Melinda Powelson
CEO
Melinda Powelson is the CEO of Match Engine and has spent much of her life around this business, watching it grow from hands-on operations in a Denver plant into a company that now connects customers and service providers across North America. What excites her most today is helping Match Engine continue that evolution by combining real-world experience with intelligent technology to create better matches and better outcomes for customers and providers. Having grown up around the day-to-day realities of the business, Melinda understands what it takes to serve customers well and support the people doing the work. She has seen firsthand how much trust, accountability, and care matter on the plant floor, in the field, and across teams. That perspective shapes how she leads.
As CEO, Melinda focuses on setting direction, solving complex problems, and making sure the company grows in a way that stays true to its values. She holds high expectations and cares deeply about her team, often describing them as an extension of her own family. She believes people do their best work when they feel respected, supported, and challenged to grow. Melinda leads with empathy and conviction, investing deeply in relationships with employees, partners, and customers alike. She thrives on tackling hard problems, building long-term partnerships, and creating a culture where people take pride in the outcomes they deliver together.
Outside of work, Melinda is a proud mom to two adult children, Megan and Alex. An English major at heart, she enjoys reading literature, hiking Colorado’s foothills, and doting on her four Siberian cats. Those quieter moments help keep her grounded and creatively energized as she guides Match Engine into its next chapter.
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 is the CTO of Match Engine, where she oversees and actively participates in all aspects of technology, doing everything from team and project management to software development to server administration. If there is a technological puzzle to solve, Diane is most likely at the center of it, working closely alongside her team. She has been involved in the company since 2004 and has enjoyed being an integral part of the proprietary software that powers Match Engine since early on in the company’s evolution.
Diane works full-time remotely, but due to the close working relationship she has developed over the past 10+ years with Melinda and her team, she is able to fully participate in daily collaboration that fuels our quick pace and productivity. An effective hybrid remote/on-site technology team is made possible through her leadership, instilling a strong work ethic and trust through mutual support and an environment for constant learning and growth.
Outside of work, Diane’s two main passions are family and ice hockey/skating. The best of both worlds is when she has the opportunity to play and watch hockey with her family. She currently lives in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, and travels as much as possible to visit family in Virginia and Ottawa. Another important family member she wouldn’t be without is her exceptionally loving cat, Tillie.
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.
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!”
Natalie Morgan
Manager of Accounting & HR
Natalie is the Manager of Accounting and HR at Match Engine, working closely with both the internal team and our provider network across North America. After working across several industries throughout her career, Natalie has found a passion for helping businesses in compliance-heavy industries grow the right way. She finds it especially rewarding to make complex processes simpler and more efficient.
In her role, she oversees the functions that keep operations running smoothly behind the scenes, including payroll, benefits, and financial administration. Natalie graduated from CU Boulder with an accounting degree in 2016 and went on to work in oil and gas, real estate, and financial services before joining Match Engine in 2023.
A Colorado native, Natalie enjoys taking advantage of all the activities the state has to offer. In her free time, she can often be found spending time in the mountains with her family, whether hiking, skiing, or simply enjoying the fresh air.
Bart Deitrick
Director of Retail Partners
Bart started with Sales Star Networks in July of 2022 as Director of Retail Partners. 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 Retail Partners, 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.”
Amanda Beach
UX & Creative Manager
With over 10 years of experience in copywriting and digital marketing, Amanda leads with the customer in mind. She graduated from the University of New Hampshire with a B.A. in English. She began as a project manager in New York City’s marketing agency space, successfully seeing website development projects through to completion with strong planning, risk management, and relationship-building skills. After six years in project management, Amanda made a career shift into the creative space as a marketing copywriter in HR tech. There, she honed her creative and strategic skillsets and dove more deeply into user experience (UX).
Amanda joined Sales Star Networks in 2024 as an SEO Content Marketing Specialist and quickly grew into the UX & Creative Manager with her persistent focus on user experience and creative strategy. Her leadership spans Sales Star Networks’ marketing websites, organic social media, paid advertising, and email marketing, as well as the content and design that drives engagement through those digital channels.
When she’s not playing with words and imagery, Amanda loves to hunt for antiques and other hidden treasures in Denver’s thrift shops. She’s also an enthusiastic foodie, exploring the local cuisine and cooking new dishes every week. Road trips are also a favorite, and she’s always in the middle of planning the next one (with a color-coded spreadsheet, of course).
