Get your ducks in a row

At the groupery, our goal is to use technology to make fundamental improvements for volunteer groups of all shapes and sizes. We provide free, simple, but essential web-based services that change the game by making their efforts far more productive, efficient, and rewarding than previously possible. Along the way we’ve assisted and learned a lot from innovative volunteer group leaders and figured we shouldn’t keep their secrets to ourselves, so we created a leaders community to foster collaboration and sharing.

Our story

It started with a couple of Silicon Valley dads taking a break between start-ups. As they became more involved in their kids' schools and their family's schedules, they quickly became overwhelmed with the complexities of keeping everything organized and stress-free. They began to apply what they learned in their corporate experience to help the room parents and parent organization chairs communicate clearly and effectively, simplify sign-ups and sync the family calendars. As they developed systems for their own families and volunteer groups, it became obvious to them that there were lots of other volunteer leaders looking for solutions to their organizing challenges. Why not share what they created with the rest of the world for free? Thus, the groupery was born.

But how can it be free, you may ask? Our philosophy is to provide comprehensive solutions that help with all challenges facing volunteer groups. Fundraising is typically one of the top three challenges facing every group these days, especially schools. Wouldn’t it be neat if the groupery’s fundraising solutions could help groups meet their financial goals and allow our service to be free to all groups who could benefit from it? The opportunity for a win-win scenario was just too good for us to pass up and it’s been a cornerstone of our mission since the groupery began.

Our founders

Dave Beyer and Darren Lancaster are entrepreneurs and community builders. In their first start-up, Rooftop Communications, they developed the first consumer wireless mesh Internet router which was deployed by over 100 internet service providers globally to build local wireless communities. Founded in 1996, Rooftop was acquired by Nokia, Inc. in 1999. At the groupery, as in all their work, Dave and Darren are guided by the key principles of integrity, excellence, teamwork and fun.

Get to know us

• Read our blog.
• Our Facebook page
• Follow us on Twitter
• Founder's Twitter feed @thecommunityguy

Welcome to our pond

Our team

Dave Beyer, Top Duck

Dave has over twenty years in high-tech. Besides founding Rooftop Communications, with seven years there and at Nokia, he spent ten years at SRI International as a senior research engineer and program manager. Among publications ranging from wireless mesh networks, neural networks, and voice-over-IP, Dave has eight issued patents and was the lead designer of the wireless mesh option in the WiMax standard. He received an MS degree in electrical engineering from Yale University and graduated Magna Cum Laude from Boston University with a BA in physics and computer science. With school-aged twins, Dave is an active school volunteer and enjoys trying to keep up with mountain biking, physics, Go, hockey, soccer, and the Red Sox.

Darren Lancaster, Pond President

Darren has over fifteen years in high-tech. He has spent the past eleven years in various leadership positions at Rooftop and Nokia including: product creation of a wireless mesh internet router at Rooftop and Nokia, creation of a new enterprise voice business at Nokia as the business strategy and development director, and launch of Nokia’s new mobile email solution as the global product marketing director. Darren’s earlier years in high tech were in software development and technical lead positions at TRW, Acuson Corp, and SRI International. He received a BS degree in computer engineering from the University of the Pacific. When Darren is not serving as a human jungle gym for his two young girls, he also tries to fit in snow skiing, scuba diving, ice hockey and basketball.

Alex Benn, Wisequacker

Alex helped build eBay's corporate development group, closing over 15 acquisition and investment transactions since joining the company in 1999. In eBay's early days, he played a variety of legal, marketing, business development, strategic, and bottle-washing roles. Previously, he advised startups and negotiated technology transactions as an attorney at Cooley Godward, and graduated with a JD from Stanford Law School and A.B. degrees in Psychology and Economics from Brown University. Alex has met the increasing demands of his adrenaline addiction by trading in his motorcycle racing and skydiving pastimes to focus on parenting his 3-year-old daughter and 1.5-year-old son.

Ed Costa, Technical Ponderer

Ed has over 20 years of experience in high tech software and engineering. He enjoys exercising, reading, movies, and hanging out.

