Steve Backman, President

I started Database Designs in 1989 as an independent software consulting practice. My interest in emerging computer technologies began back in high school, having fun playing on a prototype of what became the Internet. I maintained my interest while earning degrees from Harvard and Yale. Years later, just one course short of completing a Computer Science Masters program at U Mass Boston, I decided to launch Database Designs, eager to bring the benefits of new technology to nonprofit organizations and small businesses.

Starting out, the Database Designs slogan was: "Making advanced technology affordable and accessible." I worked on a number of labor, nonprofit, business, and government projects. Some of those clients are still with me today including the Massachusetts Historical Commission and the New England Carpenters.

The skills and technologies Database Designs offers its clients has evolved and expanded with the times. Database Designs has grown from a company of three to a company with a team of nine consultants. My own work has increasingly focused on strategic technology planning for sophisticated contact relationship management, community building and e-advocacy initiatives.

I see much of my work as a computer software consultant as an extension of my lifelong commitment to promoting social justice and political engagement. Both locally and nationally, I have been involved in a range of education reform, political and community issues not just as a technology provider, but as an activist and organizer. This experience has been very rewarding personally; but I think it has also made me a better technology consultant.

I enjoy speaking and teaching about the creative use of technology to clients or at conferences. This year, I look forward to launching a series of training sessions at the Database Designs offices in downtown Boston.

Peggy Baker, Sales

Peggy Baker has evangelized about technology adoption as a consultant to nonprofits, schools, and businesses for more than 15 years. She started her own Chicago-based "Computer Training and Solutions" consulting practice in the 1980s and pioneered the development of technology for effective patient tracking for independent AIDS clinics.

In 1999, Peggy joined Steve in Database Designs where she has played an important role in charting the company’s growth and expanding its client base. She was involved in developing and promoting APTITUDE, our apprenticeship tracking software. More recently she has focused on the development of EASE alternative assessment and student evaluation software. She travels, speaks and works with educators nationally on implementing EASE software to produce data-driven, outcomes-based student assessment that is accessible on the web in real-time to teachers, administrators, students and their families.

A former union locomotive mechanic in Los Angeles, Peggy is still active as board member of the Chicago Women in the Trades organization. She recently completed the Certification Program in Non-Profit Management from the University of Illinois, Chicago.

Our Team of Consultants

Joining Steve and Peggy are consultants Sarah Bennett, Oliver Brody, Jim Butler, Alberto Castro, Emily Graham, Aaron Manire, Linda Roistacher and Mike Tobias. This is a team that is noteworthy for its collegiality and dedication.

Database Designs has stayed on top of the newest trends in technology through the hiring of new consultants and the ability of our existing consultants to expand their skill sets. The synergy between our younger and older team members will help us to continue to develop creative technology solutions to a wide range of management challenges and opportunities.

Our Partners:

Tech Networks of Boston, http://techboston.com, a leading independent network and systems support organization based in South Boston.

TIC Business Consultants, http://www.ticbiz.com, leading Greater Boston systems support and business continuity organization.

VantagePoint Software, www.vpsoft.com, long time Database Designs partner for large scale, complex web and software systems, with a focus on Multivalue data systems.

Larry Manire, independent consultant and leading digital mapping GIS (geographic information systems) developer.