Meet the Team


BRENT MITCHELL
President / Owner
More about Brent
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!).


MANDY BASHAM
Director of Administration
More about Mandy
Mandy’s background includes work in the logistics and healthcare fields with experience in benefits, recruiting, and 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 company and its employees’ needs and goals, maintain consistent employee engagement, and serve as a Strategic Partner by bringing HR knowledge, HR strategy, ideas, and innovations to Smart Solutions. Mandy is also involved in the Greater Madison Area SHRM chapter.
Mandy enjoys spending time with her family and friends outside of work, reading, crafting, and baking delicious treats. Her two kids also keep her on her toes and busy!
Partner Advisors

MARY JO SOLOWICZ
Senior Partner Advisor
More about Mary Jo
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.

PAULA HOLDEN
Senior Partner Advisor
More about Paula
Paula joined Smart Solutions in 2016 and brings over 25 years of experience in technology consulting sales, recruiting, resource management, and marketing. She has spent all of her technology 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 partners with her hiring managers to find various candidates who specialize in project management, change management, business analysis, software development, and more!
Paula holds a Bachelor’s degree in Finance from UW-Whitewater and a Master’s degree in Human Resources from Marquette University. Paula enjoys yoga, standup paddleboarding, hiking, reading, and relaxing at her cabin in the Northwoods in her spare time.
Career Advisors

SHELLY UDELL
Senior Career Advisor
More about Shelly
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.

DENNIS ENGEL
Senior Career Advisor
More about Dennis
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.

MICKAYLA HAMPTON
Career Advisor
More about Mickayla
Outside of work, Mickayla is always looking for new places to travel, spending time with friends and family, and coming up with new ways to make the perfect at home iced-coffee.

CAT BALLWEG
Career Advisor
More about Cat
She received her Bachelor’s degree in Retail Merchandising and Management, with an emphasis in Fashion Marketing from University of Wisconsin-Stout, along with a minor in Business Administration.
In her free time, you’ll find Cat either crafting or playing with her cat, Luca. She also enjoys spending time with friends and family, preferably outside in the fresh air.
Support Staff

ALYSSA BRANT
HR Generalist
More about Alyssa
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!

ALAYNA GAHAN
Operations / Project Manager
More about Mandy
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.