HOME | CONTACT US | MY ACCOUNT

Meet Our Team

Experience and Knowledge you can rely on

Retail Shipping Associates management and support team is a compilation of experience, talent, subject-matter expertise and industry knowledge. Combining these with our shared passion for helping our members reach their success goals makes for a very powerful and comprehensive resource.

Brandon Gale

President

President of RS Associates, Brandon got started in the industry in 1984 as co-founder of Eagle Postal Centers, a 38 store chain of licensed and corporate retail shipping centers located in Texas. As a 29-year veteran, Brandon has demonstrated a long - term commitment to the industry and holds a point of view rooted in extensive first-hand experience in every aspect of the business.

From 2003-2007, Brandon served as president of Associated Mail & Parcel Centers, a business league serving the interests of independent retail shipping center operators. In that role, he co-founded the Retail Shipping Institute and initiated the industry’s first risk management program: the HIPDR Ship Responsibly program. Brandon was also responsible for developing the USPS Approved Shipper Program with Pat Donahoe (now Postmaster General).

Brandon has designed and built stores from the ground up, orchestrated store conversions and remodeling, trained hundreds of store owners and staff, and consulted with Sears, Pitney Bowes, GLG consulting, Archer Management, Southern Methodist University, Brookhaven College, University of Texas at Dallas, and other companies and learning institutions.

Brandon’s commitment to the retail shipping industry is unwavering. He believes RSA plays a critical role in the success of its members by providing programs, training, support, advocacy, and resources that make the difference between mediocrity and excellence.
 

 

Rutledge Scarborough

Vice President & IT Director

An industry veteran of 23 years, Rut brings to RS Associates a truly unique set of talents. A mechanical engineer by degree, he spent over 21 years with Duke Energy as a Nuclear Plant Test Engineer and an IT Consultant in Nuclear Information Technology. At the same time, he and his wife Fran owned and operated a chain of six retail shipping stores.

As IT Director for RS Associates, Rut is responsible for the company’s operation through automation. His knowledge of best industry practices provides the backbone for the company’s e-identity. From online Associate registration to drop-off payment administration, his activities insure the smooth operation of all RSA programs.

In addition, Rut is a Senior Instructor and content developer for RS Academy.
 

 

Steven S. Weigman

Chief Financial Officer & Business Development

Steve earned a B.S. in Accounting from Northwest Missouri State University and has over 38 years of experience in accounting, financial consulting, business development and strategic planning covering a diverse business base including being part of a start-up company becoming publicly traded and maintaining an executive role. He has worked both in the public and private sectors with over 18 years in the retail packing and shipping industry.

An accountant by degree he has spent 10 years in a public accounting firm, 3 years as the SVP of Finance for a publicly traded company, 1 year as CFO for a multi-state construction company, 3 years as controller for utility construction company and had his own consulting company for 17 years including client’s in the following industries; retail sales, construction, trucking and freight, wholesale sales, retail packing and shipping, real estate developers, childcare, telecommunications and legal firms.
 

 

Rajan Dorasami

Vice President of Operations & Chief Culture Officer ( PBC )

After beginning his career in commercial logistics and warehousing, Rajan purchased Box & Ship in 2002. Since that time Box & Ship has experienced phenomenal growth and has become a model store in the industry for design and service.

Box & Ship became the first PackageHub Business Center location in 2020 and Rajan's passion for customer service in our industry has led him to become the Vice President of Operations for PBC. He continues to teach Certification courses for the RS Academy as well as co-presenting the RS BootCamp: Owners & Managers Seminar. Rajan is a charter member of the RS Advisory council.
 

 

Greg Ojeda

SVP Ecosystem Development & Product Strategy ( PBC )

Greg is a recognized thought leader in supply chain, e-commerce, and advanced manufacturing, focusing on creating a superior customer experience while driving sustainable growth.

  • 20+ years of leadership driving digital transformation across several verticals.
  • Venture Partner at CaratVP, board advisor, and mentor to early-stage tech companies
  • Led ecosystem development and commercial innovation at Pitney Bowes focused on first/last logistics, consumer experience, and product modernization.
  • Led the Additive Manufacturing Strategy and advanced manufacturing ecosystem partnerships for Jabil, the world's third-largest Contract Manufacturer.
  • Founded an Advanced Manufacturing startup as CCO, guiding the commercial and R&D efforts into a market-aligned product and services portfolio with a $1B valuation in just 4 years.

 

 

Peter Wixson

Creative Director

Peter brings over 20 years of print and web design experience to the RS Associates and PackageHub® team. He earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh in 2003. While completing his degree, he also worked as the Graphics Manager for the university’s student newspaper and helped found the university’s first student run web department.

