It takes a lot of harmoniously moving parts to keep South Jersey at the forefront of the business world, and it takes a powerful technological industry to not only keep that economic engine running at the speed of modern demands but also anticipate today’s equally sophisticated challenges. That’s why it’s South Jersey Biz’s distinct honor to introduce our inaugural Tech Titans list, a roundup of some of the notable IT professionals, entrepreneurs, cybersecurity experts and other innovative thinkers who tirelessly work behind the scenes to keep the region running at full power.
David Suleski, Founder & President, TechStarters
Suleski is both founder of TechStarters and an industry leader well known for his technical expertise on business technologies. Holding a MBA from Stockton University, Suleski is excellent at communicating valuable technology insights to businesses in a non-technical manner. TechStarters is celebrating its 15th year as a single-source provider of IT services for businesses, and Suleski has since founded three additional technology-related corporations.
Suleski attributes his successes to his family—including wife Amanda and their four children—friends, and his high school basketball coach. His father, an army veteran and a leading Xerox account executive for 30+ years, demonstrated an unrelenting work ethic; his mother taught him kindness and selflessness. Beyond his family, the biggest influence on Suleski’s life was legendary basketball coach John Valore: Suleski attended Valore’s basketball camps every summer, learning competitive life lessons reinforcing discipline, hard work and the relationship between mind and body.
TechStarters has multiple locations serving small and medium-sized organizations, and is a certified partner with Microsoft, WatchGuard and many others. IT services include migrations and project consulting, cybersecurity, Microsoft 365, websites and SEO services.
Timothy Guim, Founder and CEO, PCH Technologies
A Drexel University graduate in computer science, Guim transformed PCH from a one-person operation into an award-winning, SOC 2-certified cybersecurity and technology firm serving small to mid-size organizations globally. Recently, PCH was ranked 15th on the Channel Futures MSP 501, and has received accolades from the likes of CRN Security 100 and CRN Pioneer 250.
Guim is influential within the technology space, recognized for his insights in highly regarded industry publications such as CRN, Channel Futures and Channel Pro. His expertise spans from business culture and cybersecurity, and most recently to AI, reflecting his deep understanding of industry trends. Guim’s influence extends to national industry advisory roles, including positions with Barracuda, Hatz AI, and INKY Technology. Notably, he shares insights on best practices for managed service providers (MSPs) and emphasizes the importance of cybersecurity, participating in peer groups and speaking at national industry events. Guim’s most recent contribution to the industry has been pioneering the safe use of AI and how to deliver it to small to mid-sized organizations.
Darren Crane, Founder and President, DLC Technology
Crane has been a prominent figure in the IT industry for over 30 years. In 2005, he founded DLC Technology with a mission to provide innovative, high-quality IT solutions to small businesses and health care organizations. The company is known for its vXarch Complete service, offering comprehensive IT management, support, and cutting-edge cybersecurity frameworks in a unified package.
Crane previously held several key consulting roles, most notably as general manager of provider services for a leading nationwide health-care technology firm where he played a pivotal role in serving multi-site health systems, developing methodologies to tackle complex connectivity, integration, mobility and security challenges. An expertise in health care IT, systems integration and security has made Crane a respected thought leader. His work has been featured in esteemed publications like Healthcare IT News and Managed Healthcare Executive, and he has spoken at industry events, including the HIMSS National Convention.
An active member of prominent industry groups like HIMSS, the ASCII Group, and InfraGard, Crane continually drives innovation, helping businesses harness technology to optimize operations and protect their data.
Barbara Romano, Vice President, IT and Chief Information Officer, South Jersey Industries
In her multifaceted roles at SJI, Romano is responsible for advancing and sustaining both the corporate infrastructure and the strategy for new technology initiatives, ensuring the reliable performance, steadfast integrity and tight security of the utility company’s technology platforms. In addition to holding positions of increasing responsibility at SJI, she is also the organization’s first female CIO.
