About Us

IQ Inc. (IQ) is an award-winning software development company and consulting firm with one objective: develop outstanding products and partnerships while putting people—the driving force behind our business and the community—first.

Building the Perfect Solution—Together

Since 1994, IQ has built a reputation for utilizing the highest caliber talent to consistently create high-quality products and long-term solutions across a variety of services and industries.

Over the last three decades, we’ve proven our expertise in end-to-end software development, software testing, consulting, data analytics, innovative technologies, and recruiting to help our partners grow now and in the future. That unwavering commitment to outstanding results has helped us earn the title as one of Pittsburgh’s Fastest-Growing Companies (2020) and one of the city’s Best Places to Work in multiple years!

A Message From Our Founder, Barbara VanKirk

IQ’s success over the last three decades is a direct result of our obsession with treating people well—including our team members, our customers, and our community. In fact, when I started the company in 1994, I began with a three-prong focus: the employees, the clients, and the company. That focus has empowered us to solve complex problems while building strong relationships with the companies we serve.

My dedication to putting people first has led me to a “serving leader” philosophy that I embody every day. While I carry the titles of CEO and Founder, I’m simply another member of the overall team. But through respect and honesty, I can inspire every member of our team to be their best.

At IQ, we actively encourage team members to pursue their passion, purpose, and happiness in both their work lives and their personal lives. The reason is simple. When we feel fulfilled, we can lead from the heart while serving our clients, families, communities, and each other.

Our people-first mentality spreads directly into the community. We regularly join and sponsor a variety of local fundraising events, especially those championed by our employees, their children, our clients, our neighborhoods, and our schools. You’ll spot our logo and team members supporting events like Race for the Cure, Toys for Tots, and Feeding the Spirit.

Ultimately, we believe work shouldn’t be about work. It should be about finding personal significance and satisfaction through the impact we have on others. With that in mind, I promise to provide continuous opportunities for employees to move from “success to significance”—a strategy that ensures our work has meaning well beyond a dollar amount.

As the CEO of IQ, my job is to lead. If I can help each and every member of our team find their own significance, I can ultimately find my own significance as well. After all, although I’m a CEO and founder on paper, I’m simply another humble member of the IQ team.

Warmest Regards,
Barbara VanKirk
President and Founder

Our Team

Barbara VanKirk

President and Founder

Institute for Entrepreneurial Excellence
Katz Graduate School of Business, University of Pittsburgh
B.S. Computer Science, Point Park College, Pittsburgh, PA

Barbara VanKirk’s success has not gone by unrecognized. She is the winner of the 2020 Tech50 CEO of the Year Award, was selected as one of “Pennsylvania’s Best 50 Women in Business” by the governor in 2003 and in 2008, and is an Enterprising Women of the Year Award winner. In 2007, Barbara received the Monroeville Chamber of Commerce ROC’s (Recognizing Organizations and Companies that Shine in our Community) Entrepreneur of the Year Award. Barbara was awarded Point Park University’s Distinguished Alumni Professional Achievement for 2010, Seton Hill University’s 2009 E-Magnify ATHENA® Award, and 2009 Friend of the Family by the Parental Stress Center of Pittsburgh.

IQ Inc. was named the 2009 Pittsburgh Business Ethics Award (small business category) by the Pittsburgh Chapter of the Society of Financial Service Professionals and the David Berg Center for Ethics and Leadership at the University of Pittsburgh. IQ was honored as The Western Pennsylvania Woman-Owned Business of the Year in 2011.

Barbara served on the executive committee of the Westmoreland Chamber of Commerce and the Murrysville Personnel Board. She is a member of Point Park University Dean’s Advisory Council for the School of Business, the Forbes Health Foundation Board of Directors of the Western Pennsylvania Hospital Forbes Regional Campus, and is a founding member of the United Way Women’s Leadership Council (Westmoreland County). She is an active member of the Women’s Presidents’ Organization, Pittsburgh Technology Council, and the Society of Women Engineers. Barbara has most recently been appointed to the Westmoreland County Forum for Workforce Development as a Chair on the Internships, Externships and Apprenticeships Task Force.


