Meet the Team

Owner/CEO

BRENT MITCHELL

President / Owner

More about Brent
Brent’s 30+ year IT career includes many roles, including Developer, Trainer, Project Manager, Technical Resource Manager, Account Manager, Vice President, and CEO. As a developer and software architect/designer, he wrote an ERP/MRP system from the ground up. Brent is also an entrepreneur who started and sold three businesses. He says, “I love working ON a business, not just IN it.”

In his free time, Brent enjoys spending time with his family, drinking fine tea, reading, and playing music. He also has an apiary (honeybee farm). Brent is an avid gardener and to maximize his joy, has  automated as much of the work as possible plus employs child labor to take care of the weeds (he has nine children plus two grandchildren and counting!).

Connect with Brent on LinkedIn

Partner Advisors

MARY JO SOLOWICZ

Senior Partner Advisor

More about Mary Jo
Mary Jo has a passion for connecting people for success. As a Sr. Partner Advisor with SMART, she collaborates with IT and business leaders from the area’s top employers, helping them solve today’s Information Technology challenges by delivering the right technical resources to get things done.

Mary Jo has spent her entire career in Staffing and Consulting and joined SMART in 2012. She offers expertise in IT Staffing, Resource Management, HR, and Business Management. Mary Jo is also the Project Manager for the SMART IMPACT Project, where we are providing the tools and training to help our SMART Professionals be world-class contributors.

Outside of work, it is family first and friends a close second. She enjoys spending her time with her favorite people. She also has a love for travel, both near and far, which includes exploring the local restaurants and wines. She also appreciates a good day at home, trying new recipes, or tackling a home improvement project.

Connect with Mary Jo on LinkedIn

ALEX GIBSON

Managing Director

More about Alex
Alex has over 25 years of experience in technology consulting. He has worked with both small and large organizations across various sectors, providing tailored technology solutions to meet their specific needs. With an understanding of emerging technologies and their impact on business operations, Alex has helped clients optimize their IT systems to enhance efficiency and scalability. Alex is also a skilled communicator and collaborator, adept at building relationships with stakeholders and guiding them through complex technology initiatives.

Outside of work, Alex enjoys spending time with his wife and five daughters. He’s currently coaching Special Olympics Basketball and Track & Field and enjoys seeing the athletes reach new goals. Alex loves the outdoors, hiking with his dog Mackie, biking, boating and golf.

Connect with Alex on LinkedIn

Career Advisors

SHELLY UDELL

Senior Career Advisor

More about Shelley

Shelley has over 20 years of experience in the Madison market as a Technical Recruiter and Account Man­ager. She graduated from Indiana University with a degree in Sociology and received her Technical Services and Certified Staffing Professional certifications from the American Staffing Association. Shelley’s recruiting expertise ranges from project management, change management, user experience design, business analysis, infrastructure, quality assurance, and more! She says, “the best part of being a recruiter is helping people find new and interesting challenges to fur­ther their careers.”

Shelley is owned by her two dogs in her spare time– 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.

Connect with Shelley on LinkedIn

DENNIS ENGEL

Senior Career Advisor

More about Dennis
Dennis has 20 plus years of experience in IT staffing and IT consulting. During his career, Dennis has specialized in recruiting technology professionals from Scrum Masters, .NET Developers, Java Developers, Architects, Project Managers, and more!

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.

Connect with Dennis on LinkedIn

Support Staff

ALYSSA BRANT

HR Generalist

More about Alyssa
Alyssa comes from a background in HR with experience in education materials publishing and IT staffing. She enjoys helping employees and coworkers alike with their HR needs and questions and offers her help wherever needed.

Time away from work is spent running after her son, reading, watching a good TV show or movie, listening to music, and walking outside on trails among the trees. Reach out for an enjoyable book recommendation or two!

Connect with Alyssa on LinkedIn

ALAYNA GAHAN

Operations / Project Manager

More about Alayna

Alayna comes from a background of HR, Recruiting, and Project Management. She enjoys connecting with others and helping to solve problems.

Born and raised in WI, Alayna loves exploring parks like Devils Lake with her husband and road tripping to other states but always wants to come back home to the Badger State.

Connect with Alayna on LinkedIn