Fred Schmidt - IT Director

When I joined PCMA, the company was doing roughly $500K in annual revenue with a small team of four people. Over the course of my tenure, I designed, implemented, and rolled out the in-house software platform that drove the company’s digital transformation. We moved from paper-based operations to a fully digital system that reshaped training delivery, payments, and customer workflows. Shipping-heavy processes were eliminated, all transactions moved online, and digital certifications and remote training became the core delivery model. That platform modernization significantly improved customer experience and supported sustained growth, helping scale the company to over 40 employees and annual revenue exceeding $6M. It also enabled international expansion into more than a dozen countries, with the training system supporting eight languages. During COVID, I led the rapid shift from in-person training to a 100% digital experience built on that platform. While many organizations struggled to adapt, we expanded access, stabilized operations, and increased profitability. The modernization and growth positioned the company for acquisition, and it was ultimately sold to a larger organization and rebranded as Pivot. For the past two years, I’ve led the integration of PCMA and Pivot technologies, consolidating systems and guiding a shift from primarily Microsoft infrastructure to Google-based platforms.

After leaving the Human Service Agency, I founded Nexxus Gate Software in 2003 after developing a direct-billing platform that allowed providers to bill the State of South Dakota electronically. At the time, there were no established protocols for that type of exchange. I worked directly with the state’s IT department to define the technical standards and data integration approach, essentially creating an early API-style system that connected Lotus Notes, Domino backend applications, and AS/400 infrastructure. The result reduced reimbursement timelines from six to twelve months down to roughly three weeks, materially improving cash flow for the organizations using it. As the founder, I negotiated contracts and led delivery of several large custom platforms across regulated industries. This included telehealth and remote monitoring systems for CNow Inc., mobile asset tracking software for NB Golf that evolved into Android and iOS handheld deployments, and in-house point-of-sale and operational systems for retail clients. We also built a full case management and billing platform called CARES for the human services sector, which was adopted by large public-sector organizations including the Florida prison system and agencies within Michigan and California. These projects required balancing technical execution with client expectations, compliance requirements, and long-term platform ownership. Nexxus Gate was eventually acquired by PCMA, and as part of that acquisition I was offered an executive role to develop and manage solutions supporting their internal platforms. That transition marked the beginning of my long-term leadership position with PCMA, where I continued building and scaling enterprise systems at organizational level.

Developed software using the Lotus Notes Domino Platform. Certified as a Lotus Notes Developer and Administrator. Developed AS/400 Billing System with the State of South Dakota. Negotiated new encryption methods for transferring payment data over the internet. New payment solutions allowed HSA to increase payment return time span from six to eight Months to two weeks.

Started working for Gateway Computers in Technical Support which eventually materialized into a programming position Developing drivers for Windows 98 gateway components using C/C++ and compiled with DDK and WDK. Also assisted with intranet website for driving technical support call center answers and solutions for standard and gold support.