Author Bios
See who makes up each department of Beacon and learn more about them here.
For Quick Reference click on the links for each department:
Beacon’s Executive Team
Articles by Mark |
Mark Dirks is the CEO for Beacon Technologies, but claims that Senior Web Business Consultant is more fitting. With a Masters Degree from Kansas State in Information Systems and a BS from Wake Forest in Mathematics/Computer Science, his passion is helping clients get the most out of their website and internet technology. Mark co-founded Beacon after spending a couple of years with RJ Reynolds and 13 years at AT&T. Outside of Beacon, he is an avid racquetball and softball player, while also coaching youth baseball and football. |
Articles by Tracy  |
Tracy Dirks serves as the CIO. Her 20 years of experience earned while serving as a technical manager for Bell Labs and a chief architect for AT&T’s HRIS organization give her the ideal skill set for Beacon Technologies. Her strengths are most engaged when defining and implementing effective processes to support software development, with emphasis on change management and effective project management. Tracy is also uniquely skilled in correlating business needs into technical solutions, given her deep technical and business experience. Her leadership at Beacon drew the spotlight from Triad Business Journal, which named her Business Woman of the Year for 2007. She indulges her sporty side on water and snow skis and by coaching youth basketball and cheerleading. |
Articles by John |
John Scaramuzzo, COO, is a seasoned technical strategist, innovative engineer, and creative entrepreneur with nearly two decades of distinguished service and experience in platform and server technologies, ecommerce, business consulting, and customer-service management. Before co-founding Beacon, he worked for 12 years at AT&T where he started his career after graduating from the College of Staten Island with a BS in Computer Science/Mathematics. When not working he enjoys spending time with his wife and two daughters. He still plays softball, loves tennis, and coaches for his daughters’ sports teams. |
Beacon’s Web Marketing Team
Articles by Brad |
Brad Henry leads the Digital Marketing team and provides businesses with ROI based web marketing strategies and consultation. With a B.S. in Business Administration (Marketing) from UNCC and close to 10 years experience in technology Brad is able to develop the strategies necessary to achieving results. “SEO is probably my core competency, but Analytics and Conversion optimization are probably a close tie for second.” He enjoys the complexity of technology and the simplicity of nature. When not in front of a computer, you can find Brad on a mountain bike trail. |
Articles by Nicole |
Nicole Tolbert is our Digital Marketing Manager/Consultant by day and a supermom by night. Joining Beacon’s SEM Team in 2009, she currently manages the Digital Marketing Team and works on specific accounts to optimize paid campaigns, implement search engine optimization strategies, and manage social media efforts for these top level clients. Connect with Nicole on Google+ |
Articles by Jeff  |
Jeff Pickle joined Beacon in 2006. He is a Digital Marketing Analyst/Consultant certified in Google Analytics and Adwords. Jeff continually attracts more visitors through both paid campaigns and organic (natural) search and converting those visitors into paying customers. Connect with Jeff on Google+ |
Articles by Andrea  |
Andrea Cole is an SEO expert who joined the team in 2010. She is also the author of The SEOptimist blog which provides useful tips and informative articles on SEO, PPC and Web Marketing. Andrea brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to our top level clients. Connect with Andrea on Google+ |
Articles by Ashley |
Ashley joined the Digital Marketing Team in July 2011. She has a BS in Business with a concentration in Marketing from UNCG. She considers herself a marketing maniac during the day and marvelous mom at night. When not working she enjoys spending time with her family and training horses. Connect with Ashley on Google+ |
Articles by Gus |
Gus Kroustalis is a new member of the Digital Marketing Team. He has an MBA from Elon University and brings seven years of experience in sales and marketing analytics to the Beacon team. Outside of his work at Beacon, Gus has been cooking at the Winston-Salem Greek Festival for over a decade, coaches high school basketball, and still believes that the best movies were filmed in the 80s. Connect with Gus on Google+. |
Articles by Rich
 |
Rich Rossi comes to Beacon as an SEO Specialist. A graduate of Syracuse University, Rich spent several years as a children’s book illustrator and website designer before discovering an affinity for link building and SEO. Connect with Rich on Google+ |
Articles by Jordan |
Jordan Burleson is a Web Marketing Analyst at Beacon. He has a B.S. in in Broadcasting & Advertising from Appalachian State University. Jordan specializes in search engine optimization strategies, social media marketing and analytics to help businesses drive more online traffic. When out of the office, you can find Jordan running, cycling or scaling a mountain. Along with trolling the internet, he is an avid movie viewer and bibliophile. Connect with Jordan on Google+ |
Articles by Liz |
Liz Pagano is a Digital Marketing Analyst who recently joined the team at Beacon. She graduated from UNCG with a B.S. in Information Systems. Liz provides our clients with complete social media solutions as well as manages SEO and PPC. She specializes in strategizing, analyzing and optimizing campaigns to achieve the highest ROI. Outside of the office Liz has a passion for animal rescue, health and wellness. Connect with Liz on Google+ |
Beacon’s Web Development Team
Articles by Justin |
