Melinda Powelson
CEO
Melinda is a leader with 30+ years’ of experience building strong teams, developing innovative technologies, and executing growth strategies for our business. She is responsible for ensuring our clients’ success and creating a rewarding place to work for our employees. Melinda enjoys collaborating with forward-thinking individuals who want to build win-win partnerships.
Melinda joined Sales Star in 2004. Prior to that, she founded o2 Group, one of the first web development agencies in Colorado. It was there that she learned the power of the internet and how it could be used to make business much more efficient.
Outside of work, Melinda enjoys spending time with her family and friends. She loves to travel and relax in the Colorado mountains. Learn more about Melinda.
David Powelson
Business Advisor
With nearly 40 years of experience in the shredding industry, David Powelson helps the DataGuard management team plan short and long-term strategic initiatives. David originated the concept for Shred Nations/Record Nations marketing program in the early 1990s when his company, TRI-R Recycling, launched its first website. When TRI-R Sold to Waste Management and Cintas in 2004, he launched DataGuard as an independent entity.
David has extensive experience in business management, strategic planning, forecasting and finance. He began his career at the Ford Motor Company and later Keene Lighting. In 1977, David founded TRI-R Systems, which became a regional powerhouse in the shredding and recycling industry.
David graduated from Wharton School of Business in 1965 and earned his MBA from the University of Buffalo in 1969. He is also a published author with his daughter, Melinda. They co-wrote The Recycler’s Manual for Business, Industry and Government, published in 1992. Learn more about the history of ShredTronics.
Diane Janson
CTO
Diane has been working in the technology field for over 30 years. After graduating with a degree in Electrical Engineering, she worked in hardware circuit board design and micro/machine code development before eventually transitioning exclusively to software development 20 years ago. She has worked with Sales Star Networks since 2004, and also owns a technical consulting business with her husband. In her current role at Sales Star Networks she oversees and actively participates in all aspects of technology, doing everything from software development to server administration. If there is a technological puzzle to solve, Diane is most likely in the center of it working closely alongside her team.
Outside of work, Diane’s two main passions are family and ice hockey. The best of both worlds is when she has the opportunity to play and watch hockey with her husband and two sons. She currently lives in Denver, and travels as much as possible visit family. Other important family members she wouldn’t be without are their cat Tillie and black lab Penny. Learn more about Diane.
Cindy Laczkowski
VP of Phone Sales
Cindy spent much of her career in the trucking industry. After taking time off to spend with her son, Sean, and daughter, Jordan, she started her “part-time Mom” position at Sales Star Networks in March of 2007. At that time, she was the only person in the sales department. Cindy is now the Director of Sales with a department of twelve!
“I feel blessed to be a part of Sales Star Networks. I’m surrounded by a team of passionate, intelligent individuals who are dedicated to taking care of our customers. We are committed to providing excellent customer service and to listening to our customers’ needs in order to give our partners every opportunity to win their business. Meeting our partners’ expectations is crucial to maintaining long-term relationships,” Cindy said.
Cindy lives in Littleton and enjoys spending time with her family and grand-dogs, Kai and Leo. Watching Sean and Jordan coach basketball is a favorite pastime along with going to concerts and Denver Broncos games. Learn more about Cindy.
Forrest Morgan
General Counsel
Forrest Morgan has worked as an attorney in the Denver area for over 30 years. His practice has emphasized commercial litigation; real estate; the formation and operation of corporations and business associations; employment law, information security; and the purchase and sale of privately held businesses. His experience includes serving as General Counsel for a local oil and gas staffing company, as well as representing international, national, and local firms in litigation, creditors’ rights, information and security law, and employment issues. Mr. Morgan has represented DataGuard USA, LLC as outside counsel since its inception, and is very happy to join the leadership team as General Counsel. He is a graduate of the University of Colorado Leeds School of Business and the University of Denver College of Law where he was a member of the Board Editors of the University of Denver Law Review.
