In the webcast, JMP founder John Sall (@John_Sall) addressed the industry-wide tension between FOMO (fear of missing out) and FOBO (fear of becoming obsolete) surrounding AI, or, as he prefers to call it, simulated intelligence.
“While the technology is impressive, it is not a panacea," Sall said. “It introduces significant risks regarding hallucinations, intellectual property vibe trolls, and the loss of copyright protection for generated code."
Sall reiterated that JMP jobs are safe “if you are good at them,” and cautioned against vibe-coding, which often flips the creative process so that the developer ends up working for the AI rather than the other way around.
Instead of letting AI handle the enjoyable creative work, Sall says we should explore using it to supercharge code analysis and bug detection. Regarding our product, JMP remains committed to providing interactive, trusted, and fit-for-purpose tools that offer more depth than the dead reports generated by LLMs. “I won't stand in the way of progress,” Sall said, “but I will always stand for software that is secure, reliable, and user-friendly.”
Watch Sall’s full talk from 00:00:10 – 00:07:03
Next, R&D Director Jules Parris (@jules) and Product Management Director Dan Valente (@Daniel_Valente) joined CEO Jon Weisz (@Jon_Weisz) for a discussion on JMP’s use of AI tools. The discussion addressed the AI-driven anxiety currently rippling through the tech world, clarifying that, unlike many firms that use AI to mask over-hiring corrections, JMP remains stable, private, and careful in our growth. Weisz explained that JMP is investigating AI tools that are secure, ethical, and environmentally conscious, focusing on three specific functional areas: helping new users find their footing, closing the gap between point-and-click use and JSL automation, and streamlining our internal business systems.
Weisz shared that R&D is exploring how these tools can refactor code and identify security vulnerabilities, but he was adamant that, outside of these specific use cases, JMP's reliance should remain on human expertise.
As Parris eloquently noted, while AI can generate predictable output, it cannot replace the creative intuition that built JMP; the robots aren't taking our puzzles, but they may help us solve the tedious parts more efficiently. Our goal is to remain ambitious yet responsible, prioritizing better work over simply faster work, while keeping teams lean and focused.
Watch the full discussion from 00:07:08 – 00:14:49
Financial performance
Finance Senior Director Jason Romanos (@jasonnzl) shared that we started 2026 with an exceptionally strong Q1, nearly breaking our all-time record, driven by a standout 2% attrition rate. Romanos says that while we expect renewals and spending to normalize as we face macroeconomic headwinds later this year, we remain on track to hit our $200 million in revenue by mid-December.
On the operational front, our revamped procurement process is already paying off, cutting open requests by nearly half, with further refinements coming in April.
JMP is also continuing the heavy lifting of transitioning contracts to JMP and navigating the complexities of the new AMEX corporate card underwriting. Overall, it's a balanced start: high performance paired with a disciplined, cautiously optimistic outlook for the months ahead.
Watch Romano’s full talk from 00:14:55 – 00:17:52
Global Sales performance
Sales Senior Vice President Michael Scruggs (@Michael_Scruggs) shared that our Americas Sales reorganization is officially complete, a massive lift that wouldn't have been possible without the cross-functional support of our Business Operations, Human Resources, and Legal teams.
While America’s production saw some expected transition disruption, our leading indicators are trending upward with a 30% jump in weekly opportunity creation and a JMP Live pipeline that has already grown by 50%.
Scruggs says we are doubling down on face-to-face engagement with more than 50 live events planned for the first half of the year, including high-impact sessions that have already generated significant Q4 leads.
As we head into a "fast and furious" Q2, our focus remains on accelerating strategic account upgrades and leveraging our technical enablement teams to ensure our field reps are productive and credible. If we stay resilient and stick to these high-impact activities, we are well-positioned to hit our mid-year targets across all regions.
Hear from Scruggs from 00:18:05 – 00:25:35
Q1 Spotlight Award winners
Next, Senior Talent Acquisition Specialist Christine Bevan (@CBevan) shared the exceptional contributions of our five Q1 Spotlight Award winners:
Principal Software Developer Chris Humphrey (@chrishumphrey).
Senior Technical Support Engineer Dahlia Watkins (@Dahlia_Watkins).
Senior Events Project Manager Kirsten Crannell (@KirstenCrannell)
Principal Localization Engineer Krzysztof Jozefowicz (@Krzysztof)
Senior R&D Program Manager Shannon Leslie (@ShannonLeslie)
Each recipient, nominated by managers, embodies the technical excellence and collaborative mindset that keep JMP moving forward. Congratulations to this quarter’s winners on their well-deserved gift baskets as a reward for their dedication to the team!
Watch Bevan’s full presentation from 00:25:47 – 00:30:31
Discovery Summit and Discovery Seminar update
Senior Associate Communications Specialist Hannah Martin (@hannah_martin) shared that our Discovery events remain a cornerstone of our brand, consistently proving that bringing customers and thought leaders into the same room is the best way to demonstrate JMP’s value. “We’ve seen incredible feedback from our recent summits in Austin and Sorrento, and with new early bird pricing, we’re making these high-impact experiences more accessible than ever,” Martin said.
After a measured introduction in late 2024, Discovery Seminars are picking up steam and showing massive potential, with a recent Cary event generating more than $200,000 in opportunities by offering a lower barrier to entry for both prospects and long-time users. With 24 seminars planned globally this year, from Chicago to Tokyo, Martin says we are laser-focused on upskilling our community in areas like machine learning and smarter experimentation. “Whether through a multi-day Discovery Summit or a targeted Discovery Seminar, we’re investing in human connections that turn data into stories and prospects into partners,” Martin said.
Watch Martin’s full talk from 00:30:54 – 34:54
Weisz closed, saying our strong Q1 performance and exceptional renewal rates are a testament to the combined efforts of this team and the enduring value of our products.
While we navigate the current AI noise, our focus remains on delivering secure, trusted software and leveraging high-impact events, such as the upcoming Discovery Summits, to drive account expansion. If we continue to lean into our core strengths and the powerful innovation behind JMP 20, we are well-positioned for an incredible year ahead.
Hear Weisz’s closing comments from 34:57 – 35:57
