Beth Eckert, PHR®
Chief Executive Officer
Steering Pinnacle Employee Services as CEO, Beth’s expertise in creating strategic HR solutions has empowered over 200 client companies to enhance their operational efficiency. With a background in HR leadership, Beth’s mission is to deliver top-tier employee management and benefits, ensuring alignment with our clients’ visions and goals.
Her tenure as Vice President of Human Resources honed Beth’s abilities in employee relations and benefits administration, culminating in the development of initiatives that significantly elevated employee engagement and retention. At Pinnacle, our team is dedicated to fostering a workplace culture that prioritizes inclusivity and positive employee experiences.
Mark Pietrowski
Founder
Mark Pietrowski is the Founder of Pinnacle Employee Services (PES) and a seasoned professional with over 16 years of experience in the payroll, human resources, and professional employer organization (PEO) industry. He currently serves as the Director of Brand Partnerships at Pinnacle Holding Company, where he focuses on driving growth and development across the Pinnacle Family of Companies.
Mark’s career began at Lamar Advertising, the nation’s largest outdoor billboard advertising company. Starting as an account executive in Syracuse, New York, he quickly climbed the ranks to become Vice President/General Manager in Fayetteville, North Carolina, later transitioning to a larger market in Toledo, Ohio.
In 2006, Mark entered the payroll industry by joining Paychex, a leading payroll and HR services provider. During his six-year tenure, he specialized in selling HR programs and was recognized as District 30’s MVP of the Year in 2007. He further honed his expertise in PEO services during a six-year stint at a Syracuse-based PEO, where he mastered the complexities of this dynamic field.
In 2014, Mark led the launch of Pinnacle Employee Services with the mission of delivering exceptional client service. Under his leadership, PES has become known for leveraging industry-leading technology, offering comprehensive benefits and wellness plans, and providing a dedicated team of professionals to support businesses of all sizes.
Mark’s extensive background and commitment to excellence have made him a driving force behind the success and growth of Pinnacle and its affiliated companies.
Alysha Jasewicz, CPA
Director of Financial Operations
Alysha is a Certified Public Accountant in the State of New York. She graduated from SUNY Oswego with her Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting in 2017 and her Master in Business Administration degree with a concentration in Public Accounting in 2019. Prior to joining PES in 2020, she was a Tax Accountant at a regional public accounting firm located in Syracuse. Alysha has experience in several areas in public accounting, including corporate and personal income tax compliance and planning, auditing, and accounting services. She has helped to streamline accounting processes, handles recordkeeping with the accounting department, and helps with ad hoc client needs. In 2022, Alysha was named Controller of PES. In her new role, she provides leadership to the accounting team and oversees all financial activities as the company continues its strong growth.
Tammy Bramer, PHR, SHRM-CP
Director of Compliance & Quality Control
Tammy has over 25 years of dedicated Human Resource experience including Employer Relations, Payroll Processing, Promoting Team Engagement, Benefit & Leave Administration and Recruiting. She gained much of her experience while working previously in the Hospitality, Health Care and PEO industries. Tammy currently has her PHR and SHRM-CP professional Human Resource Certifications and is currently licensed in Life, Accident & Health (LA) through New York. She is also a Notary Public, and licensed as an RON, Remote Online Notary.
Tammy is excited to continue to gain knowledge and experience to support the amazing team of talent and provide excellence in service to PES’s clients.
John Goldthwaite, CPA
Director of Client Experience
John recently joined Pinnacle Employee Services as Director of Client Experience. He holds his CPA license and is a graduate of Le Moyne College. John has over 30 years of total professional experience, which includes ten years of public accounting and thirteen years in various finance and accounting roles in corporate manufacturing, including plant controller and corporate controller. In addition, John was the CFO of a local area PEO for seven years, where he gained significant experience in the PEO industry using the PrismHR platform. As the CFO, John was responsible for understanding the full spectrum of complexities that are a part of creating and maintaining a successful PEO. As Director of Client Experience for Pinnacle Employee Solutions, John will work with the Pinnacle team, as well as our clients to ensure that the Pinnacle Employee Services clients receive world class service, beginning from the client onboarding and continues throughout our clients’ partnership with Pinnacle Employee Services.
Megan Simmons
Executive Assistant
Please check back, bio coming soon!
Alex Godzak
Employer Solutions Specialist
Alex graduated from Canisius College in Buffalo NY with a degree in Sports Management. During his time at Canisius, Alex spent all 4 years on the men’s baseball team. Alex has always had a passion for sales and enjoys being able to meet new people and assist them with their needs. When Alex isn’t working, you can find him at the gym or on the golf course. Alex will be a valuable asset moving forward in the growth of Pinnacle Employee Services.
