Needles Staff
Mary Ellen Bellusci
Marketing Director
Mary Ellen Bellusci joined Needles as Marketing Director in 2002. Mary Ellen graduated from the Honors College at Towson University with a degree in both Communications and English. A Maryland native, Mary Ellen spent 5 years working in Marketing and Account Services for an international travel assistance company before joining the Needles team. She is happily married and resides in Baltimore with her husband and son. Mary Ellen participates in a monthly Pitch cards league, lends her Marketing expertise to volunteer organizations, and tutors in verbal SAT prep. She also enjoys reading, traveling and taking her black lab for walks.
Scott Bogash
Senior Programmer
Scott is the Senior Programmer at Needles, and he has been with the company since 1989. He graduated from University of MD, Baltimore County with a degree in both Computer Science and Information Systems Management. Working as a programmer at Needles was Scott's first programming job out of college. He enjoys traveling, particularly "adventure vacations", such as Costa Rica and Belize. He is also a fan of BIG cats. Scott is married with two children.
Barbara Bull
Certified Needles Trainer
Trainer Barbara Bull joined the Needles team to help clients manage and implement proper case management processes. Her previous job as Training Manager for an enterprise solution company uniquely qualifies her for training challenges. Barbara has lived in ten states, some more than once! She has daughters in Atlanta, Tampa, and Baltimore. Barbara graduated from Towson University with a B.S. degree in Education. She enjoys reading, flower arranging, swimming, and is a huge ACC and Big 12 fan- Go PSU! Barbara's recent travels include a family trip to Norway.
Randy Chase
Certified Needles Trainer
Randy Chase, a native of the central Pennsylvania area, joined the Needles staff as a trainer-in-training, and he is now the trainer with the title of working at Needles for the longest amount of time. He has an undergraduate degree in Mass Media Broadcasting. After graduation, Randy worked in Baltimore selling educational computer software. For many years, he has volunteered as an adult tutor at the Zion Literacy Group in Baltimore.
Jennifer Dominguez
Bookkeeper
Jennifer Dominguez originally joined the Needles team as an Administrative Assistant in 2003. She has since become the Needles Bookeeper. Prior to joining the Needles team, Jennifer honed her Customer Service and Account Management skills by working for a local oil company. A Baltimore native, she recently moved to the small town of Red Lion, PA. with her husband and four year-old son. In her spare time, Jennifer enjoys reading mystery novels, surfing the Internet, shopping, spending quality time with her family and going to the beach. Her yearly travels have taken her to both San Diego, CA and the Dominican Republic. This proud mom agrees that "Nothing else will ever make you as happy or as sad, as proud or as tired, as motherhood."
Jesse Giguere
Technical Support Manager
Technical Specialist Jesse Giguere grew up in Massachusetts and South Carolina before moving to Maryland. Jesse has worked in Systems Support for a medical software company and for the Army Surgeon General prior to joining Needles. He has over seven years of software support experience, and he manages the Needles Technical Customer Support and in-house computer support. Jesse also claims to be a bigger fan of BIG cats than Scott is!
Bill Goodwin
Conversion Specialist
Bill Goodwin joins the Needles team as a Conversion Specialist. Originally from Bluefield, West Virginia, Bill currently resides in Hampstead, Maryland with his wife of 32 years. He has two children and two grandchildren. When he is not converting data he enjoys spending time with his grandchildren and playing golf. He combines his hobbies by having regular family golf outings in Myrtle Beach, SC and Rome, GA. Bill attended the Community College of the Air Force and was an Honor Graduate from NCO Leadership School. While in the service, he spent time in South/East Asia and Europe and even lived in Taiwan for 5 years. He comes to Needles with many years of experience in technical positions supporting the automotive industry.
Richard Harris
Programmer
Rick Harris has been with the Needles Family since 2001. In that time, he has completed many challenging programming assignments. Rick has a degree in Electronics Technology and has been programming for almost fifteen years. In his spare time, he does volunteer work for the Ed Block Courage Award Foundation. He likes to travel and considers himself an avid jazz fan. Rick resides in Baltimore with his wife.
Cathy Mackie
Certified Needles Trainer
Needles is proud to welcome Cathy Mackie among its prestigious group of Certified Needles trainers. Cathy has spent the last 14 years working for a Maryland-based law firm as their Network Administrator and then as the Systems Administrator in charge of all applications. If ever anyone was qualified to discuss the technical aspect of a law firm, it is Cathy! Married and mom to a daughter, two stepsons, and a Chinese Shar-pei puppy, Cathy resides in Frederick County, Maryland. When she isn ’t working, Cathy enjoys reading, gardening, crocheting, and crafts, though she admits that she doesn ’t have too much time for hobbies anymore. Cathy ’s unique law technology background makes her a perfect fit at the company!
Kristen Michaelides
Administrative Assistant
Kristen Michaelides joins the Needles team as an Administrative Assistant. With an Associates Degree in Arts and Science from the Community College of Baltimore County and 7 years of management experience, Kristen brings her human resource training and sparkling personality to the Needles team. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her young son, family and friends. She enjoys photography, vacationing, spending time outdoors, live music, movies & watching football (Go RAVENS!) When asked to share her life philosophy, Kristen said Dream as if you'll live forever, live as if you'll die today!
Rus Mogilnay
Programmer
Rus lends his expertise to the Needles Programming Department. Rus brought with him extensive experience in programming from previous jobs with the Agency on Aging, The Defense Modeling and Simulation Office, and Department of Defense, just to name a few. He enjoys lots of outdoor activities, such as hiking, camping, fishing, and skiing, but he claims that being married with two children takes up most of his free time! His dream is the visit all seven wonders of the ancient world.
