ARIA Leadership
Our executive team brings a visionary mindset with a desire for excellence
in Health IT through collaboration with our clients, partners and members of the ARIA Health Services team.

Derek A. Pickell
Chief Executive Officer

Derek A. Pickell
Chief Executive Officer
In his role as CEO, Derek is responsible for developing and implementing strategic plans for the company, creating business development action plans for business growth, improving customer and employee satisfaction to increase retention rates, and achieving financial goals for the company. He has over 30 years’ experience in the healthcare technology and technology-enabled service solutions business with specific expertise within eMDs core healthcare markets including Practice Management, EHR, and RCM solutions at small and large companies.
Prior to joining eMDs, Derek was the CEO of Convergent Revenue Cycle Management, Inc. where he managed the strategic direction, financial and operational performance, as well as the sales and marketing for the Healthcare Division. Before Convergent, he held multiple senior executive level positions focused on the success and growth of software and revenue cycle outsourcing solutions for healthcare providers. Derek has proven success in driving strategies and operational execution, growing revenue and maintaining high levels of customer and employee satisfaction.
Derek has a Bachelor’s degree in Economics/Business Administration with an emphasis on Computer Science and Political Science from Ursinus College in Collegeville, PA.
Prior to joining eMDs, Derek was the CEO of Convergent Revenue Cycle Management, Inc. where he managed the strategic direction, financial and operational performance, as well as the sales and marketing for the Healthcare Division. Before Convergent, he held multiple senior executive level positions focused on the success and growth of software and revenue cycle outsourcing solutions for healthcare providers. Derek has proven success in driving strategies and operational execution, growing revenue and maintaining high levels of customer and employee satisfaction.
Derek has a Bachelor’s degree in Economics/Business Administration with an emphasis on Computer Science and Political Science from Ursinus College in Collegeville, PA.

Benedikt Brueckle
President & Chief Financial Officer

Benedikt Brueckle
President & Chief Financial Officer
As President and Chief Financial Officer, Benedikt Brueckle brings extensive global leadership experience to the team and is strongly committed to CompuGroup Medical’s mission of synchronizing healthcare. Benedikt has helped grow the company to become a national leader in the ambulatory and laboratory information systems markets. As former CEO of CGM US, he led the acquisition of eMDs in 2020, further strengthening the global company’s domestic presence and helping CGM serve more healthcare professionals in the US than ever before.
Benedikt began his journey with CGM in 2010 at CompuGroup Medical SE & Co. KGaA as Global Head of Group Controlling. After two years, he became the General Manager of CGM’s Italy market, where he led the company to be the market leader in both the general practitioner software business and pharmacy software, while also entering the dental software market for the company.
Before landing in the US, Benedikt served as Senior Vice President of Southern and Western Europe, where he oversaw operations in Italy, Spain, France, Belgium, Turkey, and the Netherlands. He was responsible for entering new markets and promoting a rapid growth in CGM’s global software business.
He was involved with The Red Cross in Italy after the devastating earthquakes, as well as Lega del Filo d’Oro, which supports blind and deaf children. He is part of the Valley Leadership Program in Phoenix, Arizona to meaningfully impact the most pressing issues facing Arizona together with other fellow leaders.
Becker’s Healthcare has honored his innovative approach to patient care and health system improvement by naming him one of the Rising stars: 90 healthcare leaders under 40.
Benedikt began his journey with CGM in 2010 at CompuGroup Medical SE & Co. KGaA as Global Head of Group Controlling. After two years, he became the General Manager of CGM’s Italy market, where he led the company to be the market leader in both the general practitioner software business and pharmacy software, while also entering the dental software market for the company.
Before landing in the US, Benedikt served as Senior Vice President of Southern and Western Europe, where he oversaw operations in Italy, Spain, France, Belgium, Turkey, and the Netherlands. He was responsible for entering new markets and promoting a rapid growth in CGM’s global software business.
He was involved with The Red Cross in Italy after the devastating earthquakes, as well as Lega del Filo d’Oro, which supports blind and deaf children. He is part of the Valley Leadership Program in Phoenix, Arizona to meaningfully impact the most pressing issues facing Arizona together with other fellow leaders.
Becker’s Healthcare has honored his innovative approach to patient care and health system improvement by naming him one of the Rising stars: 90 healthcare leaders under 40.

