The Echo Group announced this month that they have added new positions to their product development team in a strategic move designed to enhance the department’s management structure and technical capacity.

Echo has re-aligned their software development teams by functional area.  Kathy Bunker’s role has been modified to be the Billing Products Manager.  Didi Oxner has been hired as Clinical Products Manager.  Didi previously worked at Echo for eight years as a Business Analyst and as head of the Data Services group.  She returns after serving as Director of Client Operations at Rapid Insight, Inc.  Both will lead teams exclusively focused on developing software in their assigned functional areas.

“The new structure will allow us to enhance our focus, better develop specialized skills, share knowledge and deepen our understanding of customers’ needs which will lead to better products for our customers,” commented Kathy Bunker.

Also joining the Echo technical staff is Quality Assurance Manager, Debi McLean.  Debi comes to Echo with 22 years of software development and quality assurance experience in a variety of industries.  Most recently, she worked as a Senior Software Quality Assurance Engineer at a software company in New Hampshire, where she was responsible for the analysis, design, specification and testing of applications catering to the electrical contracting industry.  Debi will lead a QA team organized along the same lines as the development staff where staff are dedicated to either billing or clinical products.

Finally, Allan Normandin, has accepted the appointment of Chief Technology Officer.  This strategic move brings Mr. Normandin closer to the product development process ensuring that this group is leveraging the newest technology possible.  Allan will consult with the product development teams lending his expertise in product planning and technical design. Allan has almost 20 years experience at Echo including a role in the design of Echo’s original Windows products.   He will continue to oversee Echo’s information technology needs and IT customer services.

“In 2010, Echo will continue its commitment to provide our customers the best software products and services available in Behavioral Healthcare,” remarked Joe Viger, Vice President of Business Development. “The introduction of this new management structure and new, skilled staff will allow Echo to continue delivering solutions that our clients require in order to thrive and meet the challenges of the new decade.”