Face to Face
When you ask our clients about PEP Direct’s people, you hear phrases such as “extremely knowledgeable in all aspects of [our] program” … “professional, knowledgeable, and always accessible” … and “understanding, dedicated, diligent, and focused.”
In a recent employee survey, the top answer to the question, “What are PEP’s greatest assets?” … was consistently “our people!” Other employee responses about our people included: “they’re unique … they all have special talents … great teamwork … professional … diverse … fun … innovative … experienced … committed … hardworking … and coworkers become family,” to mention just a few.
The best way to get to know us — and for us to get to know you — is to meet us in person, face to face. In the meantime, to learn more about the people who are dedicated to helping our clients achieve and exceed their goals, please click on the links to the left.
Sam Blackford
President and Chief Executive Officer
Corinne Biggs
Senior Vice President, Strategic Development
Charlie Cadigan
Senior Vice President,
Strategic Business Opportunities
Michael Elithorpe
Vice President, Sales & Marketing
Megan Gibeau
Vice President, Strategic and Client Services
Jud Durant
Vice President, Business infrastructure
Mark Bender
Vice President, Operations
Matt Kennedy
Creative Director
Karen Clough
Director, Client Services
Liz Gerardi
Manager, Donation Processing Services
Sam Blackford — President and Chief Executive Officer
Sam Blackford is President and Chief Executive Officer of PEP Direct, a privately held, strategic direct marketing firm that specializes in premium-driven fundraising. Sam has provided the vision for PEP Direct since 2000, delivering successful, information-based strategies and direct marketing products and services to our highly respected clients, including the March of Dimes, Paralyzed Veterans of America and American Heart Association. Sam’s 20-year background in commercial printing and products, and his extensive experience with nonprofit organizations are fully utilized to help PEP Direct’s clients achieve their marketing goals. Prior to PEP, Sam held senior level positions at Northeast Graphics and Meehan-Tooker, Inc.
Corinne Biggs — Senior Vice President, Strategic Development
Corinne has dedicated her entire 25+-year career to nonprofit fundraising. She joined PEP Direct in 2007, bringing to our clients her extensive experience with national nonprofits like the American Diabetes Association, Leukemia Society of America, and Muscular Dystrophy Association, as well as numerous regional charities such as the Hope School for Children and the Archdiocese of Boston Catholic Charities. Corinne held prior management positions at Amergent, Newport Creative Communications and Epsilon.
Charlie Cadigan — Senior Vice President, Strategic Business Opportunities
For more than 25 years, Charlie has been a presence in the direct marketing industry. His focus at PEP will be to expand the company’s presence in the nonprofit community. He joined PEP in 2010 from Frontline Data Group, where he build and rebranded the company as Managing Director, and previously held management and senior leadership positions at AB&C Group, Acxiom Corporation and Epsilon. Charlie is very active with numerous industry associations, including the Direct Marketing Association, the Direct Marketing Association of Washington, D.C., and the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Greater Washington, D.C. Chapter.
Michael Elithorpe — Vice President, Sales & Marketing
A 20-year direct marketing veteran, Michael joined the PEP Direct team in 2004. Prior to that, he held business development roles for Newport Creative Communications and BrickMill Marketing and managed comprehensive direct mail programs for clients such as the World Wildlife Fund, American Bible Society, Guideposts Ministries, and the Libertarian National Committee to name a few. Michael’s extensive strategic, creative and analytic skills generate sustained success for PEP’s clients.
Megan Gibeau — Vice President, Strategic and Client Services
Megan has been overseeing the creative and account management teams at PEP since 2003, leveraging her 15+ years of marketing and fundraising expertise. Megan’s prior tenures at CODA Inc., Epsilon and Newport Creative Communications, coupled with her extensive knowledge in direct marketing strategy and fundraising analysis, makes her an invaluable asset to all of PEP’s clients. She has managed highly successful direct marketing programs for national organizations like the Paralyzed Veterans of America, National Urban League, Catholic Relief Services and the American Diabetes Association.
Jud Durant — Vice President, Business infrastructure
In 2007, Jud joined PEP Direct and now oversees the technological infrastructure across PEP and its related companies. His 15 years of experience in key management positions with International Paper, including managing functions across 25 different manufacturing locations made him a perfect fit. Jud’s international business development experience in North America, Europe, Asia and South America serve PEP’s clients well as we persistently search for innovative marketing solutions to enhance the success of their programs.
Mark Bender — Vice President, Operations
Mark has spent his entire 30+-year career in the printing and paper converting industries. He joined the PEP Direct team in 2008 after a 10-year tenure at Cenveo as the regional vice president responsible for envelope manufacturing facilities in Ohio and New Jersey. At PEP, Mark oversees the day-to-day operations in the production, warehousing, client services, purchasing and shipping and receiving departments. He also brings a versatile and well-rounded experience in accounting and national sales.
Matt Kennedy — Creative Director
Matt has been the foundation and backbone of PEP’s creative department since 1993. His innovative ideas, extensive design skills and production knowledge have been instrumental in the success of our client’s programs, and the dynamic and continued growth of PEP Direct. Matt’s work has been and continues to be recognized industry-wide. (See Our Awards). He has developed breakthrough creative concepts for numerous clients including United Spinal Association, Guideposts Ministries and the Paralyzed Veterans of America.
Karen Clough — Director, Client Services
From 2000 to 2002, Karen was PEP’s Program Manager for the company’s then largest account, the Paralyzed Veterans of America. We were delighted to have Karen rejoin the PEP team in 2005, as Director of Client Services, managing all inter-departmental logistics, and troubleshooting and resolving any challenges to ensure that every client’s programs are delivered accurately and on time. Karen has more than 20 years of marketing and customer service experience in the healthcare, legal and telecom industries.
Liz Gerardi — Manager, Donation Processing Services
Liz is in charge of all operations as well as business development for PEP’s donation processing services group. She came to PEP Direct in 2006 from her position as Executive Vice President in charge of product development and client relations at J&B Software. Liz’s career began at Liberty Mutual, overseeing their remittance operations. Liz is a member of several industry organizations, including TAWPI (The Association for Work Process Improvement) and J&B Software User Group.