After graduation, Peter began his career in Phoenix, AZ as a graphic designer for Leadership Network Corporation. A company specializing in producing conferences and conventions for the convenience retailing and restaurant industry. Here he honed his skills on publication layouts and direct mail marketing for all LNC events.

Peter entered the retail pack and ship industry in 2005 as the Communications Manager for Associated Mail & Parcel Centers and was tasked with re-branding the company, its web presence and monthly publication.

Peter has served as Creative Director for RSA since it was founded in 2007, building the brand from the ground up. He was also instumental in the creation of the PackageHub® brand in 2019. His focus has been to create a cohesive face for all aspects of both companies including print, web and email communications. Peter is responsible for the “look & feel” of everything for RSA & PBC — including the industry leading, quarterly publication, Retail Shipping News.

His passion for eye-catching design and effective and effecient marketing will help RSA, PBC and its partners continue to be leaders in this industry.

 

Tonya Benton

Membership Support Manager

Tonya R. Benton attended High School in Nuremberg, Germany and Austin, Texas, thereafter, she continued her education in general studies at Lincoln College in Bloomington, Illinois.

In 1996, Tonya began working as a Confirmation Manager with Protect America, where her team generated leads and netted the company profits with excellence; Tonya also further developed her skillsets in outstanding customer service and team leadership. From there she went on to perform a dual role of Licensed Auto Insurance Agent and Store Location Manager with Best Rate Insurance. Her responsibilities ranged from writing insurance policies, claims, administrative tasks, technical support, employee supervision & training, customer service, and building customer relationships. In 2005 Tonya continued her career with Austin Gutterman, where she reviewed contracts for accuracy, training, maintained meticulous records and assisted sales consultants and installers with accurate leads.

She relocated to Dallas, Texas in 2011 and began working with Retail Shipping Associates (RSA) as an Associate Services Representative. Her many responsibilities included managing DHL billing disputes and reviewing DHL Authorized Shipping Center Account requests for approval or denial. In 2014, Tonya was promoted to the Support Manager with Retail Shipping Associates. Once RSA launched the PBC franchise at the 2019 RS Expo, she was also promoted to Support Manager for the PackageHub Business Centers® franchise.

At the 2022 RS Expo, Tonya was awarded the Tonya Benton Living Legacy award for Excellence, Commitment and Initiative.
 

 

RS Advisory Council Members

Retail Shipping Associates established the RSA Member Advisory Council in 2014. The stated purpose of the council was for the management team at RSA to gain insight, critique, and counsel from a group of experienced and respected store owner/ operators from around the country. The feedback and input from the council has been instrumental in guiding efforts by RSA to develop relationships, programs, and a strategy that will best-serve our Members and the industry at-large. In fact, the council played a major role in the development of the new RSA national store networkPackageHub Business Centers™ (PBC).  There are 20 Member seats on the council and as owners retire and/or sell their stores, we identify potential replacements from a large group of eligible, qualified owners.

 

Cory Blankenfeld

Total Choice Shipping | Des Moines, IA

Cory and his wife Alicia opened Total Choice Shipping in November 2004. After their first year in business, the customer focus began to shift, and a need for business and printing services emerged. Thus began their effort to expand printing capabilities and gain a business partnership with a 30-year local graphic design & printing company. In 2007, they purchased Grinnell Graphix & Printing and merged the two companies, calling it Total Choice Shipping & Printing. For the last 15 years Cory and his wife have successfully expanded their little pack and ship store into a full-service print, design, package, shipping, and business services operation.

 

Jim Brown

Total Choice Shipping | Ottumwa, IA

Jim is President of Granneman – Brown Enterprises Inc., the owners of the Total Choice Shipping trade name. Granneman – Brown opened their store in Ottumwa Iowa in 1994 where Jim actively operates that location on a daily basis. In addition to the Ottumwa store, Jim provides training and support to all the other licensed Total Choice Shipping locations. Jim is a member of YESS, RSA, NARSC, AMPC, NPC, and the National Notary Association. He is the current President of YESS, the local chapter organization.

 

Charlie Bournis

Formerly Office 11211 | Brooklyn, NY

Charlie Bournis earned a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from St. John’s University.  After graduating he started a computer consulting company and was approached by Intel to teach its certification classes. This led to working at The Chubb Institute as a Certified Network Instructor during the dot.com boom. After starting multiple cell phone stores he realized that there was a need for a shipping store in his neighborhood and successfully morphed his business into one of the top shipping stores in the country. Charlie sold both his stores in 2021 and is currently working as a business consultant. Charlie has been an instructor for RSA since 2011.

