About Our People

Mark Friemel

CEO

Mark began his career at Electronic Data Systems as a systems engineer. During that time, Mark was a member of the software development team designing and developing software solutions for the savings and loan industry. During his tenure at EDS, Mark also conducted software development training classes for recently hired systems engineers.

In the late 1980's, Mark joined the Chicago office of Ernst &Young as a software developer and business consultant in the consumer products practice area. His clients included Chiquita Brands in Cincinnati, OH; Kimberly Clark in Neenah, WI; American Hospital Association in Chicago, IL; and Wal-Mart in Bentonville, AR. During his career at Ernst & Young, Mark was promoted to manager and then to senior manager of the firm.

In 1992, Mark moved to Bettendorf, IA, bringing his software development skills and consulting expertise to Tech Systems, Inc. Mark spearheaded the software design efforts, and developed new testing and implementation strategies for Tech's clients. Over his career, Mark has managed all areas of the business, including customer support services, consulting, training services, software development, and company management.

In 1993, Mark became a partner in the business and later became CEO of the company. He has assembled a strong team of leaders and credits them with the continued success of Tech Systems' products and world class service. Under Mark's guidance, Tech Systems has repeatedly been recognized as the "best software for the dollar" by distribution industry experts. Support and service after the sale are Tech Systems' trademarks, and Mark 's cornerstone for success.

Mark earned his degree in Management Information Systems with a minor in Accounting from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.

Patrick Friemel

Founder & President

Pat founded Tech Systems, Inc., formerly F&W Systems, in 1971 after starting his career with Burroughs/Unisys in the Davenport, Iowa office. Pat specialized in designing accounting software for a number of Burroughs/Unisys customers throughout Iowa. F&W Systems was a reseller of GAP (General Accounting Package) Software running on mostly Unisys mainframe computers. In 1993, under Pat's leadership, F&W Systems became Tech Systems, Inc., along with the acquisition of the GAP software product line from R&D Systems of Colorado Springs, Colorado. He continued to expand the company, opening offices in Kansas City, Kansas and Des Moines, Iowa.

Pat's vision for Tech Systems' products and services provided the framework for the rapid growth of the company in the 1990's. Teaming up with leaders in the software and distribution industry, Pat guided the company through the development of TechGAP, a robust accounting, manufacturing and distribution solution. He also formed a strong dealer network around the country, making TechGAP available throughout the United States. The strength of the TechGAP product lines, and the world class support and service personnel of Tech Systems, made Tech Systems one of the leaders in accounting and distribution software.

Pat enhanced the original product offerings in the 1990's to create a new suite of products under the label of integraSoft. Pat continually developed the integraSoft product line, and added a full custom programming group to meet the needs of their rapidly growing customer base. Recognizing the demand for graphical products, Pat once again invested in the resources to create a new integraSoft® Suite of products being offered today (iWEB, iSTORE, iPOS and iREP). Today, Tech Systems, Inc. and the integraSoft® Suite are still leaders in the distribution market. In addition to the product's solid performance, many of the early Tech Systems' personnel are still providing support, services and design features to the integraSoft® Suite.

Pat is still very much a part of Tech Systems today. His leadership and guidance are the cornerstones of the company's success. He has hand selected an executive team of professionals to continue his legacy of excellence.

Pat received his Bachelors Degree in Business Administration from St. Ambrose University in Davenport, Iowa and later received his Masters of Business Administration, also from St. Ambrose. Pat has been an integral figure in the Quad Cities community for the past 4 decades, and continues to enjoy the many friends and family in the area.

Michelle DeCap

Vice President - Development

Michelle has spent the last 20 years with Tech Systems, Inc. in a variety of positions. She has led each of Tech's major business functions during her career. Michelle has spent many years working with Tech's clients in on-site support, education, software installation and operational consulting. She has a keen business eye for identifying the most cost effective approach to solving business and technical issues.

Michelle's role in product development was paramount to the creation of Tech's new suite of integraSoft™ products. Choosing Micro Focus and their Service Oriented Architecture enabled Michelle and her team of talented developers to bring Tech's web-based products to market. Her exhaustive search for an architecture that provided for a creative, yet functional, design is being recognized by Tech's current clients.

Michelle's in-depth knowledge of technology and the distribution industry has served her well in her many roles. She has taken the lead role in many of Tech's largest customer projects. Her dedication to excellence is unsurpassed in the industry. Michelle has degrees in Accounting, Computer Science, and Inventory and Business Management.