Michael Liter
General Manager & SVP of Aria Health Services

Michael Liter
General Manager & SVP of Aria Health Services
Michael Liter joined eMDs in 2010 and leads our team of Account Executives in supporting our clients in implementation of best practices related to the effective utilization of the eMDs Total Solution. Michael has more than 15 years of experience in health care operations, including hospital and physician revenue cycle management, EMR, coding, consulting and software implementations. An accomplished revenue cycle executive leader, Michael has expertise in consolidating and standardizing operations through the streamline delivery of products & services within revenue cycle industry.
Before joining eMDs, Michael served as the Director of Revenue Cycle Corporate Affiliates at Indiana University Health, where he was responsible for developing, implementing, integrating and supporting a centralized revenue cycle operation for start-up hospitals and large multi-specialty physician practices throughout the state.
<br Michael holds a Bachelor of Science in Health Information Administration from Indiana University.
Before joining eMDs, Michael served as the Director of Revenue Cycle Corporate Affiliates at Indiana University Health, where he was responsible for developing, implementing, integrating and supporting a centralized revenue cycle operation for start-up hospitals and large multi-specialty physician practices throughout the state.
<br Michael holds a Bachelor of Science in Health Information Administration from Indiana University.

Neil Simon
Chief Product Officer

Neil Simon
Chief Product Officer
Neil brings a strong combination of operational and technology leadership to his role as Chief Operating Officer at eMDs. Neil drives eMDs vision by delivering innovative solutions in all aspects of operations, product management, support and implementation for the benefit of our partners, customers and their patients. His goal is to ensure that eMDs offerings continue to bring revolutionary, award winning and easy to use solutions to the Healthcare marketplace.
Before joining eMDs, Neil was the COO of Aprima Medical Software, a position he held for almost 15 years. He played a crucial role in taking Aprima from a small start-up to an industry leading, best in KLAS company that was acquired by eMDs in 2019. Prior to Aprima, he was GE Healthcare’s General Manager in charge of Centricity Physician Office products. Before that, Neil was Vice President of Operations and Chief Technology Officer at Millbrook Corporation, one of the nation’s top physician practice management vendors, where his vision led the product development group. He also oversaw technical support, training, and information technology.
A software veteran, Neil began his 33 years of progressive experience in the design and development of healthcare IT by writing a practice management system for an ophthalmological practice at the tender age of 17. He leveraged this into his career at Millbrook being the original designer and architect creating the industry leading Windows based practice management system in the 90s. This software is still being used more than 20 years later.
Neil’s passion for Healthcare IT is recognized and appreciated through his participation in industry organizations that help promote the interoperability in the healthcare environment. These include being an advisory board member of the Microsoft Healthcare Users Group (MS-HUG) and SureScripts. He also participated in HIMSS, HIMSS EHR Association, and Commonwell Health Alliance. At MS-HUG he helped develop the first product neutral integration effort called Active-X for Healthcare.
Neil received his dual bachelor degrees in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from University of Texas at Austin.
Before joining eMDs, Neil was the COO of Aprima Medical Software, a position he held for almost 15 years. He played a crucial role in taking Aprima from a small start-up to an industry leading, best in KLAS company that was acquired by eMDs in 2019. Prior to Aprima, he was GE Healthcare’s General Manager in charge of Centricity Physician Office products. Before that, Neil was Vice President of Operations and Chief Technology Officer at Millbrook Corporation, one of the nation’s top physician practice management vendors, where his vision led the product development group. He also oversaw technical support, training, and information technology.
A software veteran, Neil began his 33 years of progressive experience in the design and development of healthcare IT by writing a practice management system for an ophthalmological practice at the tender age of 17. He leveraged this into his career at Millbrook being the original designer and architect creating the industry leading Windows based practice management system in the 90s. This software is still being used more than 20 years later.
Neil’s passion for Healthcare IT is recognized and appreciated through his participation in industry organizations that help promote the interoperability in the healthcare environment. These include being an advisory board member of the Microsoft Healthcare Users Group (MS-HUG) and SureScripts. He also participated in HIMSS, HIMSS EHR Association, and Commonwell Health Alliance. At MS-HUG he helped develop the first product neutral integration effort called Active-X for Healthcare.
Neil received his dual bachelor degrees in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from University of Texas at Austin.

