Ultimate Software

Richard J. Niemiec is chief executive officer and principal of TUSC. He is respected around the world as a master in database administration. Members of the media often consult with Rich on technological trends and the impact they'll have on the industry at large. In 2001, Rich was named by Oracle Corp. as an Oracle Certified Master -- one of the first six so recognized around the world. In 2003, Rich authored "Oracle9i Performance Tuning Tips & Techniques," a follow-up to "Oracle Performance Tuning Tips & Techniques" that he wrote four years earlier. It is one of more than two dozen books TUSC has written for various publishers and features a compilation of more than 20 years of hands-on experience and real-life issues. At TUSC, Rich portrays the traits that make up an uncommon leader -- enthusiasm, initiative, integrity, knowledge, loyalty, moral and physical courage, respect, self-control, tact and unselfishness. Some Fortune 500 accounts he has managed include M&M Mars, McDonald's Corp. and Pepsico. His experience in data processing ranges from teaching to consulting, with emphasis in database administration, performance tuning, project management and technical education. Rich is former president of the International Oracle Users Group and currently serves as vice president for its Real Application Clusters special interest group. In addition, Rich is the current president of the Midwest Oracle Users Group. He previously was the executive editor of Exploring Oracle DBMS magazine and editor of MOUG Newsletter. Rich has delivered hundreds of lectures on Oracle to users around the world. Past accomplishments include top presenter honors at international Oracle users conferences. He has conducted numerous expert class presentations at Oracle OpenWorld and other major shows. Rich earned top presenter accolades from MOUG for 10 consecutive years. Along with co-founders Bradley D. Brown and Joseph C. Trezzo, Rich won the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award in 2001 in the category of "E-developer" and was inducted into the Chicago-Area Entrepreneurship Hall of Fame in 1998. TUSC also has won an Arthur Andersen-Chicago Best Practices Award for "Unleashing the Power of Technology" and was named a finalist in three other categories -- "Exceeding Customer Satisfaction," "Motivating and Retaining Employees" and "Strategic Leadership." TUSC has been selected as a finalist for Solutions Integrator magazine's SI Impact Award ("Solutions Integrator of the Year"), Inc./Cisco's Growing with Technology Award ("Fully Established Companies") and MassMutual's Blue Chip Enterprise Initiative Award. Other awards of significance that Rich has been involved in include the Oracle PartnerNetwork's 2004 Partner Solution of the Year Award and 2002 Internet Platform Partner of the Year. Equally impressive is Rich's commitment to society. In 1996, the city of Naperville, Ill., cited those efforts by presenting him with its Family Spirit Award for the many charitable acts of kindness he has displayed to those less fortunate and the giving of time and energy to those in need.

Joseph C. Trezzo is president and chief operating officer of TUSC. He has a solid business background and is a strong believer in education. In 1999, Joe packaged his many years of experience into "Oracle PL/SQL Tips & Techniques" as part of The Ultimate Oracle Library of books TUSC has written for various publishers. The book shares hundreds of real-world developer and DBA examples and insider secrets he has compiled in more than 20 years in the industry. Joe's deep understanding of business can be directly linked to his undivided dedication to clients. He vows to do whatever it takes to reach a project's goals to ensure customer satisfaction. He also believes in people and that true teamwork is a key to any company's success. It's a proven philosophy that he often shares with colleagues during expert tracks at entrepreneur and leadership conferences. In addition to the responsibility of overall management and internal operations of TUSC, Joe is instrumental in defining its corporate vision and direction. Technically, he specializes in the design, development and tuning of application systems for large companies. He has led and managed several projects, having developed applications in accounting, finance, government, human resources, inventory control, manufacturing, order processing, pharmaceuticals, purchasing, utilities and warehousing. Along with co-founders Bradley D. Brown and Richard J. Niemiec, Joe won the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award in 2001 in the category of "E-developer" and was inducted into the Chicago-Area Entrepreneurship Hall of Fame in 1998. TUSC also has won an Arthur Andersen-Chicago Best Practices Award for "Unleashing the Power of Technology" and was named a finalist in three other categories -- "Exceeding Customer Satisfaction," "Motivating and Retaining Employees" and "Strategic Leadership." TUSC has been selected as a finalist for Solutions Integrator magazine's SI Impact Award ("Solutions Integrator of the Year"), Inc./Cisco's Growing with Technology Award ("Fully Established Companies") and MassMutual's Blue Chip Enterprise Initiative Award. Other awards of significance that Joe has been involved in include the Oracle PartnerNetwork's 2004 Partner Solution of the Year Award and 2002 Internet Platform Partner of the Year. Joe has been involved with Oracle since 1985 (version 4) and is a certified Oracle database administrator. Over his career, he has been a developer, DBA and project leader. He often is requested to submit white papers and serve on expert panels for both Oracle and professional panels. Joe previously served as editor in chief for Exploring Oracle DBMS magazine and continues as a regular contributor to several international Oracle-related publications. Joe also is a popular speaker, having appeared at Oracle conferences on all levels for more than a decade. He was named top presenter at the International Oracle Users Group-A Live! convention in 2001 and 1998 and has consistently placed in the top 10 at the international level for the past decade.

