Team Escape

Escape products and services are the result of the hard working people you can meet below. Escape people know school business and are dedicated to building and refining software applications that support your efforts.

Now, without further ado...

Executive Management


Bob is the founder of the company. Bob is management and "the vision thing." Bob sets the overall direction of the company and participates heavily in system design. Prior to starting Escape in 1984, Bob worked for System Integrators, a company specializing in large scale computer systems for the newspaper industry. During his four years there he implemented many such systems around the world.
Favorite Web Site: www.photo.net


Barry is responsible for customer relations. Prior to Escape, Barry worked at San Ramon USD, where he was in charge of computerization. Barry retains this "customer oriented" attitude today - he is one of the best at putting himself in the customer's place. Barry has been with Escape since 1989.
Favorite Web Site: www.ambungalow.com


Chad is responsible for programming, research and design for the Online 5 HR team and database development. Like Bob, he also worked at System Integrators prior to Escape. Chad is one of those rare programmers that is not only a "great coder," but can hold pleasant and productive conversations with users of any expertise. Chad has been with Escape since 1989.
Favorite Web Site: www.formula1.com


Ramona is the Chief Operating Officer. She started working with Escape in May 2007 on a contract basis to develop and implement Project Management tools and methodologies. She joined the staff as an Escape employee in September 2007. Ramona has worked as a Program Manager for the past 10 years in the cable and telecommunications industry, managing large and globally dispersed software development projects. Ramona received her PMP (Project Management Professional) certification in 2001 and subsequently received Advanced Project Management Certification from Stanford University.
Favorite Web Site: www.envirosports.com


Pat is spreading the word about Escape Online 5 implementations in fiscal year 2005. Formerly the deputy superintendent for finance, technology and information services in the California Department of Education, Pat joined Escape in the fall of 2004. Pat is well known to administrators across the state, and an experienced educator who understands the needs of school business.

Research & Development


Ken developed our Escape-Personnel/Position Control system. Ken also redeveloped SSC/Escape MYP as a Windows version: MYP 4.0 for Windows. Ken is a senior developer in our Online HR group. Ken has over 20 years of programming experience. Prior to joining Escape in 1993, he was the third employee of a software/hardware company that eventually reached $50+ million in sales, and was an integral part of the systems development there.
Favorite Web Site: The Physical Comedy Troupe


Susan began working at Escape in April 1997. She has been an independent consultant for 15 years. One of her most important clients was Marysville USD, supporting their minicomputer-based financial and payroll system. During this period she became an expert in school finance and payroll. At Escape, Susan is responsible for all of the beautiful reports integrated with Escape Online.
Favorite Web Site: www.escapetech.com


Bob joined Escape in 1999 and brings a wealth of experience. Like several other Escapee's, Bob worked for System Integrators in Sacramento. He also worked at Objective System Integrators. Bob is working on user front-end functionality for Escape Online.
Favorite Web Site: www.vanguard.com


Bill joined Escape in January 2001. Prior to coming to Escape, he worked at System Integrators Inc. in Sacramento for 13 years in Research and Development as a Systems Architect and in the later years as the Director of R&D. Before working at System Integrators, Bill was an Instructor at American River College for 8 years. He taught Computer Programming and Computer Hardware classes as well as Adult Education computer classes for small business owners. Favorite hobbies include designing and building Home Automation electronics, large scale model trains in the garden and outdoor hiking and camping with the family.
Favorite Web Site: www.mylargescale.com


Randy joined Escape in February 2003. Randy has over 25 years of experience in programming, including over 15 years at System Integrators (in two separate stints). He has worked with Escapees Bob T., Chad, Ken, Bob L. and Bill at various times in the distant and recent past at SII. Randy loves astronomy and enjoys taking his 18" telescope away from city lights to the mountains on moonless nights.
Favorite Web Site: TAC-SAC


Philip started working with Escape in June 2008. He had served as engineer of software development for School Services of California for 14 years. With 15 years of software development experience, he has developed software which is widely used throughout California school districts. He is also an expert in various California K-12 school financial, staffing, performance, and student demographics databases. Born in Hong Kong, he graduated from California State University, Sacramento, where he earned a MS in Computer Science and an Honorary BA in Sociology with double minors in Computer Science and Psychology. He enjoys playing badminton and spending time with friends and family.
Favorite Web Site: ESPN

Project Management


Kathy joined Escape in the summer of 2002. She comes to us from Shasta Union High where she worked for the past five years, including the implementation of Escape! Her understanding of district policies and knowledge of Escape has given her a big jump start, and provided the Customer Care team with more on-the-job school business experience.
Favorite Web Site: Sacramento Bee


Gayle is a project manager, currently working with current Classic customers to implement Escape Online 5. She previously worked for two school districts, one where Escape Finance was implemented. Gayle has been with Escape since early 1996.
Favorite Web Site: www.hgtv.com


