Our Team
The Educators (Sales/Account Management)
As educators, we listen to your dreams. We dream with you and for you. We educate you about what the Excelisys team can accomplish (most everything, except for brain surgery ((our guys could, but that would just be bragging))...and tightrope walking...and other similar weird feats), about your options (do you need a side order of Web applications with that?) and about the process. We estimate timelines and costs (we know, it’s exciting), and consider what can and cannot, should and should not, be done on your behalf.
Rick • VP of Sales
Rick brings to the Excelisys family a wealth of real–world experience. During Rick’s time in the United States Marine Corps, his main duties were security forces, counter terrorism and “Information Technology Man.” It was in the Marines that Rick learned you lead from the front. Since leaving the Marines, Rick has worked in technologies from Mac to PC, from ACT to Microsoft Outlook, and held many titles, from Account Manager to Director of Sales to Director of Customer Service. While working in the security world, he dealt with customers ranging from small operations to nation–wide retailers, treating each with respect and holding close to the ethic that you “say what you mean and do what you say.” When Rick isn’t taking care of customers, he can be found at home hanging out with his wife and kids, or out on the golf course.
Email: rick@excelisys.com
1-866-592-9235 ext 802
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Levi • Business Development, Account Manager
Coming from an exercise and healthcare background, Levi has been building Filemaker databases since Filemaker 1.0. She has created primarily orthopedic and nonprofit applications. A quote from a friend sums up her attitude about Filemaker Pro: “Levi thinks everything can be solved with Filemaker Pro.” This belief leads her to dream up solutions for almost everything. Most recently she was an in–house developer for a spine rehab facility where she developed a state–of–the–art, touch–screen–driven, clinic management solution using Filemaker Pro. If you can disconnect her from her computer, you will find Levi pursuing her other love: anything active. She can usually be found on one of her bikes, tromping through the woods somewhere or chasing her dogs. Any activity from under the sea to the top of the mountain is fair game.
Email: levi@excelisys.com
1-866-592-9235 ext 805
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Mark • Business Development, Account Manager
Mark comes to us not from the more traditional programming path, but from an extensive background in project management, wireless technology, and business solution sales in both public and private sectors. As a business owner himself, Mark not only understands the need for candor from both sides of the table during the discovery and solution process, but has gained a regional reputation for honesty and integrity and empathy for the needs of his clients. After careers in management, production and sales, Mark started his own B to B wireless sales company so he could work with clients in a non pressuring, respectful manner, on a time table that made sense for the client more than for a production report. His attention to his customers after the sale is his trademark. He has a depth of experience in successfully solving communications problems for a variety of Federal, State and Local government, and private businesses of all sizes. Mark and his wife enjoy travel to those ‘off the beaten’ track sorts of places, particularly if they offer turquoise water and white sand.
Email: mark@excelisys.com
1-866-592-9235 ext 804
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The Organizers (Project Management)
Our responsibility is to make sure you are satisfied with the progress and deliverables of the producers. We set goals, refine solutions, solidify communications and keep things on track. In other words, we crack the whip on your behalf. But sometimes we have to serve as Debbie Downer and deliver honest counsel that you need–but might not want–to hear. As a result, we are sometimes unpopular. But we’d rather be unpopular than deliver sub–par results.
Christo • Founder/President
Christo began his career in technology back in 1986, when he was given his very first Macintosh Computer to write a database solution for the Photo/Graphics department of Notre Dame University. Since then, he has had the opportunity to work with various large and small companies as a consultant, an employee, and a manager dealing with several computer platforms and a plethora of database and networking technologies. Christo has a unique way of understanding the needs of companies, as well as the individuals and departments within those companies. After working for several consulting firms both small and large, he decided to start his own company, Excelisys, with a strong emphasis toward customer service and quality. He continues to build a team of loyal and devoted people who have the same common goals, passions, and insight into building intuitive custom information management systems.
