Meet our Staff

Craig Rairdin,
President
Personal Web site: Craig's World
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What did you do before coming to Laridian?
I wrote the original QuickVerse program and brought it to Parsons
Technology in 1988. At Parsons I was their VP, Church Software
Division, but also ran technical support, manufacturing, and
shipping at various times. I was there for ten years before
leaving at the end of 1998 to start Laridian with Jeff and Jim.
Current devices:
iPhone 3G, HP iPaq 210. I also have a box of Palms, iPods,
Blackberries, and other mobile devices I pull out when needed.
Preferred mobile platform:
After ten years of a strong affinity for Windows Mobile products,
I've switched to iPhone as my preferred personal platform. I
still enjoy developing for Windows and Windows Mobile, though.
Favorite Laridian product:
PocketBible for iPhone
Favorite Laridian books:
NASEC with The Complete Word Study Dictionary Old and
New Testament editions; Ancient Christian Commentary series.
Favorite non-Laridian PDA software:
For the iPhone: Navigon GPS navigation rivals any stand-alone
GPS I've used. Word Warp and Sudoku Unlimited fill my few free
moments. RunKeeper Pro keeps me company while running.
On Windows Mobile: Several programs from SBP that improve the
user interface.
What do you do when you're not at work?
My main hobby is flying. I'm a private pilot with single,
multi-engine, and instrument ratings. My dad and I own a little
"light sport airplane" that we fly around for sightseeing, and
I have access to bigger airplanes for business or personal travel.
I also enjoy movies, reading, and Sudoku puzzles. And I do
technology-related projects for my church.
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Jeff Wheeler,
Vice President, Development
Personal Blog:
According to Jeff
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What did you do before coming to Laridian? I spent nearly ten years at Parsons Technology, providing development and project management for its Bible and church related products. Prior to that, I worked with Craig at a large, local company. Craig and I have been working together since 1984!
Current devices: iPhone 3GS
Preferred mobile platform: iPhone - I love my iPhone way more than any other device I've ever used.
Favorite Laridian products: PocketBible for the iPhone, what else?
Favorite Laridian books: Holman Christian Standard Bible and the Life Application Study Bible notes
Favorite non-Laridian PDA software: MLB At Bat for my iPhone
What do you do when you're not at work? I enjoy family time, St. Louis Cardinal baseball and a fantasy baseball league. A lot of my time is spent in ministry at my local church.
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Jim VanDuzer,
Board Member
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Current devices: too many to count!
Preferred mobile platform: I have to pick just one?
Favorite Laridian product: PocketBible
Favorite Laridian books: Bible-English Standard Version; Commentary-IVP New Testament Commentary Series; Dictionary-AMG Complete Word Study Dictionaries; Devotional-Daily Light for the Daily Path (ESV). Other favorites: New Living Translation, Second Edition, Ancient Christian Commentary Series, Treasury of Scripture Knowledge, My Utmost for His Highest.
Favorite non-Laridian PDA software: TomTom, OneNote Mobile, TextMaker, LingvoSoft Phrase Book
What's an interesting thing we might not know about you? During the winter, I'm probably on the ski slope working on ski patrol or just having fun.
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Patty Brockett,
Customer Service
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What did you do before coming to Laridian? I was an employee of Parsons Technology for 8 years and held several positions throughout my tenure. Starting out as an outbound telemarketer (yuck), I later switched to inbound sales and helped in shipping as needed. Looking for more of a challenge, I moved to technical support where I handled phone support for the church software products and then online support for a much larger line of products. In my most recent position before coming to Laridian, I was responsible for coordinating the efforts of technical support, marketing, and development as they related to customer support issues on Parsons Church products.
Current devices: HP iPAQ, Dell Axim, and numerous Palm OS devices, all supplied by Laridian for my working pleasure.
Preferred mobile platform: Pocket PC
Favorite Laridian product: PocketBible
Favorite Laridian book: Life Application Study Bible
Favorite non-Laridian PDA software: I only use Laridian products.
What do you do when you're not at work? I enjoy gardening, taking walks with my husband and two dogs, fishing, hunting, and camping. I also enjoy pitching for my church softball league, singing in choir, participating in AWANA, and various committee-related activities.
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Heidi Meeks,
Marketing
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What did you do before coming to Laridian? Most recently (the last 10 years) I have been mom to our three children. Before my life was taken over, I was the office manager (again for 10 years, seems to be a theme in my life!) for a child development center in Virginia. I have also done court research for a home mortgage company.
Favorite Laridian products: PocketBible for Windows
Favorite Laridian books: NIV, One Year with Jesus and The IVP Bible Background Commentary – Old Testament
What do you do when you're not at work? Any number of different family activities with my husband and children. Going into New York City with my husband for a Broadway show or just being in the city. I enjoy volunteering at my children’s school, curling up with a good book and scrapbooking. I also work in the library at our church.
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Michelle Stramel,
Marketing
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Current devices: iPhone 3G, Palm T|X (use as my alarm clock and bedside Bible), Dell X51V (not in use).
Preferred mobile platform: iPhone. What's not to love!?
Favorite Laridian products: PocketBible, Memorize!
Favorite Laridian books: The One Year Walk with God (see my review), Ancient Christian Commentaries, Amplified Bible and ESV Study Bible
What do you do when you're not at work? Enjoy time with my husband and son—we like to build legos and read Batman and Star Wars books. I also attend Bible Study Fellowship and am a member of a local Toastmasters club.
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Quick Facts
- The word “Laridian” is derived from the Greek word meaning “small book.”
- Although Laridian, Inc. is based in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, it is actually a “virtual” company; everyone works out of their home offices.
- Craig Rairdin, President of Laridian, was the creator of QuickVerse®, the popular Bible-study software for Windows PCs.
- Laridian's first product, PalmBible, was introduced in October 1998. PalmBible™ was designed for computers running the Windows CE operating system and has been replaced in our product line by PocketBible® for Pocket PC.
- Most of the products the company sells are owned by their developers and licensed for distribution by Laridian. If you have developed a Christian software product and are looking for a marketing partner, we might be interested. Send an email to Craig Rairdin, President.

Exhibiting at the Microsoft Pocket PC Conference
From left: Craig Rairdin, Jeff Wheeler

One of our weekly staff meetings, virtual-style
From left: Craig Rairdin, Jeff Wheeler, Jim VanDuzer, Michelle Stramel

Annual board meeting
From left: Laridian board members, Jim VanDuzer, Jim Anderson, Jeff Wheeler, Craig Rairdin

Jim & Kathy VanDuzer at our annual Christmas party

Exhibiting at Christian retail (CBA) trade show, 2003

Roughing it on the road: Jim VanDuzer on a business trip

Working from home means we all get a window office!
Jeff Wheeler in his home office

Jim VanDuzer made some new friends at the 2007
International Christian Retail Show (ICRS)
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