A successful Ottawa founder and investor is jumping back into the driver’s seat at a local tech firm.
Chris Courneya was named the new CEO of InitLive on Tuesday.
InitLive is a Wesley Clover portfolio company that develops software for managing and scheduling event staff, including a platform for on-the-ground messaging.
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Courneya is perhaps best known in Ottawa as the co-founder and former CEO of prairieFyre Software, a communications firm that was acquired by Kanata-based Mitel in 2013. He stayed on at Mitel for two years following the transaction.
After leaving Mitel, Courneya remained active in the local tech scene as an investor with the Capital Angels Network, throwing his money behind Ottawa firms such as Relogix.
In a statement, Courneya said he was immediately impressed by InitLive’s product and the customer loyalty the firm has garnered.
“I am eager to join the team and help plot the course to even greater growth and success for all involved,” he added.
Courneya will replace co-founder Debbie Pinard in the role, who launched the firm in 2013 alongside her daughter, Melissa.
Pinard will remain with the company as head of strategy as well as on the board of directors. She called Courneya a “brilliant colleague and a great friend” in a statement.