Samantha Masters
Digital Marketing Manager
Samantha graduated with a degree in marketing and then achieved her Master of Business Administration shortly following. She has been working with the company since 2019 in the marketing department. Within her role, she oversees the marketing department and works alongside other team members to grow the company.
Samantha is originally from St. Louis, Missouri, but now lives in Highlands Ranch, CO with her husband, Colton, and their German Shepherds, Maya & Maximus. She enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, reading, and cooking. When she gets the chance, you can find her in the ocean scuba diving. Learn more about Samantha.
Alex Tarnoczi
VP of Partner Development
Alex started his sales and customer service experience in 2015 after graduating from the Future Nordstrom Leadership program. After completion, he spent two years in various departments on the floor selling and building his personal book of business. “In 2017 the grind of inconsistent retail hours along with trying to balance a family weren’t cohesive and I felt like a change was needed. I decided to join the Sale Star Networks team in 2017, and I haven’t looked back since.”
He joined the SSN team as a sales account representative. He helped grow the partner network while also learning about a completely new Industry. “7 years later and with a wealth of knowledge and experience under my belt I am now leading the Partner Network team!” He has been able to use his sales and customer service skills to not only grow the network but also create lasting relationships within the RIM and Medial Waste Industry!
“Outside of work as a former DI student-athlete, I love staying active! However, the most important thing in my life is my son Liam! Spending time with him and coaching his soccer team is at the forefront of my life at home!”
Bart Deitrick
Director of Retail Partners
Bart started with Sales Star Networks in July of 2022 as Director of Partner Development. He originally worked for Sales Star Networks in 2013-14 as a salesperson contracted to enlist primarily UPS stores as partnered locations for drop-off shredding.
As Director of Partner Development, his role is to increase and maintain marketing partners on all of the Sales Star Network platforms, Drop-Off Shredding, Drop-Off Sharps & Pharmaceuticals as well as Drop-Off Scanning. The partner development team also develops retail partnerships. These are partners that host one of our own drop-off bins in Medical Sharps, Electronics Recycling and Shredding. Previously to his time at Sales Star Networks he spent over 30 years in the wholesale Tile & Natural Stone industry. His focus was on Sales management, Sales and Product Development.
“In my free time I enjoy Golfing, Hiking, Travel, Glamping and attending sporting events and live music shows. I live in the Green Mountain area of Lakewood with my wife of 32 years, Judy and our dog Jessie.”
Natalie Morgan
Manager of Accounting & HR
Natalie started her career in accounting in 2016 after graduating from CU Boulder with a degree in accounting. Since then, she has worked in several different industries including oil and gas, real estate, and financial services. She has been with Sales Star Networks since early 2023. In her current role with Sales Star Networks, she oversees the accounting and HR functions of the company.
Content Team
Abby Witt
Digital Marketing Specialist
Abby started her career after graduating from the University of South Carolina in 2019. She has been with ShredTronics since 2021 as a Digital Marketing Specialist. She specializes in paid search advertising and content writing while keeping up with SEO and industry trends. Abby enjoys the challenges of the fast-paced environment and is always looking for ways to improve current and future content across all of Sale Star Networks’ brands.
Abby is originally from Cleveland, OH but now lives in Denver, CO with her corgi, Lily. In her free time, if she is not listening to Illenium or going to a concert, she is looking for the next ramen place to go to in the Denver area.
Kylie Daugharty
Content Writer
Kylie completed her BA in English at the UCCS in 2011. She took a variety of writing classes including professional and business writing. After college, Kylie worked with preschool students as a teacher and school director for 8 years. When she had her first son, she decided to step back from teaching and spend more time with him. That’s when Kylie joined the Sales Star Networks team, creating digital marketing content.
She has been with the team for 4 years and enjoys researching and writing about new topics every week. Kylie has since added another son to her family and is so grateful for the opportunities Sales Star Networks continues to provide.
