2026 isn’t exactly as new as it was back in January, but the recent snowfall has put us in a reflective, New Years-esque mood. That means there’s no better time than to talk Steve Koerner, CEO and one of our founders.
As CEO of Velocity HCM (along with Hamlet Caminero), Steve has followed a long and sometimes-winding path to get where he is today. In our sit-down with Hamlet we talked about how Velocity came to be, so today we’re going to focus more on on the why. Where was the TA Technology consulting market in 2017, and what motivated him Steve to take an entrepreneurial risk, and start Velocity?
You’ll have to keep reading to find out; and stay tuned in future months for spotlights on the rest of our amazing team!
What work have you done earlier in your career that led you to your current role?
When I began my career, I led HR technology implementations and system optimizations, which allowed me to build a strong foundation in how these systems actually work. That hands-on experience played a significant role in shaping where I am today.
I believe it’s important to learn from the ground up, especially in HR technology. When you truly understand how the tools function, you’re better equipped to help organizations make informed, strategic decisions that drive meaningful business outcomes.
What motivated you to find Velocity? What opportunities/gaps in the market did you see? Have those reasons/opportunities changed at all in the 9 years since?
My business partner, Hamlet, and I founded Velocity after we noticed a shift among many leading HR technology providers toward a self-service support model. At the time, we were Customer Success Managers supporting a major Applicant Tracking System (ATS), and we saw firsthand how this change impacted our clients: Many organizations simply did not have the bandwidth, internal expertise, or technical knowledge to fully configure their systems and realize the value they had invested in. Customers didn’t want to submit tickets or look through 150-page instruction manuals just to get basic configuration questions answered. They needed hands-on support.
That’s where we saw an opportunity. We built Velocity to provide direct configuration and optimization support so our clients could focus more on their strategic initiatives instead of getting stuck in system administration challenges.
While the HR technology landscape has continued to evolve since we launched Velocity, our core mission has remained the same: to help organizations get the most out of their HR systems by giving them access to expert support whenever they need it and ensuring their platforms are configured to meet their business needs.
What has been your most rewarding experience/moment since founding the company? What do you most look forward to in the future?
One of the most rewarding aspects of my journey has been learning how to pivot when challenges arise. There have been times at Velocity when business was thriving, only for market conditions or other factors to shift unexpectedly. Each time, we’ve adapted, made adjustments, and ultimately found our way back to success.
A successful business owner once asked me how long we had been in business. At the time, I said six years and joked that we were no longer a startup. She replied, “You’re a startup every three years.” I didn’t fully understand what she meant in the moment, but looking back, it’s absolutely true.
At Velocity, we continually evolve, pivot, and adjust to what’s happening around us. That ability to adapt has been essential to our resilience, our growth, and our continued success.
When you're not running Velocity, what do you spend your time on? What motivates you to keep going?
When I’m not running Velocity, I enjoy following the sports seasons, staying active with outdoor activities like hiking and basketball, and spending time with my family. Traveling has always been high on my list as well, but it’s currently on pause with a three-year-old and a two-year-old at home. These days, just about everything I do revolves around them, and I’m enjoying every moment of being a dad to two little ones. I look forward to getting back to traveling once they’re a bit older.
What motivates me most is providing the best life possible for my family. I’m also fortunate to have a business partner who continually pushes me to grow. We challenge each other through both the good times and the tough moments, and that partnership has been a big part of our success. I’m blessed to have such a phenomenal partner.
Anything else you want to share about yourself?
When people talk about the success Velocity has achieved, I always like to bring it back to the incredible team around us. None of this would have been possible without their dedication and hard work. They, and their families, have made countless sacrifices, and I’m deeply grateful for everything they’ve contributed to our journey.
As for a few fun facts, I’m originally from southern New Jersey, just outside of Philadelphia, which makes me a diehard Philadelphia sports fan. It may not be the best time to be in that category, but I’ll always stand by my teams. I’m also a true cheesesteak connoisseur and am still searching for a great one here in Arizona. If you have any recommendations, I’d love to know.