The Group
Michael Mahfood
Michael is the Managing Partner for Group M7, and as such oversees all departments including design, technical, administrative, financial and sales.
Michael entered the arena of the Internet in 1995 with over three decades of sales and marketing experience. An accomplished designer in his own right, Mr. Mahfood has overseen or consulted on the construction and development of over 1000 websites.
He resides in Tyler with his wife of 40 years, Suzann. Michael has five children and ten grandchildren.
Mary Lingle
Mary, Group M7 Creative Director and Partner, joined The Group in 1998. She attended college at Northeastern A&M in Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University. Mary moved to Texas in 1981, and entered the graphic arts field. She began working with computer graphics in 1986. She previously owned her own graphic design business before taking a full-time position with Group M7. Mary uses her knowledge to train our clients one-on-one in Web and graphic technologies, and has held training sessions at area businesses, non-profit organizations and colleges.
Mary's daughter, Erin, lives in Austin.
Nathan Mickler
Nathan, Lead Programmer and Partner, joined The Group in 2006. He holds a Master's of Engineering degree in Electrical Engineering from Texas A&M University.
It was during his time spent researching methods for using software simulations to minimize computer hardware that he developed his skills in programming and decided to specialize in back-end programming for web applications.
Matthew Mahfood
Matthew, Head of Operations and Partner, is a first responder for Customer Service and Sales.
Matthew is currently attending DeVry University and lives in Whitehouse with his wife Kayla.
Emily Smith
Emily is a native Texan, raised in Tyler, and a graduate of TK Gorman High School and Tyler Junior College. She is married with two children, and she and her family are active in their church, and the community.
In 1999, Emily began a successful career as an Independent Sales Director with a nationally known Direct Sales company, and soon was leading a sales team of 40+ local Consultants and-ultimately-her performance enabled her to rise to the top 2% of distributors within the company, nationwide. In 2004, her interests turned to Real Estate. Emily was privileged to be the Exclusive REALTOR for Tyler's "Two Hour House" World Record Breaking event! Taking the sales training and client service skills learned through her direct sales and Real Estate background, Emily joined the Group in Sales and Marketing in 2007.
Jason Hurley
Jason joined the group in early 2008 as a Designer and Programmer. A Tyler native, he holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Information Systems from the University of Texas at Tyler, where he is currently pursuing a Master's Degree in Computer Science. He also obtained his Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) certificate in 2001.
Jason has over 14 years experience in web design and development, programming, networking and database administration.
Albert Croft
Albert holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science from Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas.
An East Texas native, Albert began his association with The Group in 1998, rejoining The Group as System Administrator full-time in 2005. Albert has over 12 years of experience in his areas of technical expertise, which include Linux systems administration and support, DNS and email systems, and the Perl programming language.
Zach Rogers
Zach grew up just outside of Tyler in the small town of Van, Texas. After he graduated from high school in 2004 he enlisted in the Army to be a Scout. Assigned to the 1/71st Cavalry 10th Mountain Division Zach was deployed to Baghdad, Iraq from 2005-2006. After returning home he was honorably medically discharged from the Army for injuries sustained while in Iraq.
Zach has a degree in Systems Administration and is currently continuing his education. He joined the group in May 2011 and currently works as the Hardware/Systems Administrator.
Adam Emory
Adam joined The Group in January 2012 as a Web & Pre-Press Graphic Designer. He holds a degree in Advertising Graphic Design Technology and is currently continuing his education through online courses.
Adam lives in Pritchett with his daughter Kaydence.
Charles Bowker
A lifelong resident of Tyler, Mr. Bowker began his career in the broadcast industry with Buford Television, a communications holding company comprised of television stations, cable systems and subscription TV systems. After retiring as President and Chief Operating Officer, he started a data processing and management consulting business. His lifelong knowledge and involvement in the traditional communication industry allows Group M7 to distinguish itself in the ever-narrowing differences in traditional over-the-air and Internet broadcasts.
