TDS MEDIA DIRECT - Key Persons


Ben Downey

Job Titles:
  • Sales
After graduating college in 1998, I spent 18 years in the construction industry as an carpenter, journeyman carpenter in the union, salesman, and project manager. After completing most of what the career could offer it was time to move into something completely different. I joined TDS Media Direct in the fall of 2018, and am currently looking forward to what TDS will do in the coming years.

Ben Willett - CEO

Job Titles:
  • CEO
Ben started with TDS in 2002 as part of the production team. In 2004, as a student, Ben took on the role of sales representative intern and in 2005 came on as a full time sales representative. In just 3 and a half short years Ben became a Partner in January 2009. In 2015 Ben took over as CEO leading the team into the next generation.

Dan Willett - CFO

Job Titles:
  • CFO
Dan founded Travelers Directory Service in 1977 and has been a leader in the Hospitality Industry ever since. As CEO he led the company through years of growth and innovative change including changing the company name to TDS Media Direct, Inc. in April 2011. In 2015 Dan transitioned into the role of CFO.

Gordie Johnson

Job Titles:
  • Partner / Sales MGR
I started my career with TDS Media Direct in 2009 after graduating from Saint Mary's University in Winona, MN. Starting in production, I quickly rose to a sales position in 2010. After several years of success, I accepted the position of Sales Manager in 2015, and became a partner in 2017.

Josh Willett

Job Titles:
  • Partner
I began my career in the hospitality industry as a sales rep with TDS Media Direct in 2001. After eight years of helping expand and grow the company, I became a partner in 2009. In 2015, I stepped into the role of COO with TDS. In 2019, I transitioned from TDS to focus on growing our sister company, WHJ Media. Seeing our capacity to meet the rapidly growing demand for digital and print content is exciting for our sales team and clients alike.

Paul Hansen

Job Titles:
  • Sales
In 1993, I started in the home improvement sales industry helping people create a dream look for their homes.