Meet the MightyMerchant Web Development Team

Michael Stearns

I am Michael Stearns - the co-owner, jack-of-all-trades, and head cheerleader at MightyMerchant. My main areas of responsibility include System Architecture, Technical Administration, Customer Support, and doing anything and everything it takes to keep our customers' websites ticking along.

Since Al Gore has already laid claim to founding the Internet, I can't take the credit for that one, but I have been a die-hard Internet user since the early days. Prior to founding MightyMerchant, I worked as an Internet Technical Writer at the University of Oregon and went on to be the lead designer and maintainer of the University's central website. My initial focus of doing visual design and writing content has evolved into a much more technical one. My primary interest, as far as computing goes, is how people can use computers to improve the quality of communication.

For the past half dozen years my life has been focused on our Internet business, my wife and 3 kids, and our 17 acre mini-farm in Oregon. Sometimes this is a hard act to balance. But I am never at a loss for something fun and interesting to do.

While the Internet has been a very fast rags-to-riches-to-rags story for many participants in the dot-com craze, Datahost has taken a slow and steady approach to building our business. We like to think of ourselves as the Heinz Ketchup of Internet companies. We invite you to give us a try!

Staci Schipporeit

I'm Staci and I am the lead programmer for and co-owner of MightyMerchant. My background in computers goes way back. While other girls were reading "Seventeen", I was subscribing to puzzle and science magazines. Later, when one of the first personal computers came out, the Radio Shack TRS-80, I got one and I began to learn how to program. I got a degree in Computer Information Science in 1987 from the University of Oregon and have been developing custom database applications ever since. It might sound kind of dry, but it's actually a lot of fun - just like those puzzle magazines.

In my spare time, I do stuff with my three children and pretend to be a farmer. We have a milk cow, chickens, goats and a big garden. I really enjoy working outdoors and producing and eating good food.

Kathy Smith

After a previous life as an RN, I graduated in 1997 from the University of Oregon with a degree in English and a certificate in Electronic Publishing. Since that time, I have worked as a graphic and web designer.

I have been a web designer with MightyMerchant since Feb 2003 and think I have the best job around. I enjoy creating websites that look good and function well, and MightyMerchant's software features make that easy.

In my free time I like to watch movies, hang out in the backyard with my neurotic cat, and spend time with my husband and two (thankfully grown) children. And I'm always up for a good game of Guitar Hero (yes, I am a rock goddess).

Paige Pryor

Hi! I'm Paige, Account and Project Manager (and voluntary Environmental Coordinator) for HEROWeb/MightyMerchant.

I graduated from the Defense Language Institute in 1989 a certified Russian Linguist, and served in the US Army during Desert Storm. My love of conversation and cultural exchange eventually evolved into an interest in Sales and Marketing. For the past three years, I worked as a Program Coordinator for a non-profit organization, promoting waste reduction and recycling throughout the Carolinas. I'm excited to bring my training and experience in the "Greening" of businesses to Oregon, where environmental awareness is a way of life. I have 16 years of formative work experience and training, culminating in this amazing opportunity.

Recently, I began researching web marketing solutions specific to certain industries. I was immediately impressed with the convenience and affordability of MightyMerchant software and web services, not to mention the avoided costs of expensive annual upgrades and operator training for databases that require costly programming to be effective. I'm thrilled to be a part of MightyMerchant's Team!

I relocated to Eugene from sunny Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and I've fallen head over heels for the lush, mountainous landscape of Central Oregon. Weekends, you'll find me exploring my new surroundings, training for Roller Derby, or haunting thrift stores for vintage and pop culture treasures. I'm a Film Noir junkie and freelance writer for environmental trade publications.

Max Keele

Marketing products and services on the Internet has been my primary occupation since the beginning of this millennium. I was into paid search early on, and I have extensive experience with all the current techniques—SEO, Pay-Per-Click, direct feed, banner advertising, and email marketing. In the last eight years I've seen the industry evolve from the simple (remember GoTo.com?) into a rich field of opportunity for the enterprising online business.

In my off-time, I write fiction, play guitar, watch movies, work on the house and yard, and enjoy life in the great Northwest with my lovely wife and a couple of peculiar cats.

Judy Stickney

After earning my degree from the University of New Hampshire, (Go Patriots!) I traveled west and discovered my background was a great fit for a career in sales and marketing. Probably because my father was a career military man and traveling, change and new friendships became a normal childhood routine. Consequently, I enjoy meeting new people, discovering new places and experiencing different cultures. Although I enjoy traveling, I do believe there is no better place for natural beauty, diverse culture and innovative thinking than the Pacific Northwest. Known for being the home for many of today's leading Internet companies such as Amazon and Microsoft, the Pacific Northwest naturally attracts some of the nation's brightest minds and foremost developers of Internet technology.

