Leadership Team

Melinda Powelson

CEO

Melinda Powelson is the CEO of Match Engine and has spent much of her life around this business, watching it grow from hands-on operations in a Denver plant into a company that now connects customers and service providers across North America.  What excites her most today is helping Match Engine continue that evolution by combining real-world experience with intelligent technology to create better matches and better outcomes for customers and providers. Having grown up around the day-to-day realities of the business,  Melinda understands what it takes to serve customers well and support the people doing the work. She has seen firsthand how much trust, accountability, and care matter on the plant floor, in the field, and across teams. That perspective shapes how she leads.

As CEO, Melinda focuses on setting direction, solving complex problems, and making sure the company grows in a way that stays true to its values. She holds high expectations and cares deeply about her team, often describing them as an extension of her own family. She believes people do their best work when they feel respected, supported, and challenged to grow. Melinda leads with empathy and conviction, investing deeply in relationships with employees, partners, and customers alike. She thrives on tackling hard problems, building long-term partnerships, and creating a culture where people take pride in the outcomes they deliver together.

Outside of work, Melinda is a proud mom to two adult children, Megan and Alex. An English major at heart, she enjoys reading literature, hiking Colorado’s foothills, and doting on her four Siberian cats. Those quieter moments help keep her grounded and creatively energized as she guides Match Engine into its next chapter.

Melinda enjoys connecting with those who are entrepreneurial and building technology and AI-driven businesses.

David Powelson

Business Advisor

With nearly 40 years of experience in the shredding industry, David Powelson helps the DataGuard management team plan short and long-term strategic initiatives. David originated the concept for Shred Nations/Record Nations marketing program in the early 1990s when his company, TRI-R Recycling, launched its first website. When TRI-R Sold to Waste Management and Cintas in 2004, he launched DataGuard as an independent entity.

David has extensive experience in business management, strategic planning, forecasting and finance. He began his career at the Ford Motor Company and later Keene Lighting. In 1977, David founded TRI-R Systems, which became a regional powerhouse in the shredding and recycling industry.

David graduated from Wharton School of Business in 1965 and earned his MBA from the University of Buffalo in 1969. He is also a published author with his daughter, Melinda. They co-wrote The Recycler’s Manual for Business, Industry and Government, published in 1992. Learn more about the history of ShredTronics.

Diane Janson

CTO

Diane is the CTO of Match Engine, where she oversees and actively participates in all aspects of technology, doing everything from team and project management to software development to server administration. If there is a technological puzzle to solve, Diane is most likely at the center of it, working closely alongside her team. She has been involved in the company since 2004 and has enjoyed being an integral part of the proprietary software that powers Match Engine since early on in the company’s evolution.

Diane works full-time remotely, but due to the close working relationship she has developed over the past 10+ years with Melinda and her team, she is able to fully participate in daily collaboration that fuels our quick pace and productivity. An effective hybrid remote/on-site technology team is made possible through her leadership, instilling a strong work ethic and trust through mutual support and an environment for constant learning and growth.

Outside of work, Diane’s two main passions are family and ice hockey/skating. The best of both worlds is when she has the opportunity to play and watch hockey with her family. She currently lives in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, and travels as much as possible to visit family in Virginia and Ottawa. Another important family member she wouldn’t be without is her exceptionally loving cat, Tillie.

Forrest Morgan

General Counsel

Forrest Morgan has represented Match Engine from its formation and has worked with the company’s principals for over thirty-five years. As Match Engine’s General Counsel, he brings decades of experience across all aspects of corporate operations and transactions.

For several years, Forrest’s private law practice focused on information security, and he witnessed firsthand the tremendous expense and potential devastation a single data breach can have on individuals and small businesses. That experience taught him that secure information management is about protecting people’s livelihoods and reputations—not just checking compliance boxes.

What excites Forrest most is addressing the rapidly growing need for Match Engine’s services in our increasingly digital world. As businesses face mounting pressure to protect sensitive information while transitioning from paper to electronic systems, document shredding, electronics destruction, and secure records storage have become essential tools—not just compliance requirements. Forrest is passionate about helping companies navigate these challenges, connecting them with security services that safeguard privacy, prevent breaches, promote efficiency, and enable business growth.

Natalie Morgan

Manager of Accounting & HR

Natalie is the Manager of Accounting and HR at Match Engine, working closely with both the internal team and our provider network across North America. After working across several industries throughout her career, Natalie has found a passion for helping businesses in compliance-heavy industries grow the right way. She finds it especially rewarding to make complex processes simpler and more efficient.

In her role, she oversees the functions that keep operations running smoothly behind the scenes, including payroll, benefits, and financial administration. Natalie graduated from CU Boulder with an accounting degree in 2016 and went on to work in oil and gas, real estate, and financial services before joining Match Engine in 2023.

A Colorado native, Natalie enjoys taking advantage of all the activities the state has to offer. In her free time, she can often be found spending time in the mountains with her family, whether hiking, skiing, or simply enjoying the fresh air.