Meet Our Team
Executive & Advisory

Dr. Stephen Richardson
Founder & Senior Software Architect
Dr. Richardson started Gatemaster, like many successful San Francisco bay area tech start-ups, in his garage. Since its inception in 1994, Gatemaster has grown to become the industry leader in point-of-sale and ticketing software with clients in 16 countries worldwide and satellite offices in California, Utah and Colorado. He lives (and programs) in northern California.

Sondra Shannon
Chief Executive Officer
Sondra started out originally as a Gatemaster client operating an the late 90’s. She worked in Gatemaster’s training department traveling the world assisting clients in opening new facilities, then moving to sales and now Gatemaster CEO. Sondra has been crucial to Gatemaster’s growth as chief executive officer. She prides herself upon bringing her core values of integrity, clarity, and prosperity in the business and software development culture at Gatemaster.

Tiffany Blair
EVP of Client Success & Solutions
“Tech enthusiast making attractions & shops ✨ZING✨ with eCommerce & ticketing! Helping you create unforgettable experiences for your guest.”
My Story
Tiffany Blair is an accomplished Executive Vice President of Customer Service and Support at Gatemaster Technology, with over 17 years of dedicated experience in onboarding and supporting a diverse range of businesses. With a track record of assisting hundreds of businesses across 16 countries and 11 industries, Tiffany excels in increasing revenue, identifying cost-saving opportunities, and implementing business solutions through system automation. Her expertise extends to managing hardware and development teams, driving software enhancements and product development. Tiffany resides in Denver, Colorado, where she balances her professional achievements with her role as a proud mom to her son and attraction enthusiast.
More About Me
- If I was stranded on a desert island the 3 items I want to have with me are:
- A multi-tool for practical survival needs and home repair tasks.
- A solar-powered satellite phone to stay connected and eventually signal for help.
- My paddleboard, because even on a desert island, I’d love to explore the waters and keep active.
- The technological innovation that made the most impact in my life is Home automation! It allows me to streamline daily routines, improve energy efficiency, and create a living environment that responds to my needs and preferences. The ability to control my home’s lighting, security, and climate with just a voice command or a smartphone app has not only enhanced convenience but also sparked my interest in further innovations and developments in smart living solutions.
- My favorite theme park attraction has to be the thrill rides at Universal Studios. There’s nothing quite like the adrenaline rush of a high-speed roller coaster or the immersive experience of a 3D ride. The combination of cutting-edge technology, storytelling, and sheer excitement makes it an unbeatable experience for someone who loves both adventure and innovation.

Jake Shannon
Chief Financial Officer
Jake Shannon holds a master of science degree in financial engineering from golden gate university and prior to his work with Gatemaster he co-founded (and currently serves on the board) of reverse market insight, inc., a data analysis and consulting firm specializing in the reverse mortgage industry. He currently lives in Denver, Colorado with his wife and three children.

Joshua Green
Director of Strategic Partnerships
Josh is owner and founder of Green Legal Group, P.C., a general practice firm that provides high quality legal services primarily in the areas of business and corporate law, intellectual property, divorce and family law, and estate and probate law. His focus at the firm is business and intellectual property, especially trademarks and copyrights. In addition to running his own firm he is Director of Strategic Partnerships here at Gatemaster.
Administration

Arianna Blackwell
Executive Assistant
“First, think. Second, dream. Third, believe. And finally, dare.” – Walt Disney
My Story
I was born and raised in The Bahamas and then moved to the US for college in 2015. Since then, I have relocated to Florida, gotten married, had a beautiful daughter (and pup!) and started a career in customer service and business support. I am fortunate enough to have learned the beauty of interacting with everyone from a one-time customer to company presidents. When not helping attractions massively succeed, you can find me at an attraction myself! As a travel agent, it is my passion to help people have a magical vacation.
More About Me
- If I were stranded on a deserted island my 3 must haves are a tent, water filter and fishing line/rod.
- One important skill that I believe everyone should have is adaptability. The only constant in life is change so being able to adapt to people, personalities, and situations will make life so much easier!
- If I could host a talk show my first guest would be Rihanna. As a fellow “island gyal” her success has always blown me away and learning from her would be amazing. A close second is Zendaya, she’s such a girl boss!
- When I was 5 I wanted to be a paleontologist or a prima ballerina.
- My favorite theme park is Animal Kingdom in Walt Disney World (really any of those parks, and Universal Orlando Resort… And SeaWorld Orlando!) But my favorite ride is tied between Avatar Flight of Passage, Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind & Hagrid’s Motorbike Adventure! Sivako!