Thane Frivold, Technical Quack-of-All-Trades

Thane has over 20 years experience in software systems architecture and development for network, mobile, and security applications. A technology generalist, Thane has worked on projects as varied as ad-hoc mesh routing, intrusion detection, online multiplayer gaming, geographic information systems, and corporate M&A studies. In the past, he has worked with many of his current colleagues at SRI International, Rooftop Communications, and Nokia. Thane graduated Summa Cum Laude with a BA in computer science from Dartmouth College. He enjoys origami, science fiction, and making things work.

John Hight, Webbed Developer

With over twenty years in software and research, John is a software & networking security expert. He is a musician and loves film.

Robert Jozefowicz, Duck Counter

Robert brings over ten years of business administration in high-tech, including 6 years working directly with Dave and Darren at Rooftop Communications.

Amy Kelm, Advisory Quacker

Amy has over fifteen years of marketing experience, including 10 years with Hewlett Packard where she managed over $300 million in worldwide consumer advertising and brand management efforts. She is an active consultant and busy mother of two.

Jessica Margolin, Flock Facilitator

Jessica has over 15 years experience helping communities and organizations align their communication mechanisms with their values. Her professional experience includes roles in marketing strategy, organizational design, financial analysis, and business development, and she has also been involved in educational philanthropy and operating non-profits since 2000. She occasionally blogs on financial, philanthropic, and educational topics on her personal blog, Solvation. Her educational background includes an MS in Materials Science in the area of nanotechnology and an MBA in Strategic Management and Organization, both from the University of Minnesota; and a BA in Physics from UC Berkeley. When not pursuing her interests in tennis, music, and quilting, Jessica pretends that she has the full and undivided attention of her son, who is a junior in high school.

Brian Mellea, Advisory Quacker

Brian led marketing for $1B product lines at Apple Computer, ran $125M ecommerce site. He has an MS from MIT, and an MBA from Harvard. With his two young kids, Brian is a soccer dad, school play stage hand, school and Girl Scout volunteer.

Roy Rezentes, Duck Stylist

Roy brings over 15 years of experience in graphic design to the groupery. His award winning creativity has benefited local, regional and national clients and we're happy to have him paddling around in our pond. When he's not pushing pixels, he enjoys spending time with his wife and two boys. He has volunteered countless hours at his seven year old's charter school and participates in the following groups: Art Directors & Artists Club, American Marketing Association and his local Chamber of Commerce. http://www.royrezentesdesign.com

Mike Soliman, Chief of Fowl Designs

With eight years in software development, including six in large scale enterprise web sites, Mike is a new dad, a musician and a photographer (many thanks to Mike for the shots you see here). For a creative diversion check out Mike's work at http://kinfoto.com/

Lynne Steffens, Duck Caller

Lynne has over fifteen years of product marketing and management experience, an MBA from Dartmouth (Amos Tuck School), and an AB from Stanford University. Mom of four girls, Lynne has been PTO President, producer of several school plays, is a Lacrosse and basketball mom, is active in Surfrider Foundation, SurfAid International, USA Triathlon, and the Waverly Writers.

Robin Wada, Pond Support

Robin brings fourteen years of software engineering, is mom of two teenage girls, room parent, board member and treasurer in several organizations dedicated to children’s activities, and an inspiring aerobics teacher.

Ken Wingerden, Software Quack

With fifteen years in software development, including over six in large-scale enterprise web sites, Ken is often found in the classroom helping his two children’s school.

Kim Wong, Pond Support

With a Computer Science degree from UC Berkeley, Kim has over eighteen years in software development. Mom of two teenage boys, she has been a room parent, classroom volunteer, basketball, track, and cross country mom.

So, you're looking for a new watering hole?

the groupery is guided by the key principles of integrity, excellence, teamwork, and fun. We are always looking for great people who share our commitment.

• Are you passionate about service, empowering, and unburdening community groups?
• Do you love technology as a means to great ends?
• Would you thrive as part of a high energy family of entrepreneurs on a mission?