Paladin Talent & Alliances Associate JJ Halligan

JJ is Paladin’s Ultimate Team Player

In just a year-and-a-half, JJ Halligan has proven to be one of the Paladin Data Corporation’s best team players and most valuable contributors.

Originally aiming to trade the icy winters of the Upper Midwest for the sunshine of Mesa, Arizona, JJ applied to Paladin as a business development representative. But during the interview process, something stood out: His background as a college basketball coach made him a perfect fit for a different role as the company’s talent acquisition specialist. So, like any good basketball player would, JJ pivoted, putting aside his Arizona dreams to join Paladin’s administrative campus in Bend, Oregon.

Being a team player is second nature to JJ. Raised in Faith, South Dakota, he spent his early years on the family ranch before shifting his focus to the basketball court. As a standout point and shooting guard for Faith High School, he helped lead the Longhorns to back-to-back state tournament appearances.

“We were one of the only No. 1 seeds to get last place in the state tournament,” he says with a laugh.

JJ earned a basketball scholarship to the University of Great Falls in Montana, later transferring to Augustana University in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, where he completed his bachelor’s degree in sports management. During his junior year, he transitioned from player to coach, joining the Vikings’ staff as a student assistant. His responsibilities included player development, practice coordination, travel logistics, and stats, contributing to a division championship in 2019.

His coaching journey continued at the University of Mary in Bismarck, North Dakota, where he earned a master’s degree in business and project management while serving as an assistant coach. He later spent two years coaching at Mount Marty University in Yankton, South Dakota.

When Paladin began looking for a talent acquisition specialist, JJ’s background was a perfect fit.

“My entire job as a basketball coach was to build a team – get the players, develop continuity, those kinds of things,” JJ explains. “Instead of watching tape of players, I go through the resumes to see if they fit into our team.”

Since joining the company, JJ has played a key role in Paladin’s growth, expanding the team by nearly one-fifth in just over a year. His role has also evolved to include business development, where he builds relationships with suppliers and vendors.

“I’m helping (Paladin Business Development Director Paul Butcher) support and expand strategic partnerships working with suppliers, attending trade shows,” JJ says. “It’s fun. It’s networking, right? And that’s what basketball was.”

Whether on the court or in the office, JJ Halligan continues to prove that being a great teammate is about showing up, adapting, and always putting the team first.

“One of JJ’s most admirable qualities is his proactive approach. He is always tuned in to what needs to be done and unflinchingly takes care of it. While his primary focus is recruiting, JJ has become a key contributor to our partner relationship efforts. His initiative and versatility have led to meaningful progress with our partners, and his impact continues to grow,” Paul says.

The position has also allowed him to finally move to the greater Phoenix area.

“I love it here. I have a lot of friends from college here. It’s everything I wanted it to be,” he says.