Greg • VP of Technology
Greg brings a plethora of skills to Excelisys and its clients. Most recently as the director of technology for a leading systems integrator, Greg assisted a wide variety of clients from small businesses to Fortune 100 companies. He is a proven leader in advanced technologies and applications, providing clients with open state–of–the–art solutions that incorporate both existing and emerging technology. The father of three boys, Greg enjoys sailing, basketball and just about every sport or outdoor activity. He brings to Excelisys his expertise in all things geeky and a strong desire to find the perfect solution for his clients.
Kurt • VP of Production
Kurt began developing software in high school and continued in college, learning Pascal, C++ and various forms of BASIC. He started designing databases professionally in dBase III using Clipper to customize, install, and train his company’s sales departments on custom solutions, including others he developed in Access, Paradox, FoxPro and Lotus Notes. Kurt has worked for several successful consulting firms, selling, customizing and training sales, telemarketing and customer service departments on both DOS and Windows versions of Telemagic. In 1994, using FileMaker Pro 2.1, he built a successful commercial sales force automation product that he continued to expand and update as new releases of FileMaker emerged over the years. Kurt broadened his knowledge of RDBMS systems by installing/configuring, customizing and training users on sales solutions with back–ends in Oracle, Sybase and Microsoft SQL Server. He then went on to work as a successful independent FileMaker developer, as well as a senior/lead developer for three of the leading FileMaker development companies. Kurt joined the Excelisys team after spending several years as an IT/Operations manager at an architectural firm, where he was responsible for the development and administration of 5 FileMaker servers hosting more than 700 databases.
Doug • Product/Project Manager
Doug began his career automating routine tasks in OpenVMS, DOS, Windows, and Macintosh operating systems. This lead to an extensive prepress automation project using AppleScript to manage files and data in QuarkXPress and Adobe Photoshop, saving the organization hundreds of thousands of dollars. Most of all, this helped him develop an appreciation for cost-effective solutions that provide substantial benefits to end users. This core purpose has served him well as a FileMaker Pro Developer since the late 90's. He occasionally finds time to relax when he's not building solutions for clients, fixing computers for friends and family, attending his sons' sporting events, running races in upstate New York, or hiking through the Adirondack Mountains.
The Producers (Programmers/Development)
While we are taking breaks from brain surgery duties and tightrope walking, we are the ones cranking out your solution and making those fixes. We are dream weavers and granters of wishes; your solution’s destiny is literally at our fingertips. But we don’t abuse this magnificent power. Instead, we create software solutions that you can sink your teeth into, like fat software hamburgers. Except our solutions aren’t greasy. They run smoothly, flawlessly and exceed your expectations.
Andy • FileMaker/FLEX Developer
Andrew has been developing FileMaker Pro solutions for 17 years. In addition to being the lead developer of the FileMaker Business Tracker and Excelisys Business Tracker, he has authored numerous tip files, including Hierarchical Portals and Drag–and–Drop.
Ken • FileMaker Pro Developer
After earning his history degree in 1998, Ken began work with a small manufacturing firm, where he was introduced to FileMaker Pro. Shortly thereafter, he became an in–house developer and, by the end of 2003, was maintaining, retrofitting and enlarging a 75+ file solution that powered a 12–million–dollar company. After moving to Texas, Ken developed a custom solution for a Cingular wireless retailer. When he is not buried in work, he can be found in his wood shop, tooling around his Texas house, or watching yet another History Channel program. However, it is his hands–on experience that affords Ken an in–depth understanding of the facets of large–scale FileMaker projects.
Duane • FileMaker Pro/Web Developer
Duane has been developing successful enterprise Web Sites and web–integrated FileMaker solutions since 1996. He has developed numerous solutions involving SyncDek, Lasso, PHP, and MySQL integration. He has been a member of FSA/TechNet since 2003 and is a regular FileMaker Devcon attendee. In addition to his development work, Duane is a dedicated Mac user. He serves as treasurer and Web Master for his local Macintosh User Group. In his spare time his creative outlets are as a musician and photographer. Most of all he enjoys spending time with his family.
