Cathy Carlston, Doug and Gary’s sister, joined the company in 1981. Until her departure in 1981.Unit her departure in 1989,she served as vice president of educational market planning and was instrumental in formulating Brøderbund’s marketing efforts to schools. Gary Carlston, the firm ‘s first CEO, also left in 1989. At the time of their departure, the Carlstons felt that they had achieved financial independence and had taken the business to the point where professional managers were needed.