Rocketeer Perspective: Reflections on 35 Years of Rocket Software 

2025 marks Rocket Software’s 35th anniversary—a milestone that reflects decades of growth, transformation, and impact. Over the years, we've supported some of the world’s most critical organizations in modernizing their IT systems, driving meaningful change and lasting impact across industries. Our decades of sustained success and impact are reflected in our continued growth. We've welcomed an incredible number of talented Rocketeers over the years, expanding our global team to more than 3,200 employees. Just last year, the acquisition of AMC brought over 750 new team members into the fold—marking an exciting new chapter in our journey. It’s truly a great time to be part of Rocket Software. 

Our Rocketeers—both long-time team members and recent additions—are the driving force behind Rocket Software’s success over the past 35 years. As we celebrate this milestone, we sat down with a few individuals who have witnessed our journey firsthand, from the early days to the major milestones we've reached in recent years. 

So, what better way to get a little perspective than to talk with some of the longest-tenured Rocketeers? With that in mind, we sat down with Chief Technology Officer, Mainframe & Rocket Fellow, Tim Willging; Vice President of Customer Solutions Engineering, Jan Walsh; and Distinguished Engineer, Herman Rensink, to hear a bit about their journeys with Rocket Software.  

Here's what they had to say. 

Can you tell us about where your journey with Rocket Software began?  

Tim Willging joined Rocket twenty years ago as a Principal Engineer. “I started my journey as a Principal Engineer, then became the Architect for Db2^® Utilities and Tools,” he shared. His career continued to evolve through leadership roles including Distinguished Engineer and VP of Engineering. Today, he serves as Rocket Fellow and CTO, Mainframe—reflecting a journey marked by deep technical leadership and continued innovation. 

Jan Walsh became a Rocketeer in 2011 through the acquisition of Aldon. Her early focus was on delivering implementation services for Aldon’s DevOps products before stepping into a management role. “Our very active acquisition strategy has allowed me to contribute to Rocket’s growth,” she said, highlighting her involvement in onboarding new teams and expanding the product portfolio. Through it all, Jan has held fast to one key value: “always doing the right thing for our customers.” 

Herman Rensink also joined through acquisition—this time via Seagull Software, a Netherlands-based IBM^® i modernization company. “This opened up the world of Rocket Software for me,” he reflected, recalling how his role expanded from engineering manager to lab manager and eventually to a more strategic architectural position. In 2023, he was named a Distinguished Engineer, in recognition of his technical depth and global collaboration. 

How have you seen Rocket Software’s position in the market change over the years?  

Each Rocketeer we spoke with has had a front-row seat to Rocket Software’s transformation—from a behind-the-scenes technical player to a global leader in modernization solutions. 

For Tim, the contrast is striking. “When I joined, Rocket wasn’t widely known in the industry,” he explained. “Most of our work was deeply technical and sold through partners like IBM.” Today, Rocket has emerged as one of the top three independent software vendors in the mainframe market, with a broad and deep portfolio and mature capabilities across sales, marketing, support, and product management. “It’s been exciting to see how far we’ve come,” he added. 

Jan emphasized how Rocket’s expanded portfolio reflects a thoughtful evolution. “We never stop building on the solutions we’ve developed and acquired,” she noted. What once may have seemed like separate products are now integrated to deliver more comprehensive, customer-centric offerings. She also pointed to Rocket’s talent and culture as a key differentiator: “Our commitment to listening to customers and challenging ourselves to deliver the best solutions truly sets us apart.” 

For Herman, the transformation has been just as remarkable. He recalled how, at the time of Seagull Software’s acquisition, Rocket was still largely focused on OEM channels. “Product management didn’t even exist yet,” he said. Fast forward nearly two decades, and Rocket has expanded across every function, geography, and level. “With every acquisition, we’ve scaled up and grown in every dimension—while staying true to our values and our commitment to customers.” 

What has kept you at Rocket Software for so long?  

For these long-tenured Rocketeers, it’s more than just a job, but rather it’s a place where purpose, people, and values come together to create something lasting. 

For Tim, it all started with a conversation. After his initial interview, he met with Rocket’s founder and CEO, Andy Youniss, who shared his vision for the company—and gave Tim his first mission: building a new mainframe product using fast replication storage for Db2. “I was sold,” Tim said. What’s kept him here? The opportunity to grow, a strong culture rooted in dedication and fun, and the chance to work alongside talented, supportive teammates all working toward a shared goal. 

Jan echoed that sentiment, pointing to the people as the heart of what makes Rocket special. “My fellow Rocketeers are phenomenal—genuinely wonderful to work with,” she said. It’s Rocket’s values of Empathy, Humanity, Trust, and Love that define how people interact—with each other, with customers, and with partners. Jan also takes pride in helping shape a welcoming experience for new Rocketeers as the company continues to grow and evolve. 

For Herman, Rocket has become more than just an employer—it’s home. “Seeing Rocket grow from 300 to over 3,000 people, it’s become my family,” he shared. The company’s journey has mirrored his own personal and professional growth. Despite the changes that come with scale, what’s remained constant is Rocket’s commitment to treating people with respect and care—colleagues, customers, and partners alike. 

The last 35 years have been a time of tremendous growth and transformation for Rocket Software. At a time when new technologies are redefining the way businesses operate, our mission of modernization, without disruption, has never been more important. With an eye on the future, we’re excited to see what the next chapter in Rocket Software’s history has in store.   

Explore Rocket Software’s journey from founding to today and learn more about what we’ve accomplished over the last three-and-a-half decades.  

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