The launch of a technology practice rarely begins with a script. It starts with a phone, a list and the belief that relationships built the right way can outlast any market swing. Daniel Thompson, managing director of Vaco, stepped into Tampa with that conviction and turned a solo effort into a division known for performance and trust.
Thompson’s path blends entrepreneurship with execution. After early roles that sharpened recruiting acumen, he was tapped to build Vaco Tampa’s technology services from zero, then transformed that start into a thriving business serving companies across the region. He oversees day-to-day operations and strategy for the division, leads a team of recruiters and business development professionals and contributes nationally across Vaco’s 30+ offices. The group has set company records while earning recognition for results and reliability.
Momentum extends beyond numbers. Thompson helped introduce a Statement of Work consulting practice focused on Microsoft technologies like SharePoint, Dynamics and Office 365. He serves on the national Bullhorn CRM implementation committee, co-led marketing strategy work that shapes the brand and delivers training content that lifts producers. He also co-hosts The Unicorn Finders, a platform that spotlights innovators across the tech ecosystem, and shares perspective on the Florida Gators podcast “Stadium and Gale.”
A Titan 100 Honoree, Thompson’s influence comes from outcomes paired with service. He has personally generated over $50 million in revenue and more than $8 million in gross margin while building one of the most successful divisions in the company. Colleagues credit a leader who scales people, culture and impact with the same intensity he applies to targets.
Vision for the next chapter centers on expanding reach across the Southeastern United States and operating as an impact consultancy. That model pairs elite staffing with strategic advisory in areas like AI, cloud transformation and cybersecurity so clients gain talent and insight in one engagement. Inside the office the plan is to double the internal team, deepen Fortune 500 partnerships and grow with integrity, inclusion and community impact.
Thompson joined Vaco Tampa in 2013, earned rookie of the year in 2014 and top producer in 2016, then was named an up-and-comer by the Tampa Bay Business Journal in 2017. He has qualified for President’s Club nine times. He remains deeply engaged across Tampa Bay’s tech community through board service and mentorship, including leadership within Delta Chi that supports more than 100 chapters in North America.
Energy stays high because Thompson builds from first principles. Curiosity fuels calls. Consistency compounds trust. He treats growth as a craft and service as the measure of success. The outcome is a division that moves fast yet stays grounded in relationships—the same formula that sparked a cold-call launch and still guides the work today.
