Meet the Team
Frank DiSilvio - Managing Partner
Frank has been involved in the Banking Technology Industry for over 40 years.
Contact Frank
His roots began in bank operations, where he spent 7 years working through various departments of a Chicago-based community bank, and later assigned to manage computer operations for the bank. The next 26 years was spent understanding, developing, operating, supporting, and selling all aspects related to financial data processing. Frank's extensive data processing and payments industry experience ranges from network communications to item/image processing to core account processing to internet banking.
His experience as a sales executive for some of the world's largest core processing companies has provided him with intimate knowledge of products offered, industry pricing and contracts as well as the operational sensibilities derived from a wide spectrum of financial institutions that he had worked with throughout his career.
Gregg Wright – Partner
Gregg has been involved in Community Banking Technology for 37+ years.
His experience, in banking technology began with Burroughs/Unisys for 13 years in the Chicago Financial District Offices working with Community Banks in Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin and Michigan. The next 3 years were spent at a local Core Processing Company as their Vice President of Sales/Client Relations. After the sale of that processor to Aurum/FIS, Gregg Founded Next Step Technology, a Managed Services Provider for Community Financial Institutions.
Next Step Technology grew to into a Network Monitoring, Security, Risk & Compliance, LAN/WAN project based provider of services and a source for Community Financial Institutions. After 12 years of continuous growth and expansion, Next Step was sold to Compushare/D+H. After spending the next 6 years as a member of the Management Team responsible for the growth in the Midwest Region for Compushare/D+H. Gregg continued his service to the Community Financial Institutions by joining All Covered to open and grow their Midwest Finance Practice.
Most recently, Gregg joined The Pentas Group, again serving the industry he loves. Gregg’s prior experience with the team at Pentas made it an easy transition.
His experience in technology sales, service and relationship building stands the test of time. He holds those relationships close and still serves many Community Financial Institutions he worked with at the beginning of his career, he plans to help Pentas expand their current offering, especially in the Managed Services area.
Gary Dei Dolori – Partner
Gary has over 35 years of experience in the Financial Services industry serving Community Banks and Credit Unions.
Prior to joining The Pentas Group he was Vice President of Account Management with the largest service provider in the United States. He was previously National Director of Account Management, helping clients across the country improve their business. Previous to this role, Gary was a General Manager overseeing three data centers for NCR Corporation, where his responsibilities included all operations, client services, sales, programming, finance and account management. He spent the first 9 years of his career selling commercial banking services to community banks in the Northeast.
Gary has extensive experience with contract negotiations and has a passion for helping his clients grow their business. A trusted advisor, he produces measurable results by decreasing costs and increasing productivity for financial institutions. He brings a wealth of knowledge on a wide array of solutions and he considers the client relationship to be the most valuable asset.
Steven E. Proud - Business Development Manager
Steve has spent his entire career in the Financial Data Processing sector.
Contact Steven
Steve has been with The Pentas Group since 2010, helping clients achieve the desired result. Taking great pride in his work, he enjoys working with both the client and provider to create a win-win environment for both parties. Prior to joining The Pentas Group, Steve was Vice President, Regional Sales Manager for RDSI Banking Systems. Before that, Steve spent 15 years in sales and relationship management for Aurum Technology/On-Line Financial Services in Oak Brook, Illinois. Steve’s professional career started at a small regional data processor in the western suburban Chicago area, where he served in various client services and sales related positions during his 14-year tenure. His extensive experience has focused on business development, client management, leadership roles, planning, analysis and implementation.
Steve has been extremely active in various financial community service organizations and is a Past President of the Chicago Chapter of Financial Managers Society as well as the Missouri ITI Premier User Group. Steve also served on the Board of Directors of the Association of Financial Technology (AFT) from 2007-2010. Steve earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Southern Illinois University.
Melanie C. Havlik - Senior Analyst
Melanie has over 25 years of banking and data processing experience. Working for a large community bank in East Central Illinois, Melanie started as a teller and worked her way up to Branch Manager. Moving to the “loan side of the house” she managed the Loan Servicing Department for the last 8+ years of her banking career. Melanie has worked with and managed FHLMC, FNMA, State of Illinois First Time Buyer and various privately owned loan portfolios. In 1998 she moved to the Chicago area to begin working in the financial data processing arena, where she has spent the past 13 years servicing data center clients.
Prior to joining The Pentas Group, Melanie worked for Fidelity Information Systems (FIS) and RDSI Banking Systems in Customer Support and Client Relations. She was also actively involved in conversions and training.
Contact Melanie
Melanie has studied finance and banking in North Dakota and Illinois.
Mara Kelley
Mara’s focus during her entire career has been in the financial services industry.
Mara began at a regional data center in operations management. Mara has since spent her time with one of the major technology providers, initially in operations management and then transitioning to client services and ultimately to account management. Prior to joining The Pentas Group, Mara’s most recent role was as Director of Relationship Management where she led a team of relationship managers and worked with financial institutions across the country.
Mara is a dedicated and results-driven professional known for her strategic thinking, collaborative leadership and commitment to excellence. She brings a strong blend of analytical insight and creative problem-solving to every initiative. Mara is passionate about her clients and is dedicated to their success.
Mara received her bachelor degrees in English and Economics from Fairfield University in Connecticut.
Mara received her bachelor degrees in English and Economics from Fairfield University in Connecticut.
Steve Duess
Steve is a seasoned banking executive with more than 50 years of leadership experience in financial services, community banking, and financial technology. He has held senior executive roles in institutions ranging from $30 million to $800 million in assets, with broad expertise in lending, operations, compliance, information systems, and strategic planning. He has also served as a Strategic Account Manager at two of the largest service providers, managing relationships with regional banks and credit unions ranging from $100 million to $16 billion in assets and leading long-term strategic planning initiatives.
He is a graduate of William Paterson University with a degree in finance and business administration. Steve is the Past President of the NY/NJ Chapter of the Financial Managers Society, as well as the Institute of Financial Education, and has held numerous community leadership and board positions throughout his career.