Rob • FileMaker Pro Developer
Rob is an accomplished lead Certified FileMaker Pro Developer who produced his first solution way back when big hair and mullets were just going out of style. His passion for FileMaker Pro programming runs so deep he’s crossed state lines over the years to follow his craft. He brings a vast experience of developing vertical market solutions for companies like 14 Floor, LLC and their PrintStar Print Management solution and Medovation, LLC with their RadRunner solution. He has also been an in–house developer for a large domestic logistics company and the photo industry incorporating solutions to handle sales, repairs, and inventory management. With his breadth and width of experience Rob is a huge asset to Excelisys with the ability to provide FileMaker Pro development and consulting for our vast array of our clients and their solution requirements.
In his spare time Rob is a Father, winemaker, beer brewmeister, and an ordained minister who also happens to be a third degree black belt and instructor in Kajukenbo. His favorite saying is “Knock ’em out first, pray later.”
Abhi • Web Developer
Abhi has a Master’s degree in Computer Science, awarded by the University of Southern California (USC). He has several years of Software Development experience and has previously worked in the capacity of a Software Consultant and Programmer–Analyst. Abhi specializes in Custom Software Development and likes to involve himself in various facets of the development life cycle, including Requirement Analysis and Architecture Design. While working as a Consultant in Los Angeles, Abhi designed and engineered a cutting edge Process Automation System for a legal recruiting firm. He has developed several data–intensive applications with a strong focus on data mining and profile–based recommendations. In his free time, he likes to watch Formula–1 racing.
Andy F • FileMaker Pro/Web Developer
Andy wrote his first program in BASIC on a Commodore 64 back in the early 80s. After successfully conquering computers for the time, he decided to take a break from the computing world. For the next 20 years, he turned to playing guitar and writing music. Andy has a degree from Berklee College of Music in Film Scoring; he’s written scores for video games like Star Control 3 and The Wheel of Time; and has had songs featured in TV shows like The Sopranos and Charmed. He’s also trained as a non–denominational Christian minister, and maintains a podcast at www.kingdomcomes.org.
After 20 years of writing music (which you can sample at www.mx4px.com) Andy discovered FileMaker Pro®, and realized that it was fun, intuitive to his creative nature, and that it could make a difference by streamlining many day–to–day jobs and routines. Andy is certified for FileMaker Pro versions 8 thru 13, and is also proficient with Javascript, PHP, HTML, and jQuery. His goals are to create superb solutions that improve everyone's lives, somehow, some way, every day. In his spare time (what’s left after developing, writing music, preaching and creating Responsive Web Designs, Andy likes to travel the country in his RV.
Fred • Web Developer
Fred brings a wealth of business experience and an entrepreneurial spirit to every project he works on. After a successful career as a marketing executive and technical analyst for a Fortune 500 company (big copier company with some "X's" in the name too), Fred founded a web development firm where he functioned as project manager, lead developer, sales guy, office manager, bookkeeper and HR. The experience Fred has gained in the corporate business world and as an entrepreneur enables him to understand not only the technical requirements for your applications, but also the business processes they support. Since 2004 he has been developing enterprise scale web applications including intranet ERP, manufacturing, inventory, customer service, and workflow solutions. He has also created custom subscription and product-based e-commerce and document management systems. He is skilled in PHP, MySQL, CodeIgniter, JavaScript, jQuery, AJAX, HTML5, CSS3, Java, and the implementation of various API's. Fred has worked extensively with WordPress, Joomla!, and Drupal CMS systems and is a Google Engage partner for the creation and management of Google advertising campaigns. When not writing code, Fred relishes time with his family, enjoys playing chess, and finds it difficult to stay off of his motorcycle for any significant period of time.
David • FileMaker Pro Developer
David was born and raised in Australia (and still has the accent!) Like most Aussies, he is rarely afraid to speak his mind, but he doesn't hunt crocodiles, ride kangaroos to work, shave with a 12-inch knife, wear a cork hat, or drink Fosters. (Actually he hates beer.) David discovered FileMaker Pro in its early days while studying Computer Science at the University of Sydney, and has devoted most of his career to it. David was one of the original developers of Excelisys back in 2001 when Excelisys started doing business and we graciously welcome him back home with his more than 15 years experience of working with FileMaker Pro! In those years he has had the opportunity to work with other consulting firms (including his own) and with that experience has come to understand how important it is to turn needs and problems into elegant and efficient solutions for his clients.
