Meet the senior consultants leading every engagement
John Panico
Co-Founder & Managing Partner
John Panico has more than 25 years of experience helping organizations stabilize ERP implementations, strengthen governance, and improve adoption during complex change initiatives.
As a Prosci Certified Change Practitioner, John specializes in the human and organizational side of ERP transformation, ensuring that systems are not only implemented, but effectively adopted and sustained. His work focuses on restoring clarity, reinforcing execution discipline, and aligning technology decisions with real business outcomes.
Throughout his career, John has helped organizations recover struggling ERP initiatives by identifying governance gaps, realigning teams, and introducing structured delivery frameworks that reduce risk and drive predictable results. His experience spans manufacturing, wholesale distribution, automotive, retail, hospitality, and medical industries.
Before co-founding Magnetic D365, John held senior leadership roles across the Microsoft Dynamics partner ecosystem, including global systems integrators and ERP consulting firms. He managed a $25M+ portfolio of Dynamics 365 programs and played a key role in developing delivery standards, governance models, and consulting talent.
John's background as both an executive leader and entrepreneur gives him a practical perspective on ERP programs, balancing technical rigor with operational reality. Clients value his ability to ask the right questions, surface hidden risks early, and provide clear, actionable guidance when decisions matter most.
Areas of Expertise:
- ERP project recovery and risk mitigation
- Governance and delivery oversight
- Change management and organizational adoption
- Business process optimization
- Cross-functional team alignment and stakeholder management
- Training strategy and user enablement
- ERP roadmap development and digital transformation planning
Ba Tran, PMP
Co-Founder & Chief Operating Officer
Ba Tran brings more than 20 years of supply chain and enterprise technology leadership to every Magnetic D365 engagement. Beginning his career as a Global Project Manager at Cummins Inc., Ba built a foundation in solving complex logistics, distribution, and operational challenges that has defined his career.
As a solution architect and delivery leader, Ba has designed and implemented sophisticated supply chain and ERP solutions across manufacturing, distribution, and warehouse-centric organizations. His work has included the development of advanced supply chain capabilities later incorporated into enterprise ERP platforms, including Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations.
With over 20 years specializing in Microsoft Dynamics platforms, Ba is recognized for his ability to translate complex operational requirements into scalable, reliable ERP solutions. Prior to co-founding Magnetic D365, he served as an Executive Director at a global ERP consulting firm, leading multi-disciplinary teams across large-scale implementations ranging from $1M to $20M+.
Ba's leadership on Reliable Automatic Sprinkler Co.'s multi-year Dynamics 365 implementation exemplifies his approach: disciplined execution, technical rigor, and relentless focus on results. Clients consistently describe him as a steady, hands-on leader who raises the bar for both delivery quality and team performance.
Ba holds his Project Management Professional (PMP) certification and remains actively involved in professional and community organizations.
Areas of Expertise:
- Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations architecture and implementation
- Supply Chain Management (SCM) optimization
- Warehouse Management System (WMS) integration
- Distribution and logistics process design
- Large-scale, multi-million-dollar program leadership
- Cross-platform ERP delivery (SAP, Oracle, JD Edwards)
Hap Auch
Head of Sales
Hap Auch III serves as Head of Sales at Magnetic D365, bringing nearly three decades of experience building client relationships, driving growth, and helping organizations navigate complex technology decisions.
A seasoned sales leader across the mid-market and enterprise sectors, Hap has a proven track record of building and scaling high-performing Microsoft practices while also succeeding as an individual contributor. His experience spans the Microsoft ecosystem, including Dynamics 365, Azure, AI, cloud, and modern workplace solutions.
Throughout his career, Hap has specialized in connecting business needs with practical technology strategies. He brings deep experience in go-to-market strategy, strategic partnerships, Microsoft co-sell motions, and the development of new revenue opportunities. His long-standing relationships within the Microsoft field organization help Magnetic work effectively across the Microsoft ecosystem and identify opportunities where we can deliver meaningful value for our clients.
Hap has been building trusted client relationships since 1997 and believes the strongest engagements create lasting value for both the client and the teams serving them. That relationship-first philosophy aligns closely with Magnetic's commitment to building clients for life.
Hap lives along the central New Jersey coast with his wife, Natalie, and their four children. He is a graduate of the United States Army Airborne and Air Assault Schools and serves on the Board of Operation Beachhead, a nonprofit organization providing adaptive sports and ocean therapy programs for veterans, first responders, children with special needs, and their families.
Calvin Kalu
Client Engagement Director
Calvin Kalu serves as Client Engagement Director at Magnetic D365, bringing extensive experience leading complex ERP transformations and helping organizations translate technology investments into measurable business outcomes.
Throughout his career, Calvin has worked across both domestic and international enterprise environments, bridging the gap between business strategy, technology, and successful delivery. His experience spans Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations, Dynamics AX, Oracle, and other enterprise platforms, giving him a broad perspective on the operational, technical, and organizational challenges that accompany major transformation initiatives.
Calvin has held senior leadership positions with organizations including SIS, Stoneridge Software, HCL Technologies, Hitachi Solutions, and MCAConnect. Across those roles, he has led service delivery, strengthened client relationships, improved operational performance, and helped organizations build and scale successful consulting and technology practices.
At Magnetic, Calvin works closely with clients throughout the engagement lifecycle—from understanding business objectives and shaping the right approach through delivery and long-term account success. His ability to simplify complex challenges, bring together business and technical teams, and maintain focus on measurable outcomes helps ensure that technology decisions remain grounded in the needs of the business.
Calvin's leadership philosophy is rooted in service, accountability, and developing strong teams. He is passionate about emerging technologies, including AI, and how they can be practically applied alongside modern ERP platforms to improve the way organizations operate.
Above all, Calvin believes successful consulting relationships extend beyond implementing technology. They are built by earning trust, delivering on commitments, and leaving clients better positioned for what comes next.