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Our Team

One of the reasons we have thrived over the last few decades is because we’re lucky to have stellar leadership at the helm of our operation. Get to know the visionaries who founded CEI and continue to steer our clients toward success.

 

Leadership

D. Raja
CEO and Co-Founder

D. Raja
CEO and Co-Founder

Raja co-founded CEI in 1992, in Pittsburgh. Initially rooted in Staffing, Raja has grown CEI into a well-known, trusted, global Technology and IT partner. He is very active with CEI’s global locations and other ventures in India, South America, and Europe. He started the Business Mentoring Roundtable and served as founding Chair of University of Pittsburgh’s Computer Science Industry Board. He is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh and earned his MBA from Carnegie Mellon University. In 2016, he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate as commencement speaker at Waynesburg University.

Madhav Kulkarni
President

Madhav Kulkarni
President

With 20 years at Capgemini and another 7 at Cognizant, Madhav is a knowledgeable and experienced leader in the IT and Technology space, with extensive experience living and working in India. Holding positions such as SVP of Strategic Growth, COO, and Global Delivery Head, Madhav has orchestrated hypergrowth for multiple organizations across various practices and technologies.

Delivery

Mike Snell
VP of Technology Solutions

Mike Snell
VP of Technology Solutions

Mike has been a key member of the CEI team for nearly 20 years. He has transformed CEI by leading the Technology Solutions team, assuring that we remain on the cutting edge of technology trends. He is a proven leader, guiding his team to provide the highest level of service in digital and cloud transformation, UX, architecture, web and app development, DevOps, AI/ML, and much more.

Geoff Tewksbury
Cloud Practice Director

Geoff Tewksbury
Cloud Practice Director

Nearing 20 years at CEI, Geoff holds the position of CEI’s Cloud Practice Director. As personable as he is intelligent, Geoff is able to seamlessly move between being a technologist and managing a client relationship. He’s a fixture at CEI events, just as likely to drive the action at a happy hour as he is on a client project. He is a key piece of what makes CEI’s Delivery team world class.

Jason Lowengrub
Director of UX and HCD

Jason Lowengrub
Director of UX and HCD

With more than 10 years of UX and Design experience and a BA from Cornell University, Jason has brought his expertise to CEI and client teams since 2018. He quickly advanced from a UX Design Lead to the Director of UX and Human-Centered Design, where he guides the team to create engaging, aesthetic, and customer/product-led design solutions for CEI’s clients. His team never fails to provide world-class work. Jason lives in Northern Virginia with his wife and three sons.

Amar Singh
Managing Director, CEI India

Amar Singh
Managing Director, CEI India

Amar has been a key member of the CEI team for 26 years and counting. He has built a highly qualified, deeply talented, and extremely reliable team of, and is responsible for assuring the successful delivery of all of CEI’s services provided out of Chennai. In addition to being a joy to work with, Amar is a certified PMP, certified Six Sigma Black Belt, and Certified Scrum Master. He holds a Master’s Degree in Computer Science, an Executive MBA, and completed a Post Graduate Program in AI and Machine Learning from Purdue University.

Siva Kumar
DevOps Practice Director

Siva Kumar
DevOps Practice Director

A key piece of CEI’s Technology Solutions team since 2009, Siva has a stunning amount of technical expertise. He is CEI’s DevOps Practice Director, with deep expertise in DevOps and Agile Transformation. In addition, he holds certifications in AWS Solutions and Machine Learning, Azure Solutions, Security, and Enterprises Apps, Kubernetes, and Google Cloud. If you have a tech problem, Siva can solve it.

Jason Agostoni
Principal Architect

Jason Agostoni
Principal Architect

With nearly 20 years as a member of CEI’s Technology Solutions team, Jason is extremely experienced, and battle tested. While he specializes in in Enterprise and Cloud Architecture, he has expertise across a wide range of technologies such as web and mobile development, data platforms, IoT, and much more. Celebrated by colleagues and clients alike, Jason has architected and implemented hundreds of solutions that allow clients to accelerate, grow, modernize, and scale their organizations.

David Szwak
Sr. Director, Digital & CMS

David Szwak
Sr. Director, Digital & CMS

David has 25+ years of digital marketing, custom application, and process development experience. At CEI, he serves both mid-tier and Fortune 500 clients, focusing specifically on the strategic planning and tactical execution that enables clients to successfully plan and bring to life effective marketing initiatives using new and emerging technology solutions.

