JMark hires industry vet for newly created COO post

Springfield technology services and information technology firm JMark Business Solutions Inc. has hired an industry veteran as its chief operations officer, a newly created position.

Todd Nielsen started March 1 as COO, tasked with the operations of the firm, including quality of service, day-to-day customer interactions and business reviews, according to JMark President and CEO Thomas Douglas.

Douglas said the new position was created because of the growth of JMark, which he said experienced 25.3 percent revenue growth last year and is anticipating the same in 2013.

"When we started talking about his strengths and some areas we needed help within JMark, we found out we had a lot in common," Douglas said of hiring Nielsen. "Todd will help in implementation of strategy as we continue to grow during the new few years."

Nielsen - who is relocating his family to Springfield from southern California at the end of April - has held various executive roles in technology and telecommunications, including nearly two years as chief operations officer of Decision Systems Plus Inc. in Des Plaines, Ill., and a decade as CEO of California-based Frontec Solutions Inc., according to his LinkedIn page. He also has provided consulting services for roughly six companies - including JMark - and has blogged about cloud computing and other topics for Wired.com.

"I’ve seen the inner workings of a lot of technology companies, and JMark has impressed me with its talent and technology expertise, its phenomenal culture and its ability to help clients achieve desired business outcomes through the proper use of technology," Nielsen said in a news release.

JMark ranked No. 4,153 on the 2012 Inc. 5000, based on 2011 revenues of $6.4 million and 2008 revenues of $4.8 million, representing 31 percent growth. The list ranks the fastest-growing private companies in the country.