This is a sampling of the Tech Elite 250, a new list compiled by CRN that highlights VARs in the data center and IT infrastructure space who have made investments in IT certifications and technical training in a wide range of technologies and vendor programs.

VARs on this list have a earned some of the most difficult certifications out there from big name IT vendors, including Citrix, Dell, Microsoft, NetApp, IBM, HP, EMC, VMware and Cisco.

Check out part one of our sampling of companies that made the CRN Tech Elite 250. For purchasing information for the complete list, contact lists@ec.ubm.com.

Location: Houston, Tex.
Top Executive: Rich Johnson, Co-founder and President

Data Center and Infrastructure Certifications:
Citrix Platinum
Microsoft Gold
NetApp Gold
HP Elite
EMC VCE Coalition Partner
EMC Velocity Solution Provider
EMC ASN Implement Partner
VMware Enterprise
Cisco Gold

Location: Alpharetta, Ga.
Top Executive: Matt Waring, Co-founder and President

Data Center and Infrastructure Certifications:
Microsoft Certified
NetApp Gold
HP PartnerOne Business Partner
EMC Velocity Solution Provider
VMware Enterprise
Cisco Gold

Location: Independence, Ohio
Top Executive: Alfred Traversi, President and CEO

Data Center and Infrastructure Certifications:
Citrix Silver
Microsoft Gold
HP Elite
EMC VCE Coalition Partner
EMC Velocity Solution Provider
EMC ASN Implement Partner
VMware Premier
Cisco Premier

Location: Solon, Ohio
Top Executive: Martin Ellis, President and CEO

Data Center and Infrastructure Certifications:
Citrix Silver
Microsoft Gold
NetApp Gold
Symantec Platinum
IBM Premier
HP Elite
EMC VCE Coalition Partner
EMC Velocity Solution Provider
EMC ASN Implement Partner
VMware Premier
Cisco Gold

Location: Overland Park, Kans.
Top Executive: Gary Alexander, President and CEO

Data Center and Infrastructure Certifications:
Citrix Silver
Microsoft Gold
Symantec Silver
IBM Premier
HP Elite
EMC VCE Coalition Partner
EMC Velocity Solution Provider
EMC ASN Implement Partner
VMware Premier
Cisco Gold

Location: New York, N.Y.
Top Executive: Daniel DiSano, President and CEO

Data Center and Infrastructure Certifications:
Microsoft Gold
EMC Velocity Solution Provider
VMware Professional
Cisco Silver

Location: Tampa, Fla.
Top Executive: Peter Anderson, President and CEO

Data Center and Infrastructure Certifications:
Citrix Platinum
Dell Certified
Microsoft Certified
IBM Premier
HP Elite
VMware Enterprise
Cisco Premier

Location: New York, N.Y.
Top Executive: Bruce Hoernecke, President and CEO

Data Center and Infrastructure Certifications:
Microsoft Gold
HP PartnerOne Business Partner
VMware Professional
Cisco Premier

Location: Sunnyvale, Calif.
Top Executive: Jessica Ryan, CEO

Data Center and Infrastructure Certifications:
Citrix Silver
Dell Certified
EMC Velocity Solution Provider
VMware Enterprise
Cisco Premier

Location: Hauppauge, N.Y.
Top Executive: Bob Cagnazzi, CEO

Data Center and Infrastructure Certifications:
Microsoft Certified
NetApp Platinum
IBM Premier
EMC VCE Coalition Partner
EMC Velocity Solution Provider
EMC ASN Implement Partner
VMware Enterprise
Cisco Gold

Location: Paoli, Ind.
Top Executive: Bill Hall, President and CEO

Data Center and Infrastructure Certifications:
Microsoft Gold
IBM Premier
EMC VCE Coalition Partner
EMC Velocity Solution Provider
EMC ASN Implement Partner
VMware Enterprise
Cisco Silver

Location: Ridgeland, Miss.
Top Executive: Tony Bailey, CEO

Data Center and Infrastructure Certifications:
Citrix Gold
Dell Certified
Microsoft Gold
HP PartnerOne Preferred Partner
EMC Velocity Solution Provider
VMware Enterprise
Cisco Gold

