This month, Planet Mainframe celebrates influential mainframers nominated by the community. Today, we recognize a returning honoree whose unique blend of technical leadership, innovation, and digital storytelling is changing the image of enterprise computing.
PJ Catalano
IBM Z & LinuxONE Test Architect and Master Inventor, IBM
New York, USA
Connect with PJ on:
View the entire 2025 Influential Mainframers group here.
PJ Catalano is “on a mission to make mainframes cool again.” And that mission has gained serious traction. A two-time Planet Mainframe Influential Mainframer and holder of seven patents, PJ deftly handles hardware testing, community engagement, and next-gen advocacy.
As IBM Z & LinuxONE Test Architect, PJ leads a team of over 100 quality assurance professionals working to maintain—and push—the reliability standard for IBM’s flagship systems. His leadership in testing and automation contributed to increasing platform availability from seven nines to eight, and reducing annual downtime from three seconds to under half a second. He also helped lead the quality initiative for the z16 and LinuxONE IV platforms, focusing on firmware delivery, tooling, and serviceability.
But his work doesn’t stop in the test lab. PJ is also the public face of IBM’s Z & LinuxONE Test Facility in Poughkeepsie, New York, where he regularly hosts tours for customers, students, and industry groups. Known for his humor and approachability, PJ adapts each tour to the audience—and he encourages visitors to unplug cables and get curious. It’s not uncommon to see PJ, or someone in his tour group, hugging a mainframe.
“In an industry where the talent pipeline is shrinking, I’m using digital storytelling to spark curiosity, shift perceptions, and highlight how critical mainframes are in powering our everyday lives—from banking to healthcare and beyond,” PJ states.
Outside the facility, PJ is reshaping mainframe perception largely through social media. On LinkedIn, TikTok, and Instagram, he creates videos, memes, and tutorials that connect mainframes with modern digital culture. PJ brings visibility and humor to a platform that’s often misunderstood.
In 2024, PJ:
- Delivered virtual test floor tours to dozens of universities
- Received the 2024 IBM Volunteer Excellence Award
- Presented at IBM Z Day, TechXchange, GSE UK, and Z/Academy
- Appeared on the Tech Sharmit Podcast and with Linus Tech Tips
- Showcased the LEGO-built z16 replica and unboxed a z16 from its reusable shipping container
- Awarded the “Most Creative Use of Social Media” Award at the IBM TechXchange EMEA Summit
“PJ has increased the mainframe’s visibility beyond the usual circles,” one nominator said. “Mainframes were invisible—PJ made the invisible visible.”
He’s also passionate about making tech accessible for underrepresented groups and normalizing curiosity in computing. A student who contacted PJ for career advice said it best: “He responded right away—not just with answers but with encouragement. He didn’t need to help me, but he did, and that changed everything.”
With his combination of leadership, creativity, and generosity, PJ is keeping mainframes in the spotlight—where they belong.
Influential Mainframer
Mainframe technology continues to evolve because of the dedicated professionals, educators, mentors, and innovators who drive it forward. We’re shining a spotlight on the individuals who are making waves—whether they’re advancing technology, mentoring new talent, sharing knowledge, championing modernization, or quietly keeping mission-critical systems running every day. These are the people shaping the future of mainframe. They come from all backgrounds and experience levels, but they all have one thing in common: they’re making a difference.
Check back daily as we reveal a new honoree. Read their stories, celebrate their impact, and be inspired.
Follow @Planet Mainframe and follow #pmfinfluentialmainframers to congratulate this year’s honorees, share your favorite stories, and spread the word.