Meet Gary Stringham

Layne is a member of the Idaho Technology Council

Introducing Gary Stringham, Chief Paperless Pusher

Describe the business/organization you work for

For two decades, companies have attempted to get their customers to switch to paperless bills and statements. However, most studies show that 50 to 70 percent still get paper copies. Cubby Paperless has developed patented technology which delivers paperless copies via an online platform. This service helps businesses and end consumers reduce their environmental impact while improving efficiency in their businesses and lives.

What inspired you to start your own business, or why did you decide to work for this specific

organization?

I was an end consumer getting my bills and statements on paper but was nagged by companies to go paperless. But I had also been an engineer in Hewlett-Packard's printer business and I knew the cost of paper, printing, and postage and why companies were trying so hard to get their customers to switch. I saw that today's solutions were having an opposing effect on each other, leaving one side winning at the expense of the other. Eventually I developed a solution that made it a win-win for both sides, and I started Cubby Paperless to deliver that win-win service.

What sets this business apart from others in the industry?

Businesses delivering paperless bills and statements only deliver their own, forcing end consumers to log into several company websites, many of which are cumbersome, to get their paperless copy. Cubby consolidates these documents from multiple companies and

delivers them to end consumers under one login. A few other companies have tried to provide the consolidating service but have been

forced to shutter their operations due to increasing cybersecurity requirements. Using the patented technology, Cubby acquires the documents in a more secure manner and provides them to the end consumers.

What challenges have you faced as a business owner or employee, and how did you overcome them?

Cubby has a B2C side and it has been warmly received by end consumers, most of whom cannot wait to get their bills and statements on Cubby. However, Cubby also has a B2B side, in that companies need to sign on for Cubby. The B2B sales process of finding and talking to the right person within a company, and making a sale, is a challenge, especially for an "enginerd".

What advice would you give to someone looking to join your industry?

When starting a company, it helps to have a good handle on the market, the problem, and existing solutions. While I would not have considered myself an expert in the paper and paperless bill and statement industry in the beginning, I know a lot more now and can speak confidently on the subject. Don't be shy about looking into what appears to be a competitor or a competing solution. By understanding it in depth, you will learn more and can strengthen your own offering.

Connect with Gary on LinkedIn HERE

Check out Cubby Paperless on their website HERE

Meet Kevin Phithak

by Tim Munkres • 7 April 2026

Introducing: Kevin Phithak, Staff Program Manager/Workforce Strategies, Micron Technology Describe the business/organization you work for: Micron Technology is a world leader in innovating memory and storage solutions that accelerate the transformation of information into intelligence, inspiring the world to learn, communicate and advance faster than ever. What inspired you to start your own business, or why did you decide to work for this specific organization? Growing up, my dad worked at Micron, and some of my favorite memories were attending the company picnics. Those events offered a chance to connect with the community, enjoy great food and activities, and even tour the fab in a cleanroom suit. Experiencing that environment at a young age sparked my interest in technology and inspired me to pursue a career in a high?tech company. Today, both of my brothers and I are proud to be second?generation Micron team members. I truly value the diverse and meaningful challenges I get to work on here—especially the opportunity to inspire students to explore careers in our industry. It’s rewarding to contribute to work that has impact and helps shape the future talent pipeline. What sets this business apart from others in the industry? The semiconductor industry is a fast?paced, continuously evolving field that presents both exciting opportunities and unique challenges. It offers the chance to work with some of the most advanced and innovative technologies—capabilities you simply won’t encounter anywhere else. What challenges have you faced as a business owner or employee, and how did you overcome them? One of my biggest early challenges was developing a deep understanding of the CTE and community college programs that prepared students for technician roles. I needed to identify which schools offered relevant curricula, determine how their programs aligned with our team’s requirements, and figure out the best way to connect and build relationships with the right stakeholders. Much of this work involved navigating each institution’s structure to determine the appropriate point of contact—whether a department chair, dean, or career counselor. Through consistent outreach and experimentation with different engagement approaches, I ultimately created a reliable system for establishing those connections. After two years of focused effort, we have built a strong network of partner schools that now serve as a pipeline for technician talent. This foundation has significantly strengthened our ability to identify, engage, and recruit students into opportunities at Micron. What advice would you give to someone looking to join your industry? Maintain a growth mindset and remain open to continuous learning. Remember that a “no” is not the end of your path—it often simply redirects you toward new opportunities. About the Idaho Technology Council The Idaho Technology Council (ITC) is a member-based organization that champions innovation and collaboration to grow Idaho’s economy through technology. Representing a dynamic and growing community of entrepreneurs, industry leaders, and policymakers, ITC connects vision with action to position Idaho as a hub for innovation and opportunity. Learn more at www.idahotechcouncil.org . Connect with Kevin on LinkedIn HERE Check out Micron Technology HERE