Meet our exceptional team, a group of talented individuals dedicated to delivering excellence and innovation in everything we do.
Thao Do, Director of Shared Services Center
College of Engineering and Information Technology
Engineering 202
As the leader of the Shared Services Center, Nina oversees all operational teams to ensure responsibilities are met with the highest standard of accuracy and professionalism. Working under the guidance of the Assistant Dean of Finance, she fosters a culture of excellent customer service to support faculty, staff, and students. The Director is responsible for leading transformative process changes and managing the budget proposal lifecycle to ensure the college’s resources are utilized effectively.
Business Operations Team (BOT)
The Business Operations Team (BOT) handles new hire onboarding for faculty, staff, GAs, TAs, and students as well as other Payroll functions, ex. salary adjustments, contract renewals, etc; Timesheet processing; Vendor payments; Procurements; and Travel/Misc Reimbursement Compliance standpoint.
Erica Petersen, Business Manager, BOT
College of Engineering and Information Technology
Engineering 202
epetersen@umbc.edu
Erica leads the BOT team in managing the college’s core administrative and operational functions, including onboarding, payroll, procurement, and travel. By providing thoughtful direction and fostering a culture of collaboration, she ensures that these essential processes are accurate, efficient, and user-friendly. Erica is dedicated to advancing operational excellence within the college, empowering faculty, staff, and students to focus on their primary mission through reliable and strategic support.
Brandi Loftus, Senior Specialist, BOT
College of Engineering and Information Technology
Engineering 202
As a Senior Specialist, Brandi supervises two BOT team members, ensuring high standards of accuracy and strict adherence to deadlines. She oversees payroll functions for the departments of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering (CSEE) and Mechanical Engineering, while also managing procurement activities for the College of Engineering and Information Technology (COEIT) and the Division of Information Technology (DoIT). Brandi’s dual focus on personnel management and fiscal operations ensures seamless administrative support across multiple high-impact units.
Michael Hannemann, Business Services Specialist, BOT
College of Engineering and Information Technology
Engineering 202
Michael’s role is to process payroll activities for the Department of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering and perform procurement activities for the Division of Information Technology and the College of Engineering and Information Technology.
Hasani Glover, Business Services Specialist, BOT
College of Engineering and Information Technology
Engineering 202
Hasani’s role is to process payroll activities for the Department of Mechanical Engineering and perform procurement activities for the Division of Information Technology and the College of Engineering and Information Technology.
Lyndsey Odd-Williams, Senior Specialist, BOT
College of Engineering and Information Technology
Engineering 202
Lyndsey’s role is to manage payroll for the Division of Information Technology, the Chemical, Biochemical, and Environmental Engineering department, Information Systems, and other administrative units in the College of Engineering and Information Technology and to perform procurement activities for both divisions.
Cindy Lamothe, Business Services Specialist, BOT
College of Engineering and Information Technology
Engineering 202
Cindy’s role is to perform payroll and procurement activities for the Center for Women in Technology, Dean’s Office, Engineering and Computing Education Program, Information Systems Department/Flex, Mechanical Engineering Department, and our Shared Services Center.
Pamela Raley, Business Services Specialist, BOT
College of Engineering and Information Technology
Engineering 202H
Pam’s role is to perform payroll and procurement activities for the Department of Chemical, Biochemical and Environmental Engineering, Division of Information Technology, and Mechanical Engineering Department.
Financial Planning and Analysis (FP&A)
Our focus is on establishing a systematic and comprehensive approach to all aspects of business within the college. Collaborating with academic and administrative leaders, we develop realistic budgets and financial plans aligned with COEIT’s short and long-term strategies.
Dee Ann Drummey, Business Manager, FP&A
College of Engineering and Information Technology
Engineering 202
Dee Ann manages the FP&A team and oversees the financial planning and analysis activities of the College of Engineering and Information Technology. She directly supports the Department of Computer Scienceand Electrical Engineering, the COEIT Dean’s Office, the Micro-fabrication, Machining and Electronics Department and the COEIT Shared Services Center with all their departmental account reconciliations, budgets, projections, and transaction approvals.
Claire Stokes, Specialist, FP&A
College of Engineering and Information Technology, Engineering 202
Claire supports the Information Systems and IS Flex Departments, the Chemical, Biochemical and Environmental Engineering Department, the Mechanical Engineering Department, the Center for Women in Technology,the Engineering & Computer Education Program, and the Undergraduate. Student Services Department with financial planning and analysis,
including all departmental account reconciliations, budgets, projections, and transaction approvals.
