Our Team

A good day for us? When we help a customer quickly improve their business by offering Mac Employee Choice or iOS-based mobile tools. We’re a diverse supplier, Certified Woman-Owned company, a member of the Small Business Administration and big fans of Women in Technology.

We’re tearing down walls to incorporate Apple technology into the workplace with a touch of southern hospitality.

Our Leadership Team

kristie king
KRISTIE KING

Co-founder

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Number cruncher. Creator of processes. The “woman” in Woman Owned. Kristie has been working with Apple since 2001, where she met Tim Hassett, who became her work partner in crime. Together, they built Appogee from the ground up and continue to enjoy the ever-changing world of technology, bringing it to clients in all verticals across the United States. Kristie lives in Greenville, NC with her amazing husband John and two cats. Her methods of stress relief include cooking, music, exploring new places and shopping.

tim hasset
TIM HASSET

Co-founder

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Tim is the Managing Partner of Appogee, helping to drive Appogee’s growth through bringing aboard new strategic accounts, growing our meaningful partnerships, crafting our marketing, and collaborating with our team. A native of Annapolis Maryland, Tim now lives outside of Orlando Florida with his wife, identical twin girls, and energetic son. Tim’s first Apple product was a 1999 Wall Street PowerBook G3, which lit the spark for what is now an over 18-year relationship with Apple and its products. In his spare time, you can find Tim diving for lobsters in Islamorada, running, or busy doing family activities such as little league baseball, and youth soccer.

kirstie ivie
KIRSTIE IVIE

Financial Controller

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Kirstie is our spreadsheet master and numbers wizard. She manages the financials and accounting department, supporting Appogee’s rapidly growing market share, while road mapping and budgeting for future growth and success. She brings to the business over nine year of experience in private sector accounting, having worked in streamlining finances for clients ranging from contractors, to restaurants and art galleries, before finding her home at Appogee.
 
When not at work, Kirstie spends her time investing in professional and personal advancement, cultivating her passion for photography, and planning the next great adventure with her family.

ryan surrette
RYAN SURRETTE

VP of Sales

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Ryan brings 25 years of technology industry expertise, with over a decade at Apple, leading client transformation and providing outcome driven solutions within small, medium and enterprise level clients in a variety of market segments.  Ryan has led all aspects of sales, client experience and business development with extensive experience in building and developing successful sales organizations.  Ryan is a New Hampshire native, with a passion for spending time with his family and friends enjoying outdoor activities across the seasons as well as volunteering his time in youth sports. 

ginger pooley
GINGER D. POOLEY

Director of Client Services

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Ginger joined the Appogee family in 2011. We have not stopped growing since and as one of Appogee’s most senior members, she has had the opportunity to work in many different capacities. She really enjoys helping people and would love to help you! Ginger is passionate about customer satisfaction. “I believe the customer should never have to wait for anything, fast & efficient, that is ME!” Born and raised here in Greenville, Ginger graduated from ECU with a Bachelor’s degree in Family and Community Services. She has a giraffe named Poopsy and loves listening to music, walking, enjoying pool time, making Gingerbread cookies and spending time with her friends & family.  She is truly a magical unicorn.

poopsy the giraffe
POOPSY

Director of Funance

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Work hard. Play harder.

Our Account Executive Team

tori gallego
TORI GALLEGO

Account Executive

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Tori joined Appogee’s sales team in August of 2021. She is a North Carolina native residing in NC’s capital city of Raleigh (GO PACK)! She brings 8 years of experience in Retail Technology with her to Appogee, and places high value on cultivating genuine relationships with her customers. Tori believes that the purpose of business should be to make life better for people, and she strives to do just that with each customer.
 
Outside of work Tori enjoys traveling, spending time with her husband, trying new food, and venturing out anywhere her two dogs can tag along. Tori hopes to visit as many National Parks in the coming years as possible.

jackson kelley
JACKSON KELLEY

Account Executive

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Joining Appogee’s team of Account Executives in 2021, Jackson carries with him a well-informed background in technology solutions for today’s business landscape. Jackson prides himself on identifying every variable to your project’s equation, through collaboration with Apple and Appogee’s many partners. “People like to work with people” is his mantra. Jackson dives into customer needs with an appetite for communication and discovery. Jackson resides on the east coast, in Concord, NH, the beautiful and quaint state capital of NH. In his spare time, Jackson is an avid runner, a voracious reader, and a passionate audiophile.

aaron roberson
AARON ROBERSON

​Account Executive

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lauren timm
LAUREN TIMM

​Account Executive

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Joining Appogee in 2024 as an Account Executive, Lauren is a seasoned specialist with over 13 years of focused experience in Apple technology. With a deep passion for driving adoption and fostering strong relationships with her clients, she excels in understanding their needs and providing tailored solutions. Her expertise in Apple products and services enables her to guide clients toward optimal technology solutions that meet their objectives. Lauren’s commitment to customer satisfaction and her knack for cultivating long-lasting partnerships make her a valuable asset.

