Leadership Team
We are thoughtful, passionate professionals who care about delivering for our clients, colleagues, and community.
Executive Leadership
Steve Richards, CEO & Principal
Steve is CEO and principal of Garnet River. His role today is focused on ideation, strategy, and business development. His strengths are entrepreneurial and complimentary to a talented, experienced management team, led by Garnet River President Scott Card, that thrives on financial and operational excellence. Steve began his career in 1982 with a large law firm, where he was elected partner in 1988. In 1994, Steve transitioned his career to be more business-centric, which led him to leadership positions in a variety of businesses, including information technology, outdoor power equipment, fitness equipment, book publishing, magazine publishing, hospitality, consumer goods licensing, and even golf course design. Each position tended to require entrepreneurial or turnaround skills. He applied these skills to a financially stressed young information technology company in 2002, which is now the successful company, Garnet River. Steve does some business and legal consulting with a select group of clients each year. He also regularly mentors students, business owners and managers, entrepreneurs, and others on work-life issues, including professional development. Steve holds a bachelor’s degree from Union College and a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Virginia Law School.
Outside of Garnet River…
“You can often find me at my family’s off-the-grid camps in the Adirondacks, where life is simple, slow, and close to nature.”
On cultivating success…
“Cultivating success means building a community of Garnet River Colleagues, clients, advisors, and vendors who support one another and make one another better, in the interest of making the world a better place.”
Scott Card, President & Principal
Scott is president and principal of Garnet River. A seasoned executive with extensive experience in financial management, business operations, and strategic leadership, Scott oversees the company’s overall strategic direction and business growth. Under his guidance, Garnet River continues to expand its services and strengthen its position in the industry. Prior to Garnet River, Scott was principal of SC Advisory Services. He also had a 20-year career in the financial services industry, most recently as senior vice president and senior relationship manager, Commercial Banking, for Bank of America Merrill Lynch.
Outside of Garnet River…
“My live revolves around family. Whether at the field coaching any sport possible, being a spectator at one of the many events that keeps life busy, hanging out in the backyard, or sharing a good meal, I keep things simple and always with family.”
On cultivating success…
“Cultivating success is a commitment to fostering an environment where growth, innovation, and excellence are prioritized. The concept emphasizes empowering employees, having a client-centric approach, encouraging innovation and adaptability, maintaining operational excellence, and focusing on sustainable growth. Overall, cultivating success means creating a culture where employees, clients, and the company as a whole can achieve and sustain long-term success.”
Ken Hausam, CTO
Ken is CTO of Garnet River, joining the company in 2008. He has a background in software development and holds a computer science degree from Binghamton University’s Watson School. For nearly 30 years, Ken has worked for companies of all sizes—from start-ups to small businesses to large corporations, including GE—across industries ranging from entertainment to manufacturing, education, and healthcare. Ken takes a special interest in mentoring junior programmers and has guest taught computer science students at his local high school.
Outside of Garnet River…
“When I’m not behind a keyboard, you’ll me outside, either hiking, running, cycling, or kayaking. I also play trombone for the Ballston Spa Community Band and am a member of the Middle Grove Fire Company.”
On cultivating success…
“Webster defines cultivate as ‘to foster growth.’ We can all help each other be the best version of ourselves. A former trombone teacher reminded me once that ‘everyone has something to give’ when I was questioning whether my skills were adequate for the group I was playing with. And a great business mentor of mine has always stressed the importance of finding the right fit between the person and the job. It is the cultivation of people that is the most fulfilling.”
Michael Weisberg, CISO
Michael is Garnet River’s chief information security officer (CISO), responsible for assisting clients with information security policy, architecture, and operations. He is the founding director of Cyber Security Programs at the School of Professional and Continuing Education at the Sage Colleges in Albany, N.Y. He also served as the vCISO (virtual chief information security officer) of a regional educational services organization and chief IT architect to a major state financial agency. Michael has over 35 years of information security experience.
Outside of Garnet River…
“Since the 1980s, I have been a member of the Masonic fraternity, serving as lodge Master and High Priest of my Royal Arch Chapter. I am currently a Grand Chaplain of the State of N.Y.”
