Professional Role and Experience
Gary Crook currently serves as President & CEO of Heirloom Computing, a position he holds following extensive experience in product development spanning over 30 years and an additional 20 years specifically in cloud computing and modernization domains. Prior to Heirloom, Crook was the Global Vice President of Cloud Computing at Micro Focus starting from 2001, underpinning his deep expertise in cloud technologies and enterprise software.
Leadership and Company Impact
Under Crook's visionary leadership, Heirloom Computing has emerged as an industry pioneer in mainframe modernization, particularly focusing on cloud migration solutions that automate transformation of legacy IBM mainframe applications (commonly COBOL and PL/1) into cloud-native Java applications. This platform notably supports migration to major cloud providers including AWS, Google App Engine, IBM Cloud, and Pivotal Cloud Foundry.
Crook has been instrumental in advancing Heirloom’s market positioning, setting new standards in cloud migration for Global 2000 enterprises and leading innovation initiatives involving Generative AI integrations aimed at further scaling modernization capabilities.
Recognitions and Industry Awards
- Named Cloud Migration CEO of the Year 2024 by CEO Monthly in recognition of his transformative role in revolutionizing enterprise mainframe modernization and cloud migration strategies.
- Under his stewardship, Heirloom Computing was named IBM Mainframe Migration Solution Company of the Year 2025 and recognized as a Rising Star in the ISG Provider Lens Mainframe Services & Solutions US Report (2021).
- Heirloom Computing was cited for its cloud-native, multi-cloud agnostic solution, particularly its h/GENAI™ platform, which garnered industry awards and client acclaim.
Company Performance and Financial Insights
Heirloom Computing has demonstrated consistent growth, achieving $2.9 million in revenue over approximately 15 years of operation with a lean team of about 19 employees, reflecting efficient scaling under Crook’s leadership. The company has raised approximately $3.1 million in funding, positioning it as a specialized player with a focused product-market fit in the modernization space.
Thought Leadership and Public Engagement
Gary Crook actively contributes thought leadership content via Heirloom’s corporate website and LinkedIn, publishing detailed articles on the complexities and best practices of mainframe refactoring and modernization. His writings address topics such as cost reduction, risk mitigation, accelerated project delivery, addressing legacy skills shortages, and practical implementations of modernization projects.
He is also engaged in industry discussions, podcasts, and events that emphasize the value proposition of Heirloom’s automated refactoring technology and cloud migration solutions. His public statements frequently underscore Heirloom’s ability to deliver fast, accurate, and cost-effective cloud-native transformations without altering business logic or disrupting operations.
Strategic Vision
Looking forward, Crook’s strategic focus remains on scaling the business globally while integrating emerging technologies such as Generative AI to enhance the platform’s automation and intelligence capabilities. This trajectory aligns with broader digital transformation demands from enterprise clients aiming to modernize mission-critical mainframe workloads efficiently and securely, especially in multi-cloud and sovereign cloud environments.
Summary:
Gary Crook is a seasoned technology executive with over three decades of product development and cloud computing experience, currently leading Heirloom Computing as President & CEO. He has established Heirloom as a pioneer in IBM mainframe modernization through innovative cloud-native solutions, earning distinguished industry accolades including Cloud Migration CEO of the Year 2024. Under his leadership, the company has achieved steady revenue growth, lean operational efficiency, and a robust technology portfolio recognized for accelerating enterprise digital transformation initiatives. His ongoing focus on scaling innovation and integrating AI-driven automation positions Heirloom Computing as a critical partner for Global 2000 organizations seeking to modernize complex legacy systems.
