Sam Carpenter
CEO/President
Sam founded Centratel in Bend, Oregon in 1984. With a background in engineering, construction management, surveying, forest management, publishing, and journalism, his outside interests include mountaineering, back-country skiing, cycling, writing, reading, property management, construction/development, traveling and especially hiking with his two hounds in the Kentucky backwoods..
His business book, Work the System: The Simple Mechanics of Making More and Working Less, was first published in 2008, with the 5th edition released in July 2024 (Contact us about answering service and we’ll send you a hardcopy of the book, gratis.)
His second book, aimed at non-business owners, The Systems Mindset: Managing the Machinery of Your Life was published in 2016. The 2nd edition is slated for publication in the summer of 2025.
He is married to Diana Bybee Carpenter. After living in Bend, Oregon, for over 40 years, he and his wife Diana now reside in rural South Kentucky.
Sam Kirkaldie
Minority owner
Sam has been active in the media and telecommunications fields for over 30 years. A stock holder since 2000, Sam has special interests in community affairs, writing, systems organization and public relations.
He has served as a board member and president of various media and broadcasting trade organizations and built a major Central Oregon radio station from the ground up.
A native of Montana and an Oregonian since from 1972 through 2018. His outside interests include traveling, fishing, camping, hiking, golf, skiing, racquetball and running (and, in his younger years in Montana, he was a rodeo bull rider.) Sam and his wife Bev now live in Billings, Montana and are the parents of three sons.
Telephone Service Representatives (Partial Listing)
Carla
Senior TSR
A 29-year Centratel veteran. Enjoys playing with her four cats and one dog as well as short hikes, bike riding and reading biographies.
Cassetty
TSR
Cassetty lives in Kentucky where she enjoys challenging herself to master anything she puts her mind to. When she’s not working you can find her spending time with her kids & dogs, building/creating custom pieces of furniture and art, working on custom paint and auto body repair, or just working under the hood of a vehicle.
Danyel
TSR
Danyel is originally from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania but now settled in Central Kentucky. Danyel spends her free time writing, gaming, and spending time with her two cats.
Denae
Senior TSR
Denae joined Centratel in October of 2020. Prior to that, she was a Personal Banker. She lives in Nashville, TN where she was born and raised. She shares two daughters and a dog with her soon-to-be husband. When she’s not keeping busy with her family you can find her reading a book or writing a novel.
Dileysi
TSR
Prior to joining Centratel, Dileysi was a 911 Dispatcher in Florida for 14 years. She relocated to Eastern Tennessee with her husband, two children, and two dogs. She enjoys spending time with family, gaming, and reading.
GW
TSR
GW worked for a major credit card company both as a representative and as a compliance officer for 17 years before leaving to continue her education. She is currently working on a Bachelor’s Degree in Kinesiology. GW wants to be a Physical Therapist working with heart and stroke patients.
Hannah
TSR
Hannah worked in the customer service industry for over a decade before joining Centratel. She lives in Kentucky. She enjoys spending time with family, cooking – especially new recipes, watching movies, reading, and art.
Jennifer
Senior TSR
Jennifer is from Tennessee. She started with Centratel in October of 2020. She has an amazing daughter who she loves to spend all her time with. Jennifer also loves being outdoors.
Kelly
Floor Lead
Kelly was born in Amarillo, Texas but has lived most of her life in different parts of Oregon. Her favorite achievement is being a mom to her daughter. Kelly enjoys spending time with family and traveling.
Laura
Supervisor
A native Oregonian, Laura enjoys outdoor activities as well as volunteering at a local animal shelter. She is a graduate of Eastern Oregon University with a bachelor’s degree in Business.
Laura-Grace
Supervisor
Laura-Grace is a Western Kentucky native. While obtaining her degree in Sociology, she worked for a small communications company and found she had a penchant for customer service. In her downtime she enjoys her dogs, concerts, traveling, DIY home renovations, true crime podcasts, and fantasy sports leagues.