On cultivating success…
“To quote Malvolio in Shakespeare’s play Twelfth Night: ‘Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and others have greatness thrust upon them!’ Success is like greatness. Some are successful from the very beginning, with ideas that catch fire immediately. Some become successful because success is inevitable. But in most cases, success must be achieved by planning and effort. That effort, planning, and design is how success is cultivated.
Guy Mastrion, CMO
Guy is chief marketing officer for Garnet River, leading the development and execution of marketing strategy; overseeing branding, advertising, and customer engagement efforts to drive growth; enhancing brand awareness; and supporting Garnet River’s overall business objectives. His well-earned expertise in strategic creative development ranges from consumer and B2B advertising in broadcast media, print and digital engagements, and film. His experience spans local, national, and international markets, and his leadership has resulted in hundreds of awards for creativity, including the Globals, CLIO, Cannes, Graphis, and NY Festivals. In addition to being the founder of Brandforming and Vocal Pictures, Guy was one of three founders and chief global creative officer of Palio Communications, an internationally recognized agency specialized in healthcare. From 2017 to 2023, he served as William Harder Chair Professor of Business Administration at Skidmore College.
Outside of Garnet River…
“I am a family man, fisher of flies, and student of life.”
On cultivating success…
“Cultivating Success is about the long game. It’s about doing the work that makes a difference for our clients. The best creative emerges from compelling insight, sound strategy, and clear, engaging execution that is relevant to your core audience. This approach grows business in meaningful and durable ways.”
Leadership
Nicole Campbell, Director of Staffing
Nicole is Garnet River’s Staffing practice lead, responsible for leading a team of exceptional recruiters to ensure delivery of high-quality talent to a diverse roster of clients across the country. She joined Garnet River in 2018 as a recruiter and was promoted to the director of Staffing in 2019. Prior to Garnet River, she was a recruiter for Spectrum (formerly Time Warner Cable), Adirondack Health in Saranac Lake, N.Y., and AccuStaff in Albany, N.Y. She has nearly 20 years of experience in the industry. An active member of the community, Nicole volunteers with Big Brothers and Big Sisters and teaches yoga with at-risk youth programs.
Outside of Garnet River…
“I enjoy reading, cooking, and spending time with my family and two dogs.”
On cultivating success…
“Cultivating success means to be continuously learning and growing, personally and professionally, to achieve goals set for myself, long and short term.”
Jamie DeMassio, Director of Finance
Jamie has been with Garnet River since 2011 and serves as director of finance, overseeing financial planning, budgeting, and analysis to ensure fiscal strength and business growth. She has over 30 years of experience in accounting and finance and holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Siena College. An active member of the community, Jamie has served on the All-Star Cheer Program, Sunmark FCU Advisory Committee, and created and led three Girl Scout Troops.
Outside of Garnet River…
“I enjoy traveling, taking cruises, visiting Walt Disney World, and spending time with family and friends. My happy place is sitting on the beach, reading a book, and listening to the waves.”
On cultivating success…
“It’s all about teamwork—learning from each other, problem-solving for success, and recognizing that no one person knows everything. Success is cultivated through encouragement, praise, and practice.”
Gloria Bailey, Director of Human Resources
Gloria is director of Human Resources at Garnet River, bringing a wealth of experience in human resources and recruiting to the role. In her day-to-day role, she manages all HR functions at Garnet River, including recruitment, employee relations, benefits administration, and compliance, while developing and implementing policies that align with the company’s goals and support a positive work environment. Gloria holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology and business administration from the University at Albany. Gloria is deeply committed to community service and serves as a board member of Mohawk Opportunities, an organization dedicated to supporting homeless and mental health initiatives in the City of Schenectady.
Outside of Garnet River…
“I find joy in gardening, spending time with family and friends, and unwinding with romantic comedies and reality TV.”
On cultivating success…
“Cultivating success is about transforming challenges into opportunities for growth and embracing setbacks as catalysts for learning and improvement. One pivotal moment in my career shaped this belief. During an annual performance review, my director praised my work, acknowledging I was one of her finest employees. However, she also made it clear that without a four-year degree, my chances of advancing within the department were limited. This feedback, while initially disheartening, became a turning point for me. Determined not to let this obstacle define my future, I returned to college as a nontraditional student. Balancing work, studies, and personal commitments was demanding, but the experience was invaluable. Not only did I complete my degree, but I also gained a deeper understanding of the diverse ways in which people perceive and navigate the world. This broadened perspective has been instrumental in my professional and personal growth.”