Director of Human Resources has over 20 years of experience in industries such as Technology, Healthcare, and Life Sciences. Stephanie graduated from Pennsylvania State University with a degree in communications.

Most recently, Stephanie worked for Highmark Health as Director, Talent Acquisition where she was responsible for a team of 20 recruiters, TA coordinators, and oversaw Highmark’s University Relations and Employer Brand Programs. Other roles held at Highmark included Director, Employee Engagement, and Director, Talent Strategy.

Prior to Highmark, Stephanie spent 10 years at Thermo Fisher Scientific holding HR leadership positions for various divisions of the company including global HR roles across Europe and Latin America.

Stephanie Schacht

Director of Human Resources

B.S. Communications, Penn State University


Norbert Balko

Engineering Manager

B.S. Electrical Engineering, Rochester Institute of Technology
M.S. Software Development and Management
, Rochester Institute of Technology

Customer focused manager with over 25 years of experience developing electrical and software products across a wide spectrum of industries. Superb project management, problem solving, judgement and decision making skills. Extensive knowledge of all design stages from inception to final product delivery.

Position: Engineering Manager, Project Manager, Sr. Software Engineer, Electrical Engineer, Test Engineer

Industries: Medical Device, Electric Utility, Process Control, Automotive, Consumer Appliance

Competencies: Project Management, Software Development, System Integration, Manufacturing, Subcontractor Management, Process Improvement, Risk Management, Formal Test


Mark is an Engineering Director with over 15 years of software industry experience. During his career, he has gained process-oriented software development knowledge, leading teams creating life support medical device software and propulsion control software through all phases of the software development life cycle.

In previous management roles, Mark has been responsible for building, developing, and coaching Agile SCRUM teams focused on providing high quality software solutions. He enjoys collaborating to continually improve the engineering organization while providing a top-notch customer experience.

Mark Smorul

Engineering Director

B.S. Computer Engineering, University of Pittsburgh
M.S. Electrical Engineering, University of Pittsburgh


Dygretta Gates

Engineering Manager

B.S. Information Science, University of Pittsburgh
M.S. Information Science
, University of Pittsburgh

She has accumulated over 20 years of experience in the healthcare industry, commencing as a developer and later transitioning into verification and validation engineering. During this journey, she assumed managerial and directorial positions in V&V Testing, including a role as a CSV manager.

She embarked on a 5-year consulting career with a prominent software consulting firm and later gained experience in various companies in the Pittsburgh area including Highmark, FreeMarkets, Philips, Cook Myosite, and Smith & Nephew. Throughout her career she navigated different software development methodologies, including waterfall and SAFE agile.


Justin has spent over 20 years in Pittsburgh’s technology ecosystem.  He spent many years of those years at the Pittsburgh Technology Council building programs and creating solutions to help the region’s technology business grow. He also led the local growth and expansion of Tech Elevator, a national software bootcamp training program. His team helped to train and place over 500 new software developers in the region. 

Justin has a bachelor’s degree in business from Robert Morris University and a Masters of Divinity from Regent University.

Justin Driscoll

Business Development

B.S. Business, Robert Morris University
M.S. Divinity, Regent University


Bill Powers

Engineering Manager

B.S. Computer Science, Kent State University
B.S. Physics, Kent State University

Bill comes to IQ Inc. with over 35 years of experience in product development and business management. He has extensive experience creating new innovative products, improving existing products, creating strategic processes, and building teams.

Previously, Bill was the Director of Engineering and later Marketing Manager at CSE Corporation, developing gas detection and IoT products for the coal mining industry.

Prior to CSE, Bill founded PixController, Inc. where he developed and manufactured low-power motion-activated electronics for wildlife research, law enforcement and military surveillance, as well as remote IoT environmental monitoring products. During his time as owner, PixController, Inc. won numerous local and international awards.

