Perficient’s vibrant culture is fueled by leaders who bring sharp thinking, deep expertise, and a collaborative spirit to their day-to-day work. We recently connected with John Vylasek, senior solution architect, whose journey from military intelligence and commodity trading to client strategy has shaped his bold, visionary approach to problem-solving.
John currently leads strategic data efforts at Perficient, using AI, analytics, and deep business knowledge to help clients drive impact. In this People of Perficient profile, we’ll explore how John’s diverse background and passion for innovation empower Perficient to deliver transformative, AI-first solutions with purpose and impact.
What is your role? Describe a typical day in the life.
As a data strategist, I help solve a wide range of client challenges. My day usually starts with reviewing my plan from the previous day while also checking emails and Teams for any new adjustments. I’m currently engaged full-time as Data Delivery Director with a major global financial services client, where things can shift quickly due to regulatory and business requirement changes. Thankfully, my team is always responsive and able to adapt as needed, which makes Perficient a great strategic partner.
How did your experience in the military shape your approach to leadership?
My time in military intelligence taught me how to break down complex problems, communicate clearly up the chain of command, and lead with both confidence and humility. I was asked at the age of 19 to assemble a team of intelligence analysts with the skills required to tackle an important and ambiguous challenge. We developed effective new techniques, and just months before Operation Desert Storm began, we applied our solutions to great effect. That experience taught me the value of building the right team, being bold yet respectful, and focusing on meaningful impact. One of the biggest lessons I carry is to “just make it happen”—a mindset I apply daily, whether with clients or internal teams.
What brought you to Perficient, and how do your past experiences align with your current role?
I joined Perficient while consulting independently, thanks to a referral, and it just clicked. My background in tech, leadership, analytics, and decomplicating ambiguity makes data strategy a great fit. I’m still coding, diagramming, translating complexity into clarity, and diving headfirst into new challenges. The consulting side was new to me at this scale, but because I’ve solved similar problems before, I adjusted quickly. I love helping clients align, adapt, and problem-solve with confidence, and I get genuinely excited when a new curveball comes my way.
Whether big or small, how do you make a difference for our clients, colleagues, communities, or teams?
I make a difference by asking many questions. It might seem small, but it helps the entire team learn and speak up. I often hear, “I was wondering the same thing,” which creates a more open, collaborative environment. I also love sharing resources that have helped me grow, like Cloud Data Architectures Demystified or helpful Udemy courses. As a lifelong learner, I’m always generous when passing along what’s worked for me.
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Whether it’s creating a quick diagram during a meeting or reframing a problem in clearer terms, I break things down into understandable chunks so people can understand our goals and act on next steps with confidence. I take the same approach in client discovery—asking leading questions, listening closely, and creating a safe space for open and transparent communication. Being humble and approachable makes it easier for others to do the same, and that’s where real progress happens.
What was the most rewarding part about serving as a mentor in the Mark Cuban AI Bootcamp?
The most rewarding part of mentoring in the Mark Cuban AI Bootcamp was watching a group of bright high school students come together, collaborate, and build something meaningful. With some light coaching on inclusion and teamwork, they quickly aligned and focused on a shared goal: using AI to help people in the physical world.
We developed a gesture recognition model to help people with communication challenges express specific needs through custom-trained motions, even when away from familiar caregivers. It was powerful to see how that idea took shape through trial, iteration, and collaboration.
By the end of the program, not only did our model work, but my students also won the final “Shark Tank” pitch for the most impactful idea. One of them said, “We never would have gotten here if everyone didn’t think differently,” which really stuck with me. That diversity of thought, and the chance to help guide it, was incredibly rewarding. Hearing later that one student had highlighted her experience working with me as a key takeaway from the program made it even more meaningful.
READ MORE: Perficient’s Award-Winning Partnership With the Mark Cuban Foundation
What advice would you give to colleagues who are just starting their career with Perficient? 
My first piece of advice is simple: handle your basics. Get your timesheets in, complete your training, and manage your time like a professional while always learning and improving yourself. It may seem small and obvious, but it sets the tone for everything else you do.
Second, understand that how you show up internally at Perficient may need to be different than how you show up with a client. With clients, you lead through collaboration and patience, bringing people along at their own pace. Internally, especially during pursuits, business moves fast, and it helps to be more direct and decisive. Know your role, understand who’s leading, and stay aligned. If you have a concern, think about whether it’s the right time to raise it. I’ve coached and mentored people on this—sometimes it’s better to hold off on a small technical rabbit hole detail rather than disrupt momentum when the group is already aligned. I’m still learning and adapting myself, but this distinction has been key to working effectively.
Why are you #ProudlyPerficient?
I’m #ProudlyPerficient because I get to work alongside sharp, highly adaptive people who are always ready to dive in and get things done. Internally, there’s a fast pace and a bias toward action, so I’ve learned that often you need to step up, assign roles, and lead decisively. It’s not about being the loudest voice in the room; it’s about clarity, support, and knowing when to speak up and when to stay focused on the goal. That kind of teamwork and trust is what gets stuff done.
I appreciate how differently we show up for clients— collaborative, patient, meeting them where they are. That flexibility between both modes while staying grounded in the work is what makes Perficient special. We’re not just delivering solutions; we’re building alignment. I’m proud to be a part of that.
How has collaborating with our global teams shaped your growth journey at Perficient?
I’ve been leading global teams for many years, and the approach is consistent—find the people who make the extra effort to communicate, align, and get things done. Whether they’re in Latin America, India, or elsewhere, those relationships are what get “it” done. Building that network, finding your go-to experts, and recognizing talent across borders have been the most rewarding parts of my journey.
LEARN MORE: Perficient’s Global Footprint Enables Genuine Connection and Collaboration
How does staying up to date with evolving technologies help you better serve clients?
One of my goals is to deepen my understanding of how to use local large language models (LLMs) in secure, practical ways. It’s an incredible accelerator for learning and staying up to speed. With a manufacturing client, I used an LLM to help map two complex database schemas. By feeding in just the field names and a few sample rows, the model was able to do most of the heavy lifting in identifying how the old system aligned with the new one. It wasn’t perfect, but it saved a lot of time and gave us a strong head start. Continuing to explore how AI can support data strategy and problem-solving is a key part of my growth path.
What does being an AI-first company mean to you?
To me, being an AI-first company means starting from a place where AI is always considered not only as a solution itself but also as an accelerator to identify the solution and the steps to get there. It is a new way of thinking that saves us time and our clients’ money.
At Perficient, we approach AI with purpose and lead conversations when it makes sense to lead with it and when it does not. That level of thoughtfulness is part of what sets us apart.
LEARN MORE: How We Are Building an AI-First Enterprise
What are you passionate about outside of work?
Outside of work, I spend a lot of time with my family. My oldest son lives just four doors down, and we’re often outside fishing with the grandkids. I also support my wife, who went from being a stay-at-home mom to now serving as Dean of the School of Health Sciences over several programs. I’m the primary cook at home and like making healthy meals. I’m also into photography, especially aurora and space photography. I’ve been able to get some great shots even from our backyard in the city. Staying active is also a big focus of mine, so we spend a lot of time out in nature.
It’s no secret our success is because of our people. No matter the technology or time zone, our colleagues are committed to delivering innovative, end-to-end digital solutions for the world’s biggest brands, and we bring a collaborative spirit to every interaction. We’re always seeking the best and brightest to work with us. Join our team and experience a culture that challenges, champions, and celebrates our people.
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