Gina Brier
Chief Experience Officer

Gina Brier
Chief Experience Officer
Gina is an accomplished and results driven leader with over 30 years of healthcare experience. Gina has broad expertise leading Account Management, Customer Support, Professional Services, Sales, Research/Development and General Management teams across multiple industry segments including Physicians, Health Systems, Payers and Partner segments.
Her career started with a specialty group of physicians as the Business Officer Manager. In 1994 Gina joined McKesson and has continually demonstrated exceptional results by building and maintaining strong and mutually beneficial relationships with customers, team members and business partners. Her focus on staff development, operational excellence and innovation has led to transformational improvement for customers, shareholders and team members. Gina has a unique blend of leadership, vision and knowledge enabling her to successfully define and execute key strategies that strengthen customer relationships, increase revenue and drive market share.
Gina and her husband have 3 grown children and nine grandchildren. They are lifelong residents of Minnesota but recently bought a condo in Wisconsin on the Mississippi River. As new boat owners, Gina plans to spend her free time relaxing with her family and soaking up the sunshine on the river.
Her career started with a specialty group of physicians as the Business Officer Manager. In 1994 Gina joined McKesson and has continually demonstrated exceptional results by building and maintaining strong and mutually beneficial relationships with customers, team members and business partners. Her focus on staff development, operational excellence and innovation has led to transformational improvement for customers, shareholders and team members. Gina has a unique blend of leadership, vision and knowledge enabling her to successfully define and execute key strategies that strengthen customer relationships, increase revenue and drive market share.
Gina and her husband have 3 grown children and nine grandchildren. They are lifelong residents of Minnesota but recently bought a condo in Wisconsin on the Mississippi River. As new boat owners, Gina plans to spend her free time relaxing with her family and soaking up the sunshine on the river.

Patrick Hall
EVP, Marketing & Business Development

Patrick Hall
EVP, Marketing & Business Development
Patrick Hall has over two decades of expertise in the healthcare software industry. As eMDs grew, he has worked with thousands of customers and their interests in numerous areas including software product management, customer operations. He is a passionate advocate for satisfaction and speed. Patrick currently leads the Marketing Department and Business Partnerships and is actively involved in software and business strategy.
Patrick has been involved in projects that include to HIPAA ANSI X.12 electronic data interchange formats, the NPI transition, printed claim form changes for CMS-1500 and UB formats, Meaningful Use and Regional Extension Center partnerships, and more recently ICD-10 impacts on the practice management products. He joined the company in 1997 as a result of eMDs’ EasyWare acquisition. Patrick is a graduate of The Cape Peninsula University of Technology (formerly Cape Technikon) in Cape Town, South Africa where he received the Marketer of the Year award.
Patrick has been involved in projects that include to HIPAA ANSI X.12 electronic data interchange formats, the NPI transition, printed claim form changes for CMS-1500 and UB formats, Meaningful Use and Regional Extension Center partnerships, and more recently ICD-10 impacts on the practice management products. He joined the company in 1997 as a result of eMDs’ EasyWare acquisition. Patrick is a graduate of The Cape Peninsula University of Technology (formerly Cape Technikon) in Cape Town, South Africa where he received the Marketer of the Year award.