Bill is an active member of the Kent State University, Arts & Science Advisory Board.


Diane joins IQ Inc. with over 25 years of financial management, planning, analysis, and reporting experience.  She has completed financial audits, evaluated sales performance, and approved significant capital investments.  The tenacity in her approach is impressive on how she manages customer satisfaction and business relationships while in a key financial role. 

Prior to joining our team, Diane has held several positions with increasing responsibility managing people while ensuring financial diligence in every assignment.  She has experience in accounts receivable, accounts payable, payroll, system implementations and overall business management.  Her solid financial background is supported from working at several publicly traded companies focused in additive and traditional manufacturing.  Diane is a proud recipient of the Seton Hill University’s 2014 E-Magnify ATHENA® Award which demonstrates her ability to balance work and life requirements.  She is on the Board of Directors and is actively involved in Chestnut Ridge Community Volunteer Fire Company.  In addition, she is an active catechist at her church in Donegal, PA.  

Diane Proctor

Chief Financial Officer

B.S. Accounting, Pennsylvania State University


Justin Battaglia

Accounting Manager

B.S. Business Administration, Duquesne University

Justin joins IQ Inc. with over 12 years of financial experience. He began his career in public accounting for 10 years leading teams that performed external audits for an array of industries. These industries included manufacturing, software development, records storage, and food processing. He transitioned to corporate accounting as the controller of a company focused on renewable energy. During his time he oversaw numerous financial audits, oversaw a team that prepared annual budgets and forecasting exercises, handled investor communication, and various presentations of financial information to investors.

Justin has experience in budgeting, construction/development project tracking, forecasting, accounts receivable, standard cost accounting, and accounts payable.  

Justin is a Certified Public Accountant and graduated from Duquesne University with a major in Accounting and a minor in Information Systems Management.


People of IQ

April Rak

QA Test Engineer

Fun Fact: I am terrified of heights, but love parasailing

Scott VanKirk

QA Test Engineer

Favorite Vacation Spot: Johns Island, SC

Anthony de Almeida

Systems Architect

Favorite Movie: Grosse Pointe Blank

Roger Xue

Software Engineer

Fun fact: I’ve visited almost 679 colleges.

Scott Plummer

QA Test Engineer

Fun Fact: In second grade, I was taller than my teacher.

Ryan McAndrew

Test Engineer

Fun fact: I like writing indie/emo/math rock riffs and I still do it with the same $120 Squire M80 I bought about 10 years ago.

Nancy Comisak

Administrative Assistant

Fun Fact: I make dollhouse and miniature items.

Kevin Ross

Software Engineer

Fun Fact: I have been a professional photographer and an amateur musician.

Chris Allwein

Systems Architect

Fun Fact: I own a 2 foot tall bust of Kevin Bacon made out of bacon bits

Vijeta Prasad

Software Tester

Fun Fact: A Fashion Designer by education; love to bake; henna is my new passion.

Jeremy Vogel

Data Analyst

Fun Fact: I am a coffee addict, but the one I have not tried is kopi luwak.

Chui Ong

Software Engineer

Fun fact: I once worked as a housekeeper in Yellowstone National Park.

Steve Hayashi

Software Engineer

Fun fact: I’ve designed and built my own guitar amplifier

Kevin Davis

Test Engineer

Fun fact: I enjoy running and disc golf.

Denise Cortinovis-Jablonski

Account Manager

Fun fact: I once did a sprint triathlon.

Aaron Rosier

QA Test Engineer

Fun fact: I hitchhiked, backpacked, and took public transit around Europe for 105 days

Matt Henry

QA Engineer

Reggie Lynch

QA Test Engineer

Fun fact: I love fishing, playing with my labs, and antique bottle collecting.

Nick Cecchetti

Software Engineer

Fun fact: I am a member of the Monroeville and the Achievers Toastmasters club.