Hadley Richards, Manager of Operations & Principal
Hadley is operations manager for Garnet River, ensuring collaboration and effectiveness across the company’s diverse practices. She also assists with Garnet River’s internal communications and employee relations. She graduated from Union College with a bachelor’s degree in economics and visual arts in 2017 before joining Garnet River as social media and website coordinator.
Outside of Garnet River…
“I enjoy spending time in the Adirondack Mountains, hiking and camping. I’m also a watercolor artist, painting for my own stationery company and online store.”
On cultivating success…
“Cultivating success means Garnet River is here for you! Garnet River offers a great amount of solutions and innovations to help your business be sustainable and ‘successful.’ We do that by ‘cultivating’ the best roster of professionals and practice leaders, but most of all…listeners.”
Ashtin Givens, Manager of Client Relations
Ashtin is client relationship manager for Garnet River, responsible for business development for the staffing and product divisions. With over 10 years of experience successfully expanding territory and driving new business to increase revenue, Ashtin’s approach to sales is always customer-centric and solution oriented. She holds a bachelor’s degree in human development and family relations from Plattsburgh State University. An active member of the community, she serves on the board of directors for the YWCA of NENY in Schenectady.
Outside of Garnet River…
“You can find me at the softball field with my daughter or at the lake with my partner. I also enjoy running, trying new restaurants, traveling to catch a sporting event (preferably MLB), reading, and making a difference in my community.”
On cultivating success…
“Success is an ongoing journey to achieve your personal and professional goals. Be resilient, listen to others, embrace failure, learn from your mistakes, and do your best to make an impact.”
Practice Leads – Business Solutions
Salvatore A. Ingalls, Compliance Auditing Practice Lead
Sal is Garnet River’s Compliance Auditing practice lead, coordinating both desk and field audits for various New York State partners and clients, as well as acting as a liaison between state agencies and healthcare providers, conducting peer reviews, and preparing detailed reports and presentations. A seasoned healthcare professional with extensive experience in compliance auditing, he has cultivated a robust understanding of regulatory requirements, business necessities, and contract compliance, particularly in the Medicaid sector. Sal holds a master’s degree in public administration and a bachelor’s degree in legal studies. Prior to joining Garnet River, Sal was senior healthcare and compliance auditor for Public Consulting Group. He also served as a senior administrative analyst at the New York State Office for Technology, where he managed project documentation, stakeholder relationships, and RFP processes.
Outside of Garnet River…
“I enjoy engaging with my community and contributing to initiatives that promote health and well-being.”
On cultivating success…
“Ultimately, ‘cultivating success’ is about setting clear goals and taking intentional steps to achieve them through collaboration and perseverance.”
Kathaleen A. Hanlon, HR Consulting Practice Lead
Kathy leads Garnet River’s HR Consulting practice. With 38 years of experience in human resources, including employee relations, benefits administration, policies and procedures, compliance, employee handbooks, and performance management, she brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to every project she engages in. Throughout her career, Kathy has worked with both small and large businesses and has held senior level human resource positions in a variety of industries, from manufacturing to financial services, residential & commercial real estate, nonprofit, mortgage banking, and 3 start-up organizations in New York’s Capital Region. A graduate of Siena College, she holds a Paralegal Certification in Employee Benefits and a Brokers’ License in both New York and Vermont for Life, Accident and Health Insurance. She has also worked with the Predictive Index (PI) system—for recruiting, leadership development, team building, and organizational culture change—and is a certified Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) administrator. An active member of the community, Kathy serves on the Saratoga Children’s Committee and board of the Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation in Saranac Lake N.Y.
Outside of Garnet River…
“I enjoy spending time with my family at our lakefront camp in the Adirondacks.”
On cultivating success…
“Cultivating Success is about developing strategies to achieve goals utilizing collaboration, teamwork, and mutual respect of ideas to create positive outcomes for all.”
