At Abacus, we enjoy doing business with friends. With that in mind, we'd like to introduce some of the key players in the company you're likely to meet.

Rich Peterson
President and CEO

Rich personifies the saying "working your way to the top." After graduating from Pinellas Vocation Technical Institute with a degree in Electro Mechanical Technology, Rich soon joined Abacus Business Systems as a technician. Through the years, he worked his way up to Service Manager, and in 1990 he and his wife Debbie purchased the company. Rich has served on the North American Advisory Board for IBM, as well as the Aloha Reseller Advisory Board, and currently is a member of The Executive Committee of Tampa and the Florida Restaurant Association.

George Harris
Business Development Manager—Clearwater Office

George Harris began helping restaurateurs in the Connecticut hospitality industry in 1980. He started with Sweda International, specializing in hotels and fine dining selling the Microverdex, the first commercially available touchscreen system. George graduated from the University of Massachusetts with a specialty in Secondary Education in Sciences. He taught one year before turning to music, which he pursued successfully for several years. In his spare time, he raises horses.

Joseph Ricca
Business Development Manager—Orlando Office

With a degree in Accounting from Florida State University, over six years of corporate software application training experience, and five years of accounting software sales, Joseph brought his skills to Abacus Business Solutions in the Orlando office. His responsibilities include marketing and sales, networking with strategic partners, and building relationships with existing Abacus customers. Joseph's hobbies include surfing, volleyball and playing ultimate Frisbee for the Orlando team.

Barbara Sharp
Business Development Manager—Ft. Lauderdale Office

A former GM for such companies as Checkers and Boston Market, Barbara has much experience in the hospitality industry. Working in the POS industry for the past seven years, she joined Abacus as a Project Manager and now is a Business Development Manager out of the Ft Lauderdale office. Barbara feels that understanding the needs of our customers is the total solution in our industry.

Byron Hempy
Director of Operations

Byron has been a dedicated and diligent employee of Abacus Business Solutions for over two years. Before joining Abacus, Byron received his BS in Business Administration from Messiah College.

Naomi Canning
Regional Manager, South Florida

Naomi joined Abacus from a background of several years in hospitality management, so she's well acquainted with the business of running a restaurant. Originally a Project Manager, she now manages all aspects of the Ft. Lauderdale office, from customer relationships to product installs.

Scott Spar
Director of Marketing

Jason Leonard
Customer Care Call Center Manager

Jason started working part time with Abacus in 1997 staging new systems and learning the in’s and out’s of the Clearwater office.  Since then, Jason has received his Bachelors degree in Hospitality Management from the School of Business at Florida State University.  After graduating, Jason started working fulltime as a call center technician.  He moved on to Project Management, and now is a part of the Call Center Management Team.  Along with “The Team,” Jason shares the ambition of continuing the growth of the Support Center at Abacus as the largest and most successful of any POS company.

Aaron Guten
Customer Care Call Center Shift Supervisor

Among a well-built understanding of hospitality relations, Aaron also understands the value of superior technical assistance. He has played a key role in the company's professionally staffed call center, as well as becoming an essential part of the Abacus management team as a leader of a top-notch call center. Prior to joining Abacus, Aaron worked in the fast paced restaurant industry. He also enjoys strengthening his advanced expertise in technology.

Michelle Battista
Director of Professional Services

Michelle plays a vital part of the everyday success of Abacus. Before coming to the company four years ago, Michelle put in eight years as Checkers Backoffice Management and 18 years with McDonalds Corporation utilizing Quick Service Management for scheduling and inventory.