Halmstad co-founded Jamf Corp. in 2002, with a mission to help organizations succeed with Apple. Jamf grew into a global leader in enterprise Apple device management software, eventually expanding to 16 offices worldwide. The company was acquired in 2017 before going public in 2020.
A native of Eau Claire, Halmstad co-founded Pablo Group in 2013, an organization created to revitalize downtown Eau Claire through a combination of real estate ventures, hospitality businesses and philanthropy. Those efforts have included projects and partnerships such as The Lismore and The Oxbow hotels, the Eaux Claires music festival, and a broader collection of spaces where people live, work and gather.
‘Charge to the Class’
When Halmstad addressed the 2026 graduates, he made it clear that he was not here to give them advice — something he said he is asked to do often and seldom fully obliges.
“What I usually offer instead is a conversation where I can listen to the other person’s obstacles and then share related successes and failures from my own life. My goal is to give them more perspectives to make their own decisions,” Halmstad explained.
He went on to demonstrate to the Class of 2026 in concrete ways that their emotions are valid, their apprehensions are understandable and the advantages they carry into their futures are abundant.
“First, like my generation, you are a bridge generation,” Halmstad said.
“You are part of the last generation that will remember a world before AI. You will be able to utilize AI to augment your own intellect and skills. You’ll be able to bridge both worlds in a way that no other generation will.”
He went on to remind the graduates of all different majors that the essence of how their degree will best serve them will likely come from the liberal arts part of their education, using his Jamf company background as evidence.
Halmstad humbly acknowledged that in launching a software business, he may have lacked some of the skills assumed requisite. He admitted to having had no experience in entrepreneurship, software coding, accounting, technical writing or even business.
“But what I did know was how to learn,” he said, adding that the real value of a liberal arts education showed up in his ability learn fast and adapt to the world that was changing around him.
In closing, Halmstad assured the graduates that they, too, will find their Blugold education has equipped them with the agility needed for an ever-changing world.
“Your advantage from this education isn’t what you know sitting here today. Your advantage comes from how quickly you can learn tomorrow. That’s what will prepare you for whatever comes next,” he said.
Halmstad closed by encouraging the newest Blugold alumni to remember the importance of small steps — making the world around them better, where and how they can.
“As you graduate today and move to the next stage of your life, there will be no shortage of problems for you to focus on. Some will be in your career; some will be in your community. Some will be big, some small. But when you see something that is broken, remind yourself, it doesn’t have to be this way. Find a problem and make it better.”