Considered a technical wiz, an exceptional and determined problem solver, and described by his peers as one of the best FileMaker Pro developers in the industry, David excels with “encouraging” FileMaker Pro to do things that most consider impossible! The best part of his talents, is that he loves to share and implement those cutting-edge new tools and tricks for the benefit of his clients and their projects, as well as with other members in the FileMaker Pro community.
While FileMaker Pro is certainly his expertise, he has had experience with dealing with some web technologies like HTML, CSS, SQL, PHP, and a few others. He also possesses some proficiency in C, and is currently working on teaching himself C++ with the goal of being able to write FileMaker Pro plugins very soon!
When David is not being a nerd, his outdoor loves are; skiing the slopes in winter, boating and riding waves in the summer, and jumping off cliffs all year round (abseiling). David considers himself in some ways very old-fashioned in his values and tastes, but very forward-thinking in his dreams and goals. David has a keen interest in the technological and scientific advances humanity is making, and plans to add his own mark to some of them in a new and exciting way.
Kevin • FileMaker Pro / Mobile App Developer
Kevin received his Masters degree in Music from the University of North Texas. He began working with FileMaker Pro while in school and has used it as his development platform of choice since 2007. Kevin has been an in–house developer for the education and software industries creating various solutions including inventory management, repair tracking, and customer resource management. Most recently he developed a commercial product for a sports teams that simplifies fund raising, financial management, and reporting. Kevin loves creating mobile solutions in FileMaker Go. When not working he enjoys watching his daughter dance and his son play baseball and basketball. Kevin’s hobbies include traveling, hiking, and wine tasting.
Nina • FileMaker Pro Developer
Nina (9-Ah) began her career at the forefront of Internet security in her role as an intelligence analyst in the U.S. Air Force. Her development in secure intranets and databases helped keep us safe in ways we don't have the clearance to explain. After trading in her camo, Nina worked as an in-house developer for 8 years creating solutions for the affordable housing market which involved payment integration with various accounting packages, creating custom add-on modules, and data conversions from Microsoft SQL Server, Microsoft Excel, DBF, CSV, and a variety of other formats.
In 2010, Nina decided the 9-5 office life wasn't exciting enough and decided to expand her FileMaker and consulting skills by meeting with clients and developing custom solutions for businesses around the U.S. From school administration, to marketing, to work orders, to event planning, Nina has diverse experience in projects for feature planning and development. Always up to the challenge of a new project and excited to keep learning, she enjoys looking for cooler ways to integrate FileMaker with everyday applications. She is also a certified FileMaker developer in versions 9-13.
When not hammering out code and UI design, Nina coaches a High School Varsity cheerleading team and travels to competitions with her team and her daughter's all-star team. All other hours left in a day, she can be found spending time with her family.
James • Web/WordPress Developer
James is a developer with over 10 years experience in digital media. He has built industry-leading websites and web-based applications with WordPress, PHP, HTML and CSS, including custom themes, plugins, blogs and ecommerce solutions for large organizations, middle-market companies and small businesses in nearly every vertical market. He has experience extending website functionality by customizing site and server configurations, as well as developing custom integrations with WordPress and its popular plugins such as Contact Form 7; Wordpress SEO by Yoast and WooCommerce; email marketing software including MailChimp, Constant Contact and ExactTarget; as well as a variety of popular APIs to streamline common business needs like increasing sales; processing online payments; managing inventory; collecting user insights; analyzing performance; connecting websites to existing marketing channels and sharing content on social media.
He has managed the strategic planning and execution of large-scale digital marketing campaigns, as well as innovative performance optimization solutions leveraging browser, page, object and database caching, minification and content delivery networks to optimize website performance for clients such as the American Dental Association, American Bar Association and Apartments.com. As an entrepreneur, some of his favorite, most rewarding projects have also involved working closely with small business owners in identifying new ways to grow their companies and conduct more business online.
When James isn't working, he loves traveling, visiting new restaurants and watching the Indiana Pacers with his wife, son and French bulldog.
Paul • FileMaker Pro Developer
Paul started his professional life as an accountant, at a firm that had a FileMaker 3 database doing their cost accounting.