John Virden knows what it’s like to pilot an F-4 Phantom fighter jet as it’s catapulted from the deck of an aircraft carrier. After two cruises and 300 carrier landings, Virden became an air combat instructor, and in 1983 was chosen for a two-year assignment to fly as a member of the Blue Angels, the U.S. Navy’s elite flight demonstration team.

The Cedar Falls native went on to launch a successful business career, beginning with IBM Corp. From there he was recruited to positions with several start-up computer companies before joining AT&T Corp. as strategic partner director. He went on to become executive vice president and national sales manager of Net Results Inc., a Hampton, Va.-based company that specializes in helping businesses manage their telecommunications costs. Using the experience he gained from recruiting executive talent and from being recruited himself, Virden last year co-founded MidAmerica Executive Resources (www.midamericaexec.com), an Urbandale-based executive search firm. Virden met his business partner, Tom Keating, through Keating’s brother, Dan Keating, a former Blue Angel who recommended Keating’s recruiting services to him. MidAmerica partners with two placement companies that were founded by Keating: BluePrint, based in Bloomington, Minn., and West Des Moines-based Career Resources Group.

In his spare time, Virden works with students at eight Central Iowa high schools through the Blue and Gold Officer Program, which introduces students to possible military careers through the U.S. Naval Academy.

He and his wife, Barbara, moved from Reston, Va., to Adel last summer with their two children, Natalie and William.

Why start an executive recruiting firm?

Because I’ve been an entrepreneur for so many years and have been on both sides of the hiring equation. Both Tom and I have that level of expertise from a personal experience standpoint. We’ve hired hundreds of people; we know how to do it well. We know how to interview and find the right candidates for the right people. It just seemed like a natural fit.

How did you initially decide to get into technology?

I think it more decided on me. The guy who talked me into getting into the [U.S. Naval] Academy was a 1966 graduate of Cedar Falls High and a 1970 graduate of the Naval Academy. When I was due to get out of the Navy, he was the head of sales for IBM (and recruited me). … It was a perfect training opportunity for me. With the knowledge that I gained at IBM, I moved to smaller and smaller software companies to the point where I was doing high-tech start-ups on the sales and marketing side.

What’s the most enjoyable aspect of the executive search business?

In this job, you really are helping companies and individuals in the area. You’re an advocate for the area. So in many ways, I feel like I’m giving back to the community by helping businesses find good candidates, and (helping) candidates come to a great area.

In what ways have you become involved in the community?

When I knew that we were moving back to Iowa, I got involved with the Blue and Gold Officer Program, which gets me out working with young high school kids who are considering going to the Academy. … I’m assigned to eight different schools right now. I’m also a member of the Pride of Iowa Barbershop Chorus. We practice every Monday night at Highland Park Presbyterian Church, and we have a concert coming up April 29 at Hoyt Sherman Place.

Do you still fly?

I don’t. Flying is one of those things that I believe, having done it, you need to spend a lot of time with. It’s not just a hobby. If you don’t spend the associated time keeping yourself proficient, it’s very dangerous. I just don’t have the time to dedicate to it right now.

As a fighter pilot, you took a lot of risks. How does that compare to starting your own business?

(Starting a business) is a huge risk. This was the biggest risk I’ve taken, businesswise. I have a friend who has thought about starting a business, and he has everything lined up but he just can’t pull the trigger. My wife says I may have pulled the trigger too soon. But it is good having Tom as a partner and a mentor, and partnering with Blueprint and CRG have made this tremendously easier than it otherwise would have been. To me, that’s what this business is about: forming those relationships. … This is a personal business. Your clients have to have confidence in you.

Looking back, what was it like being chosen to fly with the Blue Angels?

It was my goal, to coin a phrase, to “be the best you could be.” It highlights the fact that not only have you had a great Navy career, but other people recognize the fact that you have. It’s a great honor to be accepted to the Blues.

What’s your best memory from that experience?

We actually did an air show in Waterloo in 1984. That was certainly exciting; to get back home and showcase the fact that I had been gone for a while and came back with the team.