Barb Severson is GrandPad’s Corporate Controller, leading the day to day finance function. Barb has over 20 years of experience working at fast paced, quickly growing companies – driving improvement and efficiency in processes along with building solid and reliable teams. Prior to joining GrandPad, Barb held senior finance positions at A’viands and Global Aviation Services where she led finance teams of varying sizes, along with playing key roles in the sales and operations arenas.

Chelsea Bakewell is Director of Strategic Accounts at GrandPad. She and her team create repeatable, sustainable and scalable processes with GrandPad partners to achieve their goals and initiatives when implementing the GrandPad product suite into their business model. Chelsea’s experience in over 6 years of customer service oriented positions has enriched her passion for building a strong relationship with her customers and partners, with the goal to inspire and motivate GrandPad partners to help re-define their brand in the senior-care market.

Chris Woodson is a Partner Relations and Account Executive Manager. She and her team provide resources and support to GrandPad partners to enhance the partner relationships, and to achieve partner goals and initiatives. Chris came to GrandPad with over 20 years of experience in non-profit and higher education administration.

Christa Taylor is a GrandPad Member Experience Manager. She manages the member experience team and oversees daily operations. Christa brings 20+ years of leadership experience to the team and has a background in sales and customer service. Previously, Christa owned her own business working with people of all ages.

Danielle Balik is a Member Experience Manager. She manages and leads a team of Member Experience agents who provide care and support to our GrandPad members and their families. Danielle works closely with our Partner Relations team and our business partners to ensure exceptional customer care to their clients. Danielle comes to GrandPad with many years of business administration, customer service, and insurance experience.

Dave Jaqua is GrandPad's Chief Operating Officer. He focuses on strategic partnerships, global operations, and customer support growth. Dave is a veteran of the Minneapolis consulting scene with over 25 years of experience leading large change initiatives and helping clients leverage technology for competitive advantage. At GrandPad, he drives the global support capability to ensure seniors and their families have a simple and smooth experience. Dave and his team also help key GrandPad business partners successfully launch, market, and integrate GrandPad into their brand and offering.

David Tyler is GrandPad's Chief Architect, responsible for planning the technical design of the GrandPad platform. He has been with GrandPad since its founding. Previously, David taught computer science at Chapman University, worked as a software engineer at DevIO, and was the lead developer for MLAT, a Chapman University research group that focused on building a behavioral tracking app for children with Autism.

Derrick Barksdale is GrandPad's Director of Security and Privacy. He is responsible for establishing and administering information security, privacy, and disaster recovery strategies and procedures for GrandPad. Derrick brings over 20 years of experience in the financial services industry implementing, supporting, and securing complex IT systems and applications. Most recently, Derrick was a Director of Business Risk and Security at Ally Financial, overseeing the execution of Information Security Risk Management practices across dedicated businesses. Derrick obtained his Doctorate in 2018 with a concentration in Leadership, which he has used to enhance his leadership skills, grow his business acumen, and effectively build valuable partnerships.

Earl Chen is GrandPad’s Chief Technology Officer and Chief Data Officer. His team builds, operates and secures GrandPad’s global platform, leveraging device, cloud and machine learning capabilities to reconnect seniors with their family, friends and caregivers. His team also leverages GrandPad’s data assets to inform critical business and product decisions while ensuring data security and privacy.  Earl brings more than 30 years of experience in the financial services industry to GrandPad. He has delivered technology solutions ranging from trading desk tools and volatility calculators to authentication and information security frameworks.

Erin Jacobsen is GrandPad's Member Experience Training Manager. She trains and provides direct support to GrandPad's member experience team. Previously, Erin taught preschool and worked with children with behavioral disabilities.

Driven by his grandmother's inability to use current communication tools, such as email and Facebook, he continually seeks innovative ways to keep older generations connected to their younger family members. This exploration inspired him to found GrandPad with his father, Scott.

Jean Sims is the billing and fulfillment supervisor. Her team's goal is to ensure that the experience of ordering and receiving their family's GrandPad is a positive one, so every senior has the ability to begin using it as soon as it arrives. Previously, Jean worked in retail and merchandising. She also has a strong background in special needs support and education, which further developed her passion for exceptional care and service for others.

Jesse Burgess is a platform team lead and senior software engineer, helping to guide and build technologies that seniors love. He brings his experience from the aerospace, information technology, and health and wellness industries, as well as his experience as a college physics instructor, to GrandPad. He strongly believes in GrandPad's mission of breaking down the barriers of communication between seniors and their loved ones by creating accessible technologies with empathy and dignity for those who need it most.

Jim Ford is a Director of Strategic Accounts at GrandPad. He is responsible for the implementation of GrandPads and associated portal environments for key strategic business partners. Prior to GrandPad, Jim spent over 30 years as a project and program manager, specializing in managing systems development projects, personnel, and change management in the information technology industry.

Julie Ament Gran is the Vice President of Member Services and Partner Relations. She leads the member experience team to ensure outstanding customer service for our older adults and develops strong working relationships with our strategic partners. She has over 25 years of experience driving customer satisfaction and leading field teams focused on execution. Julie started her career at Dayton-Hudson-Marshall Fields, a Target corporation which later became Macy’s where she held a variety of roles, including store manager and VP of special services. After Macy’s, Julie joined Lifetouch where she managed field training and leadership development, as well as sales operations. She then led field team photography and operations of a team with over 5,000 employees across 85 locations.

Laura Ollendick is a Member Experience Supervisor. She came to GrandPad in 2018 after managing a customer support team for 10 years at Seed Savers Exchange. She brings over 20 years of experience in Customer Service/Management. Laura is passionate about supporting the Member Experience team, as well as nourishing and building relationships with our members and partners.

