About ITS

Pat Ward is the President and Chief Executive Officer with 27 years invested in ITS. With a passion for merging technology architecture and trends with traditional and new assessment concepts, he has been instrumental in driving technical challenges relating to high-volume testing, security, large-scale data management, and the usability of item banking systems. Pat holds a bachelor’s degree in computer science from Loyola University. Pat volunteers on the Association of Test Publisher’s Technology-Based Assessment (TBA) committee and was awarded the Association of Test Publishers (ATP) Career Achievement Award in 2018. When he isn’t working, you can find him hiking with his dogs and spending time at his West Virginia cabin.

Lisa Ward is the Chief Operating Officer with 26 years at ITS. With a passion for operations, client-first management strategies, and mentoring, she has been instrumental in driving the development and strategic vision for all operations and client services groups, streamlining operations, and delivering quality client services while mentoring our leadership team and managing the financial well-being of the company. Lisa holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Maryland University College. When she isn’t working, find her enjoying the outdoors or spending time with her family.

 

Leadership mantra: Lead with innovation and integrity while fostering collaboration and continuous improvement.

Ron Lancaster is the Chief Technology Officer with nearly 30 years of experience in product and technology leadership, including 20 years in the assessment industry. He is passionate about artificial intelligence and engineering excellence and is focused on advancing ITS’s AI, cloud, and new product strategies. Ron holds a master's degree in software engineering from the University of Minnesota and has earned several patents. He has also mentored technology startups through Techstars and the Minnesota Cup. When he isn't working, you can find Ron spending time with his family, snowboarding in the winter, and cycling all year round.

Trish Thomas is the Executive Vice President of Technology with 26 years at ITS. With a passion for software engineering in the assessment industry, she has been instrumental in driving the strategic vision of the development team and managing all production systems. Trish holds a master’s degree in management information systems from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. When she isn’t working, find her playing volleyball, teaching Children’s Church, and supporting youth out-reach programs.

Brodie Wise is the Executive Vice President of Business Development and Marketing with 14 years invested in ITS. With a passion for client relations, marketing, and operational functions, he has been instrumental in driving partner relations, new business development, market development, and operational efficiencies. Brodie holds a bachelor’s degree in business from Towson University and has earned a PMP certification. Brodie volunteers on ATP’s Standing Marketing Committee, ATP’s Learning Academy Committee, ATP’s ECPS Committee, and CNG’s Planning Committee and was the Conference Chair of the 2024 Innovations in Testing (“ATP”) conference. When he isn’t working, find Brodie volunteering in his community and spending time with his wife, Christine, and three boys.

 

Leadership mantra: Together, we make a difference. Never let doubt stop your growth. Trust in your team.

Mike Lauer is the Executive Vice President of Operations with 18 years invested in ITS. With a passion for client support, human resources, corporate IT, security, and leadership development, he has been influential in driving the development and strategic vision for these areas. Mike holds a bachelor’s degree in art history from Towson University and has earned PMP and SHRM-SCP certifications. When he isn’t working, you can find him enjoying the outdoors hiking or running.

 

Leadership mantra: Leadership is a commitment to others to provide guidance and support in working to achieve their goals and a commitment to self to engage in fulfilling work while being receptive to learning opportunities.

Joanne Lauer is the Vice President of Delivery Systems with 19 years at ITS. With a passion for integrating system design and processes, she played an important role in driving successful projects and programs, ensuring the delivery of an unparalleled client experience. Joanne holds a bachelor’s degree in visual arts from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. Joanne is an avid reader who spearheads our ITS Book Club. When she isn't working you can find her hiking with her husband and two children, gardening with her dog, or knitting with her cat.

Pat Hughes is the Vice President of IT Assessments with 10 years at ITS. With a passion for collaborating with IT certification test sponsors and providing expert advice on various topics, he drives internal enhancements in the areas of item banking, accessibility, security, and performance-based testing. Pat holds a bachelor’s degree in history from Loyola University Maryland and has earned a PMP certification. Pat volunteers on the IT Certification Council’s Board of Directors and was honored with the Association of Test Publishers (ATP) 2024 Rising Star Leader Award. When he isn’t working, find him making his own pizza, skiing, or taking his Labrador Retriever swimming.

 

Leadership mantra: Leading with empathy encourages better collaboration with our teammates, enhances our external partnerships, creates superior products for our stakeholders, and enables us to achieve goals together that would otherwise be unattainable.