John Van Wagner
About John Van Wagner
John Van Wagner serves as the Senior Vice President of Sales at Backlight, bringing extensive experience in sales leadership from various technology companies. His career includes significant roles at Wildmoka, Velti, and SnappyTV, where he contributed to successful IPOs and acquisitions.
Current Role at Backlight
John Van Wagner serves as the Senior Vice President of Sales at Backlight. He has been in this role since 2023, operating from San Francisco, California, with a remote work structure. In this position, he focuses on driving sales strategies and enhancing revenue generation for the company.
Previous Experience in Sales Leadership
Prior to his current role, John held several significant positions in sales leadership. He was the Chief Commercial Officer at Wildmoka from 2018 to 2023, where he oversaw sales operations. His experience also includes roles such as Sales Manager at TechTV and Senior Director of Sales at Velti, where he contributed to the company's successful IPO in January 2011.
Expertise in SaaS and Sales Strategy
John specializes in building SaaS pricing models and staffing plans. His expertise in strategic sales planning and account development has been crucial in transforming startups into successful businesses. He has demonstrated a strong ability to recruit and develop leaders, aligning management strategies with individual strengths.
Educational Background
John studied at St. Lawrence University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from 1985 to 1989. His educational background has provided a foundation for his communication skills and strategic thinking in his professional career.
Key Contributions and Achievements
Throughout his career, John has played a key role in significant acquisitions and IPOs. Notably, he contributed to the successful IPO of Velti on Nasdaq and was instrumental in the acquisition of SnappyTV by Twitter. His leadership in sales initiatives has consistently driven revenue growth across various organizations.