I grew up in the quiet town of Blakeslee, Ohio. As you enter the city limits, the wooden sign welcomes you with the slogan “Blakeslee, A Half Mile of Smile”. It was there that I spent many summer days swimming in ponds, riding four-wheelers and helping work on the family farm. As a child, I loved to draw. My Grandma’s fridge was always filled with my drawings (she thought I was the greatest). When my parents bought our first home computer, I found myself creating simple paintings in Microsoft Paint one pixel at a time. It was this love for the Arts that would lead me down my life path.

I attended high school at the neighboring town, where I took every art related class available to me. After graduation, I enrolled at Bowling Green State University in the Graphic Design department. I was unfamiliar with the world of Graphic Design, but thought the combination of Art and computers would be perfect for me. However, this was not the case (at least not at this time in my life).

After a few semesters, I decided to change degrees to Digital Arts with a focus on 3D Modeling and Animation. I created complex character and object models along with animated short stories. The classes were intense and time consuming, but the end product was something that was a true reflection of my creativity.

College was an amazing time of great friends, awesome stories, and tough life lessons. However, all great things have to come to an end. I proudly graduated in 2003.

After graduation I was hired at DNA Productions in Texas to be part of a team that would create two new episodes of Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius. When the project was completed, I packed up my work experience, along with his new skill sets, and returned to Ohio. I worked several freelance jobs, but had a difficult time landing another full-time position. Then, in 2006, I moved to the Cincinnati area to begin work at Making Everlasting Memories.

Currently, I work as a Graphics Specialist at MeM. I am involved with several of the ongoing projects such as our On-Demand Printing and future product development and implementation. Every day presents new and exciting challenges to utilize my artistic background and design skills.

My spare time is filled with too many hobbies, the biggest being my love for video games. When I’m not glued to my console destroying the competition, I enjoy spending time with my fiancé and working on furthering my art skills. I keep an online portfolio of all my past and current works. Feel free to check them out at: www.cwehrle.com.

It can be said that the essence of a person is the sum of a life lived. The people we have known, the things we have done, the places we have seen and the experiences we have all contribute to make us the person we become. Currently, I serve as a "Training Specialist" here at MeM. But, what this title does not tell you is about my journey to MeM and my journey through MeM.

My technical background began with Johnson & Johnson / McNeil Consumer & Specialty Pharmaceuticals, where I completed an internship with the company’s Change Management Department. During this time, I led all efforts to provide technical support to the personal computers of the Over-the-Counter Sales team. I also conducted thorough research on technical solutions for the company’s in-house Child Development Center, which resulted in vast improvements to the Center’s available technology. At the end of my internship, I was selected to be a part of their Information Management Leadership Development Program.

I was able to bring this valuable experience to MeM in 2007, when I joined the company’s customer service team. As a Product Specialist, I fielded dozens of phone calls and e-mail inquiries daily from funeral home customers as well as their client families, resolving technical issues, providing training in MeM product creation and helping end-consumers manage the content of the online memorials. What I also loved about this new role was the ability for me to contribute to the redesign of new system interface screens as well as the testing of applications prior to deployment.

In 2009, I was promoted to a newly created position of Product Services Supervisor where I served as the primary contact point for post-sale support, made recommendations for modification to the existing program interface and maintained the company’s renowned help desk service standards.

After much consideration, in 2011, my family and I made a decision to move back to my hometown of Miami, Florida - where I currently reside and continue to contribute to MeM but of course, in a much different capacity. I work remotely and use the internet and video conferencing tools as a means to meet with fellow employees and train our reseller network. This is only possible because of the attitude that MeM has towards its employees and way of doing business. We are truly a family-friendly organization and always open to new ideas and innovation - principles that are also at the core of my being. I feel truly blessed to work for such a great company.

Outside of work I stay busy spending quality time with my three children and significant other. There's never a dull day in our house - especially when you have twins. My children make sure I stay active (chasing them around) and keep a good sense of humor - no sense in crying over spilled milk, right?. I believe and am thankful that every day is a blessing, and that a simple smile (even over the phone) can makes someone's day brighter.

Contact me gina.mcnally@mem.com or at 513.864.0120

M.B.A., International Business, Xavier University
B.A., Communication Arts, Xavier University

I've been on board with MeM since 2007 and currently serve as lead on communication outreach and marketing efforts for our internal and external audiences.

Prior to joining MeM, I was a news writer for WKRC-TV in Cincinnati, Ohio, going on location to cover breaking news and develop stories for frontline newscasts. I then took the opportunity to use my journalistic skills abroad and accepted a staff writer position with a local magazine in Munich, Germany. My contributions there kept the city’s English-speaking expatriate community up-to-date with the dining scene, cultural events, and people.

Outside of the office, I can usually be found taking part in something international -- whether it's travel, keeping up with global business news, or foreign language. I'm fluent in German and am working on French and Spanish as well (slowly but surely!). My other hobbies include playing sports, going to baseball games, physical fitness, and checking out new coffee shops and restaurants.

Contact me at maria.sheeran@mem.com

I like to tell people I was discovered. I had just graduated from college, with a degree in Psychology in 2004, and was waiting tables while looking for a fulltime job. As fate would have it, the CEO of MeM and his wife decided to go to Ruby Tuesday one night while I was working. Long story short, he told me to send my resume to my soon to be boss.

I started at MeM in the customer service department, answering phones and emails. As I became more familiar with the products and our clients, my role and involvement changed. During my tenure with MeM I've acted as both a particpant and leader on many exciting projects; everything from designing how the data entry screens operate to launching new products and on boarding clients.

One of my favorite things about MeM is our family friendly atmosphere. We are a company committed to preserving and sharing special moments. We treat every family’s data in the same way we want ours to be treated, with attentive care and respect.

Becoming part of the MeM family has been one of the best decisions I've made. I encourage you to make the same one.

I look forward to helping you and your families become part of the MeM family.

Shawna.Becknell@MeM.com
Training Specialist III