Today, we celebrate someone has been a champion for customer-centric innovation for forty years.
Tim Full
Technical Services Manager, Software Diversified Services (SDS)
Minnesota, United States
Connect with Tim on:
View the entire 2025 Influential Mainframers group here.
For more than 40 years, Tim Full has been a steady force in the world of z/OS. His career reflects a rare blend of technical expertise, creative problem-solving, and a deep commitment to mentoring others and improving customer experiences.
But Tim’s story isn’t just about longevity. It’s about an enduring passion for making complex technology understandable — and using that clarity to empower both teams and customers.
Tim built a reputation early on for his outside-the-box thinking. He never settled for the first answer — always asking what could be improved, what could work better, and how technology could be made more useful in real-world environments.
“Tim doesn’t just accept the way things are,” said one colleague. “He always asks how it could be better — for the customer, for the team, for everyone.”
One of Tim’s most impactful projects came nearly 15 years ago with the creation of Peeling the Onion — a webcast designed to simplify secure FTP on z/OS. Presented in a way that spoke equally to novices and experts, the session remains one of the most viewed and praised tutorials even today. It stood out not just for its technical accuracy, but for its focus on practical, relatable examples that users could immediately apply.
We made sure the technical information wasn’t just accurate — it was practical and real for customers.
Leadership Built on Service
Throughout his career, Tim has led teams to a level of customer service that set a new standard in the industry. His approach to leadership was simple but powerful: put customers first, communicate clearly, and never stop improving.
Whether managing large technical support projects or guiding the creation of new systems for customer interaction, Tim approached every challenge with a focus on the user experience — and earned deep respect from both colleagues and customers.
His leadership on major infrastructure projects, including the successful launch of a new customer portal, showed not just technical skill but resilience and a commitment to making even the most complex transitions as smooth as possible for users.
No matter how big the project, Tim keeps the focus where it belongs: on making things better for the customer.
A Mentor at Heart
Beyond the projects and technical milestones, Tim’s most lasting contribution has been his role as a mentor and teacher. He has a rare gift for simplifying complexity — turning daunting technical problems into understandable, solvable challenges.
He invests time in helping others grow, whether it’s new employees, customers learning new systems, or peers facing unfamiliar technical terrain. His ability to patiently break down difficult concepts has opened doors for countless others over the years.
Turning Complexity into Confidence
At every stage of his career, Tim Full has approached technology with the mindset of a teacher and the heart of a problem-solver. He has shown that world-class service isn’t just about solving problems — it’s about building trust, empowering people, and turning uncertainty into confidence.
Tim’s leadership and mentorship continue to leave a lasting mark on the mainframe community — a reminder that the greatest innovations often start with a simple question: “How can we make this better?”
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.