SPRY DIGITAL - Key Persons

Job Titles:

• about / People / Full Stack Developer
• Full Stack Developer

Austin West is a recent graduate of Stony Brook University with a Computer Science degree focused on Object Oriented programming principles and Data Structures and Algorithms. He is well versed in Java, JavaScript and C. At his core, Austin is someone who likes to create things, which is why he fell in love with computer science. Throughout his time at Stony Brook University, he gained valuable experience in designing applications, including the website for the University Radio Station using various cloud technologies including Amazon Web Services and Firebase. He also gained understanding of the deeper relationship between software and hardware, learning what is happening behind the scenes, which is crucial to creating efficient programs. In addition, serving as the Teaching Assistant for the Analysis of Algorithms class helped him develop my communication skills to be able to explain technical problems in a clear manner.

Job Titles:

• Chief Revenue Officer
• about / People / Chief Revenue Officer

Beth Gunter is a dedicated networker and connector, deeply involved as an executive philanthropy board member, volunteer, and social activist. She leads boards focused on women's and children's health, wellness, and empowerment, tirelessly working to impact the community where her initiative, One Degree of Separation, originated. This quarterly networking event has grown by 567% since its inception five years ago, reflecting her commitment to fostering connections and collaborations across diverse backgrounds. Beth Gunter is a trailblazer in the industry, renowned for her exceptional leadership and dedication to growth. Over her 20-year career, she has consistently led teams to record-breaking results, achieving a 272% increase in average sale value and a 350% surge in sales revenue. Beth's influence extends beyond her professional achievements. Through mentorship programs and philanthropic activities, she embodies her commitment to community service and empowerment - especially for women and children. She currently serves as Chair-Elect on the BJC Children's Hospital Foundation Board and supports Gamechangers Athletes, Gateway to Hope, Ashley Hall, and Friends of Mardi Gras. Beth's diverse background includes collaborations with Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, and institutions of higher education, showcasing her unparalleled versatility and expertise. A respected figure in the St. Louis business community, she serves as a Titan 100 judge and speaks at regional events. Her visionary leadership is evident in "One Degree of Separation," a networking event she conceived and grew 567% over five years, highlighting her dedication to fostering connections and building communities. Beth's unwavering commitment to excellence and positive impact has earned her numerous accolades and peer respect.

Job Titles:

• about / People / Full Stack Developer
• Full Stack Developer

Christian Brown is a Full Stack Developer with expertise building interactive, data-driven, and responsive web applications. His skills are extensive, including expertise in Javascript/Typescript, React, NodeJS, NextJS, Svelte, Astro, Jquery, MySQL, PHP, and more. He prides himself on the quality of his code and his collaboration skills. With close to a decade of delivering rich user experiences, he is a source of knowledge for not only the Technology Team at Spry, but the wider web development community as well.

Job Titles:

• Developer Teammate Geek Learner Builder Solver
• Full Stack Developer

Daniel Still is a Full Stack Developer with a knack for finding answers and solving complex challenges. He enjoys the feeling of fulfillment when he creates a tool that can be reused to resolve issues or save people time when applied to practical problems. His education includes two years at LaunchCode, where he gained extensive knowledge in Java and Python development. As he gains more real-world experience at Spry, he is excited and optimistic to learn more and contribute to bigger and better things for himself, his team, and the company.

Job Titles:

• Chief Relationship Officer
• CRO Nurturer Ally Advisor Mentor Uplifter Booster

Dawn Hieger is a driving force at Spry Digital and is known for her exceptional leadership and dedication to operational excellence. As Chief Relationship Officer, Dawn oversees all administrative functions, including finance, invoicing, HR, hiring, contracts, and business operations. She regularly audits internal systems to identify opportunities for savings. Since joining Spry Digital, Dawn has committed herself to innovating and redefining system processes, and her strategic initiatives have significantly elevated the company. She supports a diverse team of full-time and part-time employees, fostering a culture of inclusivity and high job satisfaction. Her commitment to recruitment and retention, especially in the technology sector, is evident through innovative approaches - like gender-neutral job postings - and through community outreach. Beyond her professional achievements, Dawn is passionate about community service. She serves as an Advisory Board member and is former president of the American Advertising Federation St. Louis. She is also a member of the Advisory Board for North Tech and South Tech High Schools' Web and Computer Programming programs. Additionally, she volunteers at Hodgen Tech Elementary School, contributing to field days and book fairs and refreshing the library so it can be used inclusively by all students.

