Leadership Team

Steeped in quality from the beginning, SSE’s team of experts can help your business flourish.

We have the expertise to help your business.

Susan S. Elliott | Founder

When Susan S. Elliott founded SSE in 1966, she did so in a decade where women leaders were seldom recognized for their contribution in the technology field. Using the expertise and programming knowledge she acquired while working at IBM as an Advisory Systems Engineer, she fostered SSE’s growth into what is today widely recognized as one of the largest IT solutions providers in the St. Louis area.

Susan holds an AB degree from Smith College. She has served as chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis and on numerous boards of local and national organizations, including as a charter member of the Regional Business Council (RBC), the St. Louis Regional Chamber and Growth Association (RCGA), Webster University, the Saint Louis Zoological Foundation and the Visiting Nurse Association. She was an original commissioner on the Missouri Lottery Commission and currently serves on the board of the Saint Louis Science Center. Susan recently authored a book called Across the Divide: Navigating the Digital Revolution as a Woman, Entrepreneur, and CEO.

Elizabeth Elliott Niedringhaus | President and CEO

Elizabeth Niedringhaus is the President and CEO of Systems Service Enterprises, Inc. Starting at SSE in 1995, Elizabeth ran both the sales and service delivery teams in her tenure at SSE prior to taking over the reins from her mother in 2004. With SSE’s roots in training and IT services, Elizabeth focused SSE’s growth since that time on primarily serving businesses in the defense and financial services sectors where the management and security of their data is paramount to their success. Elizabeth also expanded the business’ geographical reach, now serving customers coast to coast. Under her leadership, SSE has continued to be recognized as a leader in IT and Training solutions; most recently in the top 200 of all IT managed service provider worldwide by MSPMentor and is one of the first Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certified (CMMC) Registered Provider Organizations in the country.

Elizabeth is a well-regarded expert in cybersecurity having been featured in Security Management, KMOX NewsRadio, Jacksonville Business Journal and Enterprising Women.

Elizabeth received a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Vermont. She is a Director at Parkside Financial Bank & Trust, a member of the Board of Trustees at the St. Louis Science Center and a member of the Young Presidents Organization (YPO). Previously, Elizabeth has served as an Area and Regional Director for the Entrepreneur’s Organization (EO), as well as a trustee at MICDS and the Saint Louis Zoo. Elizabeth was named to the St. Louis Business Journal’s 40 under 40 list in 2004, was a finalist for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year in 2009. In 2010, she was selected as one of St. Louis’ Most Influential Business Women, an honor her mother and sister share as well, and most recently, selected as one of Small Business Monthly’s Top Women Business Owners in 2022.

Jim Dobbins | Senior Vice President/ Chief Financial Officer

Jim joined SSE in August of 2004, and brought with him valuable financial, operational, and process-centric expertise gained from several years working with both large and small technology companies. Jim’s current role involves collaborating with President and CEO Elizabeth Niedringhaus to provide Executive Leadership across the entire company, in areas including operations, business development, finance, and administration. Prior to joining SSE, Jim was the Director of Capital with St. Louis-based Charter Communications, and in charge of administering $1 billion in annual capital expenditures. Jim’s previous work experience also includes Xenogen Corporation, a California-based bioscience company, Incyte Corporation, a California-based biotech company, and McDonnell Douglas, a St. Louis-based aerospace company.

Robin Harber | Vice President of Quality

Robin joined the SSE team in 2006. Robin’s technical background includes over 10 years’ experience in project management and process improvement. She leverages her expertise in process and procedure creation to drive business growth and continuously support SSE’s infrastructure. Robin spearheaded implementation of documented Quality Management Systems to support each of SSE’s Business Units, and continues to oversee compliance for SSE’s systems. She attended The Conservatory of Music at UMKC, and graduated as Valedictorian from ITT Technical Institute with a degree in Information Technology.