Outside of Appogee, Lauren dedicates much of her time to travel, family, and doodles. As a SoCal native, now residing in Dallas, TX, you can find her on a golf course any given Sunday! Don’t let Lauren’s unwavering confidence fool you; she is nowhere near her LPGA Tour debut!

Our Client Services Team

sarah lively
SARAH LIVELY

Client Services

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Sarah joined Appogee in December 2020 reeved up and ready to roll. Before joining our team, she enjoyed a career as Marketing Director for over 5 years with Harley-Davidson here in Greenville, NC. With over 15 years of customer service experience, she enjoys working with and helping people.

​When she’s not at work she enjoys spending time with her son Ryder and their dog exploring local trails. She loves music, art, dancing, and staying active. She also enjoys spending spare time refurbishing and upcycling old furniture. Even old furniture can look new with a ‘face lift’!

lisa monterroso
LISA MONTERROSO

Client Services

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Lisa joined the Appogee team in March of 2021. Lisa is an East Carolina University graduate with a bachelor’s degree in Marketing and Supply Chain Management and has spent her career working and finding solutions for customers in many different facets.  At the end of the day, Lisa is a people person and enjoys helping her customers find exactly what they are looking for. “There is nothing more gratifying to me, then to know I have helped someone find the perfect solution. Sometimes, the tech world can be overwhelming and making that process easier and pleasant for my customers is always the goal.”  Lisa is a problem solver by nature and believes there is usually a solution for any problem if you keep an open mind and a positive attitude. 
 
Outside of work, Lisa enjoys relaxing and spending time with family and friends. She is a proud dog mom and big animal lover. Lisa enjoys cooking, baking, gardening, shopping, watching shows, going to the movies, and visiting new places, especially if there is a beach involved.​

matt buckley
MATT BUCKLEY

​Client Services

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Matt resides in Buffalo, NY, and comes from a long line of experience in the customer service industry, and more recently all ends of the technology industry. Working in distribution, startups, and now with Appogee, there isn’t much he hasn’t seen. Living by the slogan “If they like you; they will buy from you” some key attributes he presents are accountability, accuracy, reliability, and sincerity.

​When not working Matt loves hiking with his wife and dog, climbing the Adirondack High peaks (46er in progress), going to concerts, cooking, roasting his own coffee at home, photography, and volunteering weekly at his local SPCA. GO BILLS!!

bethany azaletey
BETHANY AZALETEY

Client Services

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Bethany joined Appogee in March of 2024. Born and raised in the heart of Texas, Bethany is a force to be reckoned with. Armed with a diverse skill set encompassing customer service, sales, design, and bookkeeping, she’s excited to make an impact at Appogee. When she’s not busy contributing her expertise to the team, you can find her embracing her role as a dedicated mother of four. Her love for food, travel, soccer and coffee fuels her adventurous spirit, making her a perfect fit for our dynamic company culture.

jack gregson
JACK GREGSON

Client Services

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Jack joined Appogee’s sales team in 2024 after spending the last 3 years in the Apple buyback space. He’s seen the impact Apple can have on its users and wants to be a part of bringing that joy to others. Outside of work, Jack is a huge sports fan and thrives in the fall watching his Buffalo Bills and Ohio State Buckeyes. He loves spending time with his family and being outside by the pool or on a golf course as often as he can!

Our Accounting Team

samantha galbreath
SAMANTHA GALBREATH

Accounting Manager

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Samantha joined the Appogee family in 2021 as an Accounting Clerk, bringing with her 8 years of experience in banking. She is customer driven and focused on bringing accuracy and efficiency to the accounting department. In December 2021, Samantha will achieve her BS in Accounting.
 
Samantha grew up in Savannah, GA and moved to Greenville, NC in March 2021 with her husband. When she’s not at work you could find her looking for the next hiking trail, playing with her dog Finn, and exploring the world.​

hayley mizelle
HAYLEY MIZELLE

Accounting Specialist

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Prior to joining the company in 2022, Hayley worked in retail sales for 5 years until she decided to step away from the hustle and bustle of public corporations and work with consumers in a behind-the-scenes, but pivotal, role. A natural introvert, she is able to thrive in a position that allows her to find confidence in comfort, while still being productive and an important player on the team.

​In her down time she enjoys reading, the world of sports (you name it, she’ll watch it!), and spending time with her beloved beagle, Lola.