Lori Balik-Maldonado is a Member Experience Manager. She leads the Daily Connect remote care team and helps create efficiencies within the Daily Connect systems and processes. Lori comes to GrandPad with 19+ years of experience across various customer service roles. She has also worked for Target in the Human Resources department.

Mo leads GrandPad's QA and DevOps teams, managing the release cycle of all GrandPad software projects as well as ensuring GrandPad services are running 24/7/365. He also manages GrandPad's IT and tech support team. Mo brings over 10 years of experience in the tech industry, having worked as an IT consultant, providing both hardware and software solutions, and a certified technician at Apple.

Nathan Vogt is Director of Strategic Accounts at GrandPad. Prior to joining GrandPad, he spent over 15 years providing software and consulting services to Medicare Advantage plans. He joined GrandPad because he shares its mission and believes it has a tremendous impact on improving healthcare for seniors.

Ryan is an advisor to GrandPad's engineering, design, and product management teams. He has been with GrandPad since day one when he built the very first software prototype. Although he is a mobile software engineer at heart, he is very passionate about working with all variations of thriving and emerging technologies, especially those that have the potential to positively affect the lives of others. Ryan has also taught introductory computer science and mobile software development courses at Chapman University.

Scott is GrandPad's Chief Executive Officer, leading the company as it builds a platform that empowers seniors of all ages and technological skills to connect with family, friends, and caregivers. Having previously developed user-friendly software for companies such as Target, Best Buy, and Bank of America, as well as having led the mobile technology innovation group at Intuit, Scott brings a wealth of knowledge and leadership experience to the team. He is a practitioner of the LEAN Startup Method, which emphasizes putting users first and designing specifically to their needs. With GrandPad, he strives to create a world where no seniors are lonely or isolated.

Tim leads GrandPad's Operate team. He and his team focus on keeping the platform available and running smoothly. Tim brings 20+ years experience in software engineering and architecture to GrandPad. Most recently, he led technical teams at Shutterfly. He is passionate about continually improving and loves GrandPad's mission of improving the lives of seniors.

Barbara lives with her husband in Louisville, Kentucky. She is an avid maker and crafter who especially enjoys cross-stitching and crossword puzzles. She is a music lover with an eclectic collection and a hardcore Louisville Cardinals fan. Barbara enjoys using her GrandPad to exchange photos and videos with family, participate in virtual family gatherings and movie nights via Zoom, and of course, jam to some good music. As a GrandAdvisor, she has contributed to several tech updates to the GrandPad including emoji’s and the Motown music station.

Carol lives in Wallingford Connecticut at the Continuing Care Retirement Community and has been there for the past 13 years. She is very involved in her community and is currently the chairperson of the Welcome Committee. She enjoys using technology for educational purposes and was an early adopter when the PC came out 40 years ago. Carol enjoys using her GrandPad to stay in touch with her friends.

Carol moved from East Battle Lake Minnesota to Wabasha Minnesota back in 2020. She loves reading, participating in book clubs, singing, walks, traveling, socializing with friends and playing Goren Bridge. Carol uses her GrandPad to stay connected with her two daughters and son. She enjoys using her GrandPad to view pictures and videos sent from her family such as her granddaughter’s college soccer activities.

Craig lives with his wife Eileen in Rochester Minnesota. He enjoys strolls to Downtown Rochester and participates in the outdoor activities and concerts. Craig loves to ride his bicycle, read books and socialize with friends. He uses the GrandPad to connect with his children and grandchildren. Craig and his wife love connecting with their great granddaughter who lives in Denver and continue to watch her grow.

Dean is a lifetime resident of Wabasha, Minnesota and is an active member of the community, including being a long time member of the Wabasha City Council. Dean is a tech enthusiast who loves learning about how technology can be used to improve the quality of life for people with physical disabilities. Dean loves the ease of use of GrandPad and is a key contributor to GrandPad Radio.

Eileen currently lives with her husband Craig in Rochester Minnesota. She enjoys walking over to Downtown Rochester with Craig through the skyway and subway for all the outdoor activities and concerts. She loves to read, play games, and socialize with friends. She uses the GrandPad to connect with her 4 children, 8 grandchildren and friends. Eileen thoroughly enjoys when her 82 year old brother easily calls her with his GrandPad regularly.

John is a long time resident of Wabasha Minnesota and active member of the community.  A former avid cyclist, he still remains active but now prefers long walks around town with his wife Carol. John enjoys using his GrandPad to stay connected by reading the news and to connect through video calls with his family or play Texas Hold’em Poker.

Louise has been living in Manti, UT for the past 36 years. She enjoys cooking and baking for friends and family. Louise has a beautiful family of 36 grandchildren and 37 great grandchildren. She loves to use her Grand Pad to connect with all 9 of her children and close friends. Louise enjoys using all the features of the Grand Pad, in particular she loves to share photos and browse the internet.

Richard resides in Anaheim Ca and lives in a home that he built with his father and two carpenters when he was just a teenager. He enjoys music, playing in bands, swimming, cycling, gardening, beekeeping, boating, hiking and outdoor group activities. He uses his GrandPad to stay connected with family and friends. Richard loves that his GrandPad is secure and that he no longer receives calls from solicitors or “junk” emails. He also enjoys the help button feature that connects him to helpful and friendly GrandPad staff.

Viola has lived in Ossian Iowa her entire life. She is passionate about art and regularly paints with a graphic pen and sketches with a wooden stylus. She loves to use the GrandPad for taking pictures, playing hearts and bingo and listening to music through the radio application. It also allows her to attend Sunday morning Church services virtually. She also uses her GrandPad for video calls and to stay connected to her family.