Bradley D. Brown, Richard J. Niemiec and Joseph C. Trezzo are the founders of TUSC. The energetic entrepreneurs have developed a senior-level consulting company that is recognized as an industry leader within and outside the Oracle community. The three Oracle experts created TUSC under "The Ultimate Software Consultants" name in late 1988 after separately leaving Oracle Corp. to pursue individual interests. Over time, they came to realize the many goals they shared and decided to combine their efforts into a top-notch consulting, software and training company. At the outset, Brown, Niemiec and Trezzo did it all -- from developing something as technical as an infrastructure and simple as an employee handbook while using Brown's home as an office. Today, the company has emerged as a premier player in the consulting industry. Brown serves as TUSC chairman of the board and chief architect. He's recognized globally as an expert in Web technology. His vast experience and expertise earned him additional roles as chief information officer of Open Access Broadband Networks and board member for Lantech Inc., Colorado Uplift and Cactus Strategies. He's currently education chairperson for the Colorado chapter of the Young Presidents Organization after having previously served as its inventory of skills chairperson, technology officer, assistant education chairperson and membership chairperson. Brown also was a co-founder and acting chief technology officer for Eventconnex Inc.

Tony has shared his management and business skills with TUSC since 1993. He provides direction for the company's recruiting segment and Expert Business Solutions practice. Tony has been developing custom Oracle applications utilizing Oracle development tools for more than a decade. He's recognized as an industry leader in Oracle technology and is asked regularly to address numerous Oracle users groups, including OracleWorld, International Oracle Users Group Live! and Midwest Oracle Users Group.

Barry joined TUSC in 2004 to provide sales leadership for the company's continued growth in Oracle consulting services, managed services, training services and product sales. He has been using Oracle for nearly 20 years, developing, delivering and managing Oracle-based business solutions for 15 years and building and managing Oracle-related businesses for 10 years. Barry recently served in senior executive roles at Accenture, Oracle Corp. and ResponsePoint. While at Accenture, his leadership was crucial to the development of the Oracle practice from $0 to $230 million in just three years.

Dave, a former sergeant in the U.S. Air Force from 1984-92, is responsible for integrating new offices (acquisitions, mergers and organics) into TUSC, including the start-up, infrastructure and day-to-day management of the Atlanta and Milwaukee locations, as well as TUSC's newly established government practice. He also helps advance TUSC by working with leading technology, including object-oriented technology, e-business strategies and the core service area of Oracle Applications. Dave has played a key role in TUSC since 1992. Fifteen years of software development expertise, combined with his knowledge and understanding of TUSC's operations and strategies, allow him to integrate key knowledge management and methodology initiatives into a repeatable new office strategy. He utilizes this strategy to more rapidly instantiate new offices, while continuing to instill character and pride into the new employee base.

Bill is responsible for expanding TUSC into new markets through a combination of organic growth and leveraging quality and customer satisfaction initatives that further promote the company. He has played a key role at the firm since 1995, including expansion of the Denver office. From 1983 to 1995, Bill worked for Coors Brewing Co., where he held the positions of manager of new development (sales and marketing) and manager of data warehousing. He served on the Rocky Mountain Oracle Users Group board of directors for three years, including the position of treasurer. From 1975-1983, Bill was part of the consulting practice of three management consulting firms, traveling to projects in both the United States and Canada.

Burk is responsible for the marketing organization. He has played a key role in TUSC since 1992 and has been instrumental in expanding TUSC's brand name and image. Throughout his career, Burk has straddled both the technical and non-technical side of information technology. He has more than 20 years of experience, holding management positions in IT, marketing and market research. In a non-consulting environment, Burk previously worked for a large Fortune 100 company (United Airlines), IT-oriented start-up (Covia) and joint venture petroleum company (UniVen). In a consulting environment, he was formerly employed by the Chicago Board of Trade, Argonne National Laboratory, Sara Lee Corp. and R.R. Donnelley & Sons Co.

Chris Ostrowski is a technical management consultant for TUSC in Lakewood, Colorado. He has worked with Oracle technologies for over 15 years and has presented at all of the major Oracle conferences. He is coauthor of the Oracle Press book Oracle Application Server 10g Web Development and is also the author of the upcoming title The OracleAS Portal Handbook.