Job Titles:

• Senior Project Manager
• about / People / Senior Project Manager

Dominic started working part-time at Spry Digital in 2017 while still a college student. The role provided him the flexibility to complete his degree while gaining experience in managing inbound support requests for existing client websites.

Job Titles:

• Senior Development Manager
• about / People / Senior Development Manager

As Spry Digital's CMS Development Lead, George Agathos is deeply committed to technological innovation and leadership. With a focus on Drupal, George is not only a thought leader in web development but also a dedicated mentor, helping transform team members into skilled developers. He views leadership as bringing together various facets of the company to support client success and employee growth. George values Spry's culture, appreciating the company's balance of professionalism and humanity. For him, Spry provides a safe space where employees are empowered to grow, experiment, and make a tangible impact on the company and its clients. Outside of Spry, George stays actively engaged in the Drupal community and volunteers with his college radio station, WUSB, where he initially built their Drupal site years ago. His love for technology extends beyond work, as he enjoys outdoor activities like fishing, foraging, and gardening-his real-life version of Minecraft.

Job Titles:

• about / People / Design Team Lead
• Design Leader
• Design Team Lead

Heath Harris is an energizing design leader intent on simplifying complex scenarios and bringing creative concepts to life. As the Design Team Lead, Heath leverages his extensive experience and inviting approach to guide clients through the entire design lifecycle, from idea to execution. Heath's methods are both comprehensive and collaborative. He is involved in every stage of a project, including initial planning, in-depth client research and interviews, and final delivery. Heath believes that understanding a client's world is crucial to delivering effective design solutions. He often spends as much time researching as he does designing, highlighting the importance of context in his work. As Design Team Lead, Heath is responsible for the quality of design across Spry's multidisciplinary teams. He works closely with developers, project managers, and business analysts to transform creative solutions into tangible digital products. His expertise spans website design, app development, and branding, with a particular focus on bringing brands to life via their digital touchpoints. Heath's unique background, blending self-taught design skills with on-the-job experience, allows him to approach each project with both creativity and practicality. He understands the power of design in attracting audiences and ultimately connecting them with something they find valuable.

Job Titles:

• about / People / Full Stack Software Engineer
• Full Stack Software Engineer

John Maruska is a seasoned professional with over five years of software engineering and full-stack development experience across diverse industries. He is recognized for demonstrating a natural aptitude for producing clean, highly functional code, as well as for driving the on-time delivery of innovative solutions and optimizing processes to decrease time requirements. He has a verifiable history of contributing directly to company success throughout his career, consistently exceeding performance goals. John's professional focal points include object-oriented programming, process optimization, feature integration, training coordination, data migration, team leadership, data engineering, and cloud solutions. He delivers superior project administration, utilizing his effective communication, analytical skills, technical acumen, troubleshooting, project management, and resource management to support efficiency and quality. Under his leadership, John enhances the capacity for tooling development, experimentation, and more by consistently delivering projects ahead of schedule. In addition, he collaborates with senior leadership, stakeholders, and cross-functional teams to ensure Spry's software development support structure is continuously driving forward. Colleagues describe John as a progressive, driven, down-to-earth, technical and analytical expert who can be relied on to offer superior solutions that deliver impactful results on time and under budget.

Job Titles:

• Senior Development Manager
• about / People / Senior Development Manager

Kenny Hall is a dynamic and versatile Full Stack Developer, leading development efforts for a major telecommunications client at Spry Digital. With expertise in JavaScript libraries like React and large-scale e-commerce platforms, Kenny's role extends far beyond writing code. His responsibilities include documenting team processes, ensuring site stability and security, and creating innovative features to meet clients' evolving needs. Kenny leads a team of three developers at Spry. His leadership philosophy embodies our core value of empowerment, fostering a collaborative, feedback-rich environment where every voice is heard and valued. This team structure allows for innovative problem-solving and collective growth, reflecting Kenny's commitment to building bridges and lifting others. This culture of autonomy, combined with Spry's commitment to high-level execution, allows Kenny and his team to deliver consistent, dependable results for their clients, building long-lasting relationships based on trust and reliability. Outside of his professional life, Kenny's creativity shines through his love for music. A multi-instrumentalist, he has played guitar, bass, drums, and piano for over 20 years, often writing and composing his music. His passion for technology and the arts reflects his well-rounded approach to problem-solving and creativity at work and in life.

