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 two 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: Tempe, Ariz.
Top Executives: Gary Johnston, President and Willie Hawileh, CEO

Data Center and Infrastructure Certifications:
HP Elite
VMware Premier
Microsoft Silver
Symantec Gold
Cisco Premier
EMC Velocity Solution Provider

Location: Fremont, Calif.
Top Executive: Sean Canevaro, CEO and CIO

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

Location: Hickory, N.C.
Top Executive: Christopher Christy, Managing Partner

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

Location: Larkspur, Calif.
Top Executive: Geoffrey Lilien, CEO

Data Center and Infrastructure Certifications:
Microsoft Gold
NetApp Gold
HP Elite
VMware Enterprise

Location: Jasper, Ind.
Top Executive: Brenda Stallings, President

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

Location: Denville, N.J.
Top Executive: Anthony Bongiovanni, President

Data Center and Infrastructure Certifications:
Citrix Gold
Microsoft Gold
IBM Premier
VMware Enterprise
Cisco Select

Location: San Antonio, Tex.
Top Executives: Junab Ali II, President and Co-Founder; J. Javier "Jay" Uribe, President and Co-Founder

Data Center and Infrastructure Certifications:
Microsoft Certified
HP Elite
VMware Enterprise
Cisco Premier

Location: Chesterfield, Mo.
Top Executive: Aaron Stone, President and CEO

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

Location: Minnetonka, Minn.
Top Executive: Dan Evans, CEO

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

Location: San Diego, Calif.
Top Executive: Richard Baldwin, CEO

Data Center and Infrastructure Certifications:
Microsoft Gold
HP Elite
VMware Premier

Location: Waltham, Mass.
Top Executive: Mont Phelps, CEO

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

Location: Houston, Tex.
Top Executive: Cornelia Vaught, President and CEO

Data Center and Infrastructure Certifications:
Citrix Silver
Microsoft Gold
NetApp Star
IBM Premier
HP Elite
VMware Enterprise
Cisco Select

Location: Suffern, N.Y.
Top Executive: Felise Katz, CEO

Data Center and Infrastructure Certifications:
Microsoft Certified
Symantec Silver
HP Elite
VMware Enterprise

Location: Parsippany, N.J.
Top Executive: Neil Rosenberg, President and CEO

Data Center and Infrastructure Certifications:
Citrix Gold
Microsoft Gold
NetApp Gold
Symantec Silver
IBM Premier
VMware Enterprise
Cisco Premier

Location: Wilmington, Mass.
Top Executive: David Pearce, President

Data Center and Infrastructure Certifications:
Microsoft Gold
IBM Premier
HP PartnerOne Business Partner
EMC Velocity Solution Provider
VMware Premier
Cisco Premier

Location: Kalamazoo, Mich.
Top Executive: Chuck Warner, Executive Vice President and Partner

Data Center and Infrastructure Certifications:
Microsoft Gold
IBM Premier
HP ASP
VMware Enterprise
Cisco Premier

Location: Austin, Tex.
Top Executive: Don Richie, CEO

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

Location: Ontario, Calif.
Top Executive: Ahmed Al Khatib, President and CEO

Data Center and Infrastructure Certifications:
Citrix Silver
Dell Certified
Microsoft Gold
Symantec Silver
IBM Premier
HP Elite
EMC Velocity Solution Provider
VMware Enterprise
Cisco Gold

Location: Tustin, Calif.
Top Executive: Simon Palmer, President

Data Center and Infrastructure Certifications:
Microsoft Gold
HP Elite
EMC Velocity Solution Provider
EMC ASN Implement Partner
VMware Enterprise

Location: Houston, Tex.
Top Executive: Bill Smith, Founder and President

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

Location: Grandville, Mich.
Top Executive: Larry Andrus, CEO

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

Location: Alpharetta, Ga.
Top Executive: Jeff Uhlich, CEO

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

Location: Columbia, S.C.
Top Executive: David Dunn, Chairman and CEO

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

Location: Orlando, Fla.
Top Executive: Floyd Henson, President and CEO

Data Center and Infrastructure Certifications:
Dell Certified
HP PartnerOne Preferred Partner
VMware Enterprise
Cisco Premier

Location: Centennial, Colo.
Top Executive: Steve Shaffer, President, CEO and Chairman

Data Center and Infrastructure Certifications:
Microsoft Gold
HP Elite
VMware Premier

For more of the CRN Tech Elite 250, see Part 1 of our list. For purchasing information for the complete list, contact lists@ec.ubm.com.