Prior to joining the SJI team in 2015, Romano had held various positions across multiple verticals, among them: global supply chain manager at Case New Holland; development manager at QVC, Inc.; and, as a principal consultant at the WGroup, providing strategy, management and execution services to Fortune 500 companies. Romano has bachelor’s and master’s degrees in computer and information sciences from Bloomsburg University in Pennsylvania, and she is actively engaged in the BU Alumni Association, where she is currently serving on the College of Health, Science and Technology Advisory Board. She had previously served as president of the Alumni Board of Directors.
Arthur F. Leiby, President, The Lerepco IT Group
With more than 35 years of IT experience, Leiby is a thought leader, cybersecurity speaker and Amazon best-selling author who has been featured in MSP Success Magazine and on various radio programs working to empower organizations to safeguard their data and navigate complex compliance landscapes. Leiby’s recent article on navigating AI’s ethical concerns, published across major networks, reflects his commitment to responsible innovation; as author of “In The Crosshairs” and co-author of “The Compliance Formula,” he provides businesses invaluable cybersecurity insights.
Growing up in the Poconos under challenging circumstances, Leiby learned the importance of community and perseverance. Early in his career, he built custom applications at AT&T and co-founded a software company for newspapers. In 2013, with friend Bob Puphal, he founded Lerepco IT Group, bringing enterprise-level technology to small businesses without the typical constraints.
Leiby’s philosophy of treating people like gold—a respected mentor’s lesson—has earned him multiple industry awards. He actively supports nonprofits like Jersey Cares, PAWS Farm and the Girl Scouts of Southern Jersey, and cherishes family time.
Hala Shawaf Barson, CEO and Co-Founder of VoIP Doctors Business Telecommunications
Barson co-founded boutique telecommunications carrier and consultant VoIP Doctors with CTO Michael Barson in 2019. VoIP Doctors utilizes a relationship-management approach to help businesses communicate and collaborate better through customized telecommunications solutions. The company works with a portfolio of clients ranging from small professional services offices and nonprofits to health care networks, notable technology firms and multinational manufacturers.
According to Barson, “Each client has unique needs, challenges and goals for their business. We help to solve some of their most pressing business challenges by working as trusted advisors to design, build and support customized Cloud Telecommunications systems focusing on great user experience, cybersecurity, and operational efficiency through data and automation solutions.”
VoIP Doctors is a certified Women’s Business Enterprise with WBENC and a Woman Owned Small Business with the SBA. Barson is active in community development, an avid volunteer, and engages in several non-profit boards and committees, with a particular focus on Access to the Arts, Access to Behavioral Health & Addiction Treatment Services, and Diverse STEAM Entrepreneurship/Career Readiness.
James Gloner, Vice President-Cybersecurity Specialist, Wintsec Technologies
Gloner brings over 14 years of experience in the technology sector to his role at the leading multi-service provider. He began his career in the mortgage field, leaving in 2008 to work at the telecommunications and broadband company where he learned how to work in large-scale, multi-tenant buildings and became immersed in the fast-paced world of tech.
In 2018, Gloner transitioned to Wintsec, where he is instrumental in driving the company’s strategic vision and operational excellence. His leadership has been key in expanding Wintsec’s offerings and solidifying its position as a leader in cybersecurity solutions. Known for his collaborative style, Gloner fosters a culture of teamwork and innovation, empowering his team to tackle complex challenges in the ever-evolving tech landscape.
Gloner is passionate about leveraging technology to create secure and efficient systems, in addition to helping nonprofits both utilize technology and obtain the grants mitigating its costs. His goal is to continue to learn and grow with the changes of the cybersecurity landscape so he can help his clients thrive.
Vin Spinelli, Founder & CEO, VSpine Networks & Advisors, LLC
Since serving in the U.S. Navy, Spinelli has been at the forefront of technology milestones for 35 years, from the introduction of the personal computer to the dawn of the internet, evolution of network access technologies to eCommerce.
Spinelli spent his early years developing products and solutions to fit the always-evolving IT landscape. As head of cybersecurity with high-profile organizations and events, he partnered with the FBI’s InfraGard project for cyber threats and developed relationships with Homeland Security’s Cyber Infrastructure Security Agency.
