OUR TEAM
Who We Are
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​KDI's staff have been working hard for the past few years to make sure that our clients have a great experience when doing business with us. We are dedicated to fulfilling the needs of our clients by providing excellent customer service, timely order processing and by offering creative productivity to ensure that your promotional items leave a good and memorable impression on your desired user. Give customers a reason to do business with you.
Kathryn Michaud
Owner/Marketing Specialist
How long have you worked at KDI?
KDI started in 1997 as KDI Designs, manufacturing jewelry. In 2014 KDI Group, LLC was created out of our clients need for corporate & marketing merchandise. Custom Jewelry is still available however, we approach the process from a different angle.
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Favorite part of working with clients?
I love getting to know my client – the business and the client I am working with. Being able to find what they want and present additional ideas that fit within the themes is fun and also a challenge. Our goal is to find the best products to fit your needs and your budget, representing the company in the best possible way. We always strive to make you, the client look good!
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What do you like to do away from work?
Tennis, Reading and Walking with my dog Mocha.
Bartee Washburn
Owner/Chief Financial Officer
How long have you worked at KDI?
7 Years
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What are your responsibilities:
CFO and GM
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What is your favorite part about working at KDI?
Working with a great team
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What do you like to do away from work?
Play tennis and hang out with friends!
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Mocha
Company Mascot/#1 Sales Rep
(Who can say no to that face?)
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How long have you worked at KDI?
I’ve been here since I was adopted by Kathryn and Bartee in 2012. Can’t believe I’m going to be 9 next month! ( Cards and treats are welcome!)
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What are your responsibilities:
I spend a good deal of my day napping but when I’m awake I love to greet people at the door and keep watch on the parking lot for those dangerous squirrels and geese. In the afternoon I make sure to be in the warehouse to greet the Fed Ex driver ( He might have a treat for me!)
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What is the best part about working at KDI?
I get to be with my Mom and Dad all day and make sure they get lots of chances to pet me. I also make sure to ask to go outside several times a day, not because I have to do anything, but because I get a treat when I come back in!! (I have them very well trained!)
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What do you like to do away from work?
Eating treats is my absolute favorite pastime, but I also love to take walks with my Mom and cuddle in the chair watching sports with Dad.
Patty Barman
Customer Service Representative
How long have you worked at KDI?
I started officially working for KDI in March 2014. I did take time away from KDI from October 2018 until January 2020 – a little over a year. So I guess you could say I have worked for KDI for almost 6 years.
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What are your responsibilities?
My main responsibility is being a Customer Service Representative but I help out wherever needed except answering the phone. If anything needs to be handwritten, I’m the one to do that as well as gift-wrapping. 😊
They also rely on me to work the tournaments.
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What is your favorite part about working at KDI?
My favorite part about working at KDI is the people. Team KDI is fantastic. And I get to stay caught up with my fabulous friend in Colorado who is also part of Team KDI. It’s the perfect job especially during this COVID time as we are a very small group and can easily stay 6 feet apart and KDI supplies the masks!
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What do you like to do away from work?
Away from work I like to take long walks, spend time with my grandson, travel when it is safe, cook, have comfy-cozy time with my sweet sweedee, read, play candy crush and Pokémon.
Stephanie Kennedy
Office Manager
How long have you worked at KDI?
I joined the team in October of 2023
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What are your responsibilities?
I am the Office Manager, I oversee the office and make sure all the projects get done from start to finish.
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What is your favorite part about working at KDI?
All my co-workers at KDI, we are all family here.
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What do you like to do away from work?
I like to read, paint and go hiking
Andrea Geller
Client Marketing Specialist
How long have you worked at KDI?
Since July of 2024!
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What are your responsibilities?
As a Marketing Specialist, my core responsibility is to help clients select the products that best fit their needs. I develop and finalize orders until they enter the production part of the process. However, I also press apparel when needed.
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What is your favorite part about working at KDI?
My favorite part about working at KDI is that the ladies – and one gent! – on our team are all splendid, hilarious people who work hard and keep things moving. Plus, having a pup for a coworker is a bonus. Mocha does a great job!
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What do you like to do away from work?
From renovating a school bus into a mobile home for backpacking excursions, to videography projects that reflect my passion for the artistic community of Greensboro… I’m a junkie for projects and adventure. My day-to-day activities, on the other hand, include weightlifting, reading, and eating (I love food).
Sidonie Lysiak
Accounting/Warehouse Manager
How long have you worked at KDI?
I started working for Kathryn long before KDI was formed! We have been life long friends and when she needed some accounting help I stepped in. I retired from teaching Physical Education in 2017, 29 years at the same school which is unheard of!
What are your responsibilities?
I do the book keeping for KDI and since my retirement I have taken on additional responsibilities as warehouse manager. I manage shipping and receiving in the warehouse and keep inventory data.
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What do you like to do away from work?
I like to spend time at the beach, cheer on my beloved Buffalo Bills and spend time with my honey David.
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What is your favorite part about working at KDI?
We are small but mighty company and I enjoy working with such a great team!
Candace Kaufman
1455 Marketing
Websites & Graphic Design
How long have you worked with KDI?
In 2021 I partnered with KDI to handle all their Graphic Design and Website Needs.
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What are your responsibilities?
1455 Marketing handles all the graphic design and website needs for KDI's customers. From design layouts making sure your products are printed or embroidered correctly to creating websites for customers, we've got all your graphic and web needs covered.
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What is your favorite part about working at KDI?
My favorite part about working at KDI are the employees and the family we've become. Even though I'm not technically an employee, I'm still treated as part of the KDI family.
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What do you like to do away from work?
My soul runs off music! I attend a lot of concerts and music festivals throughout the year. My record is 5 Music Festivals and 52 Concerts in one year.
