Jason Hoekstra
Innovative technology leader with 25+ years delivering enterprise software products, managing high-performing teams, and driving digital transformation in K-12 education
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About
Innovative technology leader with 25+ years delivering enterprise software products, managing high-performing teams, and driving digital transformation in K-12 education. Proven record in strategic product leadership, cybersecurity and compliance, data interoperability, and large-scale integrations. Skilled in aligning stakeholders, managing multimillion-dollar budgets, and delivering impactful solutions across startup and enterprise environments.
Experience
Senior Program Manager - ED-FI ALLIANCE (SUBSIDIARY OF THE MICHAEL & SUSAN DELL FOUNDATION)
(2018-04 - 2025-06)
Led a team of 7 developers and managed a $1.3M annual budget to design, develop, and enhance core products supporting K-12 data interoperability.
- Directed portfolio including Admin API, Data Import, Admin App, Sample Data Generator, Learning Standards Sync Utility, Tech Suite Installer.
- Translated stakeholder needs into product requirements, drove agile development, and authored technical documentation.
- Delivered in-person and virtual product trainings, boosting adoption across districts and vendors.
- Authored blog articles, product documentation, and knowledge base content to drive community awareness and adoption.
- Led full-cycle annual security review process, ensuring compliance with evolving K-12 and enterprise data protection standards.
- Ran RFP process to select a new managed services partner after incumbent exited the SMB space, securing a strategic vendor relationship to ensure operational continuity.
Founder and Software Architect - SCHOOL STACKS - BALTIMORE, MD
(2017-08 - 2018-01)
Designed and led development of Data Flow, an open-source ASP.NET toolset for CSV to Ed-Fi API migration, under a Michael & Susan Dell Foundation grant.
- Managed distributed team and two pilot implementations; leveraged Microsoft Azure for scalable deployments.
Co-Founder and Managing Director - LEARNING TAPESTRY - BALTIMORE, MD AND BERKELEY, CA
(2014-08 - 2017-08)
Directed custom product development for education vendors, nonprofits, and state agencies.
- Designed and launched EASOL Dashboard (PHP + Ed-Fi integration) and Ed-Fi to OneRoster migration tools.
- Secured $2M+ in contracts for open-source replacements of legacy systems.
- Partnered with Khan Academy and Smithsonian Education for #GoOpen metadata publishing initiatives.
Director of Developer Engagement - INBLOOM (fka SHARED LEARNING COLLABORATIVE / GATES FOUNDATION) - NEW YORK CITY
(2012-06 - 2014-04)
Managed integrations between edtech vendors and inBloom's API data store.
- Produced SxSWEdu 2012 inBloom launch with 24 vendor integrations.
- Built developer community to 500+ members, resulting in 50+ applications on the platform.
Technology Solutions Advisor / Special Assistant - U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION - WASHINGTON, D.C.
(2009-06 - 2012-06)
Led creation of TEACH.org and Data.ED.gov portals; advised on open-source migration strategy.
- Architected national school broadband mapping tool using MapBox.
- Co-authored the Department's IT Modernization Plan.
Assistant Director of Technology of Presidential Personnel - THE WHITE HOUSE - WASHINGTON, D.C.
(2008-11 - 2009-06)
Developed Searchlight, a custom ASP.NET reporting system that scaled candidate search from 3K to 100K+ records.
- Designed and enhanced a Microsoft SharePoint–based candidate tracking system for administration appointments.
- Coordinated cross-department technology projects, including job application site upgrades, SharePoint extensions, and infrastructure improvements.
Regional IT Manager and Application Architect - OBAMA FOR AMERICA - CHICAGO, IL
(2008-07 - 2008-11)
Managed technology operations across Midwest, Southwest, and Great Lakes regions, overseeing needs assessment, purchasing, and field problem resolution.
- Designed and led development of the Atlas Voter Protection PHP web app, used nationally in both primary and general elections.
- Directed rapid development cycles, business requirements gathering, and end-user acceptance testing.
- Built a custom .NET voter file import process, saving the campaign $100K+ in consulting costs.
Progressive Technical and Leadership Roles - EARLIER CAREER
Held progressive technical and leadership roles with organizations including Quintiles Transnational, Solex (Founder), Dell Computer, Hightower, and others. Delivered custom software solutions, enterprise integrations, and IT infrastructure projects across industries. Experience included full-cycle application development, team leadership, and consulting for Fortune 500 and government clients.
Education
B.S. - Information Assurance and Cybersecurity - Western Governors University
