MARK-IT SMART - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- California / Global Sourcing Specialist
Born and raised in different parts of Southern California, Aaron earned his Bachelor's Degree in Business Marketing and is fueled by his desire to constantly create and build value through product and brand development. At the age of 12, Aaron started his first business with his younger brother, creating mini skateboards and selling them online. While in college, Aaron worked multiple jobs, internships, and a couple of his own businesses. All stemmed from his desire to learn new skills outside of a classroom and earn his way through school. It was the second business he started that introduced him to the world of global manufacturing, where he started sourcing promotional products from overseas and selling them to local businesses. For the last 9 years, Aaron has immersed himself into the world of product development, creating products and programs for the retail and gaming industry. Having spent years on both the back and front end of loyalty gifting, Aaron is always looking for new ways to innovate the product lifecycle.
"My work has given me the opportunity to travel across the US and different parts of Asia, meeting so amazing people along the way. The feeling I get when I see a product idea go from concept to a gift a person is excited to receive, will never get old."
Hobbies
"Before kids, I enjoyed golfing, cycling and competitive shooting. After my wife and I had our two sons, I prefer to spend my weekends playing with my boys and introducing them to new experiences."
Job Titles:
- California / Director of Operations
Anita joined Mark-it Smart in 2012 while pursuing her Bachelor's degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Human Resources from Cal State Fullerton, which she completed in 2014. After gaining additional experience, she returned to Mark-it Smart in 2017 and has since become an integral part of the team.
Anita oversees a wide range of responsibilities, including Payroll, Human Resources, Accounting Support, IT Coordination and Special Events. She works loosely with the sales team and executive leadership to ensure smooth day-to-day operations. Known for her adaptability, attention to detail, and ability to thrive in fast paced environments, Anita is a trusted and valued member of the team. She takes pride in fostering a supportive family-like workplace culture and brings enthusiasm, professionalism, and commitment to everything she does.
Hobbies: Watching movies, spending time with family and socializing with friends. With 3 kids she is always on the go, which keeps life exciting (and a little exhausting).
Job Titles:
- Director of Client Services
Job Titles:
- California / Chief Operating Officer
Blake holds a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration and Psychology and has been a dedicated member of the company for over a decade, serving as COO for the past five years. In this leadership role, Blake oversees operations from start to finish-guiding product development, sourcing, and factory vetting, through to order management, international freight, and warehousing. Her hands-on approach and strategic vision have directly fueled the company's growth and long-term success, making her an integral part of the leadership team. Over the course of her career, Blake has not only driven professional accomplishments but also embraced personal milestones-getting married, moving to New York City and back, and becoming a proud mother of two daughters. Juggling family life with a demanding executive role has given her a unique perspective and a grounded approach to leadership, resilience, and problem-solving. Hobbies: With two little ones, free time can be rare, but Blake loves reading a good book, spending time outdoors, and discovering new restaurants whenever she gets the chance. Fun Fact: In another life, Blake must have been a travel agent-she lights up when planning vacations, down to the tiniest logistics, and truly believes that the anticipation is half the fun.
Job Titles:
- California / Accounting Specialist
Celia brings over a decade of banking industry experience to her current role at Mark-It Smart, which she joined in January 2020. She earned her Associate of Arts degree in Accounting from Santa Ana Community College in 2018 and is actively pursuing her master's in accounting along with CPA certification. Her career shift into accounting reflects her drive to deepen her financial expertise and embrace new professional challenges.
Hobbies: Spending quality time with her husband and son, traveling to Mexico to visit family. She recently started to garden, which is considered her personal oasis.
Job Titles:
- Texas / Director of Client Services
Christie grew up in La Palma, CA, the smallest city in Orange County, and graduated from FiDM in 2003 with an AA degree in Merchandise Marketing. She married her high school sweetheart in 2004. With over 18 years of experience in the casino industry, Christie has spent the last decade at Mark-it Smart, where she truly feels like part of one big family. She loves the collaborative, supportive environment and the fun, dynamic nature of her work.
In 2021, Christie and her husband Jason, along with their three miniature dachshunds, relocated to North Fort Worth, Texas. They are a proud billet family for their local junior hockey teams, the Lone Star and Texas Brahmas-an experience she describes as a blessing and an honor, as it allows her to support young athletes chasing their dreams.
