Learn more about our founders and staff.
Every member of our team is passionate about helping the world of education. With staff that has been with us for over 20 years, our team has the experience needed to help your district or state.
Our Founders
Michelle Elia founded CPSI with Aziz Elia over 20 years ago with the idea that technology could be used to help students succeed. Michelle is devoted to the world of education and completed her PhD in Education in 2016. Her dissertation was entitled “It’s the Little Things: A Study of the Development of an Early Warning System for At Risk Students”. Michelle also has a Bachelor’s of Science in Aerospace Engineering, an MBA in Marketing, a Master’s Certificate in IT/IS Project Management, and is a Certified Professional in Business Intelligence (CPBI).
Michelle supports many charities and works hard to help children in need whenever she can. She is a strong supporter of Share Our Strength, St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, St. Louis Food Bank, World Wildlife Federation, Sunshine Ministries, and the US Fund for UNICEF.
Michelle supports many charities and works hard to help children in need whenever she can. She is a strong supporter of Share Our Strength, St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, St. Louis Food Bank, World Wildlife Federation, Sunshine Ministries, and the US Fund for UNICEF.
Aziz “Z” Elia sets the pace for the company products, direction, and vision. Z has been providing solutions for the K-12 market since 1989, and has seen technologies change a lot over the years, and always adjusts solutions to be at the leading edge of those technologies.
Z has a degree in Mechanical Engineering and Biology/Chemistry. He also has been trained in project management. As the original software engineer for CPSI’s first product, CASEL, he keeps designing and providing the vision for CPSI solutions and products.
Z has a degree in Mechanical Engineering and Biology/Chemistry. He also has been trained in project management. As the original software engineer for CPSI’s first product, CASEL, he keeps designing and providing the vision for CPSI solutions and products.
“Z” is a technology buff and is always learning about the latest and greatest in the world of technology. Currently he is a hobbyist in drone technologies.
Our Sales Team
Ariana Bauer is the Director of Sales and Marketing. She has been with the company for over 20 years and knows the industry well. Formerly a developer at CPSI, she worked as a lead software architect and has a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science. She is also a supporter of Share Our Strength and Girls Who Code.
John Bauer works out of our Columbia, IL office and manages all current clients sales and renewals. He has a Bachelor’s of Arts in English.
Our Management Team
Francis “Franco” Francis shares the tasks of managing products and development with Ariana. He is also a lead software engineer with a Bachelor’s of Science in Computer Science.
Eric Foran is the director of the Technical Support departments. He has a Bachelor’s of Science in Computer and Information Sciences and is currently working on his Master’s degree.
