Vic Melfa, CEO
As CEO and co-founder, Vic oversees the long-term strategic growth of TTA. For over 40 years, he has consulted for, founded and managed emerging companies at the forefront of the computer development, distribution, and training industries. Previously, Vic was founder and CEO of Vitronix, a $75 million value added distributor and training organization, the largest in the Northeast, which he sold to a NYSE computer firm.
Vic was a founder of CompTIA and the IT Training Association (ITTA) which is now CompTIA's Technology Learning Group. Vic was an adjunct professor at Boston College and Boston University where he taught technical and management courses and developed their first entrepreneurial studies course. Vic earned his BS in Physics from Holy Cross, an MA in Physics from Columbia University, and an MBA from Northeastern University. He has received numerous awards for his company's achievements and industry white papers he has authored and presented.
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Maria (Melfa) Bolstad Barrett, President
As President and co-founder, Maria manages all major aspects of the company, including: sales, marketing, customer service, accounting, human resources, and recruiting. Previously, she held top management positions at Vitronix, a $75 million systems integrator and training organization. Vitronix had the first and largest Microsoft and Novell Authorized Training centers in the Northeast and operated 7 training centers. In addition, it was one of the first Authorized IBM and Sun training providers and the first Authorized Oracle Education Center in the country.
Before Vitronix, Maria was a Department Manager at Federated Stores in Boston, MA where she completed their Executive Training Program. She has her BS in Business Administration from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and her MBA certificate from the American Management Association.
Judith A. Melfa, Corporate Treasurer
As Treasurer and co-founder, Judy has contributed significantly in the areas of financial planning and budgeting, human resource recruiting and development, as well as long range business planning and strategy. As Corporate Treasurer, she works closely with company officers, overseeing TTA finances to optimize cash flow and enable the company to operate effectively, efficiently and in superior credit standing. Previously, Judy held various positions, including: Accounting Manager, HR Manager, and Director of Administration.
Prior to TTA, Judy held top management positions with Vitronix, a systems integrator and training organization, helping the company grow to $75 Million as the first and largest Regional Authorized Education Center to Microsoft, Sun, and Novell, and the first Authorized Oracle Training Center in the country. Judy has a B.A. in Languages from Regis College, has taught Spanish and Piano, and invests significant time in numerous philanthropic activities.
Victor J. Melfa, Jr., Director
Victor
J. Melfa Jr. has been an active board member of The Training Associates
and is also the managing partner of Melfa Wealth Management where his son,
Victor Melfa III, is also a partner. He has over 30 years of experience in
the IT industry, human capital management, investments, finance and growth businesses.
Victor is an inductee into New England Financials' prestigious Hall of Fame. He
was also a co-founder and President of Vitronix Corporation where he worked
closely with Vic Melfa Sr. and Maria Melfa. Vitronix was a two time "INC.
500" Fastest Growing Company that was sold to a NYSE IT company, and at
which he was a two time recipient of The Ernst & Young/Merrill Lynch
Entrepreneur of the Year Finalist Award. Vitronix was both the largest
Northeast exclusive distributor and authorized training company for Microsoft,
Oracle, IBM and other leading companies.
Victor
was also a co-founder and Senior Vice President of a technology company
that had a successful IPO on NASDAQ's big board. Previous to that, he was
an Executive Vice President for one of the largest direct marketing technology
companies in the country. Mr. Melfa is an expert in channels of
distribution, startup and growth companies and has developed many
successful partner strategies in multiple industries.
Andrea Turner, Vice President of Operations
Andrea joined The Training Associates (TTA) in 1999 and has held several roles in the company including: customer service rep and client development manager where she grew her Sales Territory 200+ % within 2 years. Andrea became Key Account Manager shortly thereafter, and managed the company’s largest clients. Andrea moved quickly through the ranks of Assistant Sales Manager, Sales Manager, and Director of Sales over the last 10 years. Andrea's promotion to Vice President of Operations for TTA was a culmination of her 10 year history with the company.
