What makes us SMART.
It’s the people. We’re a tech staffing company made up of a crew of people that really care about how to make sure we find the right fit for your company or career.
Who is SMART?
Purpose/Vision: To positively impact the world through our work.
Smart Solutions was founded in 1996 by Jackie Mortell and Joel Fangmann. At the core of the company’s beginning was a desire to help people be successful. We started as a small shop that throughout the years has grown to a team of 100+ consultants.
Today Brent Mitchell is the sole owner and President of Smart Solutions. That original desire to help people is still at the forefront of everything we do as we strive each day to fulfill our purpose/vision.
Smart’s Mission: To provide our clients with world class people and tools to help them reach their goals.
We partner with start-ups, mid-size businesses, Fortune 500 companies and exceptional IT talent in the greater Madison metropolitan area and beyond. We work to identify business needs, understand a company’s culture, and ultimately connect the right talent to the right opportunity.
Smart is proud of our culture which is built on a set of Core Values. These values serve to guide our team in the execution of our mission and define who we are as a company.
Core Values: Do the Right Thing, Strive for Excellence, Keep Learning, Be a Team Player, Move IT Forward.
Meet the Team
Brent Mitchell
Brent Mitchell, President and Owner of Smart Solutions, has over 30 years of IT experience and has been in many roles including developer, trainer, project manager, technical resource manager, account manager, Vice President and CEO. His goal at every opportunity is to add value and help others achieve success, whether they are the client or consultant. His broad background brings depth and understanding to his relationships. He is passionate about running a people first business that focuses on connecting companies and people for success!
In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his family (as well as he should since he has nine children.) drinking fine tea, reading and playing music.
Brent Mitchell
President/Owner
Brent has over 30 years of IT experience and has been in many roles including developer, trainer, project manager, technical resource manager, account manager, Vice President and CEO. His goal at every opportunity is to add value and help others achieve success, whether they are the client or consultant. His broad background brings depth and understanding to his relationships. He is passionate about running a people first business that focuses on connecting companies and people for success!
In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his family (as well as he should since he has nine children.) drinking fine tea, reading and playing music.
Mary Jo Solowicz
Senior Account Manager
Mary Jo connects clients with the right IT talent to move projects forward, provide solutions and meet goals. She is an ‘avid listener’, understanding that the key factors to a successful match aren’t only found in a company’s job description but in a deeper knowledge of their story, challenges, values and culture. Mary Jo joined Smart Solutions in 2012 and brings career experience in staffing, resource management, human resources and business management. She has partnered with a diverse industry group including Fortune 500 companies, start-ups, government and education.
Paula Holden
Senior Account Manager
Paula joined Smart Solutions in 2016 and brings over 20 years of career experience in IT consulting sales, recruiting, resource management and marketing. She has spent all of her professional IT consulting career in the Madison market and strongly believes in relationship-based sales. Her industry experience includes utilities, telecom, financial services, insurance, healthcare and consumer products. Paula holds a Bachelor’s degree in Finance from UW-Whitewater and a Master’s degree in Human Resources from Marquette University.
James Windisch
Account Manager / Business Development
James brings 15+ years of sales and business development experience with him from various technology sectors. He enjoys hunting for new business and building relationships with his clients. He is excited to be part of an organization that brings opportunity to its employees and consultants and adds to the vibrant growth of the Madison Metropolitan area.
Heather Potokar
Senior Technical Recruiter
Heather has over 13 years of IT Recruiting experience working in markets across the US. Heather has focused her last 7 years of recruiting on the Madison and Milwaukee markets. Her passion for recruiting is evident in every phone call, meeting, or introduction she makes. Heather has placed over 500+ consultants over her career.
As a native Wisconsinite, Heather loves her Green Bay Packers and married a rare Illinois Packers fan as well. They reside outside of Milwaukee and stay busy with their 2 active boys, playing sports, boating, hiking and bike riding. When not recruiting Heather loves to travel and always has a new destination in mind!
Shelley Udell
Senior Technical Recruiter
Shelley has over 20 years of experience in the Madison market as a Recruiter and Account Manager. She graduated from Indiana University with a degree in Sociology and a minor in Spanish.
In her spare time, Shelley is owned by her dogs – a Bull Mastiff/Boxer mix and an Irish Wolfhound. She enjoys spending time with her children and grandchildren; college basketball (especially the Badgers!); finding bargains at area thrift stores; reading and listening to music. She enjoys traveling when time and the dogs allow.
She says, “The best part of being a recruiter is helping people find new and interesting challenges to further their careers.”