Marissa Paventi
Business Development Representative
Marissa joined Pinnacle Employee Services in 2024 as a Benefits Administrator and has recently transitioned to Business Development Representative. She studied Business Administration at Onondaga Community College and brings over five years of experience in the benefits field. Marissa has previously worked at Excellus BlueCross BlueShield for five years in Customer Care, Escalations, and Sales. She is currently licensed in Life, Accident, and Health Insurance through New York State and is excited to continue her education and knowledge with Pinnacle Employee Services.
Alexandra Schmidt
Implementation Specialist
Alexandra is a multifaceted procurement professional who holds a dual bachelor’s degree in supply chain and strategic management from Syracuse University, as well as an MBA from West Texas A&M University.
She has had the privilege to live and work across three continents, gaining experience across numerous roles in various industries, including health care, education, consumer goods, beauty, and, most recently, a multinational chemicals company. Driven by curiosity, in her spare time she is preparing for her Certified Associate in Project Management exam.
Alexandra has a passion for productivity, project management, and organization, which she looks forward to sharing with the Pinnacle team.
Laura Crittela
Implementation Specialist
Laura graduated from LeMoyne College with her degree in accounting in the city she was raised in, Syracuse, NY. With a solid foundation in accounting and a passion for people, she made a career pivot into the field of Human Resources (HR). Laura embraces a lifestyle centered around health and relaxation, finding joy in the balance of physical fitness, hiking, conquering Spartan races, and enjoy being home when it’s time to rest.
Gina Gilbert, PHR®, SHRM-CP
Director of HR Partnerships
Gina Gilbert joined Pinnacle as a Senior Human Resources Manager in October 2022. Gina’s extensive 20 year background in the Human resources field will be an asset to the Pinnacle Team. She has worked with many mid-large size companies including, manufacturers, HVAC Companies, Non for Profit, Restaurants, etc.
Gina is excited to bring her expertise to Pinnacle which includes the following: Recruiting, Benefits Administration, Employee Relations, and Policy and Procedure Administration. Gina is certified with her PHR through SHRM and her CP through HRCI and is looking forward to continuing her education and training when she goes for her Senior PHR.
Shari Jackson
HR Business Partner
Shari Jackson is a Human Resources Business Partner. She brings 15 years of experience to the team with her knowledge of Human Resources and Payroll. Prior to joining Pinnacle Employee Services, she was the Office Manager for mid-sized companies in the environmental remediation, demolition, and emergency response industries.
Currently, Shari is a part of the growing Human Resources and Client Service team at Pinnacle. She is knowledgeable in benefit offerings, training and development, and team building.
Tammie Schirm
HR Business Partner
Tammie Alnutt joined Pinnacle Employee Services as a Human Resources Business Partner. She brings over 10 years of experience to the team including HR, payroll, and accounting in the food manufacturing and warehouse industries. Prior to joining Pinnacle, Tammie was a Human Resource Manager at a mid-sized facility services company in Central New York. She is knowledgeable and excited to provide exceptions HR services to Pinnacle’s clients.
Christopher Hanus
HR Business Partner
Please check back, bio coming soon!
Vanessa Grygiel, SHRM-CP
HR Business Partner
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Jacquelynn Galster, SHRM-CP
HR Business Partner
Jacquelynn joined Pinnacle Employee Services in August 2023 as a Human Resources Business Partner. With a robust background spanning over 13 years in banking, payroll, accounting, and HR, she brings a wealth of knowledge to her role. Before joining Pinnacle, Jacquelynn served as a Human Resource Administrator, where she managed all HR and payroll operations for a mid-size non-profit organization. In July of 2023, she earned her SHRM-CP certification, further enhancing her professional qualifications. Jacquelynn is enthusiastic about collaborating with Pinnacle’s esteemed clientele, as well as expanding her knowledge base and pursuing additional certifications in the future.
Stacy Eppolito, SHRM-CP
HR Business Partner
After spending fifteen years in hospitality, Stacy made a career shift to human resources at the beginning of 2021. Recognizing the importance of continuous learning in this field, she dedicated time to professional development, engaging in numerous continued education programs to deepen my understanding of HR practices and principles. In June 2023, Stacy obtained the Society for Human Resource Management Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) certification, solidifying her expertise and commitment to excellence in HR management. Over the last few years, she’s managed recruiting and onboarding, payroll, employee relations, and overseeing annual performance evaluations.
Kevin Bane
Client Service Associate
Prior to joining the PES team, Kevin spent six years working with North Carolina State University managing on-campus housing communities for NC State students down in Raleigh, North Carolina. Born and raised in Cicero, Kevin was ecstatic to return to New York as a graduate of CNS High School and the University at Buffalo. As a member of the HR team at PES, Kevin provides support to clients upholding our priority to customer care. Away from the office, Kevin enjoys spending time with his family, golfing, cheering on his favorite sports teams (Buffalo Bills, Syracuse Orange, New York Mets, and Carolina Hurricanes), exploring the local food, live music, and hanging out with his four-year-old beagle, Millie.
