(412) 968-4000
Leadership
James J. Dolan, Chairman
Mr. Dolan formed Ascent Data in 2009, coincident with the sale of Access Data Corp., a software products and services company serving the financial services industry, which Mr. Dolan founded in 1997. The services of Ascent Data were offered under the Access Data brand prior to the sale.
Mr. Dolan also serves as Managing Partner of Voyager Group LP, a private equity firm. Voyager Group owns and operates a diversified group of companies in the technology, real estate, aviation, timber and construction industries.
Previously, Mr. Dolan was a senior officer of Federated Investors (NYSE:FII). He served as President and CEO of Federated Services Company, which provided shareholder services, marketing, distribution, and technology products to regulated investment companies and investment advisors.
Mr. Dolan also was Chairman and CEO of Liberty Bank and Trust Co and Federated Bank and Trust Co. Today he serves as a director of PlanMember Services Corp. of Carpentaria, CA and TriState Capital Bank of Pennsylvania.
Mr. Dolan received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Villanova University in 1976 and a J.D. degree from Duquesne University School of Law in 1980.
Steven Shangold, President and Chief Executive Officer
Mr. Shangold has a proven ability to produce rapid growth and inspire industry leading innovation. Under Shangold’s leadership, Ascent Data will dramatically scale its growth and distinguish itself in the rapidly growing and evolving market for data center services and cloud computing.
Prior to Ascent Data, Mr. Shangold was Chief Executive Officer for more than 10 years at Mastech Holdings, Inc. (AMEX:MHH). During his tenure with Mastech, the company grew from $8 million to more than $250 million in revenue.
Mr. Shangold is a featured author in the book Staffing Strategies for Growing Companies, and he has presented at numerous industry events on the topic of Innovation in Global Talent Acquisition. In 2003 Mr. Shangold spearheaded the launch of RPOworldwide, one of the first offshore-based RPO firms and was named the Human Resources Outsourcing Association (HROA)’s ‘Thought Leader of the Year’ in recognition of recruitment business model innovation.
Mr. Shangold is a Board Trustee for The Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh Foundation, Co-Chair of the Children’s Circle of Care, and a past member of the Board of Directors for the Pittsburgh Technology Council. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Syracuse University, Whitman School of Management and SI Newhouse School of Public Communications.
Joseph H. Jones, Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
With more than 30 years experience in the strategic planning, project management, development, and implementation of large-scale IT systems, Joe is the Senior Vice President and COO of Ascent Data. He is responsible for the overall operation of the Technology Center which includes colocation, managed hosting and services, data security, remote backup, disaster recovery, virtualization and cloud computing. Ascent Data’s 24x7 Technology Center provides more than 20,000 square feet of floor space, 2 generators, redundant network and Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS), 24x7 security, and high-availability hardware. Additionally, the Technology Center maintains a Network Operations Center (NOC) comprised of dedicated on-site technical personnel who provide around-the-clock client support.
Prior to Ascent Data, Mr. Jones was at Access Data Corp, where he played a key leadership role in many of Access Data's client engagements. He served as Interim CIO for Lender's Service, Inc., the largest provider of collateral assessment services and the largest residential title agency in the United States, where he was responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Information Technology department and was a member of LSI's Corporate Executive committee. Mr. Jones provided project management and executive oversight for the construction and implementation of Access Data’s sales reporting application for New York Life Investment Management. This sales reporting application became the SalesVision™ product for Access Data.
Prior to Access Data, Mr. Jones held the positions of Vice President of Technology Consulting Services for Management Consulting Solutions (MCSI) where he was oversaw networking, database, and Internet consulting services. As First Vice President and General Manager of Mellon Accounting Services at Mellon Bank, he managed a staff of more than 200 people in the Pittsburgh and Chicago offices and provided trust accounting software to banks, trust companies, and brokerage firms. At KPMG Peat Marwick, he was Senior Manager responsible for the Pittsburgh office's consulting group, providing clients with strategic planning, security reviews, and hardware/software selection.
Mr. Jones served as an officer in the U.S. Navy, holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from West Virginia University and a Certificate in Data Processing (CDP).
Charles P. Falce, Senior Vice President of Human Resources
Mr. Falce has more than 30 years business experience in developing and managing Human Resource functions that support the growth of organizations. He works closely with the management team to develop strategic staffing plans, recruiting strategies, compensation and benefits programs, and performance measurements.
Prior to Ascent Data, Mr. Falce has held Executive Human Resource positions in financial services, technology, cable, retail and logistics industry segments. These included Director of Human Resources for Comcast Cable where he helped to lead the successful transition from AT&T Broadband to Comcast in the Pittsburgh market. He has also held positions with Mellon Bank, GENCO, Thrift Drug and Legent Software.