Tanveer Ahmed
Chief Operating Officer, India

Tanveer Ahmed
Chief Operating Officer, India
Tanveer, heads the eMDs India operations as Chief Operating Officer. He drives the core operations across all verticals including shared services and is responsible for achieving financial goals, strategic plans, business growth, business continuity plans, improving CSat, developing a culture of meritocracy and to build a winning team.
Tanveer, has more than 20 years of executive management experience at multinational corporations in various leadership positions spanning multi-country operations and across operations, process transformation, consulting, account management, human resource, IT, compliance, administration, finance, strategic planning, mergers and acquisitions, general management and board directorship.
Tanveer, has extensive experience in BFSI and US healthcare business – inpatient (physician, provider) and outpatient (emergency and ambulatory), single to multi-specialty and hospital chains (enterprise), patient financial services and health plans.
Tanveer, has a proven track record enabling clients, including organizations ranging from start-ups to the Fortune 500. He has consistently demonstrated exemplary success with progressively responsible leadership & management skills with a strong focus on top line, bottom line, execution, internal controls & a passion for client satisfaction.
Prior to joining eMDs, Tanveer was associated with IKS Health as Vice President, Operations leading the multi-channel and multi-specialty business for QSI. Prior to IKS Health, he has held several leadership positions with Accenture, Hinduja Global Solutions, HSBC, Apollo Health Street and Accretive Health.
Tanveer holds Bachelors in Computer Science and Higher Diploma in Software Engineering. He is certified in Medical Claims & Automated Claim Adjudication System (ACAS) from Aetna Inc., Mastering Test Plan Development & Design from ASPE, Consumer Lending & Testing from HSBC, Anti Money Laundering from eMind, ISO 9001:2000 Auditor from TUV South Asia, Bullet Proof Manager from Crestcom International.
He is an active member of the Project Management Institute (PMI), PMP Chapter of North India, PMI International Development Community of Practice and Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMI).
Tanveer, has more than 20 years of executive management experience at multinational corporations in various leadership positions spanning multi-country operations and across operations, process transformation, consulting, account management, human resource, IT, compliance, administration, finance, strategic planning, mergers and acquisitions, general management and board directorship.
Tanveer, has extensive experience in BFSI and US healthcare business – inpatient (physician, provider) and outpatient (emergency and ambulatory), single to multi-specialty and hospital chains (enterprise), patient financial services and health plans.
Tanveer, has a proven track record enabling clients, including organizations ranging from start-ups to the Fortune 500. He has consistently demonstrated exemplary success with progressively responsible leadership & management skills with a strong focus on top line, bottom line, execution, internal controls & a passion for client satisfaction.
Prior to joining eMDs, Tanveer was associated with IKS Health as Vice President, Operations leading the multi-channel and multi-specialty business for QSI. Prior to IKS Health, he has held several leadership positions with Accenture, Hinduja Global Solutions, HSBC, Apollo Health Street and Accretive Health.
Tanveer holds Bachelors in Computer Science and Higher Diploma in Software Engineering. He is certified in Medical Claims & Automated Claim Adjudication System (ACAS) from Aetna Inc., Mastering Test Plan Development & Design from ASPE, Consumer Lending & Testing from HSBC, Anti Money Laundering from eMind, ISO 9001:2000 Auditor from TUV South Asia, Bullet Proof Manager from Crestcom International.
He is an active member of the Project Management Institute (PMI), PMP Chapter of North India, PMI International Development Community of Practice and Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMI).

Scott Rongo
Chief Growth Officer

Scott Rongo
Chief Growth Officer
In his role as Chief Growth Officer, Scott is responsible for customer strategy and execution including the design and orchestration of programs to maximize the customer experience and satisfaction across eMDs wide range of customer interactions. Scott’s priority is ensuring eMDs delivers optimal value and a unified experience across the entire customer journey. Scott also leads the eMDs sales organization. This includes both the direct and VAR channel sales teams.
Scott has been consulting with Physicians and Health Systems on innovative technology and service solutions for close to two decades. He started his career with a value added reseller in Indianapolis, IN focused on Practice Management and ancillary systems for independent providers. In 2006, Scott joined McKesson where he eventually led all sales efforts within the independent channel of Business Performance Services (BPS). Scott received his Bachelors in Business Administration specializing in Marketing and Management from the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University. In May 2016, he completed his Executive MBA from the Mendoza College of Business at the University of Notre Dame.
Scott has been consulting with Physicians and Health Systems on innovative technology and service solutions for close to two decades. He started his career with a value added reseller in Indianapolis, IN focused on Practice Management and ancillary systems for independent providers. In 2006, Scott joined McKesson where he eventually led all sales efforts within the independent channel of Business Performance Services (BPS). Scott received his Bachelors in Business Administration specializing in Marketing and Management from the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University. In May 2016, he completed his Executive MBA from the Mendoza College of Business at the University of Notre Dame.