Desiree Page
Training Support Specialist
Desiree Page joins the Needles staff in our Training Support Department. A Maryland native originally from Prince George’s County, Desiree now resides with her husband and three children in Elkridge, MD. Desiree has an extensive background in the legal profession. She owned a court reporting company for thirteen years and has over seven years experience working in law firms. She has conducted her work from courtrooms to army bases. Desiree’s hobbies include traveling, soccer, basketball and reading. In her spare time, she helps coach youth sports teams. A fan of warm weather, Desiree has visited Bermuda, Bahamas, San Diego, Florida and Las Vegas, as well as Disney World and Disney Land. She is excited about her work at Needles and is looking forward to helping Needles clients optimize their user-friendly program.
Richard Paresky
National Sales Manager
Richard Paresky is the National Sales Manager at Needles. With over thirty years of Sales and Marketing experience, Rich is crucial to the success of Needles. He has been happily associated with the company for more than ten years. Prior to working for Needles, Rich worked with Burt Bank in the catalog and marketing business, where he had his first brush with computers and automation. He then moved to New York, where he held several Sales Management positions at well known men's designer clothing firms.
Richard spends much of his time working with legal groups, meeting with prospective clients and Needles firms around the country, and educating plaintiff attorneys on the benefits of case management in the law office.
Rich works closely with the marketing and programming staff at Needles to incorporate client and prospect "wishlist" items into new versions of the software.
Gwen Smoot
Training Support Specialist
Gwen Smoot joins the Needles family as a Training Support Specialist. A native of Fort Worth, TX., she graduated from the University of North Texas with a degree in Business Administration Administrative Management. Gwen has worked in the legal field since 1984 and explored the areas of Civil Litigation, Real Estate, Family, Oil & Gas, Mass Tort and Corporate Law. For 6 years she was even the Needles Manager for a Plaintiff - Asbestos law firm in Texas. Her hobbies include listening to jazz and gospel music, traveling, gourmet cooking, interior decorating, completing Sudoku puzzles, event planning and Skin Care consulting. She is also a Dallas Mavericks fan and, (even after the 2006 N.B.A. play-offs), her favorite quote is Go Mavs, STILL!!! Gwen has lived in the Southern California area, and her favorite travel destinations include Hawaii and Japan. Gwen has been happily married for more than 28 years to a retired Naval Chief Petty Officer. She also has one son who is a Culinary Arts graduate and professional chef.
Michael Snyder
Administrative Director
Michael Snyder joined the Needles organization in 1999, when his heating, air conditioning and plumbing business was purchased by a large international company. He brought with him extensive experience in marketing and advertising as well as advanced computer and software skills. His responsibilities at Needles include supervision of the programming department, the technical support department and the training department as well as managing all administrative and human resource activities. In addition, Michael maintains an active role in the marketing, advertising and sales efforts at Needles.
Liz Teixeira
Director of Training
Liz Teixeira is new to the role of Director of Training, but she is a longtime friend of Needles. Previously a Certified Needles Trainer as well as a Phone Support Specialist, Liz has been part of the Needles family since 1998. Liz graduated from Indiana State University with a degree in Marketing. She has put that degree to good use as Director of Marketing for a national signage company and as a Trainer for both Needles and a national Weight Loss organization. Liz resides in Delaware with her husband, son, and daughter.
Lana Tuvelman
Programmer
Lana Tuvelman, a native of Russia, is a programmer at Needles. Lana has lived in Baltimore for many years with her husband and two children. She has worked as a programmer for several Baltimore law firms and will bring her experience to our research and development department. She has a BS in Railroad Information Systems and a BA in Business Administration. Lana enjoys going to the theatre and museums, listening to music, reading and travel.
Medina White
Technical Support Specialist
Medina White joins Needles as a member of our Technical Support Staff. Originally from New York and New Jersey, Medina now resides in Baltimore City with her husband and three children. Medina attended Mercer Community College and has nine years of technical support experience. When she is not working, she enjoys traveling, shopping and spending quality time with her family. The family especially enjoys cooking together and sharing laughs. Medina has been to a variety of interesting places, including Europe, Dominican Republic and Maine.
Michael Wilson
Software Architect
We are pleased to welcome Michael Wilson to the Needles family as a Software Architect. With more than 13 years of experience in developing Software and Web Applications, he will bring a much needed skill set to our organization. Michael is here to speak with clients about their case management needs, review our wishlist items, and blueprint upcoming versions of Needles for the programming staff to ensure that Needles continues to be on the cutting edge of case management technology. Originally from Orlando, Michael graduated from Florida A&M University with a Bachelors degree in Computer Information Systems. He has previously worked for Lockheed Martin, Booz Allen & Hamilton, SRA International and others. He has worked on a wide range of systems and applications. Michael spends most of my free time with his wife and family, going to church, golfing, exercising, and designing software. An avid sports fan, he roots for the local sports teams as well as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Orlando Magic.
Joe Zanta
Regional Sales Manager
Joe Zanta joins the Needles team as our Regional Sales Manager. A Pennsylvania native, Joe received his Bachelors in Education from University of Scranton and his Master’s from Kaplan University. Joe taught children from grade K-12, before changing to a career focused on sales and technology. He has previous experience as an IT recruiter and in security and software sales. Joe currently resides in Fells Point in Baltimore City with his dog Rocky. When Joe isn’t at Needles he is an avid sports fan. He enjoys both watching and participating in football, baseball, hockey and cycling and has competed in multiple marathons and triathlons. He has traveled to England, Canada and Mexico, but mostly enjoys spending time with his family.