(Accounting Specialist - Saint Louis Office) - A true representation of Pam Barton’s Datamax story would read more like a novel than a short read like this.

After all, the St. Louis-based Accounting Specialist has been at Datamax for 42 years, back when it wasn’t Datamax – it was A.B. Dick Products. Over four decades, she’s seen the evolution of the industry, from mimeographs to multi-function printers, and the insurmountable growth of the organization she’s come to love. It’s a different world at Datamax, yet very much the same.

Not everything’s changed, of course. For one, Pam still owns a timeless work ethic that is wholly fierce, and a continued desire to do whatever is asked, and then a lot more. (and she’s done A LOT at Datamax!)

“I’ve seen this whole world grow. It’s both fascinating and interesting to observe. At the same time, it almost feels like it’s the same as it always has been. I’m thankful to be part of this company for so long. When you see growth like this, you’re proud to be able to say ‘that’s my company,’” Pam said.

What led me to Datamax?

By the time Pam was 15, she was immersed in the working world. The oldest of four children, it was incumbent on her to do whatever she could to help make ends meet.

“My dad bestowed on me the idea that you work your butt off and make something of yourself,” Pam said.

In high school, Pam took on the trade of clerical work. She worked part-time at a Shelter Workshop for the Handicapped (where her boss became her husband at age 20, now married for 46 years), and later went to work doing payroll and HR for the Edison Brothers Apparel Group.

“I found an ad (for Datamax) and was interviewed by Fred Weaver,” she recalls. “I remember him telling me, ‘I’m afraid you won’t be happy here because you’re used to working at a company with 100s of employees in several states.’”

Even so, he made her an offer as a payroll clerk. He called back a few days later. He had a ‘better fit” for her in billing. She gladly accepted.

My experiences at Datamax:

Pam’s moved around the St. Louis office in many facets over the years. Office Coordinator. Collections. Executive Assistant. She was responsible for the sales and commission payroll until 2013. Over the years, she’s even taken the lead on culture marketing, sending out “surprise” emails to employees on their anniversaries.

Currently, as the Accounting Specialist, she works on all avenues of payment processing and collaborates with customers to set up individualized payment processes inside their individual portals. She's also responsible for payment to Canon USA, one of our biggest vendors. She loves numbers and having to check and balance. You must, if you want to work in an accounting field, Pam says. 

“I’m a very detailed, analytical person. I need to know all the facts. You cannot skip that,” Pam says. “Not only working with collections, investigating or researching payment issues or credit issues on customer accounts. You have to be detailed and you have to know how to go through the steps… I’m happy to do the research. I just love to work – some might say I get too involved sometimes. That can be a good thing or a bad thing…. It’s just my nature.”

What makes me want to stay at Datamax?

“Some days I’d work for peanuts just to get my work done. Seeing people grow, seeing our company grow, all the divisions and the states we’re in. But a big thing for me was how the company looked out for its employees during COVID. You don’t see that a lot in big companies today… I’ve always felt wanted, always felt like I was an asset. Hopefully, my work shows how dedicated (to Datamax) I really am. We are a super big family here and everyone is a great team player! I truly love my job and have an awesome boss that respects you! Steven cares about ALL of his employees!"