Leadership

Michael Zuercher, Co-founder and CEO

Michael Zuercher founded Zuercher Technologies in 2003 while still in college and set out to provide public safety professionals with the highest quality, easiest to use, and best supported software possible. Michael spearheaded the development of the first versions of Zuercher Suite and several of Zuercher’s state-level solutions, working closely with local and state public safety personnel to understand their needs.
 

Under Michael’s leadership, Zuercher Technologies has experienced growth year after year for over a decade. It has become an industry leader with over 75 employees, a superb line of software products for state and local public safety agencies, and an ever-growing base of extremely satisfied client agencies across the United States. As CEO, Michael sets the company’s vision and direction and charts the course for continued growth.
 

Prior to founding Zuercher Technologies, Michael’s experience included developing statewide enterprise software solutions as well as participating in the open source software community. Michael holds a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering from Iowa State University with an emphasis in computer engineering.

Justin Hipple, Vice President of Engineering

As Vice President of Engineering, Justin Hipple provides technical direction for all Zuercher products, driving architectural and design choices that promote security, reliability, and optimal performance. He oversees multiple teams of application developers as well as the System Operations group that maintains Zuercher Suite client agencies’ servers. Following Justin’s leadership and example, Zuercher engineers implement best software practices and stay current in the field of software development in order to apply recent advancements to tough technical challenges.
 

Before joining Zuercher Technologies, Justin worked for the South Dakota Department of Corrections developing applications used to collect inmate data and also contributed to an open source software project designed to improve online anonymity. He holds Bachelor of Science degrees in computer science and math from Dakota State University.

David Jones, Vice President of Sales and Marketing

David Jones’ work as Vice President of Sales and Marketing has propelled Zuercher’s accelerating growth since he joined the company in 2010. His responsibilities include expanding the company’s client footprint and industry presence as well as overseeing Zuercher’s regional account managers and marketing team. David promotes new and existing customer relationships, develops and manages strategic business partner affiliations, and maintains the company’s corporate image.
 

David brings to Zuercher Technologies over 20 years of prior experience in the public safety software and security/surveillance industries. He has held business development as well as leadership positions managing regional sales teams in the Tier 1, 2, and 3 public safety markets throughout the U.S. and Caribbean. David holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from North Carolina State University.

Libby Stengel, Vice President of Professional Services

As Vice President of Professional Services, Libby Stengel oversees the teams responsible for delivering the implementation and support services Zuercher Technologies provides to its public safety clients, including project management, training, data conversion, GIS services, and ongoing product and technical support. Libby works to ensure that new client implementations go smoothly and according to plan, and she is dedicated to making sure every agency’s ongoing experience with Zuercher Technologies is fantastic.
 

Libby is passionately committed to developing effective solutions for customer implementations and ongoing support. She brings to her role seven years of experience as a project manager leading large-scale public safety software implementations and has expertise in requirements gathering, configuration, training, and ongoing customer assistance. She also has over ten years of experience in domestic and international criminal intelligence operations. Libby holds a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology from South Dakota State University.

Adam Ormesher, Vice President of Product

Adam Ormesher provides strategic vision and direction for all Zuercher software products, planning their continued growth and expansion as they evolve with the ever-changing needs of public safety agencies. He leads the product management and quality assurance groups, who work closely with public safety professionals to understand the complexities of their work and design software solutions to help them perform that work as effectively as possible.
 

Adam brings to his role significant experience in product and project design. Prior to joining Zuercher Technologies as a product solutions architect, Adam worked for over 10 years designing and implementing electronic displays and integrated media systems for large sports venues, first as a systems engineer and later as a project manager. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering from South Dakota State University and is a certified Professional Engineer.

Charity Small, Director of Finance and Administration

As Director of Finance and Administration, Charity Small is responsible for Zuercher’s financial recordkeeping and all administrative needs. She maintains Zuercher’s accounting, directs human resources policies and procedures, and manages the company’s facilities. She supervises the administrative and IT staff and oversees all other administrative functions. 
 

Charity brings to Zuercher Technologies over 10 years of prior experience in the areas of human resources, finance, and administration gained through positions at several organizations including a plastics manufacturer, an accounting firm, and a local chapter of an internationally recognized nonprofit.

Beth Harwood, Director of Special Projects

Beth Harwood drives initiatives to ensure that Zuercher Technologies maintains its culture as it grows, continues to attract the best and brightest employees, and provides an environment where they can do great work. She works to align Zuercher’s internal and client-facing operations with the company’s vision and values and heads up other company-wide, high visibility projects.
 

Previously, Beth served as Zuercher’s Director of Product, where she played a key role in shaping Zuercher’s fanatical, above-and-beyond approach to customer satisfaction in both its products and services. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English with an emphasis in education from Iowa State University.

Lyle Swenson, Public Safety Advisor

Lyle Swenson brings to Zuercher Technologies a deep understanding of the needs of public safety professionals gained through over 40 years of experience in law enforcement. He began his law enforcement career as a deputy sheriff before serving as the sheriff of Davison County, South Dakota for 32 years. He later held the position of United States Marshal for the District of South Dakota.
 

Lyle has been involved in the National Sheriffs’ Association for over 40 years and served as NSA president from 1989-1990. He is also well known for his community involvement on the local level and has held leadership roles in numerous civic organizations.

Johnny Mack Brown, Public Safety Advisor

Johnny Mack Brown began his law enforcement career in his hometown of Greenville, South Carolina as a probation and parole officer. In 1976, he was elected sheriff and for the next 24 years led the sheriff’s office in establishing professional and accountable standards for law enforcement within the county. He was president of the South Carolina Sheriffs' Association in 1983, was a member of the National Sheriffs’ Association Board of Directors in 1984, and in June 1993 was inducted as NSA president. In 2002, President George W. Bush appointed him United States Marshal for the District of South Carolina, where he served through April 2010.
 

Johnny Mack Brown brings to Zuercher Technologies a lifetime of professional law enforcement leadership experience as well as expertise in establishing and enhancing professional standards for law enforcement agencies through accountability, accreditation, and technology.