Leadership

Tad Richard, CEO

Tad Richard is an expert in the field of web application and database development and specializes in cross-departmental communications and process simplification. Tad's greatest asset is his ability to understand and communicate goals, objectives, & challenges — across the business, marketing, and technical departments.

Tad has over 25 years of Business Management and IT experience and has overseen the development of Internet-based applications for The Mortgage Bankers Association of America, The Institute of Internal Auditors, Catholic Charities, PC Connection, Inc., and The Carolina Hurricanes NHL Hockey Club, among others.

Prior to founding Benchmark Data Systems, Tad served as Vice President of Intellicisions Data, Inc.; Director of Internet Technologies for VisionFactory; and as a virtual CTO for many client organizations.

Tad holds a degree in Computer Science from Dartmouth College.

Kenneth Marks, CFO

Kenneth Marks is an expert in growing and financing middle-market companies. He’s a principal in Benchmark Data Systems and a partner in High Rock Partners, Inc..

Kenneth's past positions include President of JPS Communications, Inc., a fast growth technology subsidiary of the Raytheon Company and President / CEO of an electronics manufacturer that he founded and grew to $22 million. He was a director for a RTP, NC area investment bank focused on raising capital for early stage and middle-market companies during the late 1990’s.

Kenneth has been involved as management, advisor, or board member with over a dozen and a half emerging growth and middle market companies ranging from a venture backed software startup, INC. 500 staffing firm, environmental construction company, safety products distributor…to a middle-market insurance services provider.

Kenneth obtained his MBA from the Kenan-Flagler Business School at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and his undergraduate studies were in Electrical Engineering at North Carolina State University.