Professionalism Is Paramount

Our staff is what makes Global Discoveries one of the country's leading unclaimed or lost asset location and recovery firms. With more than 25 years of combined experience in the field, our employees are able to provide professional, efficient and personal service to every client, partner and affiliated professional we serve. They work one-on-one with each and follow claims from start to finish, giving a level of attention rarely found in business today.

Each member of our team is able to handle every facet of the recovery process.

Management

Andrew Katakis - Managing Member One of the founders Andrew Katakis is a Central California native who graduated summa cum laude from CSU Stanislaus, earning his bachelor’s degree in business administration with an accounting focus. He has spent much of his career in the asset location and recovery field and has located and returned more than $50 million in unclaimed assets, personally or through his firms, to thousands of individuals, businesses, and nonprofit organizations. Andrew manages the daily operations of Global Discoveries, ensuring the firm maintains the highest standards of ethical conduct in each transaction and with every client, partner, affiliate and vendor.

Jed Byerly - Chief Operating Officer Jed joined Global Discoveries in 2003 after a very successful executive career managing a multibillion dollar division of a Fortune 500 company, where he was known as a creative entrepreneur who brought practical common sense solutions to each department under his supervision. He was frequently called on to take over and turn around failing departments; this was the most challenging and rewarding part of his career. Much of Global Discoveries’ work requires collaborative problem solving and Jed enjoys using the executive perspective and experience gained in his career to assist each of the department managers accomplish their goals. Jed has been happily married to his college sweetheart for 19 years. Together they have a 7-year-old daughter. During the off hours, Jed volunteers his time with several local nonprofit organizations and coaches youth sports at the YMCA.

Administrative

Heather Coulson - Administrative Assistant Heather joined Global Discoveries in 2007 and quickly became an asset to her co-workers and our clients. Heather's duties include locating and tracking lost assets.

Sondra Tovar - Administrative Assistant Sondra grew up in the Central Valley of California. She is currently studying for a bachelors degree in psychology while working at Global Discoveries. When Sondra is not assisting her co-workers or our clients, she and her fiance are enjoying fast cars and their pets.

Claims Management

David Halper - Claims Management Director David Halper joined Global Discoveries in May of 2008. David brings his extensive knowledge in the art of recovering lost and dormant assets to Global Discoveries with over 18 years of experience in the industry. David is a highly respected member of our team who upholds the highest standards of professionalism and ethical service. He understands the importance of creating a positive customer experience and in his own words, “loves to help people”. When not involved in the recovery of lost assets, David enjoys spending time with his wife and two daughters, bicycling, cooking and reading among other activities. He currently resides in Temecula, California.

Brett Clemensen - Claims Manager Brett, Outstanding Rookie of the Year for 2007, came to Global Discoveries from the mortgage industry. He is an Eagle Scout and has been active in The Boy Scouts of America for over 35 years. Both Brett’s father and son are Eagle Scouts as well. Brett, was raised in California’s Central Valley, earned his bachelor’s of science degree at CSU Stanislaus and worked in many areas of the country before returning to the area in 2003. An active father who volunteers for a number of local groups, Brett is also active in his church community. "I have always been in the business of helping people," says Brett. "I enjoy helping to improve another’s life, and I have the opportunity to do that here at Global Discoveries on a daily basis."

Dan Gevanni - Claims Manager Dan is a Midwest native with more than 10 years’ experience in the real estate industry. Dan has become a crucial, highly respected member of our team. He recovered more than $1 million in assets for clients each year for 2006 and 2007, earning him a spot in Global’s Million Dollar Club and is currently our top producer. About his work at Global Discoveries, Dan says, "I enjoy working for a company that not only cares about production, but your personal well-being, as well. It is a family-oriented company that strives to keep a step ahead of the competition, while keeping the best interest of our clients in mind." When he's not busy helping clients recover lost assets, Dan enjoys spending time with his family, rock climbing, and cruising the back roads on his motorcycle.

Terri Knight - Claims Manager Terri began her career as a Claims Manager with Global Discoveries in 1999. She comes to the Central Valley of California by way of Toronto, Ontario. Her background covers over 35 years of customer relations and sincere customer service. Terri’s first priority to her clients is service: “This is a unique industry. It’s important to have our clients be comfortable and trust who we are and our level of expertise. I take pride in being able to offer this service, and want our clients to take with them a great and positive experience.” When not assisting clients, Terri enjoys her family, traveling and creating fused glass artwork.

Melissa Stivers - Claims Manager Melissa is a Northern California native whose athletic talent allowed her to play softball for Western Kentucky University, where she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in marketing. After college, she traveled to New Zealand, playing in a professional softball league before returning to California. Away from work, Melissa stays active with her husband and daughter. Melissa is a hardworking claims manager who earned the company’s "Get it Right the First Time" Award in 2006.

