MBA gave me the unique opportunity to apply what I was learning in my day-to-day work life.  For example, after the acquisitions, I played a key role in leading organizational change management initiatives.  I was also involved in integrating business systems, processes, and procedures, which proved to be a rewarding experience.

What do you most enjoy about working for Thrive?

The people!  The people at Thrive are exceptional.  I have had the privilege of meeting and working alongside numerous dedicated, skilled, and like-minded professionals who genuinely care about their work and each other.  There is a collaborative spirit and willingness to help each other, which creates a strong sense of camaraderie across the company.

Are there any recent exciting projects at Thrive you can tell us about?

I am currently preparing to take on an expanded leadership role where I will be overseeing additional technical support managers and engineering groups.  I am excited to continue contributing to the success of our employees, clients, and overall business.

Shortly after the acquisition, I also helped the marketing team rebrand the Ottawa office with Thrive branding.  This was a significant step early on in the integration.

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