Ward Mahowald -- Founder & CEO
Mr. Mahowald has been instrumental in the development of the company from its inception in 1998 to the present, helping establish its position as a leading online retailer of personalized and corporate greeting cards. During his 10 years' experience in ecommerce, web application, and website development, Mr. Mahowald has worked with companies designing and deploying customized software solutions, including software used by Pulte Homes, KB Homes, Design Center Systems, as well as numerous architects, builders, and contractors across the western United States. Prior to launching CardsDirect, Mr. Mahowald was the co-founder of Raecom Inc., a software development firm that specialized in the development of software for businesses serving the construction industry.
Education: Construction Management, Texas A&M University
Business Management, California State University, Hayward, CA
Michael Bunger -- Founder & CEO
Mr. Bunger has played a vital role in the development of the company's ecommerce platform and technical operations, enabling the company to establish and maintain its position at the forefront of the personalized greeting card industry. With 6 years experience in technical and software engineering for the energy, defense, and telecom industries, his career began at utility company, Southwestern Public Service Company, where he was promoted to district engineer. He then spent 3 years with Raytheon/ Texas Instruments as a test engineer responsible for developing software to test circuits. Prior to co-founding CardsDirect in 1998, Mr. Bunger developed software for voice mail systems at Digital Speech Systems and co-founded and developed software at Raecom Inc.
Education: Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, Texas A&M University
Sandra Everett – Controller and Director of Human Resources
A certified public accountant, Ms. Everett has over 20 years experience in auditing and accounting. In addition, Ms. Everett also handles all functions relating to human resources at CardsDirect. From 1989 to 1998 Ms. Everett served as Corporate Accounting Manager for Bristol Hotel Company. She has also worked for a wireless internet service reseller, Wireless WebConnect, Inc., where she was promoted from Controller to Chief Accounting Officer and Interim Chief Financial Officer. Ms. Everett has provided auditing and accounting consulting for clients in a variety of industries through operation of Sandra T. Everett Consulting. Prior to joining CardsDirect, she was the Controller, Chief Accounting Officer and Secretary for Internet America from 2004 to 2006.
Education: Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration with a minor in Accounting, University of Kansas
Dawn Mayo – Director of Customer Service
Ms. Mayo has been strategic in establishing CardsDirect as a top provider of customer service in the greeting card industry since joining the company in 2001. Overseeing the customer service team and a wide range of daily operations that affect the customer, Ms. Mayo is involved in order processing, customer correspondence, product development and issue resolution. Because the customer experience encompasses every aspect of ecommerce, Ms. Mayo has strived to help the company develop a seamless merging of software development, marketing, graphical design and interface functionality, all with a high-quality customer experience as the goal. With prior experience in construction and retail management, she has incorporated a number of strategies effective in training employees and creating the type of environment that inspires enthusiasm to provide exemplary customer service.
Education: Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, Utah State University