Cesar Carranza

South Gate Pack N Ship | South Gate, CA

Cesar Carranza started an ecommerce business out of his garage with his wife, Lupe Carranza. After outgrowing this workspace, they decided to open a retail shipping store. Unsure of how to begin, Cesar and Lupe both attended the 2015 RS Expo and were swiftly able to develop a strong business foundation based off everything they learned at the Expo. Cesar’s business knowledge has helped their business, South Gate Pack N Ship, keep growing and surpassing all of their goals and expectations. Cesar hopes that his input as an RS Advisory council benefits fellow members nationwide.

 

Lupe Carranza

South Gate Pack N Ship | South Gate, CA

Lupe Carranzo originally started an Amazon and eBay ecommerce business with her husband, Cesar Carranza. After outgrowing their workspace, they decided to open a retail shipping store in the community they both grew up in. Lupe’s community outreach and social media experience has helped their business, South Gate Pack N Ship, keep growing and surpassing all of their goals and expectations. As part of the RS Advisory Council, Lupe trusts that her contributions will help all other store owners in this industry.

 

Mike Castillo

PostalMax | Scottsdale, AZ

With over 30 years of experience, Michael Castillo is a successful entrepreneur and highly regarded expert in corporate structuring and growing startups in different industries. Moving to Arizona from Chicago created a new opportunity for Michael—he started thinking about Mail Business Centers. He liked the idea of local business centers and knew it was his future. Michael is active in the Scottsdale Chamber of Commerce, Phoenix Business Referral, and MOT AZ networking group, all of which have been key to the growth of his business.

 

Rajan Dorasami

Box & Ship | Fort Worth, TX

After a brief career in commercial logistics and warehousing, Rajan purchased Box & Ship in 2002. Since that time Box & Ship has experienced phenomenal growth and has become a model store in the industry for design and service. Box & Ship became the first PackageHub Business Center location in 2020 and Rajan's passion for customer service in our industry has led him to become the Director of Operations for PBC. He continues to teach Certification courses for the RS Academy as well as co-presenting the New Owners Bootcamp. Rajan is a charter member of the RS Advisory council.

 
 

Manoli Kokologiannakis

Mail Depot | Riverbank, CA

Manoli Kokologiannakis opened Mail Depot Business Center in 2008. He earned a Bachelor's Degree in Information Systems from California State University Stanislaus, and an Associate's Degree in Business Administration. Prior to starting Mail Depot, Manoli owned and operated all aspects of an online marketing company. He enjoys using his IT background to bring technology and innovation into his retail business center. Manoli gladly accepted the invitation to join the RS Advisory Council when it was first formed and will continue to contribute his knowledge and expertise for the betterment of the industry. Manoli has a firm belief that together our stores can and will thrive.

 

John Koplos

Postal Dispatch | Bloomington, MN

John Koplos opened Postal Dispatch Business Center in October 2005. Since that time his business has steadily increased, and he has seen the mix of business change from mostly shipping to a mix of 50% printing and 50% shipping. He has added three high-speed digital printers, a wide-format printer, and other equipment to accommodate his ever-growing base of printing customers. In order to better serve his customers, he also has added a graphic designer a technical writer to his staff.

 

H.W. Kuecklhan

Postal Options | Paris, TX

After four years in the Navy, H.W. Kueckelhan went to work for Southwestern Bell and married his wife Loreta. After 32 years with SBC H.W. retired. H.W. and his son and daughter started Postal Options in May 1995 in Paris Texas. Now almost 20 years later they have outgrown one location. Lost the second location to a fire, and have been in the third local for 10 years.

 

Toybe McClanahan

Mailboxes & Beyond | Blytheville, AR

Complete bio coming soon.

 

Andy Nyhart

Lind-Hart Mini Ship | Hamburg, NY

Andrew Nyhart, president of Lind-Hart Logistics, Inc is a second-generation store owner. As a graduate of St. Bonaventure University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology, he loves working with other stores in the industry. His father, Dave Nyhart (now retired) opened Lind-Hart Mini Ship in 1982. Andy, has been working in the industry since he’s been able to tape a box. Andy also owns a cash register & point of sale business, called Lind-Hart Business Systems. From tracking customer sales over the counter to delivering product to customer’s door, his experience and passion for logistics runs deep.

 

Pat Osbourne

PackagesPlus | Owensboro, KY

Complete bio coming soon.

 

Bob Plourde

Mail It 4U| Bath, ME

Complete bio coming soon.

 

Bobby Walker

Postal Center | Nashua, NH

Bobby has been partnered in the Mail and Parcel industry with his father, Robert Sr., since they opened their first location in 1994. He has owned multiple locations in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Bobby has served as the New England Chapter President for NARSC for five years and also as Treasurer on the National board for two years. Bobby has also been a presenter and break out session leader for multiple conferences throughout the years.