Balaji Kandasamy
Practice Director, Sitecore MVP

Balaji Kandasamy
Practice Director, Sitecore MVP

Bala has 16+ years of web and digital marketing experience. He is a Sitecore Technology MVP who has deep understanding of strategic business consulting and project delivery. He focuses primarily on digital marketing and personalization. Bala’s ability to contribute to the development roadmap, as well as his proven record of completing deliverables within or ahead of schedule makes him an extremely valuable resource to CEI customers.

Srinivasan Iyer
Client Partner, Senior Manager

Srinivasan Iyer
Client Partner, Senior Manager

Bringing 20 years of seasoned expertise in leading, managing and delivering projects across diverse sectors including Retail, Shipping, Banking, Insurance, and Retirement Planning. Adept at driving successful project outcomes through meticulous planning, resource optimization, and client-centric strategies. Known for fostering collaborative environments to achieve organizational goals effectively.

Corporate

Brittany Evans
Director Key Accounts and DEI

Brittany Evans
Director Key Accounts and DEI

Brittany brings over 15 years of expertise in sales, staffing, and service excellence across both public and private sectors. A proud alumna of Hampton University, she draws inspiration from her connections in Baltimore and Detroit, cities that have profoundly influenced her commitment to community and excellence. Brittany spearheads innovative contingent labor management strategies through strategic DEI initiatives and cutting-edge MSP solutions. Here, she leverages her insights to advance best practices in contingent labor management, diversity and inclusion, VMS optimization, and workforce development. Brittany is a devoted parent of two and she actively serves on supplier diversity and business development boards, including her role as Outreach Coordinator on the board of the MBEIC for the EMSDC.

Buddy Doyle
General Counsel

Buddy Doyle
General Counsel

Buddy Doyle has been CEI’s Associate General Counsel since 2021. He serves as a legal and business leader within the company and takes pride in his focus and diligence with respect to risk protection at the entity level and client service at the stakeholder level. Prior to joining CEI Buddy worked as a corporate associate at an international law firm – and is a proud alumni of PSU and Pitt Law. Buddy lives in Pittsburgh, PA with his wife and two young children. In his free time Buddy enjoys spending time outdoors with his family, golfing, listening to music (he’s seen Bruce Springsteen more than 20 times in concert!), cooking and reading.

Dilip Balsaraf
Director, MIS/IT/Infrastructure

Dilip Balsaraf
Director, MIS/IT/Infrastructure

Dilip has been a core piece of CEI’s IT infrastructure for nearly 20 years. He is the Director of MIS, assuring that all Information and technologies whether on-premise or Cloud, networks and websites are working efficiently and secure. He guides teams with strong leadership and personal skills and is always willing and able to contribute to any project where his vast expertise is required.

Tim LaBarge
VP of Marketing

Tim LaBarge
VP of Marketing

Tim joined CEI in 2021 with a strong background in content marketing, demand and lead generation, multi-channel campaign creation, analytics, and marketing management. He focuses heavily on CEI’s strategic messaging and positioning, assuring that existing clients, possible hires, and new prospective clients can clearly understand the skills, capabilities, and offerings that make CEI unique. He holds a dual-major BA from the University of Notre Dame, along with an MBA from Xavier University. He is based in Cincinnati, where he spends most of his free time chasing his four young children and dog.

Nanette Starko
Director, Human Resources

Nanette Starko
Director, Human Resources

Nanette Starko has been CEI’s Head of Human Resources since 2014.  With over 20 years of experience in managing the full spectrum of HR responsibilities, her background has notable involvement in strategic HR planning, performance management, staffing, federal and state law compliance, contract negotiations, employee benefits, compensation & payroll, training and development and management coaching.  She is also a member of SHRM, The Society for Human Resource Management.  As a results focused leader, she believes in creating cultures that promote continuous business growth and cultivating customer loyalty by empowering and motivating one of the company’s most valuable assets, the employees, to realize and reach their full potential in order to bring their very best to the job.