Jeanette brings many years of school business experience to the Project Office team. With 15 years as a school district CBO, plus experience in various positions at both a COE and unified district, she is our first XCOE Project Manager. Hired in September 2007, she will be assisting smaller County Offices as they implement Escape Online 5.
Favorite Web Site: travel.discovery.com


Carole is a Project Manager, working with customers to implement Escape software. Prior to joining Escape in 1994, she worked at two different Sacramento area school districts as a Fiscal Services Director and Budget Analyst.
Favorite Web Site: www.healthyideas.com

Customer Care


Jennifer joined Escape in 2001 as one of our customer service representatives for Personnel/Payroll. Jennifer is a senior member of the Customer Care team, specializing in HR/Payroll. She also manages projects and is our ace tester for payroll computes.Her background is in the software industry, providing support and training for multiple applications including payroll.
Favorite Web Site: www.sacbee.com


Robin is back! Robin worked for Escape for nearly seven years and after a two year hiatus, returned to Escape Customer Care. During her time-away-from-home, she moved to Arizona and back again. (Arizona was just too darn hot!) When Escape called and showed her the new Online 5 software and also casually mentioned that a position was open, she jumped at the chance to come "home". We are glad to have her back.
Favorite Web Site: www.aspca.com


Julie joined Escape in the fall of 2006. She is frontline HR/Payroll support for Escape Classic and Escape Online 5. Julie graduated from CSU, Chico in Spring 2005 with a BS in Business Administration. She likes to go to the gym, go for walks, just about anything outdoors. Recently, she has begun to enjoy cooking and can make almost any recipe spicy!
Favorite Web Site: www.Zappos.com


Elen joined Escape in the Escape Customer Care team in the summer of 2007. Previously, she worked for leading commercial general contracting firms where she managed all aspects of accounting and payroll/HR administration. Her nine years in the industry gave her extensive exposure to public sector clients. She holds a BS in Business Administration and HR management.
Favorite Web Sites: www.lonelyplanet.com and www.parenting.com


Jennifer joined the team in June of 2008. Prior to coming to Escape, she worked for 11 years in the broadband cable and telecommunications division of an international company, as the technical lead on implementations and custom development projects. Jennifer enjoys working directly with customers and is happy to be back in a support role here at Escape.
Favorite Web Site: Anything to do with design or home improvement.


Sue's career focus has been on customer service. Her past experience includes 11 years of technical support of a billing software for the cable and communication industries. She enjoys working with people and problem-solving. Education has played and continues to play an important role in her life. Recently, she moved from Wyoming back to the Sacramento area and is happy to be HOME. She is very active: working out, walking, gardening, traveling, decorating, and loving crafts.
Favorite Web Sites: www.lonelyplanet.com and www.parenting.com



Leslie arrived at Escape with over 15 years of experience in the software industry, bringing with her a background that includes both technical writing and design. She has experience in developing marketing materials and web sites as well. She joined Escape in July of 2000 as our technical writer, focusing on developing all new documentation for Escape Online.
Favorite Web Site: CBS News


Steph joined Escape in September 2007. She has 10 years experience in quality assurance and customer service with billing software for the broadband cable and telecommunications industry. She will be implementing testing methodologies and coordinating the testing efforts for Escape Online 5. Steph has a BS in Management Information Systems from Chico State. She enjoys family trips, wine tasting, and spending time with friends.


Jennifer started with Escape in the summer of 2007. She has over 12 years experience in customer management and billing software for the cable and communications industry. Her resume includes 7 years in business intelligence, developing data warehouses and reports for analysis and forecasting; and numerous years in international support, working with customers ranging from South America, Europe and Asia. She loves to travel to new places and learn about the history of the area. Her hobbies include gardening, wine tasting, hiking.
Favorite Web Site: www.slickdeals.net


Terri has 12 years school district experience, working in the business office of two Bay Area School districts. Since joining Escape in October 1998, Terri has worked in both Finance and HR/Payroll. She is a team leader for the Finance Customer Care team, specializing in all the Finance Modules.

What's keeps Terri going for 10-plus years is Escape's dedication to customer satisfaction. She loves the improvements Escape has done with Online 5. The batch processing is every business office employee's dream. Year-End closing has never been easier!!

Terri's newest role is as an Escape Online 5 trainer for Finance. Training for her is a way to share knowledge of the software in a fun and exciting way! As a past School District employee, she really understands the needs of a district and knows the work flows. Always the comedian, Terri uses this understanding to keep her trainings humorous and informative.

As Terri says, "When you love what you do, you'll do a good job and I love what I do!"

Favorite Web Site: www.redrocker.com

Administration


Dayna began working at Escape in December of 2006. She has been an independent contractor for over fifteen years specializing in bookkeeping and accounting services. She is working with us on a part-time basis and enjoying the friendly environment.
Favorite Web Site: Any fabulous photographer's website



Michael joined Escape in August of 1999 to assist in the technical administration of Escape's computer network. Now he is our system administrator. Michael keeps all of our systems running and is a fantastic resource for our customers. Prior to Escape, Michael worked as a consultant for a computer company, and with Pacific Bell.
Favorite Web Site: www.wired.com