October 16, 2025
At 9to5 software, we often introduce our new employees to you, but we’ve never properly introduced the founders. So, in honor of Boss Day, it’s time to meet Susan and Tom Pesman!
How it all began
Tom’s passion for technology started early. “My love for computers began in high school when I connected to the internet with old modems (with that iconic beeping and cracking sound). Using old hardware from my father’s work, I set up my first networks. That’s where it all began: learning by tinkering.” After high school, he went to The Hague University of Applied Sciences and then to TU Delft, where he completed a bachelor’s in Software Technology and a master’s in Computer Science. “During my studies, I did a lot of system administration work. Perfect for learning how everything really fits together!”
Susan also discovered her interest in technology early and had a strong analytical ability. During her graduation from her Technical Physics program at TU Delft, she realized she could put that skill to use. “During my graduation, the iPhone came to the Netherlands, and I was immediately fascinated by the possibility of developing apps myself. That’s how I discovered that I could channel my analytical side perfectly into programming.”
9to5 software
After their studies, both decided not to follow the standard route. Susan worked as an independent app developer and Tom as a freelance software developer. That experience laid the foundation for founding 9to5 software in 2012, a place where they could combine their passion for technology and make an immediate impact.
They started the company with their first project: nummi. This is a mobile game inspired by the classic board game Rummikub, and it’s still running today! While 9to5 was then “just the two of us behind our laptops at home,” as Susan explains, the team has since grown and now works on multiple impressive client projects as well as their own products, such as ParkMyBike and OmgevingsAlert.
At 9to5, Susan focuses on product development, strategy, and design, but she still codes regularly, mainly in Swift, Kotlin, and Vue/Nuxt. “What I enjoy most is that as a small team we can move quickly: no clunky processes, just building smart, beautiful things that are actually used. And in doing so, contributing to a more enjoyable and better future.”
Tom, on the other hand, mainly works as a backend developer and sales tiger. “I’ve built small and large backends that handle massive amounts of data, sometimes up to 5,000 requests per second! Everything has to work perfectly, and that’s what I love most: creating backends that function flawlessly, are fully tested, and have excellent test coverage.”
Outside work
Of course, Susan and Tom also have lives outside of 9to5.
Susan says: “Outside of work, I enjoy life with my husband Erick and our two daughters. I love social drinks and dinners with friends, and I’ve been playing hockey since I was seven. After a few years’ break when my children were small, I now play again with great pleasure. I’m also happy when traveling, whether to Spain or on a more adventurous trip with the family. I have a soft spot for science, nerdy gadgets, and anything you can analyze or optimize, whether it’s code, travel, or the ideal workflow.”
And Tom? “I’ve been with my wife Nikki for 25 years, and we have a daughter and a son. We still live in Delft. On weekends I play hockey or squash, and while developing, I enjoy listening to Rammstein, Metallica, Blind Guardian, Sabaton, or The Prodigy. And yes, I know a thing or two about beer.”
Happy Boss Day!
At 9to5, we are very proud of Susan and Tom and how they lead the company. Their passion, knowledge, and dedication make 9to5 a place where technology, creativity, and fun come together.