Jared Wolff

Software Engineer

Fun fact: I lived in the Chicago area for almost 14 years.

Brian Peters

Software Engineer

Fun fact: I like to write and record music.

Jason Byrnes

QA Test Engineer

Fun fact: I drive a manual transmission vehicle and I like drag racing.

Omar Salha

Software Engineering

Fun fact: I can speak a different language (Arabic)

Ozoda Aripova

Software QA Test Engineer

Fun fact: I tried flying a plane for fun and was offered to get a flying license!

Sebastian Thiem

Software Engineer

Fun fact: I love to cook. Someday I hope to have lovely dinner parties.

Daniel Stoffregen

Configuration Engineer

Fun Fact: Ive gone skydiving, and highly recommend it.

Debra Klinefelter

QA Test Engineer

Fun Fact: I am a ski patroller at Hidden Valley resort.

Tim Braslavsky

Software Developer

Fun Fact: I have a 1st-degree black belt in Tae-Kwon-Do.

Marjorie Horner

Software QA Test Engineer

Fun Fact: I am a cat lover who likes to bake and take cruises.

Kenny Wu

Software Engineer

Fun Fact: I’ve been to 18 countries and counting.

Evan McEllhenney

Test Engineer

Fun Fact: I played on an Ultimate Frisbee Team for 4 years.

Ryan Bost

Test Engineer

Fun Fact: I 3D model and print D&D character miniatures for people in my spare time.

Mike Kosior

Software Architect

Fun Fact: I love NASCAR

Adam Petrovich

Test Engineer

Fun Fact: I enjoy tinkering with 3d printers and CNC machines.

Brian Raderman

Software Engineer

Fun Fact: I like to cook and bake.

James Davidson

Account Manager

Fun Fact: Originally from Baltimore and absolutely loves seafood!

Rupert Christie

Software Engineer

Fun Fact: I am a field hockey umpire.

Ian Aldrich

Test Engineer

Fun Fact: I like to build custom electronics.

Joel Muyskens

Software Engineer

Fun Fact: My favorite movie series is LoTR.

Bob Mueser

Software Engineer

Fun Fact: I’ve been a member of the Western Pennsylvania Model Railroad Museum for over 25 years.

Ryan Esquino

Software Engineer

Fun Fact: I previously worked as an ice hockey instructor.

Jacob Hanko

Software Engineer

Fun Fact: I have a fun sock collection of over 100+ pairs.

Charles Christiansen

Software Engineer

Fun Fact: I’ve sailed to two countries with my family.

Andrew Murrell

Software Engineer

Fun Fact: I grew up in Kenya.

Manas Pradhan

Test Engineer

Fun Fact: I have skydived over the Virgin Islands before.

Ryan Lauer

Systems Architect

Fun Fact: I like baking and horror movies

Ivy Lipniskis

Data Analyst

Fun Fact: I’ve explored 36 countries…30 of those in 2023 when my husband and I paused our careers and life as we knew it in the USA to travel the world together!

Ben Kiddie

Software Engineer Co-Op

Fun Fact: I play snare drum the University of Pittsburgh’s marching band.

Krishnaveni Pulumati

Test Engineer

Fun fact: I love music and dance. I am learning classical and fusion Indian dance.

Mark Kosarych

Project Manager

Fun Fact: I volunteered at Senior PGA event years ago and met many legends – Arnold Palmer, Lee Trevino, and Chi-Chi Rodriguez.

Jarod Latta

Software Engineer

Fun Fact: I’m a big language nerd – I’ve formally studied Spanish, Russian, Turkish, Irish, Czech, and am currently studying ASL!

Steve Henry

Software Architect

Fun Fact: I went SCUBA diving in Iceland, but my dry suit did not stay as dry as I wanted.

Maddie Pavis

Marketing Intern

Joe Rusinko

Test Engineer

Fun Fact: I like visiting show caves/caverns (spelunking light) and roadside attractions

Want to be a part of this work-hard, play-hard team?