Sales and Account Owners

Matt Linneman
VP Talent Acquisition & Partner

Matt Linneman
VP Talent Acquisition & Partner

Heading CEI’s Talent Acquisition Group, Matt has more than 15 years of experience in Staff Augmentation. He leads the team responsible for CEI’s largest client and has been a steadfast leader at CEI for years. His professional yet humorous demeanor make him a crucial piece to the success of CEI’s Talent Acquisition Group. Back-to-back defending CEI League Fantasy Football Champion.

Matt Whitfield
Regional Director

Matt Whitfield
Regional Director

Matt leads of CEI’s Washington, DC office with more than 25 years of IT Services experience and a specialty for working with 501(c)(3)s, trade associations, municipalities, NGOs and private sector companies throughout the DMV. He assures that the solutions he delivers will meet client needs while leveraging CEI’s expertise across various technologies and service lines. Matt is a graduate of Bucknell University and resides with his wife, two sons, and several four-legged family members in Northern Virginia. He is an active triathlete and spends his spare time reading and coaching high school soccer.

Dylan Ryan
Regional Director & Partner

Dylan Ryan
Regional Director & Partner

Dylan leads the sales and operations of CEI’s Virginia Beach office, responsible for growing CEI’s footprint in the region while also managing what has historically been one of CEI’s largest clients. Dylan is known for being customer-obsessed with a motor that seemingly never stops. He leads a team of Account Executives and has been a Partner since 2020.

Vicki Hickman
VP of Sales

Vicki Hickman
VP of Sales

With 30 years in IT, Vicki is a respected expert in infrastructure services, ERP implementation, managed services, staff augmentation, and IT solutions. She leads CEI’s business development, focusing on strategic planning, client relationships, and satisfaction. Vicki is also a member of the Michigan Council of Women in Tech and a strong advocate for Women in STEM.

Matt Thornton
Regional Director & Partner

Matt Thornton
Regional Director & Partner

The fearless leader of CEI’s Philadelphia office, Matt brings 15+ years of Staff Augmentation and IT/Technology experience. He guides his team with new techniques, training, and strong selling skills. A combination of key account management and new business development makes Matt a crucial piece to CEI’s success. He resides in Greater Philadelphia with his wife and 3 children, cheering the Eagles on each Sunday.

Chris Wootten
GitHub Alliance Director

Chris Wootten
GitHub Alliance Director

With 30+ years consulting experience in software engineering best practices, development methodologies, and technologies Chris leads our GitHub Alliance Partnership. With a passion for all things DevOps, he regularly teams up with GitHub and clients to help them achieve their IT and business objectives. Early in his career at GE, Chris cut his teeth on the intersection of innovation, quality, and real-world ROI setting the foundation for his passion. Joining CEI in 2010 he is our resident “car guy” whether on the track, carving mountain roads, or wrenching on them as a form of meditation.

Pete Bernhard
Managed Services Practice Head

Pete Bernhard
Managed Services Practice Head

Pete has 15 years of experience in the IT Managed Services industry. He’s an expert in network infrastructure, cloud services, and cybersecurity and has a strong background in troubleshooting and resolving complex technical issues. He’s most skilled in project management, client relations, and team leadership. When he’s not working, you can catch Pete at the golf course or playing a round of cornhole.

Sandy Merich
VP Strategic Partnerships

Sandy Merich
VP Strategic Partnerships

Sandy is CEI’s Microsoft Guru, managing a Gold Microsoft Partnership for almost five years. With more than 20 years at IBM, Sandy has extensive experience in Technology and IT Services and Sales. He is an expert at leveraging Microsoft solutions that align with the needs of his clients to facilitate modernization, growth, and scale. Outside of work, Sandy is always good for a round of golf, a baseball game, and a laugh.

Jason Shirley
Regional Director

Jason Shirley
Regional Director

With extensive experience in Staff Augmentation, Jason leads CEI’s Denver Office. A former college football player, Jason brings that competitive and tough mindset to the workplace but does it with a smile. In addition to training and leading the team, Jason is active in CEI’s Talent Acquisition and Staffing services, focusing on positions related to Microsoft, Java, Mobility, BI, ERP, PMs, BAs, QAs, among others.

"I can honestly say that the CEI team is one of the best in the business. It's not only the ability to dig into the client's business for a deep understanding of the issue but to craft solutions that are actually and truly transformative."
— John Rogan, Advisor to the Board
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