Our System Admin Team

chet gnet
CHET GNET

Sr Business Systems Administrator

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Joining the Appogee family in 2023 is Chet. He comes with years of progressive experience from working at private tech startups to public corporations as a Business Systems Administrator. Chet loves being able to make people’s lives easier by helping improve efficiency in business processes and identifying areas for improvement. Enhancing user experience and productivity is what he enjoys figuring out.

Chet resides in a suburb right outside the Chicagoland area and in his free time enjoys spending time with his wife and 2 daughters. Everything from cooking new recipes as a family, movie nights with popcorn, listening to music, keeping a coveted sneaker collection (all thanks to growing up watching Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls), and dabbing into photography, are some of the things Chet enjoys doing.

aaron harless
AARON HARLESS

Business Systems Administrator / Process Analyst

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Joining us in 2021, Aaron has quickly proven to be an invaluable member of our team, currently excelling in the role of Junior Systems Administrator. He began his journey with us as a Configuration Specialist, bringing a fresh perspective and innovative mindset to the table.

Aaron is dedicated to crafting documentation that supports effective and scalable processes, helping Appogee grow efficiently. With a natural knack for problem-solving, he thrives on enhancing system functionalities and creating tools that streamline operations.

Residing in Greenville, North Carolina, Aaron finds solace and inspiration in nature, technology, and gaming. His robust background in Computer Science and Project Management, combined with a wealth of coding knowledge, enables him to devise logic-based solutions that are both innovative and practical.

Aaron is particularly adept at deconstructing complex problems to their simplest forms, always thinking outside the box to deliver solutions that enhance user experiences and productivity.

In his free time, Aaron enjoys exploring the great outdoors and keeping up with the latest tech trends, ensuring he stays ahead in both personal and professional realms.

nolan casey
NOLAN CASEY

Junior Systems Administrator

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Nolan joined the Appogee team as a Junior Systems Administrator in April 2024, fresh from earning a degree in Computer Science from East Carolina University. He is keenly interested in automation, enhancing efficiencies, and solving complex problems—always striving to work smarter, not harder.

In his role, Nolan focuses on streamlining processes to ensure smooth operations within the systems administration landscape. His approach is all about leveraging technology to make tasks more manageable and efficient.
 
Nolan is an avid sports enthusiast outside of work, enjoying everything from Pickle Ball and Tennis to Frisbee Golf and 8-Ball Pool. He also has a unique personal story as an identical twin and currently resides in Greenville, North Carolina, where he actively engages in his community and various outdoor activities.

Our Services Engineer Team

fernando vela-briney
FERNANDO T VELA-BRINEY

Warehouse Coordinator

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Fernando has served as a member of the Appogee Services Team since joining the team in 2022. Heading the department since 2023, he has assisted in driving the development and expansion of the Appogee Services division, showcasing his ability to adapt and thrive in diverse environments.

Fernando’s unique blend of experiences, from handling critical emergency situations to spearheading operational efficiencies at Appogee, marks him as a versatile and valuable asset to the team. His eclectic background spans various fields. Before finding his place at Appogee, Fernando served as an environmental steward and led teams in the service industry, providing him with a solid foundation in resource and land management, and a customer-first service approach. He has also served as a wildland firefighter and led a disaster response team in the wake of Hurricane Irma, garnering leadership and ICS (Incident Command System) experience. Reflecting on his varied experiences, Fernando consistently applies the principles of economics. His philosophy, “Efficiency is the economy of motion,” is evident in his professional endeavors, where he continuously seeks to optimize operations and strategies.

Outside of his professional life, Fernando finds joy in spending time with his two huskies and maintaining an active lifestyle at the gym. He enjoys cooking, reading (Kerouac and the beat movement), and immersing himself in music. He has a passion for all things tech and likes to keep up with current economic and market trends.

zachary rudow
ZACHARY RUDOW

Config Team Lead

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devante sheppard
DEVANTE SHEPPARD

Warehouse Logistics Specialist

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summer hart
SUMMER HART

Config Specialist

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jacob blankenship
JACOB BLANKENSHIP

Config Specialist

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Jacob began his journey at Appogee in November 2023 as a part-time Configuration Specialist, fresh out of East Carolina University with a Master of Science. In July 2024, he accepted a promotion and transitioned into a full-time role, where he continues to provide his extensive knowledge and reliable work ethic in the configuration/services department. 

A North Carolina native, and resident of Greenville since July 2020, Jacob has a deep passion for technology that spans over many years—particularly with everything Apple-related. He is captivated by the impressive work and innovation of Appogee and its employees. Considering himself a vital asset to the team, he is excited to see what the future holds for the company and its ongoing growth. 

In his spare time, Jacob participates in a variety of activities, including, but not limited to, listening to music, catching the latest horror flick, video gaming, and immersing himself in the latest tech news and videos. He also enjoys spending time with his adorable yet feisty cat, Pepper.