You can reach Michelle by email at michelled@techsystems.biz.

Doyle Dreiling

Vice President - Technical Services

Doyle began his career at Burroughs/Unisys and spent 10 years there helping clients with custom programming and hardware issues. He led various Marketing Support and Technical Training teams during that time.

Doyle has been part of the Tech Systems' team for over 22 years. He joined Tech Systems in the Kansas City office where he is responsible for supporting Tech customers' technical needs. Doyle's technical understanding of the operating systems and networking tools available on the market provides Tech's customers with a valuable resource.

Doyle pursued his Masters in Computer Science at University of Missouri at Kansas City and became an expert in telecommunications and networking. His success in the program led to his appointment as an instructor in various undergraduate classes relating to technology and networks. His thesis was on the successful implementation of networking services. He continues to teach classes at DeVry University in Kansas City in the evenings.

You can reach Doyle by email at doyled@techsystems.biz.

Michael J. Fleming

Vice President - Sales

Mike started his career in technology and application software in 1971 with the Burroughs Corporation designing and programming COBOL applications. His career took him to various locations and numerous positions within Burroughs/Unisys. Mike headed a large team of professionals as an Account Manager, Branch Manager and Zone Manager. He worked with some of the premier Burroughs/Unisys accounts throughout the upper Midwest region.

Mike brought his industry knowledge to Tech Systems, Inc. over 23 years ago. Originally, Mike partnered with company founder Pat Friemel to bring accounting and distribution management application software to over 2,500 clients. Mike has extensive software process expertise. Mike's experience has served Tech's customers well in that Mike understands every aspect of a distributor's operation. He constantly delivers continuous improvement ideas to Tech's prospects and customers.

In his role as V.P. of Sales, Mike has witnessed numerous industry and operational challenges facing wholesalers. He has taken the input from Tech's clients and prospects and continually challenges Tech's products to deliver productivity enhancements. Mike, like all Tech Systems Associates, is dedicated to Tech's customers and proud of the company's excellent customer satisfaction record. Mike's years of experience and hard work play a major role in the success of Tech's clients.

Mike received degrees in Computer Science and Mathematics from the University of Iowa.

You can reach Mike by email at mikef@techsystems.biz.

Nate Paulson

Vice President - Support Services

Nate has been a member of the Tech Systems team for over 14 years.

Nate and his team of professionals are an integral part of every installation at Tech Systems. From the moment a contract is signed, Nate and his team work closely with the customer to evaluate every aspect of their business. From process improvement to system requirements, Nate's team works to ensure the best installation possible.

Nate has many years of experience working with the support team, installation team and design team. He has been exposed to customers in numerous vertical markets. Nate's goal is to help every customer become successful in implementing solutions and increasing their bottom line results. He is very detail oriented and makes sure every aspect of the customer's business needs is addressed in a professional and timely manner.

Nate received degrees in Finance and Computer Science from the University of Iowa.

You can reach Nate by email at natep@techsystems.biz.

Scott Stratman

Vice President - Business Development

Scott comes to Tech Systems with an extensive background in working with distributors around the globe. Many distributors are familiar with Scott from his previous role as Founder and President of The Distribution Team, Inc. He has spent the last 25 plus years consulting with wholesale distributors in every vertical market. Scott's very popular "Hunting for Cash" seminar series has been attended by thousands of distributors. He takes a bottom line approach to all his consulting and speaking engagements.

Scott has been a guest speaker for over 100 different national trade associations and addressed over one million distributors. His articles can be found in numerous distribution trade magazines and electronic publications. Scott has authored numerous white papers on distribution efficiency and net profit improvement through better asset management. He has been a faculty member at numerous Executive Distribution Programs. His new book on Distribution and Inventory Management will be available soon.

Scott started his consulting career at Andersen Consulting in Chicago after receiving his MBA from the University of Notre Dame. Scott took his consulting skills to Coopers & Lybrand and then to R&D Systems. He teamed up with inventory guru Gordon Graham in the early 1990's to form The Distribution Team, Inc.

Scott's focus is helping Tech's clients increase their overall efficiency and increase their bottom line profits using Tech Systems' software products. Scott has been described as being "the most entertaining and enlightening speaker in distribution" by various Association Executives.

You can reach Scott at (719) 597-5978 or by email at scotts@techsystems.biz. Find out more about some of Scott's expertise by visiting www.thedistributionteam.com