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 full time 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 Bachelor of Arts 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.
Dan Browning • Chief Technology Officer
Before joining Hard Dollar, Dan 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. Dan holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Information Systems from DeVry Institute of Technology.
Brad Barth • Vice President, Industries
Brad 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 HD software solution to award-winning status, while developing a large and loyal customer following. Brad received a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Southern Methodist University.
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 International University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration.
Brad Nickels • Vice President, Professional Services
Prior to joining Hard Dollar, Brad has worked in a variety of technology and executive management roles most recently serving as Vice President – Project Management Office for Daon Inc., a world leader in biometric software. At Maximus, Brad functioned as Group President responsible for several operating divisions serving state and local government clients with a variety of technology and services solutions. Brad was a co-founder of Tier Technologies, Inc and was instrumental in its growth from start-up through IPO. He is a proven, creative, entrepreneurial, executive committed to delivering to the bottom line, with demonstrated abilities in strategy development and execution, business and market development, operations, team building, and financial management and forecasting.
Brad holds a Presidential/Key Executive Master of Business Administration from Pepperdine University, and a Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Systems from Arizona State University. In his spare time he enjoys playing baseball, travel, and music.
Ann LaCasse • CFO
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 positions 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 Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Arizona State University and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Phoenix.
