Mike Tirrell of Westfield has joined Myers Information Systems as their new Chief Operating Officer. (Photo submitted)
NORTHAMPTON – Myers Information Systems, a pioneer in broadcast management solutions, has announced Westfield resident Mike Tirrell as their new Chief Operating Officer (COO). Tirrell, a media industry veteran with over 20 years of technical leadership and innovation expertise, will drive the company’s corporate, strategic, and operational initiatives forward. His proven track record for Systems Integration and Data Transformation will play a vital role in advancing Myers’ next generation broadcast management solutions, the company announced last week.
“We’re super excited to have him join Myers. He has a lot of expertise in our domain, and will be a wonderful addition to our company,” said Crist Myers, President and CEO of Myers Information Systems.
Tirrell most recently served NBCUniversal Media, LLC as Senior Director, Data Services where he was responsible for building and modernizing the company’s existing Business Intelligence and Data Services platforms. Prior to working with NBCUniversal, he served WideOrbit, Inc. as Director of Integrations where he facilitated integrations between internal systems and over 70 media industry vendor products.
Tirrell is a Westfield High School and Westfield State University graduate, where he earned a bachelor’s in mathematics with a minor in computer science. He started his career as a Software Operations Analyst for sales, traffic, and billing software provider, VCI Solutions (acquired by WideOrbit in 2010). During his 13 years at VCI, Tirrell amassed his domain expertise working from SQL Reporter Writer, Installer, Trainer, to Software Engineer, to Manager of Customer Business Systems Engineering to Director of Business Systems Software Engineering.
“I’m really excited to start there,” said Tirrell, who actually began at Myers on Dec. 10. He said he has followed the company over the years. “It’s always been a group that takes care of their clients,” he said, adding that he’s looking forward to working back on the vendor side of the industry, after being on the other side for the last five years at NBC.
Currently located in Northampton, Myers Information Systems will be moving their operations to Westfield in a few months, after having acquired 110 Elm Street (formerly Stella’s Taproom and Grille) last spring. Crist Myers said renovations are underway and going very well. “The building is in decent shape for 100 years old. We’re bringing the entire building up to code,” he said, adding that the move is on schedule for April. He said they are working with local general contractor, Kurtz, Inc. of Westfield, and they have been able to source a lot of local labor.
As for Tirrell’s Westfield roots, Crist Myers said “it just so happened to work out that way,” adding that he believes the short commute to his residence made it a more attractive offer for Tirrell. “It worked out very well,” Myers said.
Tirrell, who serves on the Parks & Recreation Commission and the Community Preservation Committee for the City of Westfield, said he is looking forward to working closer to home.
“For me, being able to work in the same industry on a national scale, with clients all over the country and overseas, right in our backyard, is a nice opportunity,” Tirrell said. He said Myers Information Systems will be good for Westfield, too, with 20 new employees downtown buying coffee, eating out and shopping.
“In talking with Crist, he was drawn to Westfield. He loves the downtown area. He was also drawn to Westfield fiber, and really impressed with City Advancement Officer Joe Mitchell and Mayor Brian Sullivan, and their interest in bringing a company like theirs downtown,” Tirrell said.
As a WSU graduate, Tirrell said he and Myers also talked about having Westfield State University in their backyard and engaging with them to bring in an intern or two. “We see WSU as a real asset; mutually beneficial,” Tirrell said.
Last year, Myers Information Systems joined forces with PBS to launch its new 24/7 PBS KIDS channel, a new service provided by member stations across the country on TV and via live streaming on digital platforms. “We’re excited to help PBS continue to fulfill its mission,” said Crist Myers.
Myers Information Systems serves 98% of PBS member stations, along with public access, faith based, commercial, educational and government clients. Crist Myers said they have a diversified client base in the media marketplace. “Each segment is a little different. You have to have software that caters to those needs,” he said.
For more information on Myers, visit myersinfosys.com.
