Coder to C-Suite: Barry Vandevier on Building Leaders and Teams

Hey there leader! Today in Leadership Lost and Found join Randy and Jim as they talk with Barry Vandeveer about his journey from software developer to CTO, CIO and now COO, and the leadership lessons he’s learned along the way.

We cover practical topics like transitioning from individual contributor to people leader, hiring and mentoring talent, navigating cultural change after acquisitions, making data-driven spend decisions, and the importance of listening and being available for your team.

Barry also shares personal anecdotes — founding Travelocity, a brief stint as a flight attendant, earning an MBA while raising a family, recovering from burnout, and his current focus on integrating AI at Datacore — giving real-world examples of leadership in action.