Hobbies: I love traveling the world with my husband of 21 years (my favorite trip was Ireland & England), watching and attending hockey (especially Brahmas!), football and baseball games and spending time with our three miniature dachshunds.
Something Fun/Interesting Fact: I'm trying to attend a hockey game in every U.S. and Canada arena, I'm currently at 11 or 12 and every year I attend the Indy 500 with my dad, it's a special trip for both of us.
Job Titles:
- California / Senior Client Services Manager
With 20 years of experience in the casino industry, Geoffrey is a seasoned professional when it comes to casino marketing, product development, and loyalty gifting programs. From working the promotions and marketing management side at the casino level to leading the development and execution of high-impact guest engagement initiatives in his current role, he brings a unique 360-degree perspective that blends on-the-ground operational insight with strategic vision to deliver results that resonate with both casino leadership and their guests. Outside of work, Geoffrey enjoys travelling with his wife and three kids, is a passionate sports fan-Go Mets, Knicks, and Giants! He also enjoys running and has proudly completed both the Chicago Marathon (2023, Charity: Camp One Step - Children's Oncology Services) and the New York City Marathon (2024, Charity: Children's Tumor Foundation). Whether in the office or on the course, he's always pushing for the next personal best.
Job Titles:
- California / Regional Account Director
Ian has been with Mark-it Smart for over 15 years, and what a ride it's been. When he started, we were a much smaller operation - tight-knit, scrappy, and full of big ideas. Since then, he's had the chance to watch (and help) the company grow into what it is today: a team that's not just focused on selling a product, but building real partnerships that deliver real results.
What is one of his favorite parts of the job? Traveling, connecting with people across the industry, and learning what makes each business tick. No two properties have identical needs, and that's what keeps things interesting. Whether he's visiting a new site, grabbing coffee with a longtime customer, or mapping out a fresh strategy, he's always looking for ways to bring more value to the table.
"At the end of the day, it's all about ROI. If I can help implement a program that actually moves the needle for your business, then I've done my job right."
Job Titles:
- California / Regional Sales Director
Ian has been with Mark-it Smart for 15 years and has become a well experienced Regional Sales Director in his time with us. Ian began his career with Mark-it Smart being trained by our most successful employee V.P. of Casino Division Ryan Paradee. Ian traveled with Ryan and ran meetings with him learning how to run an account as well as making the account more successful with their gift programs. Ian quickly learned and picked up everything that was taught to him and became Salesman of the Year in just his second year with the company. When asked what are a couple of things you love about Mark-it Smart and you job he said, "I love that it's different every day, that I get to travel to place in the U.S. that he would never have gone to. Ian also said, "That the family feeling he gets at the company is awesome, we are friends and hangout outside of work all the time, I've never worked anywhere that is like that."
Hobbies: Surfing, Ice Hockey, Hiking, Snow Boarding, Hanging with his beautiful wife, son, and daughter, and watching Padre games with my son.
Something Interesting/Fun Fact: "I'm a huge dork I love Star Wars, Harry Potter books and Movies, Lord of the Rings/ The Hobbit and a lot of other books and movies like that".
Job Titles:
- Oklahoma / Director of Client Services
Jenna is a Bay Area girl living in Oklahoma since 2005. Graduated from St Gregory's University in 2014 with a bachelor's in business. Marketing has been a part of her up bringing with her Grandparents owning an Embroidery and Promotional Products company. She has been actively working in the Promotional Marketing Industry for 20 years and in 2022 she came into the Casino Industry. She loves being able to find her clients the best products to make their program a success! Hobbies: Traveling with my husband to experience new places and cultures together. Spending time with friends and family! Fun Fact: I have watched the entire season of Friends at least 10 times and can still laugh as hard as if it the first time I'm seeing it. I speak in Friends quotes.