Mackenzie Edinger
Director of Benefits Administration
Mackenzie Edinger is the Benefits Administrator at Pinnacle Employee Services. Prior to joining the team Mackenzie spent over 7 years at Syracuse Orthopedic Specialists where she worked her way to the Human Resources Assistant. While learning all aspects of the job her main focus was benefits and payroll.
Currently Mackenzie works with all of Pinnacle Employee Services Client’s to offer Benefit support and development. Her areas of expertise are health insurance, customer service and leave of absence including Family Medical Leave Act, Paid Family Leave and Disability.
Nina Faubert
Benefits Administrator
Nina joined Pinnacle Employee Services in June 2022 as a Payroll Administrator and transitioned to Benefits Specialist in 2023. She has over 7 years’ experience working in finance, banking, and payroll. Nina also has managerial experience, is great at communication, team building and loves to boost morale. She lives by the quote “It’s a great day if you make it a great day” and thoroughly enjoys spreading positivity, knowledge, and laughter to everyone she encounters. Nina is a valuable asset to the Pinnacle team where she’s enthusiastic to further her career, grow her skills and flourish in the company.
Marianne Karandy
401(k) Administrator
Marianne Karandy has joined Pinnacle Employee Services as a 401(k) Administrator. Formerly a Third Party Administrator for a local company. She has over 20 years of experience in office settings. Specializing in customer service and life Insurance. Marianne looks forward to bringing her vast knowledge of the industry to Pinnacle Employee Services to further the 401(k) growth within the company.
Brieonna Rodriguez
Payroll Administrator
Brieonna studied Business Administration at Cayuga Community College and graduated with her Associate’s Degree in 2016. She has worked in Finance/Payroll for the last 5 years. Brieonna has strong communication skills which she has developed while working in Customer Service related positions for the last 16 years. She’s excited to bring that knowledge and experience to Pinnacle Employee Services’ payroll department.
Hope Haefner
Payroll Administrator
Hope has been in the payroll business for almost 40 years, with over 20 of those years being in the PEO business. She has processed many types of payrolls from the easiest to the most complicated. Hope loves a challenge, the harder the better. She has an AS in Accounting and has gone through Internal Auditor training, both of which totally relate to what she enjoys doing most.
Carrie Gibson
Payroll Administrator
Please check back, bio coming soon!
Kelly Gourd
Payroll Administrator
Kelly Gourd is a Payroll Administrator at Pinnacle Employee Services, a PEO that offers HR, Compliance, Payroll, and Benefit services with six years of payroll experience. Previously, Kelly worked as a Creditor Relations Specialist for Money Management International and she worked for a large auto group in the Chicagoland area as Assistant Controller/Office Manager. She graduated from Aurora University with a dual degree in Psychology and Criminal Justice.
Michael Roche, CPA
Senior Accountant
bio coming soon, please check back!
Kah’moni Richardson
Senior Accountant
Kah’moni joined Pinnacle Holding Company in 2023 as a Staff Accountant. Prior to joining Pinnacle, she worked in cash management for Aspen Dental. Kah’moni is a very passionate and driven individual who will work hard to achieve her goals. She’s always loved math – except for geometry and calculus in high school, is a people person, and loves putting a smile on people’s faces. She earned her Associate’s Degree in Accounting from Onondaga Community College in 2017 and continued her studies in Atlanta where she began to pursue her dream of modeling. Kah’moni has worked in many different areas from retail and e-commerce sales to medical billing and banking. In her free time, she enjoys traveling (mostly to warmer climates), modeling, and spending time with her family.
Noni Crouse
Staff Accountant
Having family ties to the Onondaga Nation, Noni grew up going to an all Native-American school from Kindergarten until 8th grade. She attended high school at LaFayette where she was an avid soccer player. Noni obtained her bachelor’s degree in Fashion Merchandising with a specialization in Business Management from Cazenovia College in 2018. She is actively enrolled in Champlain College where she is completing her MBA. Before coming to Pinnacle she worked in the banking industry for 5 years where she held a variety of different positions. Noni found herself continuously growing and developing an interest in accounting. Noni is very outgoing and very much a people person. She loves to learn, grow, and be an example for the younger generation of Native girls. Noni’s goal is to give back to the Onondaga Nation Community that helped raise her and made her the ambitious and resilient woman she is today.
Charlotte Dieroff
Director of Recruiting
Charlotte Dieroff started the Pinnacle Talent Solutions division in September 2021, and attends to recruiting needs for both the Pinnacle Family of Companies as well as external clients across New York State. With a BS in Food Science from Cornell University, Charlotte spent 20+ years in food industry R&D, developing product for major Consumer Product Goods clients. Charlotte transitioned from hands-on product development to client management before moving into the recruiting industry.
Pinnacle Talent Solutions works across a wide variety of industries and prides themselves on close knit client relationships.