Chief Information and Technology Officer (CIO / CTO)
Toronto, Ontario
With over 25 years at the helm of technology leadership, I excel as a seasoned information technology professional adept at delivering innovative technological strategies across the complete product lifecycle. My career is marked by a consistent record of pioneering state-of-the-art technology ecosystems across diverse organizational landscapes, encompassing start-ups, high-growth enterprises, and entities undergoing transformation. I bring a wealth of expertise spanning multiple sectors, including Military, Telecommunications, Aviation, Mobile, Embedded Systems, IoT, Fin-tech and Healthcare.
Experience
Happy Camper - Taking a big summer vacation
June 2025 - Present
Chief Technology Officer - The Nationwide Group
Jun 2022 - May 2025
As the Chief Technology Officer, I played a pivotal role in guiding our organization through a seamless migration to Amazon Web Services (AWS), a leading cloud computing platform. This migration was not just a technical transition but a strategic move aimed at leveraging cloud-based solutions to enhance various aspects of our operations.
Led modernization efforts across technology stacks and infrastructure, implementing cutting-edge solutions to enhance productivity, agility, and competitiveness in the market. Orchestrated a strategic initiative to reduce technical debt, optimizing systems and processes for long-term sustainability and scalability.
By strategically reducing reliance on third-party vendors, we gained greater control over our operations and enhanced efficiency in delivering key services and solutions. This move not only enabled us to streamline processes but also resulted in cost reductions, ultimately improving our bottom line while maintaining high standards of quality and service.
I spearheaded a seamless migration to Microsoft 365, revolutionizing our operational efficiency and fostering seamless collaboration across teams. By leveraging its suite of productivity tools and cloud-based solutions, we modernized our workplace environment, enabling real-time collaboration and empowering our workforce to innovate collectively.
I established and nurtured internal teams, cultivating a culture centered on collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement. This focus on teamwork and ongoing development has been instrumental in driving our organization's success and adaptability in today's competitive landscape.
Currently leading efforts towards achieving SOC2 compliance, I oversaw and facilitated rigorous penetration testing procedures, ensuring robust security measures, regulatory compliance, and fortification against potential cybersecurity threats and vulnerabilities within the organization.
Senior Director Of Engineering - Raziel Health
Apr 2020 - Jun 2022
As a member of the senior leadership team, I played an integral role in decision-making and strategic planning. Here's a snapshot of my accomplishments:
Orchestrated and directed multifaceted development teams overseeing crucial areas including API, DevOps, QA, Mobile, and AWS. This strategic oversight ensured alignment with overarching business objectives while fostering innovation and operational excellence.
Led initiatives to ensure regulatory compliance, actively contributing to ISO 27001 and HIPAA compliance programs. By championing adherence to stringent industry standards and regulations, I reinforced the organization's commitment to data security and privacy.
Spearheaded the migration of critical applications to cutting-edge technologies such as Net Core and Kubernetes. This transformation significantly enhanced application performance and scalability, positioning the organization for sustained growth and competitiveness in the market.
Pioneered the development of pioneering facial recognition applications leveraging smartphone camera capabilities to capture vital health metrics including heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation. This innovative solution not only showcased our technological prowess but also opened new avenues for healthcare innovation and patient care.
Successfully orchestrated the migration of legacy ARM-based devices to the Android platform while implementing robust Mobile Device Management (MDM) profiles. This strategic transition not only modernized our technology infrastructure but also bolstered device security and management capabilities, driving operational efficiency.
Oversaw the seamless integration of Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) and DevOps processes into the Atlassian stack. By streamlining collaboration and project management workflows, I facilitated smoother development cycles and accelerated time-to-market for key initiatives, ultimately maximizing productivity and ROI.
CIO / CiSO - Ideal Life Inc.
Dec 2011 - Mar 2020
As a pivotal member of the senior executive team, I influenced the prioritization of core business competencies and conducted thorough feasibility analyses for proposed technology options. My strategic leadership played a pivotal role in achieving ISO 13485 certification, aligning technology strategies with organizational goals and regulatory requirements.
Leading cross-border teams in Canada and the US, I managed recruitment, training, motivation, and mentorship of all in-house IT personnel to drive innovation and operational excellence. Collaborating on financial and operational audits of technology assets, I ensured alignment with the vision for quality enhancement, network security strengthening, risk assessment expansion, and user access control, relevant to security responsibilities.
Spearheading the development of a secure End-to-End WebRTC solution for patient-nurse video conferencing, I demonstrated a commitment to leveraging technology for improved healthcare delivery. Managing risk for digital platforms and products, I implemented HIPAA and Canada Infoway compliance programs, ensuring robust data protection and privacy measures.
Leading the design and execution of AWS migration efforts in both the US and Canada, I aligned cloud strategies with the overarching IT vision. Implementing the NIST Framework for IT infrastructure, I underscored a focus on cybersecurity and risk management, vital aspects of safeguarding organizational assets and data
Director Of Technology - Ideal Life Inc.
