Leadership Team
Robert Cioffi, COO & Co-Founder
Robert Cioffi graduated Iona College in 1990 with a BS Computer Information Science. After working at GE Capital for several years, Robert pursued an entrepreneurial calling and founded Progressive Computing with co-owner, Ugo Chiulli. In his career at Progressive Computing, Robert has worked diligently to build the solid foundations on which his company stands: Humble Confidence, Teamwork, Commitment and Respect. Robert is widely known (and truly enjoys) to be an expert public speaker on a variety technology topics. His pragmatic, decisive and creative personality is evident in the dozens of business magazine articles published in the last 2 decades. Robert is actively engaged in the IT Nation Evolve Peer Group both as a member since 2010 and a Facilitator as of 2020. At heart, Robert is a “Go Giver”. He has volunteered as a CCD teacher, served on several non-profit boards, and is a board member for the prestigious Business Council of Westchester. Finally Robert is a bit of a LinkedIn junkie where you can follow his unique writing and thought leadership.
Ugo Chiulli, CEO & Co-Founder
Ugo wanted to build PCI because he’d always wanted to start his own business in order to steer his own destiny and technology had been a passion of his since childhood. After over 25 years he considers himself fortunate to have been able to combine these two, with the help of his trusted co-founder, to create a successful business. When not figuring out ways to boost business and keep his employees happy Ugo enjoys espresso, going to a great café, a good bourbon or whiskey (it’s his dog’s name!), an occasional cigar, and more than anything pairing any of the above with good company. Beyond PCI, Ugo’s proudest accomplishment is raising two level-headed kids (or as he says “OK fine, HELPING to raise them with my wife, Alma”) and his best quality, by far, to be his patience. An interesting and little known fact about Ugo is that he only holds one citizenship: Italian.
Robert Patterson, Director of Sales and Marketing
Robb became the 3rd member of PCI’s Leadership Team on January 1st, 2011 and has since played an integral part in the growth of the company in his role as Director of Sales and Marketing. He decided to take the job here because it was an exciting opportunity to help grow a solid business and he considers his best quality to be his integrity. When not hunting down leads and making sales Robb enjoys spending time with his family, around the house projects and music in all its forms. If you’re ever on Long Island on a weekend night you can find him at a local hangout playing a gig with one of his numerous groups or solo.
J Alejo, Director of Operations
J (no, it’s not an initial, it’s his name!) completed our Leadership Team in February of 2017. He was born and raised in Manhattan's Hell's Kitchen and, when he’s not battling technology, family time is first and foremost. He also loves playing, watching and talking basketball and if he could have one super-power he’d have the power to be in two places at once or to travel from one place to another in an instant. Given J’s job, no one would mind that one bit.
Superstars
Scott Costa, Technical Account Manager
Scott started working at PCI in June of 1998 and is the 1st Team member ever hired by the company! Scott took the job here because “it was a great opportunity to learn every aspect of IT” and thinks “the Team is what I like best about working here”. That must be true given he’s been here for over 22 years. Scott considers his best quality to be the fact that he always wants to do the right thing and his proudest accomplishment to be his great relationship with his family. If he could only eat one meal for the rest of his life it would be pizza.
Mark Nichols, Technical Account Manager
Mark became PCI’s 2nd employee in July of 1998. Smart, charismatic and full of energy he truly embodies PCI’s 4 Core Values of Respect, Team, Humble Confidence and Commitment. In the office and on the field Mark is always ready to impart a smile or lend a helping hand. When he’s not at work Mark is a gym junkie and not a day goes by that he’s not working out. He’s also an amazing father and often enjoys combining the two with toddler bench presses and kissy face arm dips. Check out his Facebook page for the cutest videos you’ll ever see!
Kimberley Bass, Technical Advisor
Kim joined PCI in May of 1999 after studying Computer Science at Fordham University because she felt the company offered her the opportunity for technical growth she was searching for. When not at work Kim loves spending time with family and friends, taking in a Broadway show and fitness. If she could only eat one meal for the rest of her life it’d be pasta with green veggies, if she were a super-hero she’d have the power of flight and she considers her best quality to be her reliability.
Rajendra Singh, Technical Advisor
Raj has been with PCI since August of 2007 and decided to take the job here because of “the great environment and always up to date technology that we work with.” He thinks one of the best things about working here “to be the team. Very great to work with and very supportive” and he considers his proudest accomplishment to be when he got his MCSE certification from Microsoft and his best quality to be having a great sense of humor.
