Meet the Team
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Matthew Hansen, ATP, EAS - CEO
Matthew has worked in the human services field for over a decade as a Direct Support Professional (DSP), Director of Assistive Technology for a statewide Minnesota non-profit, and currently is the owner and CEO of Mercarik Inc. He is also a co-founder of the Minnesota Networking and Education for Assistive Technology (MN-NEAT). Matthew has earned the Assistive Technology Professional (ATP) certification by the Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America, (RESNA) as well as the Environmental Accessibility Specialist (EAS) license through the state of Minnesota. He holds an Bachelor's Degree and MBA from the University of St. Thomas.
When he’s not at work he enjoys running with his wife and playing with their dog, Beau.
Kalia Houghton - Director of Operations
Kalia has worked in the Assistive Technology world for 6 years. She has a background in customer relations, business process analysis and design. She has had successes in developing new departments, improving account process flows, and bringing in new accounts. She loves learning new things about people and organizing/analyzing data.
When she is not solving process puzzles, she enjoys hanging out with her family, and traveling to different places.
Cody Gallagher, JD – Director of Finance
Cody is a dedicated finance professional who has worked in the human services field for the last six years. He strongly believes in utilizing Assistive Technology to improve health outcomes for people and increase individual independence. He joined Mercarik to put his experience to use and help make a difference at a company that strives to enhance the quality of life for everyone.
When he’s not working, Cody enjoys hiking and camping as well as spending time with family and friends.
Mariah Gallagher, COTA, ATP – Assistive Technology Professional
Mariah joined the Mercarik team after completing her Occupational Therapy AAS and Public Health BS degrees. She loves to use her knowledge and experience to help individuals live as independently as possible while ensuring they have the best quality of life. She places great importance on people continuing to do the things that they are passionate about, as they live with decreased or limited physical and mental abilities.
When she’s not working, you can find Mariah outside (running or competing in tug of war tournaments) or inside (snuggled up with her two cats and reading).
Nichole Hysel, COTA-L, ATP - Assistive Technology Professional
Nichole has worked closely with the disability population for over 15 years. Prior to joining Mercarik, she worked as a CNA, direct support professional supervisor, special education paraeducator, Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant, and disability advocate. She recently joined the Board of Directors for Independent Living Centers in Wisconsin. She is passionate about working with families as a member of the Wisconsin Family Leadership Institute whose mission is to bring policy change to disability related systems, programs, and services. Her experience working with state assistive technology programs inspired her to obtain the RESNA Assistive Technology Professional certification. Nichole’s mission is to provide client-centered services focused on increasing independence and safety through assistive technology.
When she is not meeting with clients, she enjoys taking day trips with her 8 year old son, hiking, kayaking, and coaching.
Taiana Hayes - Assistive Technology Professional
Taiana has been helping people since she started as a CNA at 17. She has worked with people of all ages and with a variety of needs. She strives to provide person-centered services focusing on enhancing independence and strengthening relationships. She finds her work incredibly rewarding, being able to watch people grow and achieve.
When she's not working, Taiana is a homebody, and can be found gardening, cooking, reading, or having fun with her partner, 2 dogs, and 3 cats.
Sam Berning - COTA, ATP - Assistive Technology Professional
Starting as a nursing assistant, Sam's passion for helping others led her to pursue further education at Western Technical College, where she became an occupational therapy assistant.
She has worked with preschool children through the lifespan to elderly hospice patients. No matter the age, Sam enjoys assisting clients to achieve their goals. It is important to her that clients have both a voice and choices in their care.
Sam enjoys thrift shopping and watching musicals with her 15-year-old daughter. She indulges her creative side through home DIY projects and designing costumes for her bearded dragon, Lizzo.
Ryan Farley - Assistive Technology Installer
Ryan is new to working in the Assistive Technology Field. He has a background in Retail Management with a Business Administration Bachelor's Degree. Ryan loves working with people and learning new things.
When he is not working, he likes to stay at home, loves the outdoors and spending time with his 3 boys and fiancé. He is a big lover of animals currently has one dog and two cats.
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Kate McGill - PERS Manager
Kate has worked in Customer Relations for the last 8 years. She now joins the Mercarik team after finding passion in the Human services world to be able to help individuals in a more meaningful way.
When not working Kate enjoys live music, finding new ways to be creative, and in the summers, finding places to read in the sun after having spent all winter playing Video games.
Lindsey Theis - Scheduling Coordinator
Lindsey has worked in Customer Relations for over 10 years. She now joins the Mercarik team with the goal to help individuals gain more independence and to play a role in providing more opportunities to all people. She is passionate about providing quality care, attention, and kindness while working with clients and their support systems.
When she is not working, Lindsey enjoys spending time with her husband, her 4 cats, and her dog. She also loves being outdoors gardening or hiking, doing arts and crafts, playing board games, and reading.
Pat Opat - Purchasing & Billing Specialist
Pat started in the I/DD space seven years ago as a DSP (Direct Support Professional). After working as a staff and then as a personal assistant for his brother-in-law, which he still does to this day. He fell in love with supporting the individual served and finding creative ways to increase the person's independence by using technology.
When he’s not working, Pat enjoys going for walks with his dog (Butters), cooking, and spending time with family and friends.
Beau Hansen - Office Mascot
When not attending to my VERY important and oh so difficult life of eating, drinking, barking, and sleeping, I like to make sure my human co-workers are staying busy and working hard.
In my free time I enjoy shredding toilet paper, barking at strangers near and far and lounging on MY pillows.