Guy Mastrion, CMO
Guy is chief marketing officer for Garnet River, leading the development and execution of marketing strategy; overseeing branding, advertising, and customer engagement efforts to drive growth; enhancing brand awareness; and supporting Garnet River’s overall business objectives. His well-earned expertise in strategic creative development ranges from consumer and B2B advertising in broadcast media, print and digital engagements, and film. His experience spans local, national, and international markets, and his leadership has resulted in hundreds of awards for creativity, including the Globals, CLIO, Cannes, Graphis, and NY Festivals. In addition to being the founder of Brandforming and Vocal Pictures, Guy was one of three founders and chief global creative officer of Palio Communications, an internationally recognized agency specialized in healthcare. From 2017 to 2023, he served as William Harder Chair Professor of Business Administration at Skidmore College.
Outside of Garnet River…
“I am a family man, fisher of flies, and student of life.”
On cultivating success…
“Cultivating Success is about the long game. It’s about doing the work that makes a difference for our clients. The best creative emerges from compelling insight, sound strategy, and clear, engaging execution that is relevant to your core audience. This approach grows business in meaningful and durable ways.”
Pierre Sandaire, Project Management Practice Lead
Pierre is Garnet River’s Project Management practice lead as well as an accomplished IT project management professional (PMP) and data informatics analyst with over seven years of experience delivering high-impact projects through various New York State programs. Known for a client-focused approach, Pierre excels in building strong, collaborative relationships with clients and stakeholders to ensure their needs and expectations are not only met but exceeded. An active community volunteer, Pierre has contributed efforts toward a recent Albany County Court Judge Campaign, providing election support through canvassing, voter outreach, and event support to ensure a successful campaign. He has also volunteered in the organization and support of a local youth basketball tournament.
Outside of Garnet River…
“I love spending time with my daughter, who keeps me on my toes whenever she can. Aside from spending time with family, I enjoy hobbies that involve physical movement and challenge, including weightlifting, running, hiking, yoga, and playing sports like football and basketball. I also spend time graphic designing, attending musical concerts, and exploring new cities and countries.”
On cultivating success…
“Cultivating success involves actively fostering an environment where goals can be achieved through hard work, adaptability, and perseverance. Success is about creating opportunities for growth, remaining resilient in the face of challenges, and making intentional efforts to achieve meaningful progress towards long-term aspirations.”
Jackie Carpenter, QA & IVV Practice Lead
Jackie is QA & IVV practice lead for Garnet River, providing clients with the support and guidance needed to remain in compliance with state, and federal regulations. She has over 15 years of experience working in quality assurance, during which she has conducted reviews, provided supports, and became a subject matter expert on a variety of state and federal regulations. As part of Garnet River’s analyst team, Jackie is currently providing support to Medicaid Long Term Care (MLTC) Plans and the Social Adult Day Cares (SADC), ensuring the CMS guidelines and the HCBS Final Rule are implemented. An active member of the community, Jackie volunteers for The Special Olympics, The Night to Shine, and Ronald McDonald House.
Outside of Garnet River…
“I am from the Capital Region and enjoy spending time in the Adirondacks. I love traveling, vacationing, and spending time with friends and family. My favorite hobbies are baking, gardening, and DIY projects (from hardwood flooring to canning vegetables), and volunteering in the community.”
On cultivating success…
“Cultivating success to me means taking care of yourself and those around you to create an encouraging and nourishing environment to promote growth and sustainability—whether it’s at home or in the office.”
Practice Leads – IT Solutions
Mike Donnelly, Infrastructure & Security Practice Lead
Mike is Garnet River’s Infrastructure & Security practice lead, responsible for client engagements across local government, higher education, finance, and hospitality sectors. With over 35 years of experience in IT—including roles at a stock market information service on Wall Street, a Fortune 500 investment bank, and as solutions integrator and consultant—Mike is well versed in security and infrastructure assessments, systems and virtual machine administration services, network monitoring systems support, network remediation, and the application of common sense to IT infrastructures.
On cultivating success…
“A strong adherent to the proverb, ‘Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime,’ I endeavor to impart knowledge whenever presented with a problem or question, while leaving people with more insight into a resolution than when they started.”