Justin Klingman joined Beacon in 1999 and manages the Web Software Development team. He has served multiple roles in the past, including Web Designer, QA, and Project Management. His specialties include Cascade Server CMS, 508 compliance, and cross-browser compliance. |
Articles by Stephanie |
Stephanie Baubie is the joined the Beacon team in August, 2010. She is a Project Manager with over 20 years of IT and Web Marketing experience. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her husband and three children. |
Articles by John |
John Wallwork is a Senior Systems Engineer. He has a BS in Chemistry and has taken graduate courses in chemistry and computer science at NC State University. John has over 16 years of IT experience and has the following software skills: VB, ASP, .NET, C, C++, XML, Delphi, SQL, Crystal Reports, VMS, Unix, MS Access, SQL Server |
Articles by Annette |
Annette Fowler is a project manager and business analyst at Beacon that specializes in ecommerce. She joined the team in 2007 and has nearly twenty years of IT experience. When not working, she enjoys spending time with her family and is a black belt in tae kwon do. |
Articles by Tiffany  |
Tiffany May is a Web Developer and has been with Beacon since 2009. She discovered her passion for Web Development while editing Myspace Profiles in 2005. She then earned her A.A.S in Web Technologies from GTCC; graduating with Honors in 2008. |
Articles by Mike |
Michael Wood has been with Beacon 9 years. He provides transactional programming expertise mostly in VB.NET and SQL Server. In the past he worked in the corporate worlds of AT&T and IBM. |
Articles by Gary  |
Gary Synan joined Beacon in 2004 as a transactional developer on the web development team. His background is in IT development including 17 years with AT&T/Lucent Technologies and a comp sci degree from Appalachian State. Gary thinks strawberries and Twinkies are the best food God created and he likes going to the beach. |
Articles by Keana |
Keana Lynch joined the Web Development team at Beacon in September 2010. She graduated from GTCC in 2008 with an A.A.S in Web Technologies. Outside of work Keana enjoys spending time with her family, baking and volunteering as a foster parent for the local animal shelter. |
Articles by Jennifer |
Jennifer Calogero is a Web Designer with a degree in Graphic Design from Appalachian State. A newcomer to Beacon in 2011, she has a background in WordPress theme development and branding. Her passions include local food, sustainability, and mixed martial arts. |
Articles by Zedric |
Zedric Myers is a Web Designer for Beacon Technologies. After earning his degree in Advertising and Graphic Design, he spent 11 years with The Sales Factory an advertising agency where he was initially hired as a designer and transitioned to being a Web Developer. |
Articles by James |
James Kite is a Web Transactional Developer with Beacon since July 2012, using primarily .NET and Sql Server. He has a Degree in CIS from High Point University. Outside of work he enjoy books, movies, gaming, and spoiling his two Golden Retrievers. |
Articles by John |
John Vine has been developing website and web applications since 2010. He grew up here in Greensboro, NC and was very happy to be able to return here after graduating from Full Sail University with a bachelors in game development. He prefers the open feeling of my motorcycle which he rides right up until the cold of winter forces him back into a car. He is a Green Bay Packers fan and hopes to one day have season tickets. |
| Articles by Austin |
Austin Fadely is a project manager at Beacon. Aside from having an almost completely useless English degree, Austin is currently working on his MBA at Wake Forest. His unparalleled passion for whimsy is matched only by his unmitigated zest for the absurd. He hopes to one day be the Minister of Silly Walks. Connect with Austin on Google+ |
Beacon’s TSG Team
Articles by William  |
William Nichols is a Systems Administrator that joined Beacon back in 2005. He has multiple Microsoft certifications including being a Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator. He currently manages multiple locations with many different types of infrastructures owned by customers. William also manages all aspects of Beacon’s infrastructure including the dedicated and shared hosting environments. |
Articles by Wayne |
Wayne Van Zandt is the company curmudgeon, misfit and malcontent. He is Beacon’s Senior Systems Administrator with over 25 years of systems administration experience. Wayne left AT&T after 28 years of service and has been with Beacon for over ten years. Wayne enjoys cycling and commutes eight and a half miles to work when weather permits and relaxes by taking 30 to 40 mile rides on weekends. |
Articles by Caleb |
Caleb Pruitt joined the Beacon team in April 2011 as a Desktop Administrator. He graduated from ECPI in February 2011 with an A.S. in Computer Science and Technology and also has an A.S. from GTCC in Architectural Technology. When not working he enjoys golfing, fishing, and working on his truck. |
Beacon’s Sales Team
Articles by Rick |
Rick Boccard is an Account Executive for Beacon Technologies. After earning his degree in Economics from Roanoke College, Rick spent 4 years with Bluewolf in New York and Greensboro, followed by 2 years working as a Sales Executive with Bronto Software in Raleigh. Connect with Rick on Google+ |
Articles by Justin |
Justin Terrell came to Beacon in December 2012, as an Account Manager. He obtained a B.A. in Communication Studies from UNC Greensboro, while also excelling in the social aspect of college life. Outside of work, he enjoys playing sports, especially golf and basketball. His goal in life is to one day be able to play a round of golf with his father at Augusta National Golf Club. Connect with Justin on Google+ |
Articles by Justin |
Emily Ledbetter… Connect with Emily on Google+ |