As VP, Andrea focuses on working with the departments to increase sales, and reduce costs, through policies, best practices and automation. Andrea is also responsible for Administration Management & Quality Assurance – Understanding and Leadership in improving speed and quality of customer satisfaction and corporate execution. Additionally, Andrea manages strategic partnerships and associations including Microsoft, which TTA is a GOLD Level Certified Partner, and recently closed Novell on making TTA its first Novell Authorized Trainer Solutions Partner. Andrea has been very instrumental in TTA’s participation CompTIA’s “Creating Futures” program. Through the program, transitioning U.S. veterans, individuals with disabilities, youths-at-risk and dislocated workers are given opportunities to build life-long, productive and rewarding careers in IT.
Herb Blanchard, Vice President of Sales
Herb joined TTA in 2002 bringing with him fifteen prior years of experience in human capital management. Herb led the development of TTA's concentrated expansion into the Training Outsourcing market, as well as entry into the professional skills training business. With his outsourcing project team, Herb was responsible for establishing and managing strategic learning partnerships with TTA’s major project clients.
As Vice President of Sales, Herb is responsible for recruiting, developing, and managing our national sales team and the overall coordination and leadership of all sales activities to meet the needs of TTA customers and the objectives of TTA’s business plans and strategies. His vast knowledge of market and industry trends, all learning modalities, and leading customer strategies has enabled Herb to develop turnkey solutions that are utilized nationwide to manage large training rollouts and implementations. Herb has his BA in Communications from Bridgewater State College and held several management positions at leading staffing companies prior to joining TTA, namely, Modis, Kforce, and TAC Worldwide.
Justin Barrett, Director of Compliance and Learning
Since joining the firm in 1998, Justin has held positions of increasing responsibility leading to his promotion to Director of Compliance and Learning. In his dual role, as Director of Compliance, Justin oversees the company’s program for compliance with all federal, state, and local laws and regulations applicable to the company’s business and as it relates to the use of independent contractors. Justin's duties include establishing policies, standards and procedures to assure compliance with those laws and regulations and to reduce the risk of unlawful or improper conduct. He ensures those policies and standards are communicated and institutionalized throughout the company, and monitors the company’s compliance with those policies and standards.
As Director of Learning, Justin also has responsibility for developing corporate learning strategies and carrying out the company’s internal learning goals. His efforts have created a competitive advantage with TTA's human capital that has enabled the company to execute on its business strategies while creating a motivating environment for employees to learn and deliver results.
Brad Mayo (PMP), Director of Sales
Brad has been with TTA since 2006. His background includes over twelve years of training management experience as the Northeast Regional Training Manager for a major computer retailer. Brad's experience and PMP certification in project management provide him with a unique understanding of the intricacies required to successfully and seamlessly develop, implement, and deliver clients' major training initiatives.
Jim Moore, Director of Finance
With more than twenty five years experience as a creative financial leader for major corporations, Jim brings a strong background in corporate finance to The Training Associates. In Jim’s most recent position as Controller and Operations Manager for Cue Data Services in Norwell, MA, he assisted with their expansion into international markets and devised and implemented new revenue streams and cost saving initiatives that lead to greater efficiencies.
Jim graduated from Trinity University College in Dublin, Ireland as well as taking graduate courses at the University of Massachusetts in Boston.
Pietro Curini, Director of Information Systems
Pietro joined TTA in 1998 and has grown in various positions to his present position which he has held since 2005. He is responsible for the company’s advanced IT infrastructure including system and application software, computers and servers, and communications. He is also the lead developer and designer of TTA's extensive integrated ERP/CRM package. Pietro is a Microsoft Certified Professional specializing in database design and he graduated from Worcester State College, receiving a BS in Computer Science.
Chris Poirier, Manager of Trainer Programs and Services
Chris recently joined The Training Associates in 2011 after a 23-year career as a commissioned officer in the U.S. Army and a considerable background in sales & marketing from the pharmaceutical industry. He has over 28 years of professional experience in training & development, curriculum design, and training management and a diversified portfolio which also includes expertise in leadership, public relations, organizational development, emergency management, operations security, intelligence analysis, and information operations.
Art Sharkey, Human Resources Manager
With a career of more than twenty five years experience as an accomplished Senior Human Resources professional, Art brings a strong background of contributions in rapidly changing organizations to The Training Associates. In Art’s most recent position as Site Manager, Human Resources for the Rohm and Haas Company in Marlborough, MA, he developed a track record of developing initiatives and programs during major acquisitions and reorganizations. Art has his Master’s of Business Administration degree from Boston College and his Bachelor’s degree from John Jay College.