# Jim Wolford

> Jim Wolford (1968-2023) was the co-founder and former CEO of Minneapolis IT services company Atomic Data, owner of Foundation Technologies, and an investor in Bark and the Bite. Based in Golden Valley, he supported literacy in Minneapolis through Start Reading Now and worked with Alight and local partners on the Nakivale Community Library Network in Uganda.

- **Role:** Deceased; co-founder and former CEO of Atomic Data (2001-2023)
- **Organizations:** Atomic Data, Foundation Technologies, Bark and the Bite, Start Reading Now, Alight, Visi.com, Mutual of Omaha, MassMutual, Melnychuk Financial
- **From:** Omaha, United States
- **Education:** Creighton Preparatory School, Bachelor of Arts in political science and history, Saint John’s University, Collegeville, Minnesota
- **Known for:** Led Atomic Data for 22 years., Atomic Data was an Inc. 5000 honoree in 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018., Included in Sports Business Journal’s 2021 Power Players coverage.

## Career timeline

- **Age 13** — Started a lawn care business that helped fund his education.
- **Before 2001** — Worked in sales, corporate risk management, and business strategy, including roles at Mutual of Omaha, MassMutual, Melnychuk Financial, and Visi.com.
- **2001** — Co-founded Atomic Data with Larry Patterson and John Dowdle.
- **2006** — Purchased Foundation Technologies.
- **2012** — First travelled to Uganda with Alight.
- **2019** — The Nakivale Community Library opened in Uganda.
- **2021** — Became chair of Start Reading Now as Atomic Data employees assumed a greater leadership role.
- **2023** — Died on May 5, aged 55.

## Achievements

- Led Atomic Data for 22 years.
- Atomic Data was an Inc. 5000 honoree in 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018.
- Included in Sports Business Journal’s 2021 Power Players coverage.
- Supported the establishment and operation of the Nakivale Community Library Network with Alight and local partners.
- Helped keep Start Reading Now operating through a leadership transition in 2021.

## Latest updates

- **2026-04** — Lifeworks named Leah Henrikson the recipient of its Jim Wolford Community Impact Award.
- **2025-10** — Atomic Data described the Wolford White Glove Award and its continuing service philosophy in an October 26 article.
- **2024-08** — Chris Heim was appointed joint CEO of Atomic Data and Foundation Technologies.

## Links

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimwolford

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/jim-wolford
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-27