Our Team

Michael Hruska - President / CEO

I am an entrepreneur, musician, and scientist with eclectic experiences spanning standards, learning, and computer science. I am a seeker of boundaries, edges, and outliers that applies the principles of chaos to order and the opposite for vice versa.

I am passionate about the way that technology can transform our learning, our business, and our lives. I’ve worked with diverse groups from government, commercial and NPOs to creatively frame and solve problems and harness the power of organizations. I love wine and spending time with my dogs... and I have rock climbed in 22 states.

Nikolaus Hruska - VP Technology

I am a software engineer and researcher with diverse experience in the standards development process and the eLearning industry. I am most intrigued with the development of new eLearning specifications which remove the innovation ceiling of traditional standards and bring the use of modern software development tools and techniques into the industry.

I enjoy almost every genre of music from New Orleans Jazz to Bluegrass and Electronica. I play both the guitar and bass and I enjoy producing my own electronic music. I love travel as well - I've been to 44 of the 50 U.S. states.

Jonathan Poltrack - VP Government Services

I am a software engineer and project manager that contributed to the Sharable Content Object Reference Model (SCORM), the defacto global eLearning standard. I am interested in the development of new eLearning technologies that are lightweight, easy to implement and powerful.

I spent several years honing my software skills by playing guitar, full-time, in a touring band (yes, that's sarcasm). I also love to travel and have had the opportunity to keynote international conferences due to my work on the ADL Initiative.

Aaron Silvers - Chief Learning Officer

I help people (and organizations) discover what they know and perform better. I craft experiences that educate, entertain and elevate.

I connect dots, build communities and guide collectives into teams that get better... together. I enjoy wicked problems and fractal challenges.

I design solutions: teams and tools. I seek first to understand, then I do stuff. I find ways for us to win.

I deliver on big, innovative ideas that stick around. I bring good people together to grow those ideas. I battle “can’t”, “don’t” and “won’t”.

Andy Johnson - Games and Learning Analyst

I've been involved in designing specifications, creating learning content, and coding architecture for over 10 years. I am very good at defining problem spaces and working within constraints.

My true passion is gaming of any type - card games, sports (playing or watching), video games, etc. I love to create experiences that make people laugh.

Kimberly Heinlein - Chief Administrative Officer

I manage finance, accounting, payroll and the day-to-day administration duties around the office. If you call our office, you'll probably speak with me. Don't worry - I am friendly and courteous! I am the cog of the wheel at PS (a rose amongst thorns, if you will).

I love cats and am always looking to hone my skills in online shopping.

Walt Grata - Software Engineer

I have seven years of software development experience using Python, Java, .NET, Javascript, HTML, CSS, MongoDB, CouchDB, MySQL, MS SQL, Oracle, and Postgresql. I have a passion for learning about and using new technologies to deliver software that is usable, scalable and performant, but also fits into a clients existing infrastructure.

I enjoy brewing my own beer and consider my self a foodie and enjoy finding new restaurants in the greater Pittsburgh, Johnstown and Altoona areas.

Lou Wolford - Project Specialist

I enjoy being part of every aspect of the Software Engineering process, from gathering requirements to writing code. I am excited to step into the Mobile Marketplace to provide fun, interactive applications that will procure non-stop entertainment and also stimulate minds.

In my free time, I enjoy any sports related activity, good food, and the occasional epic fantasy book series.

Mark Dewey - Software Engineer

I write code. That is what I like to do. There is no a platform I wouldn’t develop for. I love to take my code and create innovative solutions to problems. I am really interested in developing solutions to problems using the mobile platform.

When I am not behind a computer creating something cool, you can find me outside juggling my clubs, or playing some Ultimate Frisbee.

Matthew Graham - Software Engineer

I develop web applications, mobile applications for iOS and enjoy every aspect of the software engineering process. I love learning different programming methods and languages, and am passionate about optimizing every aspect of my life.

In my free time I am interested in video games, all genres of movies (Kung-Fu movies especially) and will never say no to a game of chess.

Stephen Trevorrow - Software Engineer

I plan, design, and develop software using a wide array of languages including; Android, .NET, and Python. I'm also incredibly interested in Artificial Intelligence, from simple Genetic Algorithms to complex Particle Swarms.

Learning is a constantly evolving process and to be at the top of the curve means to always look for better ways to finish any task. Outside of my code I'm an avid gamer and enjoy taking the time to play and experience video games from every genre.

Jay Ostinowsky - Software Intern

I am currently a student at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown pursing my degree in Computer Science. I am working on various projects which include web based applications as well as server and client side coding.

Outside of Computer Science, I enjoy baseball, basketball, and keeping myself fit. I also enjoy playing computer games (Diablo 3 especially) and listening to electronic and rock music.

Jared Schmidt - Software Intern

I am currently studying computer science at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown. I enjoy everything about computers and technology and I am always keeping up to date on mobile developments. I enjoy building computers and I also program in many languages.

When I am not at my computer you will usually find me reading science fiction novels, or playing guitar. Also I enjoy listening to rock symphonies.

Pat Sycz - Software Intern

I love writing programs and solving problems. I like the quirky, innovative ways of solving problems. Artificial Intelligence and games are my favorite projects. Also, I enjoy testing software because every time you find a way to break it, you learn something from it.

When I'm not sitting behind my computer, I'm usually playing xbox, my guitar, my drums, or solving puzzles.