Job Titles:

• Client Success Specialist

Job Titles:

• Engineer Advocate Maker Consort Citizen Friend
• Full Stack Developer

Mel Dintaman is a Full Stack Developer with a keen eye for detail. Her focus on Business Administration, Finance, Management and International Business while at Truman State University prepared her to excel at aligning technical solutions to business needs. After bolstering her development skills through LaunchCode, Mel stepped into software engineering, giving her the opportunity to build the tools that grow businesses. As a passionate problem solver and a lifelong learner, Mel courageously voices concerns for the betterment of the company, her coworkers, and projects. She is always looking ahead at the potential consequences of decisions large and small, often saving our clients time and money in the process.

Job Titles:

• Manager
• Project Manager

Michaelah Larson is a Project Manager with a background spanning customer service, healthcare, and marketing. She brings a unique blend of skills and insight to her work, using her passion for organization and process optimization to develop tailored solutions that benefit both internal teams and clients alike.

Job Titles:

• Senior Development Manager
• about / People / Senior Development Manager
• Senior Development Manager at Spry

Mindy Bollegar is a Senior Development Manager at Spry with over 10 years of experience designing and developing digital experiences people love. Her unique combination of design talent and technical aptitude consistently take our clients' work to the next level. During her time earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Interactive Design from Maryville University, she gained valuable skills in user interface design, animation, and user experience. She joined the Spry Digital team in 2018 and has been key in supporting the growth of our clients through the creation of tailored content management systems on both WordPress and Drupal ever since. Whether it is bringing new ideas to the table, thoughtfully educating a client, or empowering her team, Mindy's contributions are the embodiment of our core values. When she isn't thinking about systems or translating ideas to reality, Mindy enjoys gaming, crocheting, and making one-of-a-kind things for her friends and family.

Job Titles:

• Project Management Lead

Nancy Berrier brings extensive experience to her role as project management lead at Spry Digital. Joining Spry in 2020 as a project manager, Nancy quickly demonstrated her ability to drive projects forward and foster collaboration across teams. Her talent for leadership and strategic thinking soon led to her promotion to project management lead; she now oversees a growing team of project managers and business analysts. Through her almost three-decade career in communications management at a large incentive company, Nancy honed her skills in project management, team leadership, and client relations. This experience, which included managing a team of 10 and serving the company's largest client, provided her with a robust skill set that she now applies to her multifaceted role at Spry. Nancy's approach to project management is rooted in her core philosophy: "Be solution-oriented." She believes in assuming positive intent and focusing on moving forward rather than placing blame. This mindset and her commitment to honesty and transparency have been instrumental in her building strong, trust-based relationships with clients and team members. At Spry, Nancy wears multiple hats with ease. Beyond managing her projects and her team, she serves as a resource manager and contributes to the marketing team with her copywriting and editing skills, Nancy's intuitive understanding of team dynamics and ability to "keep a pulse on everyone in the company" make her an invaluable asset to Spry's culture. She takes pride in fostering an environment where individuals can be authentic, aligning perfectly with Spry's commitment to diversity and inclusion. Nancy is deeply committed to giving back to her community outside of work. She serves on the Michigan State University St. Louis Alumni Association board, helping provide scholarships for local students. A voracious reader, baker, and sports enthusiast, Nancy can often be found enjoying a book on her deck, trying out a new recipe, or cheering for her beloved Michigan State Spartans during March Madness. Nancy's passion for excellence, her collaborative spirit, and her ability to navigate complex projects make her an integral part of Spry's success. Her leadership drives innovation and efficiency, ensuring Spry delivers exceptional client results while nurturing a positive and productive work environment.

