Executive Team

The PDS executive team consists of talented individuals with a passion for management, leadership, and mentorship, with values that lead them to success.

Stephen E. Thorne, IV

Stephen E. Thorne, IV

Founder & CEO

Stephen Thorne, BA, MHA, founded Pacific Dental Services® in 1994 when he entered into his first dental practice management contract in Costa Mesa, California. Steve received his BA from UCLA and his Master's in Health Administration from Chapman University. His approach is encapsulated in the Company Belief Statements.

Scott Beck

Scott Beck

Vice Chairman

Scott Beck has served as a strategic consultant to PDS® Founder, President and CEO Steve Thorne since 2005. In 2012, Scott increased his advisory role, joining the PDS team as Vice Chairman in 2012. With over 35 years of experience in serving and founding high-profile retail and technology companies, Scott assists in developing multi-unit expertise across PDS. In 1988, Scott served as Vice Chairman and COO of Blockbuster Entertainment Corp. Worldwide. In 1992, he was Chairman and CEO of Boston Chicken, Inc., and later was Chairman of Einstein/Noah Bagel Corp. In addition, Scott is an investor and board member of Ancestry.com, ServiceMagic.com and other tech companies. Scott is currently the Chairman of the Board for Family Life Ministries. He received his Bachelor of Business Administration from Southern Methodist University.

Brady Aase

Brady Aase

Senior Vice President, Strategic Market Development and Support

As Senior Vice President of Strategic Market Development and Support, Brady Aase drives critical initiatives that directly support PDS’ growth objectives. Brady began his career with PDS in 1996 as the Controller for the inaugural Finance department. Over time, he took on greater leadership roles as Vice President and then CFO while establishing financial systems, structures, and teams integral to PDS’ long term goals. Brady holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Economics with an emphasis in Accounting and Finance from the University of California, Santa Barbara.

David Baker

David Baker

Chief Information and Digital Officer and Senior Vice President, Technology

As Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer (CIO), David Baker leads Pacific Dental Services’ Information Technology team in digitally empowering patients and further enabling clinicians through innovative technology solutions. Since joining PDS in October of 2016, David has focused on stabilizing the company’s core IT services to ensure operational excellence, providing seamless scalability as the company grows, and implementing continuous innovation to ensure that PDS stays ahead of the technology curve. David was named 2017’s “Innovator of the Year” by Orange County Business Journal and one of Computerworld’s Premier 100 IT Leaders in 2016. David is a proven international business and technology strategist with expertise in developing and leading world-class teams in building stable and scalable digital infrastructures. David has worked across multiple industries, including finance, telecom, eRetail, transportation, and health care and his experience ranges from start-ups to Fortune 500 companies. 

Dan Burke

Dan Burke

Chief Enterprise Strategy Officer and General Counsel

Dan Burke joined PDS in 2011. Prior to joining PDS, Dan held senior management positions at leading global retail, manufacturing and consumer products companies, including oversight of administration, strategy, legal, and human resources, as well as sales and new market-entry leadership positions. His current responsibilities at PDS include oversight of Enterprise Strategy, and Strategic Payor Relationships. Dan also serves as the General Counsel, overseeing the Legal, Legislative Affairs, and Compliance functions for PDS. Dan received his Bachelor of Arts from Amherst College and his law degree from Georgetown University Law Center. Dan has been recognized as one of the “Top 10 Innovative In-House Lawyers” in the state of California by The Daily Journal and “General Counsel of the Year” by the Orange County Business Journal. He has also received the Seven Seals Award from the U.S. Department of Defense for his leadership and support of those serving in America’s National Guard and Reserve. In addition, Dan serves on the CDC-NACDD Medical-Dental Integration Steering Committee.  Also, Dan moderates a multi-part webinar series on The Mouth-Body Connection® sponsored by Colgate Palmolive.

Joe Feldsien

Joe Feldsien

Senior Vice President, Clinical Technology Enablement

Joe joined PDS in 2004 and is directly responsible for serving the needs of the clinical professionals in the areas of clinical excellence, development, partnerships, communications, and recruiting. He also is responsible for supporting the PDS brand within the industry. Prior to joining PDS, Joe worked 11 years at 3M Corp in both Sales and Marketing capacities. Joe attended Northwestern College and holds Bachelor of Arts degrees in Mathematics and Biblical Studies.

Taylor Hawes

Taylor Hawes

Chief Financial Officer

Taylor Hawes joined Pacific Dental Services in 2019. With a leadership approach focused on collaboration and accountability, Taylor oversees all aspects of the organization’s finances. With more than 30 years of experience in the manufacturing and software industries, Taylor played a key role in strategic plan development for the Microsoft Corporation where he designed and delivered business intelligence and reporting systems and also led planning, budgeting and forecasting. As CFO of Finance Systems and Operations as well as Intellectual Property during his tenure at Microsoft, he consulted on deal structures and developed pricing and valuation models for more than $2 billion in deals with major technology companies.

Taylor received his Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from the University of Southern California and is a lifetime member of Financial Executives International, serving as chair in 2014. He is also a member of the International Accounting Standards Board Advisory Council and an Advisory Board member to USC’s Leventhal School of Accounting.

Joanna Rodgers

Joanna Rodgers

Chief Administrative Officer and Senior Vice President, People

Joanna Rodgers joined Pacific Dental Services in 1995 and has served the organization in all levels of management including Director, VP of Operations and Regional Partner for the Southwest Region which won Region of the Year in 2012, 2013, and 2015. Joanna has also received the PDS Career Champion Award in 2014. As the Sr. Vice President of People at National Support, Joanna is a key player in defining and harnessing the culture of PDS in a way that reflects the vision of the company and the skills of the people involved. The following departments are under her direction: People & Learning departments (OTD, People Services, Recruiting, Comp & Benefits, HRIS Systems) as well as Communications & Public Relations, Marketing, We Serve, Events, and the Pacific Dental Services Foundation.

Jon Thorne

Jon Thorne

Chief Operating Officer and Senior Vice President, Operations

Jon Thorne has been with Pacific Dental Services since its inception and he has served the organization in various leadership roles throughout Operations. Prior to his current role of Senior VP of Operations Support, Jon held the positions of Director of Operations and Vice President of Operations. His current responsibilities include supporting the regional partners for the operational results in their respective regions. He also oversees National Support departments including Patient Relations, De Novo and New Markets, Real Estate, Construction, and Purchasing. He attended the University of California, Santa Barbara.