Document Automation Industry Leaders

Dennis M. Birke

President / Founder

Dennis M. Birke, President and Founder, is a respected pioneer in the document generation industry, having developed the first word processing program for mainframe systems. Prior to founding Top Down Systems, he was responsible for telecommunications product design with the Technical Services Group at Stromberg-Carlson Data System Services. At the University of Pittsburgh Computer Center, Mr. Birke was a lead programmer and technology developer.

Mr. Birke holds a B.S. in Computer Science from North Carolina State University and an M.S. in Computer Science from the University of Pittsburgh. Mr. Birke is a published author including an article in IEEE Transaction on Communications, Special Issue on Computers.

Clifford D. Copeland

Senior Vice President of Marketing

Cliff Copeland, Senior Vice President of Marketing, joined the company in 1986. He is responsible for the development and execution of Top Down Systems' marketing and sales strategies.

Prior to joining the company, he was involved in implementing strategic marketing and sales programs with organizations such as Federal Express Satellite Services, Legi-Slate, UMC Corporation and Federal Business Machines Incorporated. Throughout his career, Mr. Copeland has worked with diversified product offerings, including packet-switch networks, satellite services, online databases and advertising services. Mr. Copeland holds a B.S. in Marketing from the Pennsylvania State University.

Michael P. Fitzgerald

Senior Vice President of Technical Services

Michael Fitzgerald, Senior Vice President of Technical Services, joined the company in 1988. He is responsible for professional services consulting, documentation, quality assurance and technical support. He is an award-winning programmer and technical writer with over thirty years of experience in online systems, information retrieval, and computer data security. A systems architect, author, analyst, and technical writer, Mr. Fitzgerald provides Top Down Systems with a broad scope of direction.

Previously, Mr. Fitzgerald was a development supervisor and system architect with the Library of Congress. He began his data processing career with IBM in Rochester, Minnesota, where he was a technical writer and received an IBM Outstanding Contribution Award. Mr. Fitzgerald holds a B.A. in Political Science from Georgetown University.

Richard N. Hykes

Senior Vice President of Finance and Administration

Richard Hykes, Senior Vice President of Finance and Administration, joined the company in 1988. He is responsible for Top Down System's financial and administrative functions including strategic planning for the company's growth and development, managing its financial and administrative aspects and assisting in business development activities.

With over 25 years of experience, he began his career with the General Electric Company in its Information Services Business Division where he helped establish its international time-sharing network and was involved with the start-up of computer software firms.

Mr. Hykes is a C.P.A. holds a B.S. in Economics from the University of Maryland and an M.B.A. in International Business from the University of Michigan.