Over the last ten years, I've had the good fortune of representing some of those bright stars with a sales career in technology. Some of my past positions include a career with The Society for Technology in Education, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting technology in learning for grades K-12, as well as TrafficLeader, where they focus on search marketing for Fortune 1000 companies.

Today, I'm excited to have the opportunity to work with a new bright star...MightyMerchant. Not only are they offering small businesses some of the best shopping cart services available, MightyMerchant's forward-thinking leaders are dedicated to bringing you creative, simplified and solid solutions for online marketing and hosting services.

When I'm not on the computer, I enjoy spending time with my family, gourmet cooking, gardening, camping, traveling and, believe it or not, watching football.

Carrie Todd-Michelson

I joined the MightyMerchant team in Oct 05. My duties will be answering phones, customer relations and provide office assistance to the staff.

My experience includes variety, human resources, customer service, medical billing, retail sales, and floral.

When I am not juggling a busy schedule, taxiing children, caring for 3 cats, our guppies, and 2 goldfish, I enjoy decorating our new home on the hill, selling kids clothes on ebay and growing lots of pretty colorful dahlias.

As a family my husband, 3 children, 2 granboys love to go camping, fishing and trips to the beach.

Kathleen Boynton

After living in Central Oregon for nearly 30 years, I decided to put the cold snowy winters behind me and move to the beautiful McKenzie River Valley. Four generations of my family have lived on the McKenzie River and it was always something I dreamed of doing myself.

How did I get into doing web design? I had went to school to be a Recording Engineer as music is a major passion in my life. But, somehow life had me zigging and zagging into other fields. I spent 7 years working in cable television advertising on the technical side of things. Then the Internet came along and changed the world ;) Being of a curious nature, I wondered if I could figure out how people were making these new things called “web pages”. I started playing around at home making a little music website for my favorite band "Journey" (hold your lighters up now - LOL). Soon, word got out around work that I could build web pages and before I knew it, I was a web designer for the cable company. Now, eight years later, here I am at MightyMerchant.

Some of my favorite things to do are to go to concerts, do genealogy research, read books, bake, golf (not very well) and work in my garden.

Jesse Wakeley

Originally hailing from the mountainous wonderland of North Idaho, I made the migration to beautiful Eugene, Oregon in 2002. I graduated from the University of Oregon in June 2007, majoring in Computer & Information Science and minoring in Business Administration and Music. My technological interests lie in the economic and social potential of the Information Age, primarily via the Internet, which I feel has just begun to be realized. My position as a Web Developer allows me to further my understanding of where this exciting future may take us, while also helping clients discover possibilities as well!

When not making all of your e-commerce dreams come true, I enjoy the marvelous outdoors (Rain or shine, but mostly rain), spend way too much time reading numerous articles online, work on building a home studio, or play music, be it guitar, piano, electronic doodling, or DJing for fun (I spin traditional vinyl and CDs! I'm old AND new school! Does that make me Middle School?). Aside from this technology stuff, music is my passion. When I grow up I still want to be a rock star.

Ahren Baesler

My name is Ahren Baesler and this is my third summer working at MightyMerchant. Over the past couple of years I have learned and worked with Unix server administration, web site design, tutorial creation, and so much more.

In the Fall of 2008, I will be attending the University of Oregon with the intention of majoring in either Business or Computer Science. I like to snowboard, play guitar, watch movies, listen to music, play video games, and hang out with friends. Well, what kid doesn't like a majority of those things?

Working here at MightyMerchant has been a great learning experience and has taught me so many things.

Charlie Offenbacher

I'm Charlie Offenbacher and I am an intern here at MightyMerchant. I joined the company in the summer of '06, and really enjoy working here.

I will be attending Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering in Boston next fall as a freshman.

My hobbies include playing piano, skiing, tennis, and photography.

Working at Mightymerchant has been a great experience and I've learned a lot!

Teija Stearns

Hi, my name is Teija and this is my second summer here as part of the family business. I've observed the growth of this business since an early age (when it was only Mom and Dad working out of the basement in our house) Working at MightyMerchant has taught me so much and it has been a great experience working here!

I will be a junior next year at Pleasant Hill High School. I stay busy trying to do the largest variety of activities I have time for. I play piano and I am on the school newspaper. Summer is my favorite season. I like doing art projects, reading, playing tennis, swimming, playing soccer, and taking pictures.