Kara is the Director of Software Engineering for SkillSmart. With 20 years of experience as a full-stack developer, Kara creates strategic plans and processes to move the development team forward and participates in front-end web development with a focus on user experience.

Prior to joining SkillSmart, Kara was a founding partner of Tamberra Web Development, leading digital initiatives for large media companies building out their new digital agencies, as well as guiding their news/media sites to profitability with new features and functions.

Kara graduated from the University of South Florida with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science.

In her community, Kara volunteers her time as a mentor to future technologists at the Suncoast Science Center. She is also the co-founder of When She Happens, which hosts several events a year with the purpose of promoting women in business and giving back to local nonprofits with a focus on women and children.

With over 30 years of experience developing commercial software applications, Bob serves as the development lead for all SkillSmart products, focusing on the data modeling and web services. Bob also takes the lead in architecting the SaaS technology stack and CI/CD processes for the products.
Before joining SkillSmart, Bob was a founding Partner in Conscientia, Inc., served as Senior VP of Development at netDecide Corporation, was Director of Product Development at Decision Dynamics for eleven years, and co-founded SimBLOX, LLC.
A graduate of University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with a Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering, Bob earned his Master’s in Engineering and Public Policy from Washington University in St. Louis.
Outside of work, Bob spends his time as a sailor, maker and baker. He holds National Marine Electronics Association certifications as both a Marine Electronics Installer and NMEA 2000 Network installer, basic keelboat sailing, basic coastal cruising, bareboat cruising and cruising catamaran, and celestial navigation certificates. He is currently working toward his captain’s license. When not sailing, Bob spends time exploring home automation technologies, woodworking and baking/cooking for his wife.

John has more than 25 years of experience working with underserved youth and families. As director of client services, he is responsible for assisting clients with the implementation of workforce development products.

Before joining SkillSmart, John co-founded workforce.io as part of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation’s New Options Project, which utilized principles of design and innovation for social impact. Workforce.io developed solutions for the entry level employment market and serves as a great segue for John to manage our client portfolio and strategy.

A graduate of the University of Maryland College Park, John began his career with Living Classrooms in Baltimore, MD, a nonprofit overseeing educational and workforce development programs that provided an array of services to non-traditional job seekers, youth, and those engaged in re-entry programs. John managed the successful expansion of Living Classrooms to the DC metro area, where it currently offers four tracks of education.

Kyle has nearly a decade of experience as a researcher and data analyst. As Product Manager, he’s responsible for working with SkillSmart’s product team to develop and enhance our product offerings to meet the needs of our growing client pool.

Prior to joining the SkillSmart team, Kyle served as council staff for the Montgomery County Council, and as an economic development consultant for Orion Ventures. Additionally, Kyle has worked with nonprofit groups in the greater Washington, DC region focused on the areas of economic and community development.

Kyle graduated from Bucknell University and received his Master of Business Administration from Mount Saint Mary’s University.

In addition to learning in the classroom and through work experience, Kyle works to hone his skills in financial anaylsis; setting up, operating and troubleshooting A/V equipment; and Recipe Development and Coffee Knowledge.