Sidus Team

Chief Executive Officer/Founder

Jason Silva has over 15 years experience in program and logistics management.   His experience includes the management and implementation of web, ecommerce, content management and intranet systems in the retail, travel, automotive, government, and technology sectors.  As Founding Partner and Chief Executive Officer of Sidus Data, Mr. Silva has played a pivotal role in achieving the more than 40% growth that Sidus has seen since 1999. 

During his tenure at Sidus, Mr. Silva has managed a team of programmers and web designers in the completion of over 200 different internet based projects.  Additionally, he manages 6 active State and Federal Government contracts and was a key player in the implementation of a mission critical program to support and test security for all 1600 public schools in Maryland.  Mr. Silva is also integral to the formulation of Sidus’ business development program and has spearheaded Sidus’ web marketing initiatives.   

Committed to issues local to Anne Arundel County, Mr. Silva serves as a board member of the Chesapeake Regional Tech Council and Fort Meade Alliance and serves as a member of the Alliance’s Communications Committee. He was also a key player in the formulation of the Sidus Shares community based initiative.

Mr. Silva holds a Bachelors of Arts from the University of Maryland, College Park and is a native of Hastings-on-Hudson, New York.

Chief Technology Officer/Founder

Vincent Hardick, has over 15 years experience in Network Systems and Datacenter Operations.  He has been the architect, engineer and manager of both the AlwaysOnline.net and RaqShaq.com networks for the past ten years.  As Founding Partner and Chief Technology Office for Sidus, Mr. Hardick has been integral to the tremendous support that Sidus provides its clients.

Mr. Hardick spearheaded the design and implementation of Sidus’ Class A Datacenter network in Annapolis, Maryland.  He currently manages and operates the Datacenter and its 8 member Network Operations Center team.  Mr. Hardick also played a key role in the design and implementation of a state-wide, mission critical network for one of the largest Maryland State agencies. 

Prior to his work with Sidus, Mr. Hardick was the IT Systems Administrator for the Institute for Systems Research at the University of Maryland, Clark School of Engineering.  He holds multiple technology certifications for Cisco, Acronis and Microsoft Systems and is well versed in a number of programming languages.

Mr. Hardick, is another alum from of the University of Maryland and is a native of Locust Valley, New York.

Principal/Founder

Mark L. Powell has over 20 years of experience leading companies that have all experienced rapid and profitable growth.  Sidus, under his leadership, has consistently expanded with average increases in excess of 40%, annualized. Sidus is wholly owned by its original founders and has been self-financed through the reinvestment of profits. Sidus has been profitable since 2001.

2009:  Inducted into the Legends Circle of the Chesapeake Regional Technology Council
2008:  Arundel & Annapolis Chamber of Commerce Anne Arundel County Business Leader of the Year.
2008 : Honored by the Maryland Gazette as “One of the Top 25 CEO’s You Need to Know” in the State of Maryland.

Mr. Powell led the creation of the Sidus Shares program which was created to support various civic and non-profit organizations that are seeking to improve the quality of life for our community. This philanthropic arm of Sidus donates money, time and resources to independent groups. Since 2005, Sidus Shares has provided over $200,000 in monetary or services support to many civic-based organizations.

He is the current President Emeritus of the Chesapeake Regional Technology Council and is on the Executive Committee of the AAA Chamber of Commerce. He is also currently serving as the Vice Chairman for the 21st Century Foundation and has involvement with multiple other organizations, including the United Way. Mr. Powell, formerly, served as the President of the Hospice of the Chesapeake Foundation for three years. He has served on multiple other civic organizations and numerous task forces.

In 1992, Mr. Powell founded and was the Managing Partner of Chesapeake Marketing Group. From 1992 until 1999, CMG sustained an annualized growth rate of 74%. Chesapeake Marketing won many national awards from companies such as Sherwin-Williams, Newell Rubbermaid, Teknor Apex and Flotec/Sta-Rite.

He has a MBA from the University of Maryland, where he was selected to be the William F. Holin Scholar. Mr. Powell graduated from the United States Naval Academy with a B.S. in Management Engineering and is currently the President of the USNA Class of 1983. He formerly served as an officer in the United States Marine Corps and is a service-disabled veteran.

Operations Director

Cynthia E. Anderson brings an extensive background in operations, having held similar positions for North American Telecom, Atlantic Lucent Technologies, Hechinger Corporation and Chesapeake Marketing Group, Inc.

