Joel R. Bush, International Sales Coordinator Joel joined GPG as an Account Executive in December 2001. He currently oversees all international sales for GPG, including Canada, Europe, Australia and New Zealand. Joel graduated with a BA from Michigan State University in 2001, and he recently completed his MBA at Grand Valley. Joel is a devoted MSU fan and loves to see the Spartans dominate the Wolverines on the basketball court. Hobbies include golf, tennis, weight lifting, painting, writing, and playing basketball. Joel and his wife Delia have a son, Calvin, and a dog, Shadow.

Barb Curtin, Office Manager Barb began her career in 1979 at Michigan National Bank where she worked as Proof Transit Operator, Commercial Loans Note Teller and Letter of Credit Specialist. Joining GRABBER in 1989, Barb has been involved with all aspects of operations. From credit and collections, trade shows, accounts payable, order entry, to calculating commissions, she remains committed to learn and excel in all areas. With the growth of GRABBER came the challenge of hiring and training for various positions within the company.  Barb spends her spare time creating ceramic masterpieces, bluffing her way through five-card double draw, and using her superhero powers to fill the world with laughter.

Stephanie Feyen, Marketing Coordinator Stephanie came to Grabber in the fall of 2006. She earned her BBA from Davenport University, and mastered the art of staying up all night. She is active on the Alumni Board of Directors. Her prior career experience includes sales, marketing, and public relations. Stephanie brings outright passion to Grabber! She enjoys spending time with friends and family, as well as playing golf (gotta watch out for golf carts in sand traps) and snowboarding in the winter. She loves traveling to any place where the temp is over 85 degrees!

Amanda Fowler, Marketing Manager Amanda joined Grabber in February 2008 after spending twelve years in the contract furniture industry as Product Brand Manager at Herman Miller, Inc. She also spent several years in retail marketing while building local brand awareness for the two franchise stores she owns with her husband, Don. Amanda received her BA degree in English from Hope College and a Master of Science degree in Communications from Grand Valley State University. In her few minutes of spare time, when she’s not keeping track of her two teenage sons, Amanda enjoys reading, perennial gardening, golf, hanging out with friends and family, and summer weekends at Lake Michigan.

Gary Gerds, General Manager Gary, who joined GRABBER in 1996, has 20 years sales and marketing management experience for national companies like Unilever (Lipton Division) and Standex International (James Burn International and Doubleday Bros. Divisions). Gary has extensive experience in the consumer goods, optical, capital equipment, government and sporting goods markets. Gary received his BA from Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, Michigan. Gary's wife is a better golfer than he is.

Dick Goss, Territory Manager/FDM Dick joined Grabber in November 2006. He graduated from Western Michigan University in 1979 with his BBA and went to work for Doubleday Bros. & Co. in sales for almost 18 years. He also spent time with a packaging company prior to joining the Grabber team. Dick’s true passion is football; he's been a college player, equipment manager, coach, and a registered high school football official. His favorite season of the year is football season, much to the dismay of his wife Paula and his two children, Kelly and Matt. When not relaxing, he's rooting for the Wolverines and the Colts!

Craig Hitchcock, National Accounts Manager/Sporting Goods Craig is a Grand Rapids MI native and ran cross-country and track at Grand Rapids Community College before transferring to Michigan State University. He received his Bachelors degree in 1983 and took a job selling retail grocery for Kraft Foods. Craig's last position before coming to GRABBER was manager of a retail clothing store. He started at GRABBER as a Customer Development Specialist and now enjoys his position as the Western Region Sales Manager. Craig's free time is spent feeding his fly fishing addiction, camping and playing guitar.

Jeremy Johnson, WebMaster Jeremy spent five years ascending the ranks at Kmart then earned his BA in English with honors at Michigan State University in 1995. Afterward, he spent four years in Saint Louis, learning the ropes of web authoring and other computer-related business tasks for IQ Systems and Toyota AirSports, before moving back to his home state of Michigan. Thrilled to be working for GRABBER, a progressive company filled with extraordinary people, Jeremy spends his free time writing short fiction, dabbling in filmmaking, and polishing his paintball gun. You can purchase the Jeremy Johnson Internet Action Figure at your local toy store.

Shari Mead, Customer Service Shari joined Grabber in 2000 after toiling in the banking industry for 14 yrs. She started out as the seasonal receptionist for 5 years before taking a full-time position in Customer Service. She lives on Gun Lake, so most of her vacations are spent at home basking in the sun. She loves all kinds of music, especially country, but also enjoys singing along with Dave to Bob Seger hits! Shari is happily married and has a daughter and a son. Her hobbies include boating, gardening, singing in the church choir, volleyball and loves spending time with family, friends and her 4 dogs.

John Menold, National Operations Manager John was GRABBER Performance Group’s second Managing Director. He joined GRABBER in 1985, when it was decided shipping and billing should be centrally located in the Midwest, and he now directs its National Operations. John founded the office in Grand Rapids with one other person and helped it develop into the Industry Performance Leader it is today. John is an avid outdoorsman and accomplished hunter and fisherman, who also acts and directs in Community Theater. John and Diane have four wonderful, growing and grown children who often help out during the busy season. Gary’s wife is also a better golfer than John is.