Since creating VSpine Networks in 2014, Spinelli delivers managed IT and cybersecurity services designed to minimize regional businesses’ risks from cyber threats.
Dr. Jatin V. Mehta, CEO, MetaSense
After receiving his Ph.D. in biomedical engineering in 1993, Dr. Mehta established MetaSense to create a people-centric staffing company founded on perfection, precision and efficiency in service, with employee well-being as its driving force. As its work in health care staffing grew, MetaSense found a place in Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Business Program and the Inc. 5000; later, MetaSense Marketing and the creation of iMetaDexTM helped other small businesses become competitive entities.
Dr. Mehta is committed to continued learning, surrounding himself with talented, driven professionals, understanding that the team around him makes much of his work possible, and never wants to take those people for granted.
Bryan Hornung, CEO, Xact IT Solutions
With over 20 years of experience leading Xact IT Solutions, Hornung has established himself as a trusted authority in the cybersecurity industry. Under his leadership, Xact has become a critical partner for numerous businesses, helping them stay protected against ever-evolving cyber threats. The company’s success is reflected in accolades such as the CompTIA Security+ Trustmark certification and its consistent ranking on MSSP Alert’s Top 250 MSSP list.
Through his YouTube following of over 5,000 subscribers (@XactCyber) and his podcast Security Squawk, Hornung continues to educate and inspire businesses on the importance of strong cybersecurity. He remains committed to his lifetime mission: to be the ultimate defender of business.
Mira Lalovic-Hand, Ph.D., SVP and CIO, Rowan University
Since 2013, Lalovic-Hand managed IT services and policies supporting one of the country’s fastest-growing universities. She helped grow the student population, research activity and statewide economic impact. From expanding online learning to implementing IT systems, she helped Rowan reinvent itself as a top 100 public research university in less than a decade, and has helped steer it through digital and societal disruptions while innovating and enhancing operational efficiency.
Lalovic-Hand is also an engineering professor who mentors future leaders as an Executive Sponsor for the Women Leaders in Technology Professional Network founded by Edge and through Rowan University’s Women’s Alliance Network.
Tarun Kapoor, MD, MBA, Senior VP/Chief Digital Transformation Officer, Virtua Health
Dr. Kapoor oversees Virtua’s Digital Transformation Office and orchestrates its master plan supporting an intuitive care journey for all consumers. Previously, he was SVP and chief medical officer for Virtua Medical Group; subsequent to that, he oversaw Virtua’s population-health program. As a member of Virtua’s medical informatics team, Dr. Kapoor helped develop and fully implement its inpatient electronic medical record, including fully computerized order entry by physicians, and electronic medication reconciliation ensuring medication accuracy.
Additionally, he is a Health Management Academy GE Fellow and is recognized over consecutive years by Becker’s Healthcare as one of the nation’s top digital officers to know.
Tim Jennings, CEO, Telecorp Technologies
Inspired by parents who taught him the value of dedication and perseverance, Jennings founded Telecorp Inc. in 1998. Now Telecorp Technologies, the full-service IT and telecom company prides itself on finding solutions to the ongoing technical problems often plaguing today’s businesses.
In “Walkin` and Talkin` with Tim,” Jennings conducts fun, informal interviews with local leaders, business owners and influential community members, offering an unscripted perspective of these guests that often provides insight, advice and motivation.
Jennings is both a board member and volunteer for the Harbaugh Village/George’s House and recently joined the Gloucester County Habitat for Humanity board.
Eric Williams, Founder, Northstar Technology Services, LLC
Williams is an entrepreneur with over 30 years’ experience in systems, WAN and LAN networking, as well as cybersecurity. His career began with selling printer protocol converters, and he both founded and sold his first company in 1999. As founder and president of NorthStar Technology Services, which launched in 2008, Williams works on all operational tasks, which includes account management, business development, account retention, revenue and profit maximization, strategic account development, product knowledge, personnel supervision, customer service and more. He currently oversees a team of highly trained technicians and utilizes his IT troubleshooting skills to assist client networks.
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Published (and copyrighted) in South Jersey Biz, Volume 14, Issue 10 (October 2024).
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