Work with a professional, dedicated team that you can trust.
Joe Thigpen
CEO, Chief Engineer, & CISSP
Joe spent the first 20 years of his life in the U.S. Army as a paratrooper where the only technology he used was weapons and explosives. He bought his first computer in 1986 and instantly found his passion for IT. After he retired from the Army, Joe completed his degree in Computer Network Administration and founded DataGroup Technologies, Inc.
*Certified Information Systems Security Professional
Rhonda Rouse
Office Manager / Controller
Graduating from Ashford University and Forbes Business School, Rhonda obtained her B.A. in Accounting and has been showing off her math skills ever since! With over 30 years of experience in accounting, it’s no wonder why she is our financial guru! Her inspiration comes from her sister-in-law; she strives to have her spitfire attitude while still remaining the sweetest person you’ll ever meet.
Shar Shackleford
Account Services Representative
A native of Farmville, NC, Shar has a passion for helping and serving others. She is motivated by her three children who bring her joy and keep her going. Shar values her relationships with her children, her baby sister, and her closest friends, who all hold a special place in her heart. Outside of the office, Shar enjoys cooking, reading, and crafting!
Brad Caudill
IT Services Director
When Brad was 12 years old, he put together his first computer and has been fascinated with IT ever since! Resolving issues, fixing problems, and looking for innovative solutions are what keeps him going! Outside the office, you can find Brad listening to music, playing the piano, or reading a novel.
Teaven Johnson
Help Desk Team Leader
Teaven grew inquisitive of technology when he was 9 years old, after his father gave him his first computer. He earned his degree in Information Technology and has been paving his way through the IT industry ever since! What keeps him going is the desire to provide a better life for his family and success itself.
John Ermolowich
Technical Services Engineer
John realized his love for IT when he was taking a PC programming and network class in high school. From that moment on, he has devoted his career to teaching others how to work with computers and how to fix them. With over 14 years of experience, you could say he’s an expert!
Jon Kemling
System Analyst
Jon discovered his passion for IT in 1980 and has been honing in on his skills for over 29 years! His favorite part of the day is when he’s out in the field. He loves taking on these new challenges every day! Moving here all the way from Nebraska was a crazy move that we are so glad he decided to make!
Troy Surles
Technical Services Engineer
A native of Greenville, NC, Troy has worked in sales/service for local businesses for 30+ years, building a reputation for honesty and integrity. He started learning to use computers in 1985 when his family got a Commodore 64 PC. After building his own computer in 1999 to replace the one lost during Hurricane Floyd, Troy changed his major to Computer Information Systems (Generalist), completing an associate degree at Pitt Community College. When not at work, he enjoys working on cars and home projects, gunsmithing, target shooting, movies, and spending time with his daughter.
Jay Brooks
Technical Services Engineer
Hello, I am Jay Brooks and I am a service support technician at DataGroup. I have been working on computers since 1982. I have many skills obtained throughout the years including programming, networking, and a vast knowledge of unix operating systems. I love a challenge, computer troubleshooting and provisioning provides me with endless mysteries to solve. I look forward to using my skills to provide DataGroup customers with superior support.
Tim Pittman
IT Consultant
Tim grew up in Scotland Neck (a small town in Eastern NC) and attended Chowan Junior College. In addition to working in commercial pest control for many years with Orkin, he has been an insurance agent since 2001, licensed in life and health, property, liability, Medicare supplements, and long-term care. Tim and his wife of 22 years, Carol, have two children. When not at work, Tim enjoys attending his daughter Julianna's dance performances and being an advocate for his son Julian, who is on the autism spectrum.
Paul Oakley
Sales Manager
Paul grew up in the Eastern NC communities of Ayden and Grifton. After completing an Associate's Degree in Print Production & Digital Technology from Chowan College, Paul spent 20 years with Cintas Corporation in an array of field sales operations/leadership positions. Passionate about building and growing trusting relationships with both coworkers and clients, Paul enjoys creating partnerships with clients by taking a proactive solutions approach, so clients can spend more time doing what they do best: running their businesses. In his free time, Paul enjoys spending time with his family in the mountains of East Tennessee or fishing the creeks and rivers of the North Carolina coast.
Lee Roach
Account Manager
Lee grew up in Clayroot, NC, a small, tight-knit farming community in Pitt County that has produced many successful, productive professionals, thanks to a work ethic instilled into its residents that still burns strong today. Lee has been involved with sales and marketing for over 25 years. His greatest enjoyment in the business is “the WIN” – whether it’s him winning or helping a teammate win a deal. When not at work, Lee loves spending time with his family at the beach and coaching his daughter’s basketball team.
Trey Strickland
IT Consultant
Originally from Tarboro, NC, Trey has worked in sales for the past 7 years. Prior to sales, he worked in pediatric healthcare for 10 years. Since he was a young kid, Trey has loved computers and software. He is passionate about helping others. Outside of work, he roots for the ECU Pirates and his beloved Chicago Cubs. Trey enjoys playing golf, a good cigar, reading, baking, cooking, and traveling with his wife.
Ron Thomas
Inside Sales Rep
Ron graduated from Rutgers University with a bachelor's degree in Business Administration and Marketing. He enjoys working in marketing because it's creative and there are so many directions to go into as a career. Ron is passionate about the arts and is looking forward to checking out the art museums here since moving to North Carolina from New Jersey. Outside of the office, Ron loves checking in with his family and friends, working out, watching game shows, and having lots of fun working as a radio host and doing voiceovers.
Charles Hopkins
IT Architect
Originally from Greenville, NC, Charles graduated from East Carolina University with a MS in Networking Technology and a concentration in Computer Network Management. With 25 collective years of experience in Healthcare Informatics, Real-Time Location Systems, and Pharmacy Informatics, Charles is passionate about improving processes and getting people and things to communicate with each other. When not at work, he enjoys golf, fishing, geocaching, karaoke, serving at church, and spending time with family. Fun fact: Charles once visited Australia and Hawaii for two-and-a-half months, “just because.”
Stacey Davis
Marketing Manager
With a cornucopia of marketing experience including social media integration, marketing strategy, campaign management, and communications, Stacey brings over 18 years of skillsets to our DataGroup family. As one of our most trusted representatives we find her to be both innovative and creative in her project approach. With Public Relations as her course of study Stacey has certain disciplines not found with many competitors in her field. It is a promising presumption when you cannot find Stacey at the office, she is exploring the beaches or mountains of North Carolina with her family and friends. To find out what makes Stacey a valuable partner in your next venture book a session with her today.
Jessica Pruitt
Web Developer & Digital Design
Born and raised in a Christian Military family, Jessica moved all over the US, from Havelock, North Carolina all the way West to Kaneohe Bay, Oahu, Hawaii. Jessica has lived in Greenville since 2001, where she married her high school sweetheart and had two boys. She studied the arts all through school and majored at PCC in graphic design and advertising, then went back for another degree in web development and administration. She has worked with Xerox, Vidant Health, ECU, and much more. Her experience includes being a Google Partner and Shopify Partner, and working with webhosting platforms -- WordPress, SquareSpace, Wix, and Shopify. Jessica brings to the table trademarking, branding, eCommerce, shipping modules, domain hosting, product management, email marketing, social media business and much more.