San José, Costa Rica → the world

Building world-class technology operations, one team at a time.

I'm Ariel Vargas — Director of International Operations & Managing Director at Databricks. For 30+ years I've helped global technology companies take root and grow in Costa Rica.

Let's connect See the journey

years in technology services: 30+
global operations built from the ground up: 3
VMware Costa Rica team growth: 18 → 700+
Great Place to Work, Costa Rica 2016: #1

Three companies, built from the ground up

I've had the privilege of establishing — from first hire to full operation — three companies that lead pillars of the world's digital transformation.

Virtualization & Cloud

Grew the Costa Rica office from 18 to 700+ collaborators — the fastest-growing site in the company — with top employee NPS and the #1 Great Place to Work ranking in Costa Rica.

Cybersecurity

Established and led the company's Costa Rica operation from its start in November 2018, growing the global cybersecurity leader's team to 80+ people.

Data + AI

Since 2022, establishing Databricks' international operations hub in Costa Rica — ~200 strong, a new America Free Zone campus opened in 2025, and 150%+ LATAM growth.

“One random act of kindness, one person at a time.”

I believe workplaces should be meaningful places. Leadership, to me, means creating environments where people matter — and that changing the world starts small: one act of kindness, one person at a time.

Proud Costa Rican. Married to Karen, father of Santiago and Jimena. Amateur poet, dancer, and believer in giving back to the community.