The Oasis Team
Dan Balow
Publisher
He came to Oasis Audio in Fall 2006 after 14 years with Tyndale House Publishers, one of the largest Christian book and Bible publishers in the world. At Tyndale Dan held the positions in marketing, sales and international rights and licensing.
Dan is member of the board for both the Christy Awards and Global Publishers Alliance, an international effort with the purpose of enabling publishers of Christian books and Bibles to become financially self-sufficient.
Dan is a 1978 graduate of Wheaton College (IL) with a degree in Communications. He and his wife Carol make their home in Wheaton, Illinois. They have four grown children.
Tammy Faxel
Director of Sales and New Business Development
Publishing industry veteran Tammy Faxel joined Oasis in early 2008 and is responsible for new business development and management of key national accounts. Faxel is developing and managing the sales and marketing effort into library channels as well as other special markets.
For more than 25 years Faxel has served in multiple executive-level positions throughout the publishing industry, most recently as the Director of New Business Development for IBS-STL Global. Prior to her role with IBS, Faxel was Vice President of Business Development for Books to Inspire where she created a business infrastructure, managed corporate and hospital accounts, and hosted multiple marketing events.Ê She also served at Tyndale House Publishers for over 20 years.
Tammy lives with her family in Chicago's western suburbs.
Leslie Krueger
Production Coordinator
After graduating from Wheaton College with a degree in psychology, Leslie Krueger joined the Oasis Audio team in January 2008. Leslie oversees the entire production process for an audio title, including the acquisition of manuscripts, finding and scheduling narrators, scheduling recording studios, and approving all artwork related to the product. Leslie also oversees all of the reader audition demos. Leslie says, "It is very satisfying to schedule and approve audio and art that turns into a great listening experience."
Leslie hails from Valparaiso, IN just southeast of Chicago, but now lives in Lombard with her husband, Adam, whom she married in August of 2008.
Jordan Smith
Web & Digital Coordinator
Jordan Smith's responsibilities include working with vendors to ensure they have accurate and up-to-date product information, working on the catalog, and updating the Web site to reflect what is happening at Oasis.
Prior to joining Oasis, he worked in the banking industry as a teller and customer service representative. Jordan is a graduate of Wheaton College, where he received a bachelor of arts in communications, media studies.
In his free time, Jordan enjoys juggling and tennis and is an avid fan of celebrating half-birthdays. He lives in Glen Ellyn with his wife, Julie.
Toni Summers
Customer Service
Toni Summers, whose background includes 13 years at a major retailer in merchandising, joined the Oasis team in 2008, serving in customer service.
Toni and her husband live in the western suburbs of Chicago where she enjoys a variety of activities from interior decorating and scrap booking to swimming and spending time with family. She has also served on multiple boards at her children's school and is actively involved in fundraising efforts for her church.
Melissa Wajda
Operations Coordinator
As Oasis' newest employee, Melissa Wajda is the office "go-to" person. She serves the needs of customers and sales personnel, providing product samples, merchandising materials, and sales information. She also coordinates marketing and trade show events and assists with product acquisitions and licensing.
Before joining Oasis, she worked as a receptionist and marketing coordinator at a corporate and estate planning law firm in the Chicago suburbs as well as in sales at the largest home builder in Illinois.
Melissa received her degree in illustration from Indiana Wesleyan University. In her free time, she serves as a volunteer youth leader and describes herself as an avid outdoorswoman, equestrian and humanitarian. She and her husband and their weiner dog reside in Naperville.
