Meet Your IT Team

Protek Leadership Team

Eric Woodard

Founder and CEO

Denise Palmer

COO

Michelle Nielsen

Client Success Manager

Jason Breidebbaugh

Technical Success Manager

At Protek, our Client Success Team is a proactive, relationship-driven group dedicated to helping our clients achieve their strategic goals through technology. We don’t just support—we partner. Our mission is to ensure every client realizes the full value of their IT investment by aligning our services with their evolving business needs.

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Eric is an IT professional with 25+ years of experience, blending technical, security, and business expertise. His diverse skill set allows him to collaborate with companies, providing comprehensive IT services, budget creation, and strategic planning. As a leader in the security sector, Eric has delivered seminars and trained other Managed Service Provider’s on security best practices. He is dedicated to helping Protek clients leverage technology for growth, efficiency, and competitive advantage. With a solid educational foundation in Business Information Systems (B.S.), Eric holds several prestigious certifications, including CISSP, GCCC, Microsoft MCP, and many vendor sales certifications. His commitment to continuous learning and professional development ensures that he remains at the forefront of industry and security advancements.

Eric loves to hike and has two sons who keep him busy when he’s not working.

As COO, Denise Palmer has been an influential part of Protek’s growth for over 10 years. Denise holds a B.S. in Accounting and has been working in Finance since 1996. Over the years, Denise has gained extensive experience and expertise in the field. She transitioned to the role of Controller, and then was promoted to Vice President of Finance & Operations. Denises’ title officially changed to Chief Operating Officer (COO) in 2024, reflecting expanded responsibilities and leadership within the organization. 

Outside of work, Denise enjoys spending time with family, going to the lake, golfing, traveling, and most recently, playing pickleball. These hobbies provide a wonderful balance to professional life.

Denise is passionate about creating a positive culture at Protek. She loves hearing from employees that they enjoy working here because of the supportive environment. Knowing that team members feel valued and appreciated gives Denise a great sense of accomplishment as COO.

Michelle has been a dedicated member of the Protek team for 12 years, bringing a wealth of experience and expertise to her current role as Client Success Manager. Throughout her tenure at Protek, Michelle has held various positions including Executive Assistant, Sales/Marketing Assistant, Account Manager, and vCIO, showcasing her versatility and commitment to the company’s success.

Michelle is Security+ certified, demonstrating her proficiency in cybersecurity and her dedication to maintaining the highest standards of security for Protek’s clients. Her love for Protek’s amazing clients is evident in her work, as she strives to ensure their success and satisfaction.

Outside of her professional life, Michelle is married and a proud parent of seven children who keep her busy with their activities including track and field, fine arts, marching and concert band. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, playing games with friends and family, cooking, and working in the yard. Michelle finds great joy in both her personal and professional endeavors.

With more than 24 years in IT Managed Services, Jason Breidenbaugh brings a wealth of technical expertise and leadership to his role as Technical Success Manager. Throughout his career, he has tackled everything from frontline support to complex cloud migrations, always focusing on delivering efficient, high-quality solutions.

Jason currently leads three critical teams—Service Desk, Professional Services, and Centralized Services—ensuring smooth operations and exceptional service for clients. His deep technical background and strategic mindset enable him to drive innovation while maintaining a strong focus on customer success.

Outside of work, Jason enjoys getting his hands dirty working on cars, exploring the outdoors through hiking, and hitting the trails on his dirt bike.