Location: Malvern, Pa.
Top Executive: Paul Black, President

Data Center and Infrastructure Certifications:
Citrix Gold
Dell Certified
IBM Premier
VMware Enterprise
Cisco Premier

Location: Norcross, Ga.
Top Executive: Mark Metz, Chairman

Data Center and Infrastructure Certifications:
Citrix Silver
Dell Certified
Microsoft Gold
IBM Premier
VMware Enterprise

Location: Campbell, Calif.
Top Executive: Laurie Dasher, President and CEO

Data Center and Infrastructure Certifications:
Citrix Silver
Dell Certified
Microsoft Gold
Symantec Silver
HP Elite
VMware Enterprise
Cisco Premier

Location: Redmond, Wash.
Top Executive: Majdi (Mike) Daher, CEO

Data Center and Infrastructure Certifications:
Citrix Gold
Dell Certified
Microsoft Gold
IBM Advanced
HP Elite
EMC Velocity Solution Provider
EMC ASN Implement Partner
VMware Enterprise
Cisco Premier

Location: New York, N.Y.
Top Executive: Kirit Desai, CEO

Data Center and Infrastructure Certifications:
Citrix Gold
Microsoft Gold
Symantec Silver
HP Elite
VMware Enterprise
Cisco Premier

Location: New York, N.Y.
Top Executive: Jere Brown, CEO, Americas
Data Center and Infrastructure Certifications:
Dell Certified
Microsoft Gold
Symantec Gold
HP PartnerOne Preferred Partner
EMC VCE Coalition Partner
EMC Velocity Solution Provider
EMC ASN Implement Partner
VMware Premier
Cisco Gold

Location: Alpharetta, Ga.
Top Executive: Julie Ison Haley, CEO

Data Center and Infrastructure Certifications:
Citrix Silver
Microsoft Certified
NetApp Gold
HP Elite
VMware Professional

Location: Herndon, Va.
Top Executive: Phillip Norton, CEO

Data Center and Infrastructure Certifications:
Citrix Gold
Dell Certified
Microsoft Gold
NetApp Star
Symantec Platinum
IBM Premier
HP Elite
EMC VCE Coalition Partner
EMC Velocity Solution Provider
EMC ASN Implement Partner
VMware Premier
Cisco Gold

Location: Seabrook, N.H.
Top Executive: Bruce Crochetiere, President

Data Center and Infrastructure Certifications:
Citrix Gold
Dell Certified
Microsoft Gold
NetApp Gold
Symantec Silver
HP PartnerOne Preferred Partner
EMC Velocity Solution Provider
EMC ASN Implement Partner
VMware Premier
Cisco Premier

Location: Crofton, Md.
Top Executive: Rocky Cintron, President and CEO

Data Center and Infrastructure Certifications:
Microsoft Gold
EMC VCE Coalition Partner
EMC Velocity Solution Provider
EMC ASN Implement Partner
VMware Premier
Cisco Gold

Location: Kittery, Maine
Top Executive: Ron Dupler, CEO

Data Center and Infrastructure Certifications:
Citrix Gold
Dell Certified
Microsoft Gold
Symantec Gold
IBM Premier
HP Elite
EMC VCE Coalition Partner
EMC Velocity Solution Provider
EMC ASN Implement Partner
VMware Premier
Cisco Premier

Location: Marlborough, Mass.
Top Executive: James Pinzino, President

Data Center and Infrastructure Certifications:
Dell Certified
IBM Premier
EMC Velocity Solution Provider
EMC ASN Implement Partner
VMware Premier

Location: Lewisville, Tex.
Top Executive: Mark Hilz, President

Data Center and Infrastructure Certifications:
Citrix Silver
Dell Certified
Microsoft Gold
NetApp Star
EMC VCE Coalition Partner
EMC Velocity Solution Provider
EMC ASN Implement Partner
VMware Premier
Cisco Gold

For more of the CRN Tech Elite 250, see Part 2 of our list. For purchasing information for the complete list, contact lists@ec.ubm.com.