Charlie Sciuto | Vice President of Technology and Security

Charlie joined SSE in 2005 as a Network Engineer and moved up within the organization over the years to his current position. With over 20 years of hands-on IT experience in areas including site management, network infrastructure design, installation, testing and maintenance, Charlie’s extensive background has proven invaluable for expanding the scope of our network services. He leads the company to innovative products through research and development, with a focus on cybersecurity, and heads up all security initiatives. He leads teams in development of full solutions for information systems, with a focus on CMMC, NIST SP 800-171 and NIST SP 800-53. Charlie is certified as a Registered Practitioner with the CMMC Accreditation Body and holds a current security clearance. Charlie is a graduate of Webster University, holding Bachelor’s degrees in both Computer Science and Business Management.

Robert Duffy | Vice President of Network and Cybersecurity Services

Bob joined SSE as Vice President of Sales and Marketing in July 2020. He currently oversees SSE’s Client Engagement/Account Management team and is responsible for the strategic growth of the Network Services business unit as well as SSE’s marketing initiatives. Prior to SSE, Bob was Director of National Sales for Gannett where he was responsible for new business development and sales initiatives across a national network of more than 100 local media properties and USA TODAY. Bob is a graduate of Truman State University and has almost 20 years of sales leadership and experience in developing client relationships and revenue growth across multiple industries.

Vince Sechrest | Virtual CIO (Chief Information Officer)

Vince joined SSE in May of 1997, and currently oversees the operations of SSE’s network consulting services practice, providing technology vision and leadership in the development, implementation, and maintenance of outsourced information technology (IT) solutions for SSE’s client-partners. Vince has over 30 years of hands-on Information Technology experience in areas ranging from site management to Local/Wide Area Network design, installation, testing, maintenance, and management, and over 16 years of management experience. Vince served in the US Air Force for ten years, supporting a variety of military intelligence systems. He holds a Bachelors of Science degree in Computer Science from the University of Maryland, and a Master’s degree in Computer Information Systems from Boston University.

Jeff Uhde | VP of Training and Government Service Programs and Human Resources

Jeff joined the SSE team in 2019 leveraging his background, knowledge and skills as a leader in the Navy. Jeff’s responsibilities include overseeing the execution of our training and government service’s program delivery, working closely with our clients to ensure our mutual success, and fostering new business through the cultivation of our client relationships. Jeff also oversees all aspects of human resources including employee benefits, on-boarding, training and development, performance, and incentive programs as well as serving as the liaison between employees and SSE’s outsourced human resource services provider. He brings over 23 years of experience as a Naval Flight Officer in the US Navy to SSE, primarily in the Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance community with over 2900 flight hours. Prior to coming to SSE, he worked in Finance Operations for the Cardinal Health company. Jeff graduated from the United States Naval Academy with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Engineering and holds a Masters of Business Administration from Southern New Hampshire University.

Jared Pratt | Director of Service Delivery

Jared joined SSE as a Help Desk Technician in 2016 and moved up within the organization to his current role. As the Director of Service Delivery, Jared’s overall responsibility is coordinating SSE’s Help Desk, Network Technologies and client project departments to ensure proper planning and efficient execution of services. Jared is a graduate of Ranken Technical College with an Associate’s degree of Technology, Information Technology.

Thomas Bahan | Director of Recruiting

Tom joined the SSE team in 2017 as a Corporate Recruiter, taking on additional responsibilities over the past several years. As Director of Recruiting, he currently oversees SSE’s Recruiting and Military Transition programs and is responsible for fulfilling the personnel initiatives for the Corporate, Network and Cybersecurity Services, Security and Client Support teams. He brings over 20 years of hands-on experience as a Recruiter, Trainer and Manager in the corporate, staffing and military environments. Prior to joining SSE, Tom served 23 years of active duty in Naval Aviation, including three deployments to the Gulf War and working in the Navy Recruiting Command (CNRC), retiring from the Navy as a Chief Petty Officer.