Peter Prince, Sales Assistant
Peter started working at PCI in March of 2015 because he liked the location and the ability to start part-time. He stays because “the people I work with are great and the work is satisfying”. When not negotiating server prices Peter enjoys doing yard work, watching sports, cooking and listening to music. If he won the lottery he’d spend the rest of his days travelling, to date his favorite vacation spot is Cape Cod.
Kevin McKeon, Network Engineer
Kevin joined PCI in August of 2016 and started what’s affectionately known around the office as “PCI South” in November of 2019 when he moved to Florida. He graduated from SUNY Albany, School of Business, majoring in Finance and Information Technology Management and when he’s not at work he enjoys playing video games, sports and going to concerts. His favorite vacation spot is St. Martin in the US Virgin Islands and if he could only eat one meal for the rest of his life it would be Chinese food.
Keith Dobson, Network Engineer
Keith has been with PCI since February of 2017. PCI was an enticing job opportunity for Keith because “I clicked with the environment of the office almost instantly. I could tell the people I was talking to were both serious and genuine about their work”. When he’s not at work Keith enjoys playing play Ultimate Frisbee and activities that involve building or creating and he considers his best quality to be his unending curiosity that leads him to learn a lot about the little things. If he were a superhero he'd like to have the power over sound because he’s always felt like that could be very versatile.
Rick Hoolan, Account Manager
Rick started working at PCI in June of 2017 because of the opportunity to grow his career and because, having previously worked with the company, he loved the Team. He studied Business Management at Iona College and enjoys play guitaring (he’s crazy good!), snowboarding and working on, driving or riding anything with wheels and a motor. He’s a Jeopardy junkie, if he could only eat one meal for the rest of his life it would probably be tacos and he considers his best quality to be the fact that he cares.
Harlan Pulsiano, Helpdesk Technician
Harlan started at PCI in September of 2017. A graduate of The University of Central Florida (for Software Development) Harlan decided to take the job here because he felt the unique role was a great fit for his abilities. When not at work Harlan enjoys spending time with his family and travelling, he’s a self-professed “sucker for theme parks” and considers his proudest accomplishment, to date, to be not flipping his Jeep.
Oscar Lopez, Helpdesk Technician
Oscar joined the Helpdesk in October of 2017. He considers himself to be “a simple man that has complicated tastes” but here in the office he’s known more for his ability to inhale a burger in a minute than any of those. Oscar studied Computer Science at Manhattan College and when not at work he enjoys spending time with his family and gaming. He believes his best quality is his charisma and his proudest accomplishment to be raising his son.
James Kmetz, Tools Administrator
James became PCI’s Tools Admin in February of 2018 after making the career change from teaching to tech. He studied Physics and Mathematics at Muhlenberg College and is currently working on his Master’s in Science from Pace University (focusing on security & data). James believes a Cobb Salad is the perfect meal because it has the entire food pyramid in a bowl, would spend the rest of his life travelling if he won the lottery and considers his best quality to be his winning personality.
Mark McAllen, Finance Administrator
Mark joined PCI in February of 2018 because he loved how firmly the company stands by their 4 Core Values of Respect, Team, Humble Confidence and Commitment. Mark studied Finance and Communications at Manhattan College and when not at work he enjoys going to the gym, the movies, playing sports and volunteering at his local parish. He also loves pizza and blogging and you can follow his weekly pizza adventures throughout Westchester here on Instagram @theweeklyslice.
Karen Rutter, Operations Administrator
Karen joined the company in July of 2018 because she thought PCI “had a strong sense of company pride where team was very important”. She studied Economics and Sociology at Brooklyn College and away from the office she enjoys working out, reading and spending time with her family. If she were a superhero she’d have the strength of Captain Marvel, if she won the lottery she’d travel the world flying first class the whole way and if she could eat only one meal for the rest of her life it’d be pizza and ice cream. What woman wouldn’t agree with all of those?
Chuck Velzy, Helpdesk Technician
Chuck’s been with PCI since October of 2018. He studied Psychology at Pace University but, a gamer at heart, he soon fell into the world of IT instead. Most at home with either a mouse, gaming console controller or pool queue in his hand Chuck’s idea of vacation is the pool table. He considers his best quality to be his genuine nature but he also does some pretty spot on voice impressions of Stitch and Gollum.