Bryan Offray, Shipping & Receiving Manager Born and raised in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Bryan attended Central High School and was unfortunately overlooked in the NBA draft. His previous job experience includes driving and warehouse duties. He has 2 children and a wonderful wife. In his spare time he enjoys reading, b-ball, learning guitar and beating Jeremy in chess.

Chris Pappas, National Sales Manager After gaining experience in coaching and retail management, Chris joined GPG in 1996, and served as Central Region Sales Manager. He earned an Associates Degree in Advertising and a BBA in Marketing/Management from Northwood University, where he played college football. Chris extended his education by earning a Master of Arts Degree in Sport Administration from Central Michigan University. He enjoys spending time with his wife and his little one (his dog Zoey), and rooting for his favorite Michigan sports teams. He finds that a few long weekends in the outdoors during the summer helps get him ready for the long Michigan winters ahead.

Blair Schaefer, National Accounts Manager/FDM Blair began his career in the restaurant industry with Universal Restaurants/River City Foods in 1982. Fourteen years later he switched gears and explored sales management at CenturyTel/AllTell in the wireless phone industry. Blair earned his Bachelors degree from Central Michigan University. When not working on his short game or hunting that pesky gopher, Blair spends quality time with wife Karyn and their two sons, Cole and Luke.

Travis Smith, Territory Manager/Business Development Travis rejoined GPG after spending a year in the Financial industry and is happy to be back working with the group again. Travis earned his BBA from Western Michigan University in 1998, with an empahsis in Sales and Marketing. When not spending time with his wife Julie and his dog Montana (who is treated like his child), he enjoys waterskiing, snowboarding, playing B-Ball and trying to stay in shape. He's also often found hanging out with friends playing Golden Tee 05'.

Dave Southern, Territory Manager/Sporting Goods Dave graduated Saginaw Valley State University, earning his BBA before heading out into the marketplace. Since 1992, he lived and breathed sales in the food industry before joining the Grabber team. Currently he's working to earn his MBA at Western Michigan University. With what little time he has remaining, he enjoys hunting, fishing and visiting tropical locales with his lovely wife, Dawn. They have two sons, David and Mike.

AJ Stanley, Territory Manager/Sporting Goods The notorious AJ Stanley gave up a career in basketball to join GPG in August 2003. He graduated GVSU with a BBA, emphasis in Sales and Marketing and hopes to garner his MBA sometime in the future. Professional experiences include basketball coach, golf instructor, marketing research, auto sales, and restaurant/retail management. When he's not collecting Coca-Cola and Star Wars memorabilia, he enjoys spending the money his wife Katie, an accountant, saves.

Dan Tkachuk, Territory Manager/FDM Dan the Renaissance Man began his career in the Aviation Industry working in Airport Management prior to joining GRABBER in January 2008. He graduated from Western Michigan University in 2006 with a B.S. in Aviation Administration. He received his MBA in 2008 from Cornerstone University. A Master of all trades, he is interested in literally everything: music of any genre, trivia of all categories, any sport that feeds his competitive nature. An avid outdoorsman, he tries to remain athletic by weightlifting, playing golf and kayaking. Dan spends free time with his lovely wife Pam, taking care of their 5 boys (college friends who they just can’t let go of). Even though he went to college on the opposite side of the state, Dan bleeds Maize and Blue in supporting everything University of Michigan. GO BLUE!

Darcy Vincent, A/R & EDI In the Spring of 2001, Darcy came to GRABBER's A/R department. The company has never been the same since. Her euchre skills are unparalleled and she's been known to rub Jeremy's head before heading to Soaring Eagle casino. Some people say that on cool October evenings, you can still her voice echoing across the fields... "La la la-la la-la, la la-la la la..." Smurfy!

Christy Wells, A/P & Trade Shows Christy worked in a family-owned GoodYear Tire, not only as office manager, but as a sales person selling tires, service manager booking service appointments, and occasionally repairing a flat tire. Starting at GRABBER in 1995, she is involved in all areas of operations, including invoicing, accounts payable, trade show setup, new account setup, office supply reordering, order picking and inventory adjustments... but she doesn't do windows. Christy is married and has three boys. She enjoys ceramics, working in her flower gardens, traveling, golfing, bicycling, snowmobiling, camping, reading and watching University of Michigan football games in her spare time.

Christy Yonker, Customer Service A graduate of KVCC, Christy managed a family floral business, worked in the commercial sign industry and toiled through project planning/permitting before joining Grabber. She married her best friend, and together they raise twin sons, a dog, a fish and a hermit crab. When she's not teaching her kids all the lyrics to Johnny Cash's "Ring of Fire" on long road trips through the Smokey Mountains, she enjoys putzing in the garden with Bilbo (her puppy), geocaching and watching "artsy" movies. She especially gets a kick out of Dave singing along to Bob Seger hits.