Noah Arciero, Data Analytics & BI Practice Lead
Noah is Garnet River’s Data Analytics & BI practice lead, responsible for leveraging data to drive informed decision-making and optimize product and organizational performance for clients. He also teams with Garnet River’s Innovation practice, helping to define the product lifecycle, from ideation to launch, and ensuring alignment between teams. His professional journey has been marked by a consistent focus on data analytics and product management. Prior to joining Garnet River, he helped develop software for analyzing commercial real estate assets.
Outside of Garnet River…
“I enjoy spending time with family, traveling, playing tennis, and golfing.”
On cultivating success…
“Cultivating success means creating an environment where a team can grow and learn together to accomplish something meaningful.”
Shayne Pendergast, RPA Practice Lead
Shayne is Garnet River’s Robotic Process Automation (RPA) practice lead, responsible for overseeing the development and implementation of RPA across various industries and leading a team of skilled professionals who drive innovation in automation strategies that deliver client value. Shayne joined Garnet River in 2020, spearheading numerous RPA projects and collaborating across Garnet River’s practice groups to integrate RPA initiatives with broader business objectives.
Outside of Garnet River…
“I enjoy skiing, hockey, traveling, aquatic sports, and off roading. Whether it’s hitting the slopes, exploring new destinations, or trying to stand up on a surfboard—countless times unsuccessfully—I find these activities both rewarding and rejuvenating.”
On cultivating success…
“Cultivating success means fostering an environment where innovation, continuous improvement, and collaboration are at the forefront. It’s about empowering individuals to reach their full potential and encouraging a growth mindset within the team. At Garnet River, success is cultivated by embracing challenges as opportunities for growth, leveraging cutting-edge technologies, and maintaining a strong focus on delivering value to our clients. By prioritizing these principles, we create a foundation where both our team and our clients can thrive.”
Practice Leads – Healthcare
Courtney Seypura, Healthcare Solutions Practice Lead
Courtney is co-practice lead for Garnet River’s Healthcare practice. She also serves as project director overseeing the Quality Assurance and IV&V Programs for the state health exchange and department of health. She has over 25 years of experience working in direct leadership, healthcare operations, Medicare and Medicaid product and program management, project management, test lead, and business analyst roles. Her professional background includes strategic planning, business process redesign and improvement, system Implementations and redesign, and quality assurance. With over 20 years of direct product systems expertise, Courtney can also help clients fully understand the critical technology pieces within any line of business for business units and organizations nationwide by bridging the gap between business/client and IT relations.
Outside of Garnet River…
“I enjoy spending time with my children, especially now that they are older. It’s a whole new chapter with them and exciting when they too look forward to grabbing dinner and game night. I love staying in,
game nights, girls’ night (with wine), bingeing Netflix, and heading to the Adirondacks to cookout on Shelving Rock or Cascade lakes and relax in the sun and water all day.”
On cultivating success…
“What cultivating success means to me is creating an environment with my colleagues where success is a state of mind in how we: set our goals and celebrate little wins as much as the bigger ones; embrace challenges as opportunities for growth, not obstacles; and accept, own, and collaborate through setbacks so we can get back on track and achieve our goals.”
Megan Christiana, Healthcare Products Practice Lead
Megan is Garnet River’s Healthcare practice co-lead and healthcare solutions consultant, focused on optimizing patient care and enhancing operational efficiency within healthcare organizations. With expertise spanning across various facets of healthcare, including workflow optimization, technology integration, and process improvement, Megan helps providers, administrators, and stakeholders implement innovative solutions aimed at elevating care quality and maximizing resource utilization. By leveraging data-driven decision-making and cutting-edge technologies, she works with organizations to navigate the complexities of the healthcare landscape, ensuring they are equipped to deliver exceptional care while maintaining financial sustainability.
Outside of Garnet River…
“I enjoy reading, hiking with my husband, taking our dog on various adventures, and spending quality time with my family.”
On cultivating success…
“Cultivating success involves intentionally creating and nurturing the right environment for growth and achievement. It means being proactive and supportive in developing strategies that lead to sustainable and meaningful success over time.”
