Leadership Team

Russ Bishop is the President of Common CENTS™ Solutions. He is responsible for the vision and direction of Common CENTS™ on a day-to-day basis. He has 25+ years of experience in the software development industry and has been with the company since September 2000. He was formerly the VP of R&D and a Sr. Software Engineer with the company.

Russ has been integral to the architectural design, development, and successful deployment of CCS’s flagship products: GEMpay, GEMserve, and the new cloud-based online ordering product, GEM2go.

John Griffin is our Executive Vice President of Business Development and Strategy.

John has over 18 years in the software development industry for retail, inventory, and account management. Starting in a support role and moving through project implementations, product oversight and design, then sales and operations, John approaches each unique customer’s needs with a consultant’s methodology to ensure all facets of a project are accounted for – not just the software.

This holistic approach has proven to be far more beneficial in long term customer relations and success.

With a background in music, he understands the adage “practice makes perfect” and prefers breaking down the pieces of an opportunity to build the best solution.

Wes Marco is the Vice President of Research & Development (Head Geek). He has 30+ years in all things IT. He joined Common CENTS™ Solutions in 2020.

He was formerly the Vice President and co-founder of Point of Sale Enterprise, Inc. (aka ITWERCS) and lead architect of the GEMpos System (formerly ITWERCS Enterprise Point of Sale System). Wes now leads the development teams that continue to expand the GEM product line and innovate the products to transform the hospitality operations of healthcare and senior living industries.

Ittela Ali is a dynamic and seasoned leader with over 20 years of experience in Sales, Revenue Operations, Go-to-Market Strategy, and Change Management. As the Director of Sales and Marketing, she is known for her ability to drive revenue growth, optimize operations, and lead transformative initiatives that deliver measurable business outcomes.

With certifications as a Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) and a Prosci Certified Change Practitioner (PCCP), Ittela excels at aligning cross-functional teams, scaling business operations, and uncovering strategic growth opportunities. Her leadership is rooted in collaboration, innovation, and a strong customer-first mindset, empowering teams to succeed in fast-paced, competitive markets.

Beyond her professional achievements, Ittela is a passionate Indian classical dancer and co-leads a nonprofit that celebrates cultural arts with her husband.

As the Director of Customer Success, Jon is responsible for the support and delivery of our point-of-sale, cashless, and in-patient dining solutions and manages a solid team of professionals to provide those services.

Jon brings over 28 years of customer service and operations experience from a variety of markets including healthcare, telecommunications, and government. He brings a unique perspective and passionate attitude toward providing a better customer service experience.

Jon is a graduate from Georgia Southern University and is a resident of Brandon, Mississippi.

As Director of Professional Services. Dan is responsible for the overall management of our implementation projects.

Dan has worked in Healthcare Information Technology for over 20 years, and general IT for over 25. He brings a wealth of knowledge to the team when it comes to technology and implementations. Dan has a can-do attitude, and believes in doing a job right, the first time. Dan’s overall project philosophy is that we are here for our customers. Whatever it takes to make a system work for them, within the software’s limitations, we will make happen.

Starting at Common CENTS as an Implementation Technician himself in 2015, Dan has worked on most of our software offerings and makes it a point to stay up to date on their various capabilities.