Job Titles:
- California / Sales Executive
Joan started her career in 1990 at Moore Business Forms, where she earned Achievement Club status all five years she was there-including her first year, when she was honored as President of the Achievement Club, the top sales rep in the country. From there, she joined Altec, a smaller print and promo distributor, where she helped grow the business and launched their franchise print program. She also helped roll out their brand-new document imaging solution, landing Mail Boxes Etc. as their first major account. In 2003, after having 2 children, she decided to work for herself. That's when she launched my own print and promotional product distributorship. She stayed in touch with Mark Ditteaux over the years, as they had both worked together at Moore and Altec, and just a few years ago, he reached out and asked if she'd be interested in helping manage some of his casino accounts. "I'm so glad I said yes! I love what I do. I love my clients. I get to find the perfect gifts for them, stay on top of trends, and work with amazing brands. I'm especially a fan of our Marilyn Monroe license and karaoke machines-just ask the team!" Outside of work, Joan enjoys Taco Tuesdays (other days too!), rollerblading, short van trips, learning to paddleboard, and walks on the beach-where she sometimes works, too! Joan is married with two adult children and a few cute dogs. A fun fact about me: I hold a patent for a children's product I created called Character Bear, a plush bear with finger puppets that teach character through storytelling. It's one of my proudest accomplishments.
Job Titles:
- Oklahoma / Regional Sales Director
Jodi is an Oklahoma native who still resides in the state. Shortly after college, she started in the Promotional Products where she worked in accounting and became intrigued by the business, so moved over to Customer Service and later into Inside Sales. For her, the natural next step was to go into Outside Sales and started her sales journey with a company that supplied promotional items to the casino industry. Being from Oklahoma, Jodi has seen the vast growth in the casino industry and the demands which they entail. With Jodi's over 20 years of experience of selling promotional items in various industries, she is mostly appreciative of the many lifelong relationships she has made throughout the South and Midwestern regions. "I am very passionate about my work and strongly feel that relationships are key to success in business. I have been able to merge my knowledge of the business and work for a company that provides casinos with every option to be competitive in their own market!"
Hobbies: Spending time with my kids and husband, Going to concerts of different genres, Reality TV and Sports Fan (especially Oklahoma State University, OKC Thunder and Dallas Cowboys)
Job Titles:
- Regional Account Director
Josh started his professional career with Xerox - Milwaukee, WI in sales after graduating from UW-Green Bay in 1997. After 13 years, and numerous President's Club years, he was ready for a change. He went to work for a marketing company that focused on loyalty direct marketing, specializing in the casino and alumni industry. The combination of best practices and customer data analytics was the key to helping his customers keep their players and members loyal while driving YOY profit increases. Josh had met a lot of the Mark-it Smart team, at different casino trade shows over the years, and loved the company philosophy and the people. When the offer came to become part of the team, he was excited for the opportunity. Josh and his family, live 45 minutes west of Milwaukee, WI. He has two Children in college. Grace is going to school to become a large animal doctor, and Aiden is majoring in business communications with a minor in analytics. Josh has lived in WI his entire life and loves to fish, hunt, golf and ride Harley Davidson motorcycles with his wife (Heidi).
Fun Fact: "Being from the Midwest, I've water skied on lakes all my life, but have never surfed and always wanted to learn. I have a feeling that I'll have plenty of colleagues that will be more than happy to teach me when I visit them in California."
Job Titles:
- Inventory / Accounting Manager
Kathy joined the Mark-it Smart team three years ago, coming from a Contract Manufacturing background where she worked as an accountant for over 25 years. Kathy started in the accounting field right out of high school and enjoys working with numbers. She handles accounting and inventory for the LIMI side of the business. Being detail-oriented helps keep track of the everyday ins and outs of inventory. Hobbies - spending time with friends. Fun Fact - my son is a Sgt. in the US Space Force.
Job Titles:
- Washington / Regional Account Director
Kris Goodwillie brings more than two decades of experience in brand-building, product development, and client partnerships, with a career rooted in the wine industry and expanded into large-scale casino gifting programs. For 20 years, Kris owned and operated a winery and vineyard, gaining deep expertise in production, distribution, and hospitality. This foundation in craftsmanship and storytelling continues to shape her work today.
