Leadership Team

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.”

Abby Witt

Digital Marketing Specialist

Abby started her career after graduating from the University of South Carolina in 2019. She has been with Shred Nations 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.