Her primary responsibilities include the streamlining of office procedures and customer service. Ms. Anderson's insight and leadership has consistently improved operational efficiency. Her zeal for customer support has been a strong asset to our firm since 2001. She leads in the development and constant improvement of ProTraq, our internal operational support management system. ProTraq manages customer support, scheduling, project and program management, and internal communications.

Creative Director

Jackie Dee is the Creative Director and primary web designer at Sidus.  Her experience includes site design, ecommerce, content management, logo design, and Flash development. 

Ms. Dee started working for Sidus in December of 2000 and in her tenure has designed and maintained over 250 websites.   She has been instrumental in the design of multiple web sites for the State of Maryland and in addition to web media experience; she is also well versed in all aspects of print media design and development.

An Annapolis, Maryland native, Ms. Dee has received training in web media and graphic design at the York College of Pennsylvania, School of Art and Anne Arundel Community College.

Sales Manager

Chris Isham is a highly skilled business development executive with a wealth of sales and marketing knowledge. During his professional career Chris has been on both the sales and service sides of the IT business and is able to draw from those experiences to help clients reach their goals. Chris has been involved in several successful start-ups and because of those experiences, has learned to overcome many of the obstacles faced by growing businesses. Chris also has a passion for technology and fully understands how it can and should be used in everyday business environments. When Chris isn’t hunting for new clients, he can be found on the sidelines watching his four children playing Lacrosse, Soccer or Basketball.

Marketing Director

Cathy Shaw joined Sidus in December 2008 as Marketing Director.  She brings 15 years experience in marketing, sales, business development and event planning.   Ms. Shaw is responsible for strategic marketing planning, communications, proposal development and management of the Sidus Shares community giving program.

Prior to her work with Sidus, Ms. Shaw spent 8 years as a Marketing Consultant serving clients such as Visa and the American Heart Association, where she also spent 5 years as a Division Director for both the Maryland and California Affiliates.  In 2004, Ms. Shaw started a local promotional marketing company, Limelight Marketing and Promotions, and is an active member of the Anne Arundel County Chamber of Commerce and the Annapolis and Anne Arundel County Convention and Visitor’s Bureau.

Native of Roanoke, Virginia, Ms. Shaw graduated from Radford University with a degree in Communications, PR/Journalism emphasis.

Business Director

Lisa Ackerson joined Sidus in September, 2010 as Business Development Manager.  She has 15 years experience in sales, marketing and new Business Development.  She is primarily responsible for strategic planning and organization of Sidus’ sales effort. 

Prior to joining Sidus, Lisa spent 8 years as Director of Business Development/Institutional Relations with Global Experiences, an international education program provider.  Before this she served as Marketing Assistant at Annapolis Bank and Trust and Marketing Manager for Pitkin County Bank and Trust in Aspen, Colorado.  She also worked as a Buyer/Manager for a high end retail store, ZONA, in Aspen. 

Hailing from Melbourne, Australia she graduated from Deakin University with a Bachelor of Teaching Degree.  She moved to London upon graduation to teach in the London school system and do a little traveling.  She moved to the United States in 2005 and resides in Annapolis, Maryland with her husband and three daughters.

Web Designer 

Kaitlyn Claiborne joined Sidus in August of 2011 as a web designer. She has over 8 years of experience with web design and development and also has a background in multi-media production. Kaitlyn also has experience in identity development, social network management, audio/video recording and broadcast, and print design. She has a number of programming languages in her repertoire including PHP, Java, Javascript, and JSP (Java Servlets). Kaitlyn is currently a member of AIGA’s Baltimore chapter, where she recently served as Social Media Chair.

A member of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, Kaitlyn has graduated Magna Cum Laude from Anne Arundel Community College with two associate’s degrees: one in Web Technologies and another in Media Production. She currently attends the Savannah College of Art and Design as a graphic design major. In addition to her degrees, Kaitlyn has been the recipient of numerous awards and recognition for her academics and leadership, including Who’s Who of American Junior Colleges, Maryland Community College Activity Directors’ Association’s Excellence in Leadership Award, 2 Leadership Excellence Awards, and several academic and merit-based scholarships.

Originally from Bowie, Maryland, Kaitlyn now resides in Stevensville with her fiancé.