Jan 2007 - Dec 2011
I played a pivotal role in establishing the foundation of the company's network and development environment, crafting it meticulously from scratch. Overseeing the full spectrum of IT operations, I managed software development, networking, infrastructure, and cybersecurity, ensuring seamless functionality and robust security measures across all domains.
Furthermore, I led the design and implementation of an End-to-End IoT solution, contributing to the organization's technological advancement and operational efficiency. In addition, I devised a real-time protocol tailored specifically for medical devices, guaranteeing reliable and secure data transfer critical for healthcare applications.
With extensive experience in product design and development, I excelled in managing all aspects of security systems, applications, and governance, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives and industry standards. Collaborating closely with manufacturing partners in Hong Kong, Taiwan, and China, I facilitated the development of a cutting-edge 2.1+EDR Bluetooth microchip and associated medical devices (Blood Pressure, Weight, PulseOx and Linux based cellular gateway), driving innovation and market competitiveness.
Establishing security objectives and defining comprehensive policies and procedures, I implemented robust measures to safeguard critical data against potential threats and vulnerabilities. Additionally, I meticulously prepared various devices for 510(k) FDA submissions, ensuring compliance and regulatory approval in highly regulated environments.
Moreover, I supervised the migration of data centers and conducted thorough auditing processes, adhering to rigorous standards such as SAS 70ii, SOC2, and SSAE16. These efforts were instrumental in ensuring the integrity, reliability, and security of our infrastructure and data assets, positioning the company for sustained growth and success.
Chief Technology Officer - SkyLink Travel Group
Feb 2003 - Dec 2006
I have a track record of driving technological transformations within the organization. One notable achievement was the successful deployment of email servers and gateways, ensuring efficient communication channels for the entire workforce. Furthermore, I orchestrated the migration of our network infrastructure from NetWare and NT 4.0 to a Windows 2000/2003 environment, enhancing system compatibility and performance.
To enable real-time performance tracking and analysis, I implemented advanced monitoring tools, empowering our teams with valuable insights into system health and usage patterns. Additionally, I introduced Citrix services, expanding our operational capabilities and enabling remote access to critical resources.
In the realm of network security, I designed and executed the implementation of multiple site-to-site VPNs across North America, bolstering data privacy and security measures. Moreover, I implemented the comprehensive suite of McAfee products, further fortifying our defenses against cyber threats.
Recognizing the importance of modernization, I spearheaded initiatives to migrate all legacy applications to web-based platforms. This included upgrading outdated Microsoft ASP applications to the more efficient Dot Net framework and migrating legacy ticketing and sales applications from Borland to web-based platforms.
In parallel, I led the development of B2B and B2C E-Commerce websites catering to air travel, car rentals, and hotel bookings, expanding our digital footprint and enhancing customer engagement. Throughout these endeavors, I effectively managed a diverse team consisting of developers, data entry personnel, and systems administrators, fostering collaboration and driving towards common objectives.
Professional Services Team Lead - Xpert
Feb 2002 - Feb 2003
In my role, I provided leadership and guidance to a dedicated team of IT professionals, overseeing and actively contributing to a wide array of IT projects. Among my achievements, I successfully implemented and provided advisory support for the deployment of critical infrastructure components such as mail servers, firewalls, backup solutions, security applications, and storage systems.
My expertise extends to the realm of Public Key Infrastructures (PKI), where I possess extensive knowledge in design, implementation, operation, and management. Furthermore, I played a key role in designing disaster recovery strategies specifically tailored for Check Point firewalls, collaborating closely with HP Omniback and Netapp storage devices to ensure comprehensive protection of our systems and data assets.
In specialized projects, I utilized a range of advanced tools including sniffers, forensic tools, and network discovery tools to conduct thorough analysis and investigations. Additionally, I spearheaded efforts to implement security policies aligned with ISO 7799 (now 27001) standards, ensuring adherence to industry best practices and regulatory requirements.
Moreover, I took charge of managing the security innovation lab, where I fostered a culture of continuous improvement and experimentation. This environment served as a platform for testing new technologies, evaluating emerging threats, and refining our security strategies to stay ahead of evolving cyber threats.
Senior Instructor & Lecturer - John Bryce
Mar 2000 - Feb 2002
In my role as a senior instructor, I specialized in providing comprehensive training on Check Point Firewalls, Microsoft technologies, and a range of security technologies such as IP Sec, PKI, McAfee, Symantec, Finjan, and more. Through my combined experience as an instructor and active participant in the ethical hacking community, I strived to empower individuals and organizations to strengthen their security posture and effectively protect their digital assets.
Staff Sergeant - Israel Defense Forces
Nov 1991 - Nov 1994
Electronic communications, computing and intelligence.
Discharged with honors
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