José Brito, Network Engineer
José started working at PCI in June of 2019 because “the growth trend the company was forecasting and because of the focus on the core values that the company adheres to”. He studied Information Technology and Business Admin at Berkeley College and his proudest accomplishment is “developing a fully redundant GPS platform that hosted 32,000 tracking devices and maintained an overall up-time for 7 years at an average 99.9995% up-time”. A true techie when not at work he enjoys fine-tuning his personal home network which consists of Dual SonicWALL's in HA- High Availability Mode, a DMZ and HyperV Server infrastructure with DMZ for Dev work and hosts a family only VPN.
Christian Quijada, Operations Support Specialist
Christian is the youngest Team Member at PCI but the only thing better than his skill in the datacenter is his skill in the bowling alley (his highest score is 279!) He was drawn to PCI because of the emphasis the company places on character and he joined the company in July of 2019 after graduating from SUNY Cortland with a Bachelor’s degree in Education because of “the people and the good vibes”. He’s a health and fitness advocate who also enjoys watching and playing basketball, hiking and going to the beach. If he won the lottery, he’d spend the rest of his days travelling but for now his favorite vacation spot is Vero Beach, Florida.
Jessica Fitzpatrick, Marketing Assistant
Jessica has been PCI’s Social Media Ambassadress since July of 2019. A career changer, she studied Classic Pastry Arts at the International Culinary Institute and worked in the NYC culinary industry before temping as an Executive Assistant and then making the move to Marketing. Jessica started working at PCI because she wanted job permanency and, when asked to consider the position, she loved the idea of working for a company that saw people for their potential rather than what they currently were. She considers adaptability to be her best quality, her proudest accomplishment to be her son and her favorite vacation spot is Anini Beach on Kauai in Hawaii.
Jess Hachigian, Outside Sales Representative
Jess joined the Team in September of 2019. He studied Computer Science and Business at Penn State University but one of his proudest days is also the day he graduated from CharTec’s grueling week-long Sales Academy. When he’s not making sales Jess enjoys playing guitar and drums (check out his awesome YouTube videos!) as well as going on outdoor adventures with his fiancé and their two retrievers, Frank and Charlie. If he could only eat one meal for the rest of his life it’d be steak and eggs.
Nelson Polo, Network Engineer
Nelson started in October of 2019 and enjoys working at PCI because of the awesome company culture. He graduated from Katharine Gibbs College with a degree in Information Technology and Computer Network Operations and one of his proudest accomplishments was restoring a very well-known Bishop’s encrypted files after he was infected with Ransomware virus. When not at work Nelson loves skateboarding and if he won the lottery he’d open and manage Olympic skateboard training facilities.
Errol Scott, Helpdesk Technician
Errol joined PCI’s Helpdesk in December of 2019. He studied Electronic Marketing & Publishing at SUNY Morrisville and decided to join the company because he “was intrigued by what [they] had to offer in terms of exposure to modern technologies and a clear path to aid in the professional development of their technicians”. When he’s not at work Errol enjoys watching gaming walkthroughs on YouTube, learning to cook new dishes and, in keeping with an apparent correlation between PCI employees and music, practicing his piano. If he were a superhero Errol’s powers of choice would be levitation and teleportation but here in the office we know it’s really his soft-spoken patience that makes him a hero.
Nick Hazzard, Network Engineer
Nick was PCI’s last hire of 2019, starting in December. He studied at Dutchess Community College and with a double major in Computer Information Systems and Fire Protection Technology. When not at work Nick enjoys spending time with his wife and acts as a Volunteer Firefighter for the Valhalla Fire Department as well as doing volunteer work with the Office of Emergency Management at the Yonkers Police Department. He’s also a major gear head with a long-standing love of cars, motorcycles, and ATV’s and acts as a Subaru Ambassador.
Jakeline Fischer, Bookkeeper
Jackie started in March of 2020 and is one of our more recent hires. She got her degree in Accounting from Lehman College and when she’s not at work Jackie loves spending time outside with her 2 children. Anywhere with warm waters or a great pool is fine by them. If she were a superhero Jackie would have the power to make people kinder but as it stands now she believes her superpower to be her ability to empathize. She’s also a closet political junkie.
