At Northwoods, our Account Management (AM) team is the bridge between our technology and the people using it every day. They don’t just manage accounts—they build relationships, solve problems, and help agencies get the most out of their investment in Traverse and other Northwoods solutions.
Every day looks different, but the mission is the same: help human services professionals work smarter, not harder, so they can focus on serving families.
What Makes an Account Manager at Northwoods
When we hire for this team, we look for more than just technical skill—we look for heart.
“Several members of our team are former social workers who have become account managers,” shared Michael Kington, Manager of Account Management. “That mix of empathy, industry knowledge, and solution-based problem-solving is exactly what our customers need.”
It’s that background—whether in social work, customer success, or human services—that helps the team connect deeply with agency staff and understand their day-to-day challenges.
Training That Never Stops
Because the world of human services is always changing, so is our training.
“Our training comes down to knowing both the industry and product suite like the back of our hands,” Kington explained. “Collaborative, hands-on training and cross-department sessions make sure our team always stays sharp.”
That deep product knowledge also means the AM team doesn’t just talk about Traverse—they use it. Every member is fluent in demonstrating, testing, and explaining how Northwoods tools fit into real workflows.
A Day in the Life
If you ask anyone on the AM team what their day looks like, there’s a good chance you’ll get a different answer every time.
Between customer demos, strategy sessions, solving support requests, and collaborating with the product team, no two days are the same. But one thing never changes: their dedication to helping agencies succeed.
As John Irvin Hauser, Sr. Account Manager, put it:
“I wanted to be an account manager because I wanted to foster relationships and help customers solve problems moving forward.”
That long-term partnership is what sets Northwoods apart—our team stays connected long after the initial project wraps up.
The Glue That Holds It All Together
A big part of the AM team’s work happens behind the scenes.
“Our team is essentially the internal glue for supporting an account,” Kington said. “Behind every great customer relationship is a team making sure the details don’t fall through the cracks—from coordinating calls to supporting new initiatives and ensuring contracts and details are handled seamlessly, the AM team keeps things moving.”
That behind-the-scenes coordination ensures agencies always have a trusted partner who knows their story, their systems, and their goals.
Why It Matters
For this team, it’s not just about keeping technology running smoothly—it’s about making a real difference for the people who make a difference.
As Maggie Beistel, Account Manager, shared:
“I love learning from our customers and helping make their jobs easier. The industry we work in is slow to adopt new technology—it’s an honor to help modernize it nationwide.”
And that’s exactly what the Account Management team does every day—helping agencies use technology as a bridge to better outcomes for workers, families, and communities.
Final Thought
In three words, Kington describes the team as impactful, collaborative, and meaningful.
We couldn’t agree more.
To every member of our Account Management team—thank you for being the steady hand, the problem-solver, and the partner our customers count on.