Melissa
Senior TSR
Melissa lives in Lily, Kentucky with her husband. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her animals, quilting, and knitting.
Nicole
Floor Lead
Nicole joined the Centratel crew in August of 2021. She is an Idaho native who loves to explore the mountains, go camping, and fishing with her family. During her downtime, she enjoys spending time with her two dogs and going on random adventures.
Rosemary
TSR
Rosemary and her family relocated to East Tennessee from Illinois in 2020. She has 2 adult daughters. She lives near the mountains and enjoys hiking, gardening, keeping chickens, and studying theology.
Stephanie
Supervisor
Stephanie relocated to Central Oregon from the San Francisco Bay Area. When she is not working she can be found enjoying time with her husband and four children. Her hobbies range from automotive repair to hand-sewing costumes.
Shauna
TSR
Shauna has an extensive customer service and support experience. Shauna enjoys spending time with family, volunteering, and educating teens and young adults. Passes the time listening to audiobooks or reading.
Susan
Senior TSR
Her background includes dental assistant, surgical assistant, office coordinator and facilities manager. She has two handsome sons and has raised exotic pheasants, wallabies, and other animals. She likes to sew and knit as well as camp, fish and cook.
Tessa
TSR
Tessa is originally from Maryland. During the pandemic she met the love of her life and relocated to Houston, Texas. Tessa brings over 20 years of customer service experience to add to the exceptional team at Centratel. When not working, Tessa enjoys cooking and trying new recipes with her spouse.
Toni
Senior TSR
Toni moved to Bend from The Willamette Valley in 1996. She has two daughters and two grandchildren; it is her joy to spend time with them. In her free time, she loves searching for home decor and vintage items at sales and thrift stores.
Administrative Staff
Andi Freeman
COO and GM
Andi operates Centratel in Sam’s absence… and when Sam is NOT absent! She has a Bachelors degree from Wittenberg University. She loves to find solutions to any challenge and hates to lose. She has two wonderful children and a tremendously supportive husband.
Marcello Scacchetti
CIO
Resides in Mirandola, Italy and Bend, Oregon. He loves his perfect Italian coffee, Ducati motorcycles and playing bass guitar. In 2021 he was the new father of twins!
Kendra Akehurst
Director of Operations
A 12-year Centratel veteran, Kendra is a integral part of Centratel’s management team. She is attending school full-time. While juggling school and work she finds time for her family and friends as well as playing basketball and swimming.
Yvette Wahl
HR Specialist
Yvette has lived in Central Oregon for 25 years but in 2021 relocated to Texas. She is a graduate of Concordia University with a degree in Human Resources Management. She enjoys spending time with her daughters and grandchildren, traveling, and home interior design.
Jason Hoan
Bend, IT Chief
Loves spending time with his family and friends and enjoys taking road trips around scenic Oregon.
Teresa Abbas
Office/Billing Manager
Spends time with her husband and two children enjoying car races, camping and just hanging out watching movies.
Amanda Davis
Client Success Manager
Amanda loves to travel and enjoys being outdoors. She has two beautiful kids and an extremely supportive husband.
Briela Christensen
Customer Service
Briela loves spending time with her husband, daughter and pets. She enjoys exploring the great outdoors, hiking, photography and baking.
Mandy LeCoure
Onboarding Specialist
Mandy has lived most of her life in the beautiful Willamette Valley. When she is not working she loves entertaining, traveling, and spending time with her husband and two young children!
Emanuel Gug
Software Developer
Lives in Transylvania, Romania, is passionate about developing web applications, and in his free time traveling with his wife and new son.
Fabio Bertoli
Graphic & Web Designer
Lives in Concordia, Italy. He loves music, movies and singing in his band. He enjoys snowboarding, swimming and spending time with friends.
Pattie Casner
Quality Assurance
A 20+-year Centratel veteran, has 3 married sons. Enjoys fishing, camping and day-trip explorations with family.
Sandra Packard
Special Consultant
Lives in Pocatello, Idaho. Gifted downhill skier and mountain biker. A 34-year Centratel veteran.
