Age: 39
Birthplace: Montreal
Company: We create artificial intelligence tools for clients in the manufacturing industry.
OBJ360 (Sponsored)
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Education: Bachelor of engineering, minor in business, McGill University (2003)
Charitable involvement: PsychFund.org
Biggest biz achievement: I founded Raven in 2013 to fix how manufacturers use their data. Raven now helps Fortune 500 manufacturers increase profits by millions of dollars per year by unlocking the power of their data. The company now employs more than 20 people and has received millions of dollars in equity financing and support from numerous government agencies.
Biggest obstacle: Engineers are trained to believe that the best idea should always win. In practice, this is rarely the case. My realization that the ability to influence others is the most important skill in business significantly changed my approach to both my business and personal life. Regardless of your role, to be successful, you need to be able to persuade others to buy into your vision.
Biggest influence: My wife and fellow 2017 Forty Under 40 recipient Dr. Catherine Horvath has been a huge influence on my career. She has provided sober second thought for all my major business decisions and her support for me has always been unwavering.
Biggest lesson learned: My first job after graduation was working as a manufacturing engineer for Blinds To Go. BTG’s policy at the time was to send all new staff to work in one of its retail stores before working in any other part of the organization. The six weeks I spent selling blinds in Totowa, N.J., had a significant impact on my career and gave me an appreciation for what makes a business succeed. The key to building a great business is happy customers and raving fans. BTG’s policy was genius, and I was lucky to have started my career there.
First job: Paperboy
Advice I’d give the younger me: Read The Art of War by Sun Tzu.
What’s left to do: Win a gold medal at the world ultimate club championships and change how the world manufactures.
Favourite pastime: Ultimate, ball hockey and crossfit
I’m currently reading: Reinventing Organizations: A Guide to Creating Organizations Inspired by the Next Stage in Human Consciousness by Frederic Laloux
Favourite movie: Fight Club
Favourite song: Babylon by David Gray
Favourite local pro sports team: Ottawa Senators
Favourite local summer event: Ottawa Jazz Festival
Preferred social media platform: LinkedIn
