Founded in 1975 by Henry T. Starr, ECCA began as a service bureau that specialized in computer sales, contract programming, and data processing supplies for Erie businesses.

Founder Hank Starr at his desk.
Original ECCA office

Today, ECCA consists of three product divisions- ECCA Payroll+, Mutual Expert, and Primarius - with clients across the United States and Canada.

Through the Sea50ns

Throughout these 50 years, ECCA has continued to evolve and adapt to the ever-changing business environment. Below are five golden moments that highlight how ECCA arrived to today.

"You can't assume what works for you today will continue to work just as well five years from now."

Hank Starr

In December 1983, ECCA opened one of Erie's first dedicated computer store. While it may seem somewhat trivial today, at the time, it was a truly novel concept.

Up to that point, computers were nearly the size of a household refrigerator. However, with the advent of the personal computer, more and more people were incorporating the technology into their lives.

ECCA's computer store sold a variety of equipment, such as cables, data cartridges, and other office supplies. The store remained open for a few years before the company closed it to focus more on B2B software.

Lakeland Mutual Insurance Company - a local insurance company in Erie, PA - contracted ECCA to develop a policy billing program. A few years later, the application was expanded to include policy printing and insurance reporting.

Over the years, ECCA continued to build out this DOS-based product and began selling it to other mutual insurance companies across the country.

This was the beginnings of what ultimately became Mutual Expert, ECCA's product division that develops a cloud-based, policy administration system for insurance companies.

ECCA began operating at 3507 Poplar Street in Erie. As the company grew, so too did their office needs.

After a search, ECCA moved into the business plaza at 1600 Peninsula Drive, where they continue to be headquartered today.

While a majority of the staff works out of this office space, the company's reach now includes workers in New York, Georgia, and California. In addition, ECCA operates a branch location in Alexandria, VA.

The payroll operation is the longest running business unit at ECCA. In this time, ECCA has seen the HR needs for businesses change.

More companies began looking for additional features beyond simple payroll processing. While ECCA Payroll+ offered a complete array of HR solutions, their branding did not sufficiently convey that.

In 2018, ECCA Payroll+ rebranded with a new logo and tagline - A Complete HR Stack. This new brand reflected the continued evolution of the company and better represented the complete suite of HR solutions that they provide.

Primarius began in the mid-80s with a DOS-based system. Over time, it grew into a dominate player in the market.

Nearly half of all Feeding America food banks run some version of Primarius. In addition, there are close to 100 independent food banks that rely on Primarius.

In 2020, Primarius signed their first Canadian food bank, Feed Nova Scotia. Since then, nearly a dozen other Canadian food banks have turned to Primarius to manage their warehouse and to help serve their respective communities.

Hank Starr headshot.
Old magnetic media readers.
ECCA used to hold computer classes.
Doug (with groovy sideburns) and Hank Starr at the Mini-Computer and Word Processing Exhibition in 1981.
ECCA's office entrance on Poplar Street.
Computer workstations in the 1980s.
Hank and Doug Starr at the Peninsula Drive office.
Joanne Starr, ECCA founder.
Doug Starr giving a toast at ECCA's 35th anniversary.
Grace Seggi
Carl Williams
Don Jackson, ECCA's first hired employee.
Hank and Joanne Starr, Sue Hickin, and Walt Boehm
Billy and Lew out back grilling for a lunch BBQ.
John Torok in his ugly Christmas sweater.
Bryan Rock filming a video for a virtual dot.AMIC event.
Catrina Spano and an oversized PUG cutout!
Would be an understatement to say John Walsh was generous handing out pens. #IYKYK
JJ, Dave, and Moss installing a new sign near the front entrance.
ECCA Ugly Christmas Sweater 2024.
ECCA at play

Working hard &
Hardly working : )

Most people spend too much time at work not to have a bit of fun on occasion. The ECCA staff is certainly no exception. Over these 50 years, ECCA has found ways to introduce a bit of whimsy into the workplace.

The Bossy Bobby

In 2022, ECCA introduced the Employee Company Commitment Award (The Eck-ah). This annual award is presented as recognition for an employee's otherwise unheralded work and dedication to the success of the company.

The winner receives additional PTO time as well as other assorted prizes. In addition, the winner of The Ecca is awarded the Bossy Bobby. Carefully crafted by some of the finest artisans around the globe, this bobblehead's appearance is based on ECCA’s very own company president, Doug Starr.

And yes, the Bossy Bobby has his own professional headshot!

Bossy Bobby headshot
50Fridays

In 2025, ECCA will be open on 50 Fridays. To celebrate our company's golden anniversary, ECCA and it's dedicated staff is committed to performing 50 goodwill gestures on each of these Fridays.

Whether it's volunteering at a non-profit or supporting a local business, this is our way to say thank-you to the community our business grew up in and the one we still call home today.

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