Van Royce Vibber - Contracted Affiliate for Claims Management Van has been working with Global Discoveries since 2000 assisting thousands of people to recover lost assets.

Edie Westerman - Claims Manager Edie is a native of California living most of her life in Modesto. She came to Global Discoveries in August of 2008 with a management background in sales, distribution and marketing. Edie possesses a positive approach to helping potential clients and looks forward to assisting each client with their specific needs. Edie has been married to her husband of 30 years. She has two grown children and twin granddaughters who are the light of her life. Her favorite time away from work is to spend time with her family and friends, traveling, taking pictures and scrap-booking all the memories.

Claims Processing

Amy Elmer - Claims Processing Manager Amy is a Central California native who joined Global Discoveries in 2005. Amy’s skill and dedication earned her the firm’s Most Valuable Player Award in 2006 and 2007, as well as the 2006 Team Spirit Award and the 2007 Most Focused on Company Goals Award. As Amy explains, "I believe in what we do at Global Discoveries and in what the company stands for as an ethical company looking out for their clients’ best interests." Away from her job, Amy is working toward her bachelor’s degree in business management. In her spare moments, Amy enjoys spending time with friends and family.

Linda Hunnel - Claims Processor Linda grew up in Oregon and attended Northwest Nazarene College before moving to California in 2005. That same year she began working at Global Discoveries and especially appreciates the company’s collaborative approach, with employees working together on behalf of its clients. Happily married for more than 20 years, Linda is actively involved in her local church and busy raising her five children. She is especially proud of her eldest son who serves in the Army National Guard.

Michelle Reynosa - Claims Processor Michelle's early years were spent in Los Angeles before moving to California’s Central Valley where she graduated from high school and attended Merced College. She joined Global Discoveries in 2006 and works hard handling the many details necessary to file claims and manage their progress to completion. Michelle prides herself on learning quickly and managing multiple tasks, and in being easy to get along with. When not at work, Michelle enjoys spending time with family, exercising, and decorating.

Data

Beki Hentges - Data Manager Beki is a Bay Area native who began working for Global Discoveries in 2004. While working for Global Discoveries, she earned her associate’s degree in administration of justice from Modesto Junior College, making the dean’s list each semester. In her position as data manager, Beki is responsible for identifying and verifying owners of unclaimed assets. According to Beki, her favorite aspect of her job is solving the complex puzzle of claim entitlement. In her spare time, Beki enjoys reading and watching baseball.

Shawn Wagner - Data Analyst Shawn is a native Central Californian and father of three who attended Delta College and worked in the title industry before joining Global Discoveries in 2008. On the job, Shawn enjoys working with a variety of people and the challenge of searching properties. When not on the job, Shawn enjoys working with computers, bicycling/hiking with his family, and attending his local church.

Information Technology

Lee Craddock - Director of Information Technology Lee came to Global Discoveries from Lincoln, England. His journey took him through Norman, Oklahoma, where he became a Sooner fan and majored in computer science at the University of Oklahoma. Lee brought more than 10 years’ information technology experience in the education and finance sectors before joining Global Discoveries in 2005. Lee is the mastermind behind the firm’s custom asset recovery tracking systems and the Claim Management System (available to clients on this web site), which are unique to the industry, and he oversees day-to-day IT operations. His achievements earned him Global Discoveries’ Superior Quality Award in 2007 and the 2006 "Get it Right the First Time" Award. As Lee explains, "I love creating cutting-edge technology for our company that reduces time and paperwork that ultimately increases the number of people we can help with our services. No other company in our industry has the level of technology we have and this gives us an advantage throughout the asset location and claim process." In his spare time, Lee enjoys golfing, completing items on his "honey-do" list and spending time with his wife and two young children.

Research

Dave Huckaby - Research Manager With over thirty years of research experience in both the public and private sector, Dave has established contacts throughout the United States and abroad. Dave joined Global Discoveries after a successful career in law enforcement and he possesses a bachelor's degree in management.

Kristin Patten - Research Analyst Kristin is a family-oriented Northern California native with diverse interests. Away from work, Kristin enjoys dancing, cooking, traveling, karaoke, and watching or participating in many different sports. She attended CSU Stanislaus, graduating summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in criminal justice before joining Global Discoveries in 2007. At work, Kristin enjoys returning unclaimed assets to those who are entitled through her creative, yet intense, research efforts.

Cindi Reis - Research Analyst Cindi spent most of her life in the Bay Area, where she attended Ohlone and Chabot Community Colleges before moving to Central California. Her duties at Global Discoveries include locating potential claimants and assisting claims managers in recovering assets for clients. A dedicated mother of two, Cindi enjoys everything from playing Scrabble to fishing, and from cooking to playing pool.