Dennis Engel
Career Advancement Specialist
Dennis has 20 plus years of experience in IT recruiting and staffing. He and his family are originally from Illinois and they found a way to migrate north to Madison in 2003. He is a tech junkie at heart and loves deep conversations about technical topics.
Outside of work, Dennis unwinds with the help of Wisconsin’s beautiful Northwoods. Whether spending time on the water or out in the woods, he finds nature to be the perfect balance to technology.
Kimberly Grazzini
Recruiting & Marketing Specialist
Kimberly is a recent addition to our recruiting and marketing teams after recently relocating to the Madison, WI area. She brings 7 years of corporate and agency recruiting experience along with several years of human resources and marketing experience.
While Kimberly has lived all over the US from Oregon to Texas to Massachusetts, she is enjoying her time exploring the Madison area.
She also enjoys spending her free time with her fiancé, discovering state parks, trying new restaurants, and spoiling her pets.
Mandy Basham
Director of Administration
Mandy’s background includes work in the logistics and healthcare fields with experience in benefits, recruiting & employee relations. She received her bachelor’s degree in human resource management from the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee, along with a minor in communication. She strives to balance the needs and goals of both the company and its employees, to maintain consistent employee engagement; and to serve as a Strategic Partner by bringing HR knowledge, ideas and innovations to Smart Solutions.
Mandy is involved in the Greater Madison Area SHRM chapter and volunteers as a committee member on the Membership Committee.
Outside of work, Mandy enjoys spending time with her family and friends, reading, crafting and baking delicious treats!
Michelle Herring
Administrative Assistant
Michelle continues to apply 15+ years of Administrative Assistant experience. She has always enjoyed the behind-the-scenes work in the IT industry, where she has organized and assisted in many roles, such as HR support, facilities and event management while continuing to always assist and organize wherever needed.
Outside of work, Michelle enjoys time spent with family and friends.
Alyssa Brant
Human Resources Generalist
Alyssa tackles her day-to-day duties as our Human Resources Assistant and Marketing Coordinator. She thrives in the HR realm with experience in on-boarding, benefits, recruitment, and employee relations. When not in the office, Alyssa cherishes time spent with family and friends, reading, or soaking in all of Madison’s beautiful, scenic views.
Kirk Dennison
Operations Manager
Kirk has 8+ years of analytics, consulting, and operations experience in the Madison area. He thrives on creating greater operational efficiencies and helping others be more successful. His industry experience includes healthcare, IT, and consumer products. Kirk has a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Marketing from John Brown University.
Outside of work, Kirk loves spending time with his wife and two kids, playing (and creating) board games, and playing tennis.
Molly Polk
Bookkeeper
Molly has over 15 years of accounting experience in multiple industries. Her diverse background provides insight on process improvement and streamlining. She thrives on the multitasking environment that accounting brings and continually looks for ways to grow the overall success of a company.
Born and raised in Wisconsin, Molly is an avid sports fan, especially the Green Bay Packers and Wisconsin Badgers. Football is her favorite season.
Outside of work, she spends time continuing her education, raising almost-thirteen-year-old identical twin boys, reading, getaways at her aunt and uncle’s cabin on the water up north, cooking and baking (always looking for new ways to improve and perfect the chocolate chip cookie) baking delicious treats!
Gary Rada
Senior Technical Recruiter
Gary is a Senior Recruiter with more than 10 years of IT Staffing experience. He grew up in Adams, WI and moved to Madison in 2003 to attend UW Madison.
As a proud alumni, he enjoys watching and attending Badger football games and is a men’s hockey season ticket holder.
Gary enjoys live music, campfires, hunting and fishing, shooting, riding his motorcycle, going to the dog park with his dog, Bailey, and working out.
Paul Aubuchon
Senior Technical Recruiter
Paul has over 10 years of recruiting and relationship building experience here in the Madison area. He started his career in college sports recruiting and quickly transitioned into the world of IT recruitment.
Paul is originally from St. Louis, MO and moved to Madison in 2006. He now lives in Stoughton with his wife and two boys.
In his spare time, Paul enjoys spending time with his family, going to concerts, watching movies, and coaching sports.
smart events
As part of helping companies and talent navigate how quickly tech is changing we host local events to share the latest and greatest and skills that are relevant. Check out our upcoming and past events.
Sign-up to be notified via email with any upcoming events that we will be hosting.
More Than Just Tech Staffing
Being active in Madison and our surrounding communities is important to us. Through our IMPACT Project™, we provide the tools and encourage our team to get out and involved to make positive impacts on their own communities. We are proud to be part of this community and to offer support where we can.
IMPACT Project™
Helping you make positive impacts on your career, the companies you work with and your community.
The IMPACT Project™ is about continuous improvement and provides the tools, training and networking opportunities to help ensure success.