Karen Cuppett Piontkowski - Founder and President
Karen Cuppett Piontkowski began her career in printing and production in 1980. She spent three years as a print buyer for a forms/document management company. In 1981, she became the first of three women to attain their certification as a forms and business systems consultant, issued through the National Business Forms Association, now known as the Print Services and Distribution Association. The certification qualifies one's competency in business systems and personnel efficiency through forms design, print manufacturing, computer systems, and after-forms handling equipment. Currently there are only 1500 CFC’s in the world.
In 1983, she joined AB&C Group as an Assistant Vice President in the Forms Management Division. AB&C moved into direct response and fulfillment and Karen moved into that division at inception as the Vice President of Marketing and Systems.
In 1988, she was promoted to Senior Vice President and was installed as a member of its Executive Committee. Karen was responsible for new business development as well as leading the company into new markets requiring fulfillment and the response processing services of the company. Then in 1991, she fulfilled a childhood ambition to own her own business and founded Direct Answer, Inc. She is its President and only stockholder. In 1989, she completed the year long ASAE Executive Development Program in Association Management to supplement her experience with an education in not-for-profit business management. Karen is listed in numerous Who’s Who business directories as well as a senior member of the Direct Marketing Association of Washington.
Katie Rogers - Vice President
Katie Rogers has been working for Direct Answer part time and as an intern since its inception in 1991. In her current position, Katie directs and oversees the business, fiscal management, and commercial service functions for DA as well as procuring and developing new business ventures. She plans, oversees, and coordinates capital and operating expenditures and fiscal systems, and provides leadership and direction in the generation and development of revenue sources for the operation.
A graduate of Boston College in the study of Psychology, Education and Art History, her current career was far from her mind as an undergrad. However, as she states, ‘I was always was drawn to positions in which I could make an impact on the organization and assist in the realization of its mission.’ While ensuring DA runs like ‘a well oiled machine’ she continues to have an active role in corporate strategy and is working to automate more client functions and processes, while still maintaining the corporate mission of providing high touch, highly personalized treatment to small to mid-sized organizations.
‘ DA is one of the best organizations of its kind in our industry today. However, we are too humble and fail to inform our clients about all the wonderful little things we do to assist their organizations on a daily basis. Improving this communication and becoming a thought leader is one of my current and ongoing goals.’
Personally, Katie is a graduate of the ED Program at UNC Chapel Hill’s Kenan-Flagler Business School, is the past Treasurer for the North Carolina Chapter of American Mensa, Scholarship Chair for the Washington DC Metro Area Chapter of American Mensa, and was recently honored by the National Association for Professional Executive Women as a ‘Woman of Professional Excellence’ and was recently honored by the entire Direct Answer Team as providing extraordinary leadership and support.
She is married to her High School Sweetheart, Andy, with no children but a slew of rescued animals.