Tammy Pelstring (CEO, Co-founder)

Tammy Pelstring, CEO and co-founder of Obentec, lives in Santa Cruz, California with her husband and two children. Before founding Obentec, she owned and operated a wholesale business in the food industry and served as the president of the board of directors and chairperson of the executive, financial and personnel committees of a non-profit organization. She has also worked in the medical diagnostic industry as a technical consultant and product specialist. She holds a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences from California Polytechnic, San Luis Obispo. When she’s not working, she enjoys spending time in nature with her family, dogs, and horses. Her other interests include reading, family health and nutrition, volunteerism, and community supported agriculture.

Amy Hemmert, president and co-founder of Obentec, is a writer, educator, and mother of two school-age children. She holds a bachelor’s degree in biology and a master’s degree in English. She has co-authored five books and numerous articles, and has been a frequent presenter at professional conferences in the US and abroad. Her interests include cross-cultural communication, language acquisition, family nutrition, organic gardening, cooking, and environmental studies.

Nancy Waterous is the mother of two grown daughters. She relocated to Capitola from the San Francisco Bay Area in 2007. She has a bachelor's degree in sociology and social work from Skidmore College and is a former high school librarian. In her free time, Nancy enjoys debating political issues, reading, and spending time at the beach.

Kate Chipman lives in San Rafael, California with her husband and two sons. She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Massachusetts and attended a master's program in Public Health at Boston University. She has been involved with Obentec since its inception in 2001. In her spare time, Kate is also active in fundraising at her boys' schools and serves on several school district boards, including the Dixie Children's Fund, the Wellness Committee, and the Green Council. Her interests include hiking, skiing, mountain biking, and travel.

Michelle grew up in the Santa Cruz area and currently resides in Los Gatos, California. She's a graduate of San Diego State University with a bachelor’s degree in Communication and a minor in sociology. She enjoys hiking, reading, and spending time in the outdoors. She is proud to be a part of the Obentec team as she is passionate about helping the environment and promoting a healthy lifestyle.

Tamara Cummings , Obentec's head of Customer support, lives in Santa Cruz, California with her husband and two sons. She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from UC San Diego. She's been involved with gymnastics since she was 9 years old and continues to teach gymnastics to preschoolers. She has been an active member in parent clubs at her sons' schools since 1999, coordinating fundraising events and volunteering in the classroom. Her interests include health and exercise, gardening, Little League baseball, and travel.

Anna Dietze handles our front office and assists in most aspects of the company. Her responsibilities include--but aren’t limited to--customer service, school programs, and sales support. She relocated to the Santa Cruz area from Chico, CA, where she attended California State University, Chico for a BA in behavioral sciences. When she’s not at work, Anna enjoys live music, outdoor activities, bike riding, museum studies, and relaxing at home.

Stephanie Cook brings extensive experience in finance, customer service and support. She is a skilled public speaker, money manager, and group facilitator. In her life outside of Obentec, she attends school part time, volunteers in the community, and performs in two bands.