She has since collaborated with leading tribal casinos across the U.S. to design and deliver impactful continuity and gifting programs, overseeing everything from product design and sourcing to logistics, freight management, and in-hand delivery. Known for her detail-oriented approach and ability to blend creativity with operational precision, Kris has built a reputation for turning complex projects into seamless experiences that strengthen client relationships and drive long-term results.
Job Titles:
- California / Executive Vice President
Kristine has been with Mark-it Smart since the very beginning in 1998. Alongside the founder and owner, she helped build the business from the basement up, which earned her partner status with the company. When Kristine started with Mark-it Smart her main focus was account acquisition and within six months she acquired corporate accounts like Old Navy, GAP and Banana Republic; as well as working with many associations and meeting planners. Kristine also earned the business of some of the top Pharmaceutical and Device companies in Orange County such as Allergan, Edwards Life sciences, Canon Medical (Formerly Toshiba America Medical). To this day she still works very closely with the above accounts, plus many others. Kristine has managed to maintain her level of customer service and commitment to her clients and Mark-it Smart all while being a mom to 2 very active teenage boys.
Hobbies: I love hot Pilates and even started teaching some classes to fill some very little free time. Unpaid uber driver to a lot of baseball practices, lessons, and spending time in the sun at the ballpark.
Born and raised in Newport Beach, California Lauren attended college at the University of Colorado at Boulder. I'm a huge fan of Colorado, but ultimately being close to my family drew me back to sunny California. She graduated college with a degree in Psychology in 2013. Since graduating college, she's worked as a customer service representative at a cell phone case company and then most recently, worked at a protein cookie/bar company as a DTC sales and logistics manager, which open the door for an opportunity at Mark-it Smart. "I may seem shy at first, but once I get to know you, I can be very outgoing and bubbly."
Hobbies: Spending time with my family and friends, game nights, movies, wine & cheese nights, getting scratch offs and Slurpee's with my 87 year old grandma, weekend trips, concerts, football Sundays
Something Interesting/Fun Fact: I am the only girl in my family, I have 1 brother and 7 cousins who are all boys
Job Titles:
- California / Account & Logistics Coordinator
Marco attended Golden West Community College to study American Sign Language interpreting, but soon realized his passion lay elsewhere. Over the years, he's built a versatile career spanning assembly, inventory management, and customer service. His time in assembly gave him the opportunity to move into inventory management, where he learned how to manage the logistics side of things. In addition, his time as a customer service representative improved his problem-solving skills, allowing him to effectively address customer needs and contribute to positive client experiences. He joined Mark-It-Smart in 2023, and is eager to bring his expertise to his role where he can continue to grow and make a meaningful impact. Hobbies: Hiking, sewing, robotics, 3D printing, and learning. There's no thrill like learning something new. When I have time, I enjoy being around family or my birds. Something Fun/Interesting Fact: My two best friends just so happen to be my parrots.
Job Titles:
- Director of Client Services
Mark Butler is a results-driven professional with over three decades of experience in client services, logistics, and account management. In his current role as Director of Client Services & Logistics Specialist at Mark-It Smart, Mark partners with clients to deliver innovative solutions, streamline operations, and ensure seamless end-to-end execution-from proposal development and sourcing to logistics coordination and delivery. His career spans leadership in warehouse management, sales, and distribution, where he has consistently enhanced operational efficiency, improved client engagement, and driven sustainable business growth. Mark's expertise includes vendor sourcing, strategic planning, and account development, supported by a strong background in logistics and transportation management. Mark began his career in distribution and transportation management before advancing into account leadership roles, building lasting client relationships and guiding teams to deliver exceptional service. His diverse background also includes healthcare logistics, where he led operations for a medical equipment warehouse, ensuring timely and compassionate support for patient care. A lifelong learner with a passion for innovation, Mark is committed to fostering strong client partnerships and creating strategies that deliver measurable results.
In 1999, in the beachside bedroom of his California home, Mark Ditteaux had a vision. With an entrepreneurial spirit and a desire to innovate, Mark founded Mark-it Smart, a company dedicated to becoming the premier product and marketing partner for continuity programs, VIP services, and incentive merchandise.
From those humble beginnings, Mark-it Smart has grown exponentially and stands as a national leader, trusted by gaming facilities across the country for its reliability, creativity, and results-driven approach. Mark's initial vision, fueled by passion and determination, has transformed into a thriving enterprise that prides itself on fostering long-term partnerships and delivering exceptional service.
