Management Team

Doug Nicholas (President & CEO)

During the past 20 plus years, Doug has become a recognized software Entrepreneur, Executive and active early stage Investor in leading software companies. As a Co-Founder and Senior Partner of Greentree Partners LLC, Doug led the acquisition of Hard Dollar in 2004 and has served as its Chairman. He assumed the fulltime role of CEO at the beginning of 2007 and has rapidly transitioned the Company into the category creator and leader of Project Cost Management. Doug was the Founder, President and CEO of Opis Corporation, developers of SupportExpress. Opis pioneered the PC customer support and help desk category and was a market definer of CRM. Opis Corporation merged with SalesLogix/Interact Commerce in December 1997. Doug served as Vice President of Business Development for Interact Commerce where he helped build the company from an early stage start-up through venture financing, two acquisitions and successful IPO before being acquired by Sage Software PLC for $280 million. Opis Corporation/Interact Commerce was the highest returning investment in the history of the Iowa Seed Capital Venture Fund and home run investment for Sierra Ventures, Goldman Sachs, Adams Street, Sigma Ventures and InnoCal Venture Capital.

Doug has a BA from the University of Northern Iowa in Public Relations and Marketing. He has served on numerous software boards, is an active early stage mentor and advisor on market segment definition, focus and revenue development.

Brad Barth (Vice President, Sales Engineering)

Mr. Barth has been instrumental in transforming Hard Dollar Corporation from a start-up software developer into one of the world’s leading solution providers for project-driven enterprises. In helping to orchestrate Hard Dollar’s product vision and go-to-market strategy, he has guided the Hard Dollar software solution to award-winning status, while developing a large and loyal customer following. Mr. Barth received a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Southern Methodist University.

Rick Deans (Vice President, Professional Services)

Since 1998, Rick Deans has been working with Hard Dollar customers to understand their business objectives and processes relating to estimating and managing large, complex projects. As Vice President, Professional Services, Rick oversees Hard Dollar’s training and consulting services, ensuring customer satisfaction and helping to create educational products that continue to meet the industry’s needs.

Rick has planned, delivered and managed numerous educational programs for a variety of customer needs. These range from generalized “Getting Started” sessions to structured implementation packages, which include developing customized content for training classes, and building supporting reference tools tailored to match specific customer data, processes and terminology. Prior to joining Hard Dollar in 1998, Rick Deans worked within the software industry for 8 years as a Technical Recruiter and for 5 years as a partner in a small construction firm. Rick received his BA in Economics from UCLA in 1986.

Ron Babich (Vice President, Sales & Marketing)

A 20 year technology sales and marketing pioneer, Ron's path to leadership has resulted in increased value, profits and repeatable process infrastructure with successful technology organizations. With a sharp focus on creativity, cutting edge innovation, and ability to build and lead successful sales teams, his track record has emphasized results and enhanced shareholder value. Prior to Hard Dollar, Ron spent 7 years as VP of Sales and Marketing delivering consistent sales growth and market share to Telesoft Corportion. He increased new sales consistently by 23%+ year after year. Ron also led Product Marketing for Sage’s Saleslogix product line for 4 years. Ron has been recognized throughout the technology industry, serving as a sales and marketing strategy consultant for organizations including Cox Communications, Ensynch Solutions, and other market leaders with a focus on technology. Ron started his career as a CPA in finance as the youngest controller at Western Savings and Loan and later became the controller for GE Leasing, modular systems. Ron is a graduate of Western Intl University with a bachelor of arts degree in business administration.

Nicole Stephano (Vice President, Product Strategy)

A 15+ year technology product strategy and marketing professional. Nicole's path to leadership has resulted in increased value, profits and improved customer satisfaction with successful technology organizations. With a strong focus on satisfying customers, product innovation, and ability to build and lead successful development teams, her track record has emphasized results and enhanced shareholder value. Prior to Hard Dollar, Nicole spent her career with Primavera Systems, now an acquired Oracle Global Business Unit, in the Product Management and Marketing ranks. Her focus was to support the development and introduction of new products that meet the demands of the Primavera customer base. Throughout her career at Primavera she assumed greater responsibility and management roles within the Product Strategy and Marketing functions. Nicole was most recently the Vice President of Industry Strategy and a key member of the transition team following the acquisition of Primavera by Oracle Corporation. Her entire career at Primavera has been focused on the capital construction industry and working with key mutual customers such as Zachry, Hill International, Alstom, MACTEC, Excel Energy and other leading contractors and owners to maintain customer intimacy and improve customer satisfaction.

Dan Browning (Chief Technology Officer)

Before joining Hard Dollar, Mr. Browning served as Vice President of Product Development and Director of Engineering for Best Software, makers of the leading customer relationship management solution, SalesLogix. While there, he was responsible for product planning, design, architecture and development, quality assurance, and professional services. Prior to Best Software, he served at Andersen Consulting. Mr. Browning holds a B.S. degree in Computer Information Systems from DeVry Institute of Technology.

Ann LaCasse (Controller)

Ann has been with Hard Dollar since 2006. Ann has been a Certified Public Accountant in the State of Arizona for over 20 years and has worked in big 8 public accounting firms and health care. In all of her roles she has assumed increasing responsibility and management roles. Ann is a financial wizard at managing cash flow, expenses and has master the quick close delivering complete financials within 3 days of month end. Ann spent 3 years as an Audit Senior with Arthur Andersen & Co. Following Arthur Anderson she spent 7 years as the Director of Fiscal Services for St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center, a 626 bed hospital in Phoenix, Arizona. Ann functioned as the lead CPA and oversaw a staff of 5 CPAs and over 20 staff. After leaving St Joseph’s in 1991, she took time off to raise a family while providing independent CPA services to high net worth individuals and trusts. Ann holds a BS in Accounting from Arizona State University and an MBA from the University of Phoenix.