Job Titles:

• Senior Project Manager
• about / People / Senior Project Manager

Sara Breed is a top-tier Project Manager with a proven track record of success at both strategic and tactical levels for multiple for profit and nonprofit organizations. A collaborative leader with superior planning and project management skills, she continually strives to optimize performance through new strategy development and the implementation of efficient, tailored solutions. Sara is a respected and trusted partner to leadership, team members, Board Members, agency partners, constituents, and the community. Our clients count on her every day to make sure their plans happen on time and under budget. When something needs to be done in an exacting manner and without surprises, Sara is there, establishing guidelines and planning contingencies. Living the Spry Life, Sara is able to take advantage of our flexible work environment to travel, pursue causes close to her heart, and take part in a range of sports with her family.

Job Titles:

• Business Analyst
• about / People / Business Analyst

Sara Graham has the title of Business Analyst at Spry, but she is so much more. An information systems graduate of the University of Missouri - St. Louis, Sara has IT experience, including software development, networking, data center maintenance, and desktop support. Her strong technical background allows Sara to write business requirements, user stories, acceptance criteria, and test plans that are relevant and realistic. Thanks to her high standards and attention to detail, Sara excels at testing digital products to ensure they are error-free when launched, ensuring users' experiences are perfect every time. She cares about and understands the needs of users and developers, as well as those of clients. Beyond solving business challenges with real-world solutions, Sara has a gift for helping our clients understand how to realize their potential. When she sees the opportunity to empower someone with knowledge, resources, or encouragement, she does not hesitate. In her free time, Sara loves spending as much time outdoors as she can, exploring with her family and going on adventures throughout the Rocky Mountains.

Job Titles:

• Chief Executive Officer
• Co - Founder
• about / People / Chief Executive Officer and Co - Founder

Sheila Burkett is the visionary co-founder and CEO of Spry Digital, a St. Louis-based company that creates custom digital solutions to help organizations reach their full potential. With over three decades of technology and business experience, Sheila brings extensive knowledge and innovation to her role. After a 20-year career at a global financial institution, where she rose to general partner and senior director in technology, Sheila embarked on her entrepreneurial journey in 2006. This path led to the launch of Spry Digital in 2010, where she now serves as CEO. An expert in digital strategy and business transformation, Sheila believes in providing affordable, maintainable, and robust digital solutions to organizations of all sizes. Her leadership style emphasizes team empowerment, collaboration, and continuous learning, fostering a culture of creativity and problem-solving at Spry Digital. Sheila's contributions to the tech industry and community have earned her recognition, including being named one of the St. Louis Business Journal's Most Influential Business Women and a two-time Titan 100. She remains actively involved in the St. Louis community, serving on the University of Missouri-St. Louis College of Business Leadership Council and as the 2025 Leader Lunch chair for the YWCA. Sheila holds an MBA from Washington University in St. Louis and a BS/BA in Management Information Systems from the University of Missouri-St. Louis. Her journey from corporate executive to successful entrepreneur exemplifies her adaptability, vision, and commitment to leveraging technology for business success.

Job Titles:

• Chief Operating Officer
• President
• about / People / President and Chief Operating Officer

With a solid foundation of leading IT teams to achieve strategic business objectives through innovative technology solutions, Wayne Turley brought his unique brand of pragmatic leadership to Spry Digital. His data-driven approach to decision-making and his willingness to take risks have propelled Spry to new levels of growth. As President and Chief Operating Officer, Wayne challenges all employees to rethink and refine processes to become more effective and more efficient. With over two decades of experience, Wayne drives operational excellence while ensuring client satisfaction and profitability. Wayne's promotion to President and COO at Spry Digital marked a pivotal moment in the company's journey toward continued growth and innovation. In addition to his professional achievements, Wayne and his wife Lauren Turley founded Catherine Cares, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting families of babies with life-threatening diagnoses. He is deeply committed to his community, serving on the St. Louis Children's Hospital Development Board, contributing to the St. Louis Sports Commission, and being a member of the Computer Science Advisory Board at Southeast Missouri State University, his alma mater. Under Wayne's leadership, Spry Digital is poised to reach new heights of success, building on its legacy of delivering high-quality websites, web apps, and brand identities. Wayne will continue to drive Spry Digital's mission of providing innovative solutions and fostering a culture of inclusivity and excellence.