Chatfield State Park in Littleton, CO offers more than 5,300 acres of open space and a 1,500-acre reservoir. There’s a calmness to the wide horizon here that makes you slow down, breathe, and take it all in.
Whether you’re walking along its trails, boating on the water, or simply sitting on a bench with a cup of coffee, you’re surrounded by wide-open views of rolling foothills and the distant Rockies. It doesn’t feel boxed in. It feels freeing.
As Sheryl Scott anticipates both her retirement this month and her eventual (actually next week!) move to Littleton, this sort of scene must bring her solitude as she reflects on a well traveled career path. It also must encourage her for the wide open road ahead that awaits her.
But open space is not something that’s foreign to her. Walk into Sheryl’s office, and the door has always been open... for a question, for a challenge, for a better way forward. After more than three decades of leading with that open-door mindset, Sheryl is heading into retirement with the same steady conviction and grace she brought to Datamax every day.
As she prepares to trade spreadsheets for school plays and boardrooms for the beauty of Colorado, we’re taking a moment to look back, not just on a long career, but on a remarkable legacy of honesty, growth, and unwavering commitment to the good of the entire organization.
From the Front Desk to the Financial Helm.
When Sheryl first joined the company (then Sumner Group Inc.), she came on board as an administrative assistant. She couldn’t have imagined she’d one day retire as Corporate Controller.
“I never thought for a minute that years later I would be the Controller,” she says with a laugh. “There were several promotions in between those two job titles!”
The company’s leadership believed in her from the start. “Fred Weaver and Steve Sumner (and later Steven Sumner) having the trust and confidence in me has meant a lot and allowed me to be successful.” That confidence propelled her career, and her commitment to the company — and its people — made her a cornerstone of our culture.
Making Decisions for the Good of All.
There’s a reason Sheryl’s perspective carried weight around the executive table. She never backed away from tough decisions. But her motivation was always clear: doing what’s best for the entire organization.
“Thank you! I’ve definitely tried,” she says, when asked about her well-known consistency and principle. “It has been a good company to work for — obviously, or I wouldn’t have been here so long!”
Whether navigating financial challenges or responding to change, she brought clarity and compassion to every situation. That balance of firmness and empathy helped shape the culture here, especially among those she led.
Evolving with the Times.
In more than 30 years, the landscape at Datamax has changed in ways that are hard to measure. Sheryl has lived them all.
“Technologically? We had typewriters, a mimeograph machine… I don’t even think we had email when I first started,” she recalls. “I’ve been through three ERP systems. The first acquisition I was involved in was MCT — that feels like a lifetime ago.”
Despite the challenges that come with growth, she saw each change as an opportunity. “It’s been great to see the company continue to grow.”
Anchored by People, Not Just Numbers.
For Sheryl, her time at Datamax wasn’t defined just by job titles or fiscal years — it was defined by people.
“We’ve shared the joy of new babies, new grandchildren, graduations, weddings… and supported each other through losses and illnesses. To be able to share the joy and also know others care during the bad times just makes coming to work every day better.”
She’s quick to credit her teams along the way. “I’ve had an amazing group of people reporting to me. I honestly believe I would not have been as successful without the strong team beside me.”
Her advice to the next generation? Simple but timeless: “Treat people with respect. You will get the best out of your employees if they respect you and want to work with you.”
A New Chapter, A New State
What’s next for Sheryl? A well-deserved breath of fresh air — quite literally.
She’s moving to Colorado to be closer to her grandson (“and his parents 😊”), where school activities, karate tournaments, and new adventures await.
“There’s definitely more travel and a lot more family time in my future — and a lot less stress!” she says with a smile. “I’m really excited for this next season.”
Sheryl’s Door May Be Closing... But Her Legacy Stays Open.
Sheryl Scott has been more than a controller. She’s been a cultural compass. A truth-teller. A quiet force of stability. Her fingerprints are on processes and systems, yes — but also on how we talk to each other, how we lead, and how we keep the good of the whole company in mind.
Her next chapter begins with a wide open road, a lighter calendar, and a heart full of memories — the kind that only come from showing up fully, year after year, with purpose and with people.
We’re so thankful for every step she took with us, and we wish her the best in the wide open road that awaits her. If she happens by Chatfield Stat Park, she’ll see that open space and hopefully feel like she has it all to herself.
