Meet The Zen Planner Team

It takes a team of web-savvy people to create membership management software that meets the complex and varying needs of fitness studios, schools, and gyms.

Jeff Gardner, Chief Executive Officer

Jeff Gardner CEO As CEO, Jeff Gardner brings extensive experience working with small businesses, particularly in software development and integration. He previously served as the President for PaySimple, successfully raising millions of dollars and leading the company from small start-up to a strong company with thousands of customers.  He has led business ranging from pre-revenue to more than $2 billion in revenue.

Jeff does not go anywhere without his bicycle. Be it a mountain, road, or cross bike, you will find him on it. He enjoys endurance racing as well as leisurely ‘epic’ rides with his friends and family. Jeff’s newest passion is Pilates, which helps keep him strong on the bike.


Ben Pate, Founder and Chief Technology Officer

Ben Pate, Founder and Chief Technology Officer

Ben is a CrossFitter, 3rd degree black belt in Taekwondo, and UCLA graduate who has worked with technology since his dad brought home an Apple II computer. He's passionate about making simple, usable technology that makes a positive difference in people's lives.

In 2006, Ben left a boring corporate job to create Zen Planner, and did so with two goals: helping to grow the small businesses that improve their local communities, and raising the bar for what businesses should expect from technology.



Filipina Pate, Founder and Chief Product Officer

Filipina Pate, Founder and Chief Product Officer

Filipina is in charge of working with customers, partners, and designers to refine and improve the user experience and features included in Zen Planner. In her previous life, Filipina managed the technology team that supported enrollment and registration of more than 10,000 students each quarter. Today, Zen Planner supports more than 50,000 students every month.

Filipina is passionate about dance and fitness. She is a licensed Zumba® instructor, a certified AFAA group fitness instructor and volunteers her time to teach Zumba classes at a local elementary school.



Dennis “Dennie” McGarry, New Customer Coach

Dennie Dennis McGarry New Customer Coach

Dennie is responsible for introducing new and prospective customers to Zen Planner and helping them understand how Zen Planner will help them run their fitness business more efficiently and profitably. Prior to joining Zen Planner, Dennie ran the Colorado operations for Pendum, LLC, a cash logistics and service company.

Outside of work, Dennie is passionate about fitness and wellness. He enjoys year-round cycling, races Cyclocross and mountain biking, and is planning to add CrossFit workouts to compliment his training and build strength.



Augie Frost, Marketing Manager

Augie Frost, Marketing Manager

When not working, Augie is probably in the mountains skiing, hiking, camping or climbing the Colorado 14ers. He is responsible for marketing and sales at Zen Planner, utilizing a diverse skill set in digital marketing and technical sales. A former Crime Reporter for The Oklahoman newspaper, Augie is a writer at heart that has developed a strong desire to work in small business, where he can contribute in many capacities.

Augie has played nearly every sport, including football, baseball, basketball, soccer, swimming, wrestling and karate. His true passion is the outdoors and in particular, the Colorado Rockies. Augie recently joined a Denver climbing gym to support his goal of climbing all of the Colorado 14ers and Mt. Rainier in Washington.



Ashley Dennis, Customer Liaison

Ashley Dennis customer liaison

Ashley is responsible for creating and providing our customers with the high level of customer service that you have come to love and expect from Zen Planner. Prior to joining Zen Planner, Ashley has held customer service and technology support roles in the payment processing world.

Ashley has always been involved in the fitness world spending many years in her family owned gym as a child. Ashley is a fitness fanatic and is a national level NPC bikini competitor as well as practices Muay Thai, and enjoys the many challenges of the fitness world.



Anna Love Gardner, User Experience Designer

Anna Love Gardner User Experience Designer
Anna works with the team on website redesigns, process flows, always keeping our users in mind. Her goal is to provide the best user experience to each and every customer. Anna’s experience started with her desire to help people use technology to make their lives easier, and it has evolved over the last 17 years to include website and software design. Her strengths include reaching out to stakeholders, gathering requirements, and seeking creative solutions to challenging problems.

Anna loves mountain biking and has recently taken up trail running. She also enjoys yoga and Pilates.  She is planning to compete in her first Xterra Triathlon this summer.


Scott Baca, Vice President of Business Development

Scott Baca VP Business Development
Scott Baca joined Zen Planner in 2011 as VP of Business Development. Scott brings more than two decades of varied leadership, sales and marketing experience to his new role. Scott has extensive experience in starting and growing software development and Information Technology companies. He previously founded and served as the President and CEO of Envision Technology Partners, an international Public Health Software company.

You will often find Scott working out, enjoying CrossFit workouts with friends as well as hiking, snowboarding and racing mountain bikes.