Leona Shannon
Jr. Executive Assistant
“Life is like a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.” — Albert Einstein
My Story
I am a Junior Executive Assistant at Gatemaster, supporting marketing initiatives and daily operations. With a strong focus on post-production tasks for Live with Sondra, I am dedicated to driving the company’s growth and success!
More About Me
- My favorite attraction is the Tiki Room at Disneyland, they have the best pineapple ice-cream!
- If I could host a talk show, my first guest would be Elton John. He’s my favorite music artist and seems really funny.
- When I was 5 I probably a superhero if I’m being completely honest! But I’ve always wanted to be an actress.
Marketing & Sales

Destiny Tappin
Content Marketing Manager
“I love learning about the attraction industry and using marketing to educate attraction professionals.”
My Story
As the Content Marketing Manager at Gatemaster Technology, I specialize in creating targeted content and innovative marketing strategies for the attractions industry. My work focuses on addressing key pain points for amusement parks, waterparks, and entertainment venues, enhancing guest experiences and operational efficiency. I develop engaging content, brochures, thought leadership pieces, and landing pages to showcase Gatemaster’s solutions. Collaborating closely with our dedicated team, I strive to position Gatemaster as an industry leader. With a commitment to excellence, I aim to elevate our brand and drive our mission forward.
More About Me
- The technological innovation that made the most impact in my life is AI. It has had a big impact in my professional life. I have leveraged it to help streamline and improve my work. With the help of AI, I have gained new ideas and expanded my knowledge.
- I believe one important skill every person should have is emotional intelligence. Emotional intelligence is a vital skill that can help you succeed in your professional and personal life. Having this skill shows that are you able to listen and understand others during a conflict. You might also be able to help them better too.
- My favorite hobbies outside of work are making art on my iPad and reading.
- My favorite theme park is Silver Dollar City

Maria Shabbir
Marketing & Sales Development Co-Ordinator
“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” – Maya Angelou
My Story
Leveraged my Marketing Honours degree from Ontario Tech University to gain experience across various companies. This diverse experience allowed me to identify my ideal work environment and skillset application. I’m thrilled to be currently applying my knowledge and skills at Gatemaster, where I’m continuously learning and growing.
In my free time, I enjoy meeting friends for a meal, paint by numbers, making lists, organizing, and volunteering in my community.
More About Me
- My brothers and I are born exactly 2 days and 2 months apart. I have a few teeth that look like canines teeth and yet meat is the thing I try to avoid the most. I won an IPAD from Cheese Strings in my teens.
- My biggest inspiration is probably my dad. He’s an amazing human being and he’s friendly with everyone, very positive, understanding, hard working, empathizes with others, he’s good at making conversation, and loves making others laugh. He’s the kind of person I want to be.
- My friends would describe me as organized, detail oriented, open minded
- My hobbies include research, paint by numbers, read, meeting friends, making lists, organizing, and volunteering in my community.
- If I had a super power it would be healing and protecting people from danger
- Some of my favorite things are food, socializing and meeting with friends, a walk/hike in the park
- My favorite theme park is Wonderland!
Client Success

Daniel Woodward
Client Engagement Associate
“You’re braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.” – Winnie the Pooh
My Story
With over 22 years in the theme park and entertainment industry, I’ve dedicated my career to creating unforgettable experiences for guests. My journey began at just 16 years old at Paramount’s Kings Island. My early days were spent learning from some of the industry’s most talented professionals, and it was here that I discovered the magic of creating immersive worlds through events like Fear Fest, Haunt, and Winterfest.
Driven by my passion for the industry, I’ve taken on various roles across other parks and haunted attractions, always seeking to enhance the guest experience. Before joining Gatemaster, I served as the Groups and Events Manager at Entertrainment Junction. There, I effectively utilized Gatemaster’s system to streamline our group, event, and birthday party bookings, as well as introducing successful in-house events such as craft shows and Breakfast with Santa.
Now, I am thrilled to assist other attractions in optimizing their systems to ensure guest satisfaction. My goal is to leverage my extensive experience and insights to help create seamless and memorable experiences for all visitors.
More About Me
- The person who is my biggest inspiration would have to be Dolly Parton. She inspires me through her philanthropy, advocacy, and music. She’s proof that success doesn’t have to harden your heart.
- When I was five, I declared to my mom that I wanted to be a preacher when I grew up. Her curious “Why?” was met with my dead-serious response: “Because they always get to eat chicken, and I love chicken.” What can I say? I was a kid who knew what I liked.
- My favorite theme park would have to be Kings Island. While other parks house some of my favorite rides like (the mind-bending Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, the classic Tower of Terror, the intense Maverick, and the legendary Top Thrill Dragster), Kings Island holds a special magic for me. Maybe it’s all the memories of working there, or maybe it’s just that perfect mix of nostalgia and thrills, but something about that place feels like coming home.
Software Development

Adam Macy
Lead Developer
Adam is our resident web guru having spearheaded Gatemaster’s e-commerce and mobile pos development teams. When he is not programming projects he is tending to his goats and chickens with his family.

Manny Navarette
Quality Assurance & Support Technician
“Just keep swimming” – Dory
My Story
I’m a new player in the attractions industry but have been working on software for close to 10 years. I studied Computer Science Engineering at the University of Colorado Boulder, and was self-employed doing a wide range of technical consultations, before finding a home here at Gatemaster Technologies.
More About Me
- Spanish was my first language I learned, I love to cook and bake & I ran a marathon October 2023.
- My favorite movie/TV show would have to be The Bear or Parks and Recreation.
- One thing I have never gotten over is when I was 15 I solved a Rubick’s Cube in under 30 seconds and I’ve never been able to do it that quickly again. Now-a-days I can complete one but it takes multiple minutes.

Creative by The Evoke Group