Job Titles:
- Florida / Regional Vice President
Miles Smith spent his childhood in the warm waters of South Florida and on a boat exploring the islands of the Bahamas. A former competitive surfer and certified Personal Trainer, he has traveled the world managing and coaching professional athletes before joining Mark-it Smart in 2015.
Today, Miles balances his role at Mark-it Smart with family life, coaching his two boys, playing soccer, and cheering on Manchester United and Inter Miami. When he's not on the field, at the beach, or working, he's planning trips and adventures for his family to enjoy together.
Miles also loves visiting clients across the nation, meeting new people, and exploring towns, cities, and regions he may not have seen otherwise.
Job Titles:
- California / Director of Accounting / Gaming Compliance
Pam joined the Mark-it Smart team over Twenty years ago, coming from an Interior Design and Purchasing background. What started out as a part-time gig, quickly turned into a full-time position and rewarding career. Pam handles "all things" Mark-it Smart, from accounting, to office management and supporting the sales team within each division. Growing alongside Mark-it Smart, she is now managing her own support team and has implemented several new policies and procedures to improve the functionality of the business and how we serve our clients. "As a team we're always improving and striving for excellence, with the end goal always being a happy client experience".
Hobbies: Exercising outdoors, spending time at the beach, and attending concerts.
Fun Fact: My nickname in the office Pammers. My friends are my family. I love dogs and hope to work with them one day.
Job Titles:
- California / Senior Sales Executive
Ross Paradee has been part of the Gaming Division at Mark-it Smart for over 12 years. With a strong focus on customer service, Ross takes pride in building lasting relationships and delivering reliable, timely, and exceptional service to every client. Known for his hard work and dedication, he ensures each program is executed with precision and care.
Over the years, Ross has enjoyed traveling to casino properties across the country, meeting new people, and participating in annual golf tournaments that bring the industry together. Having seen the gaming industry evolve, Ross has embraced change and growth-both personally and alongside Mark-it Smart-while helping the company remain a trusted leader in continuity and gifting.
Ross is confident in his abilities and in the services Mark-it Smart provides, and he takes pride in representing a team that continues to set the standard as the premier gifting vendor in the industry. Hobbies: Outside if work, I am usually spending time with my beautiful wife and two young children. Ideally in the mountains, at the beach, or riding our bikes together.
Job Titles:
- California / Vice President - Gaming
As one of the founding members of the Gaming Division, Ryan brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the company. Ryan began his career with Mark-it Smart as an account rep but quickly grew into a more diverse role, doubling as a senior account manager as well as the training manager for new account reps. Ryan has been an integral part of the growth and development of the gaming division and now acts as VP of Casino Sales. When he's not running a meeting in one of the many casinos across the country you're likely to find Ryan surfing a wave somewhere in North County San Diego or spending time with his wife Aariel & his sons Gavin & Hayes. What Ryan enjoys most about working for Mark-it Smart is, "The people… I get to go to work every day with my best friends and my brother… doesn't get much better than that".
With a career spanning over four decades in marketing, sales, and customer relations, Sheila Vaughn joined Mark-it Smart to deliver innovative programs that elevate the casino player experience. Her background in high-level media sales and relationship management has honed her ability to combine creativity, strategy, and execution to meet the unique demands of the gaming industry. At Mark-it Smart, Sheila focuses on developing continuity programs and immersive VIP activations designed to deepen engagement and drive loyalty. She has played a key role in crafting high-touch gifting experiences-such as exclusive luxury sunglass fittings with Maui Jim-that seamlessly blend branding with personalized customer appreciation. Each initiative reflects her commitment to enhancing the casino guest journey while delivering measurable value to clients. Sheila is widely recognized for her white-glove service philosophy: listening intently, anticipating needs, and curating tailored solutions. Her collaborative approach ensures that every program is not only memorable but also aligned with client objectives and brand identity. Passionate about connecting people and ideas, Sheila continues to innovate in the casino marketing space, leveraging her experience and vision to design experiences that leave lasting impressions on VIP players.