Pre-Award Team
The Pre-Award team assists faculty with administrative and financial support from internal routing to Proposal Submission to sponsor. Supports with robust Budget and Budget justification; Guidance faculty through internal process and coordinates with parties to ensure timely submission.
Melissa Repoza, Senior Grant Specialist, Pre-Award
College of Engineering and Information Technology
Engineering 202
Melissa leads the COEIT Pre-Award team, ensuring faculty receive high-level strategic support throughout the proposal process. By expertly managing team bandwidth and matching specialist expertise to specific grant requirements, she maintains a high standard of quality and compliance for all submissions.
A hands-on leader, Melissa collaborates with faculty to educate and train them on current internal processes. Her focus is on streamlining service delivery and ensuring every proposal is positioned for success.
Christine Gedansky, Senior Specialist, Pre-Award
College of Engineering and Information Technology
Engineering 202
As a Senior Specialist on the Pre-award team, Christine’s role is to provide pre-award support to COEIT faculty, including proposal development and routing services, specifically preparation of budgets, subawards, and adherence to proposal and regulatory requirements.
Miles Rather, Specialist, Pre-Award
College of Engineering and Information Technology
Engineering 202
As a Specialist on the Pre-Award team, Miles’ role is to provide pre-award support to COEIT faculty, including proposal development and routing services, specifically preparation of budgets, subawards, and adherence to proposal and regulatory requirements.
Morgan Zepp Specialist, Pre-Award
College of Engineering and Information Technology
Engineering 202
As a Specialist on the Pre-Award team, Morgan’s role is to provide pre-award support to COEIT faculty, including proposal development and routing services, specifically preparation of budgets, subawards, and adherence to proposal and regulatory requirements.
Post-Award Team
The Post Award team support faculty from the time the Award is received until close-outs. Prepare reports, reconciles accounts, and project future spending. The team also reviews for Allowability and Financial compliance Rebudgets, No cost extension, and Project close out Financial report.
Lina Da Graca, Senior Specialist Post Award
College of Engineering and Information Technology
Engineering 202
As a team lead, Lina serves as the Shared Services Center’s in-house expert for post-award management. In addition to her leadership responsibilities, she supports COEIT faculty by overseeing monthly account reconciliations, effort reporting, and the financial health of sponsored research. She also manages individual faculty self-support accounts, including startup, revolving, and foundation funds.
Carlos Palomino Senior Specialist, Post Award
College of Engineering and Information Technology
Engineering 202
Carlos plays a pivotal role as a Team Lead in supporting post-award grant management utilizing his technical expertise in process improvement. In addition to his leadership responsibilities, he supports COEIT faculty by overseeing monthly account reconciliations, effort reporting, and the financial health of sponsored research. He also manages individual faculty self-support accounts, including startup, revolving, and foundation funds.
Karen Cartelli Specialist, Post Award
College of Engineering and Information Technology
Engineering 202
Karen provides vital support to COEIT faculty by managing post-award financial operations. Her responsibilities include conducting monthly account reconciliations, overseeing effort reporting, and managing the financial aspects of sponsored research projects. Additionally, she handles individual faculty self-support projects, such as startup, revolving, and
foundation accounts. With her strong commitment to customer service, Karen ensures that faculty have the resources and guidance they need for successful project management.
Gloria Honeycutt Specialist, Post Award
College of Engineering and Information Technology
Engineering 202
Gloria plays a key role in supporting COEIT faculty by managing post-award financial operations, including monthly account reconciliations, effort reporting, and overseeing the financial aspects of sponsored research and individual faculty self-support projects. These projects include startup, revolving, and foundation accounts. With her strong background in
accounts payable and travel, Gloria is well-equipped to provide comprehensive guidance on these topics.
Xheni Gjaci Specialist, Post Award
College of Engineering and Information Technology
Engineering 202
Xheni provides essential support to COEIT faculty by managing post-award financial operations, including monthly account reconciliations, effort reporting, and overseeing the financial aspects of sponsored research and individual faculty self-support projects, such as startup, revolving, and foundation accounts. While she is new to the team, Xheni’s quick learning abilities have allowed her to rapidly adapt and excel in managing grants, ensuring effective financial oversight.