Halmstad is a longtime resident of Eau Claire, Wisconsin and a graduate of North High School and the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, where he studied music and computer science. Halmstad co-founded JAMF Software (now Jamf) with Chip Pearson in 2002. His work in the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire’s IT department fueled an interest in streamlining information technology administration.[3]
The tools he created to efficiently setup and maintain computers at UW-Eau Claire became the foundation and motivation to start Jamf.[4] Halmstad ran Jamf with Pearson, taking $30 Million in Venture capital financing from Summit Partners. In 2017, Jamf was acquired by Vista Equity Partners and Halmstad and co-founder Chip Pearson left the company.[5]
Prior to selling Jamf, Halmstad was quoted as stating that "Jamf generates over $52 million in annual revenue, serves more than 5,500 customers, has nearly 2,000 employees, and just opened its eighth office around the world. JAMF has received an estimated valuation of $225 million.[6]" Since the sale, Jamf has grown to over 1,500 employees.[7] Jamf is now traded on NASDAQ under the symbol JAMF.[8]
Halmstad was involved in two hotel renovations in downtown Eau Claire - The Lismore and The Oxbow - and, with musician Justin Vernon, helped raise funds for a performance center.[9][10]