Ali Ghafour's Email Addresses & Phone Numbers

📖 Summary

Over 15 years experience in the creation of scalable web based products. I am an entrepreneur (founder @Viafoura), programmer (University of Toronto HBSc Computer Science), designer (self proclaimed) and former athlete (Canadian National Taekwondo team & Pan Am Games Team, 2008 Olympics hopeful) which consequently made me a world traveller (over 30 countries) based out of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. As a founder and executive of an investor backed startup generating millions in revenue, I was responsible at various stages for the creation and execution of the companies business and product strategy, building a technology team, client retention and hiring across all departments. I was also instrumental in the acquisition of key sales accounts, budgeting & forecasting, culture creation, and investor fundraising. I perform best when I mix my technical, creative and people skills at the same time. I prefer to be in/create results-based and high-performance teams. Specialties: Analyzing and breaking down of complex information into simple presentations and language, Product Strategy, Client Relations, Scalable Web Technologies (Cassandra, Storm, Kafka, JavaScript, Java), System Architecture, Digital Media, Board Member, High Performance Sports, Coaching, Mentoring, Strengths: Restorative, Focused, Learner, Competitive, Seeks HarmonyBoard Member @ Elected as a board member to represent the Canadian National team members. Taekwondo Canada is the official National Sport Federation for Taekwondo that promotes the growth and development of Taekwondo in Canada for all its athletes, officials, coaches and participants to achieve their greatest potential. In honouring tradition, we will serve our affiliates with the utmost respect, transparency, and integrity. From September 2015 to Present (4 months) Toronto, Canada AreaFounder, VP Client Success & Board Member @ Viafoura is an investor backed business generating millions in revenue that serves publishing and digital content clients such as CBC, Tribune and Hearst who are looking to engage and grow their audiences. • Created the client success department and set its mission, KPI’s, strategy and executional plan • Achieved very low churn (significantly below industry standards), first response time (< 20 min) and first resolution times (< 4 hrs) • Created and executed product up-sell strategy • Managed the critical early days in the relationship (60-90 days after the sale) assisted with product deployment, training, adoption, achieving early results, and most importantly, building trust. • Conducted periodic check-ins/reviews, monitored health, reported results and internally advocated for issue resolution, and new features From December 2013 to November 2015 (2 years) Founder, CTO (Chief Technology Officer) & Board Member @ Viafoura is an investor backed business generating millions in revenue that serves publishing and digital content clients such as CBC, Tribune and Hearst who are looking to engage and grow their audiences. • Created the core Viafoura product line (responsible for 90% of MRR) used by clients such as CBC, Tribune, Hearst, CNN, CBS, Toronto Star and Irish Times • Recruited and hired the technology team (from sys ops to front end designer) and set the departments mission, KPI’s, technology decision strategy, hiring plan and execution plan • Ensured an uptime SLA of 99.9% and built a system that is able to handle many billions of API calls per day • Technologies used: PHP, Node, Java, Cassandra, Storm, Kafka, JavaScript (and many more!) From October 2008 to December 2013 (5 years 3 months) Interactive Manager @ Responsible for the beginning to end planning, execution and management of web projects ranging from 1 to 10 months in duration, totaling $700,000 in revenue for enterprise and small-mid size business clients including: www.rethinksoup.com, campbellawayfromhome.com, www.pumasoccer.ca • Increase Campbell’s foodservice website participation by 40% through re-branding of products, enhanced email campaigns and improved site usability • Create/develop and participate in: client liaisons, presentations, budgets, briefs, Information Architecture, Web site design, production meetings, project plans, status reports • Dramatically improved internal communications by implementing the Google Apps platform, resulting in $50,000 savings in efficiencies per year, while improving user experience • Manage team of web developers, designers and external vendors • Upgrade/implement policies and systems including: security, network, bandwidth, backup, phone systems From August 2007 to July 2009 (2 years) Elite Athlete @ • 2008 Beijing Olympics Hopeful (Top 4) • Four time Canadian National Champion (2003, 2005, 2006, 2007) • Competed in 2007 Pan Am Games (Brazil) • Competed in three World Championships (2003 - Germany, 2005 - Spain, 2007 - China) • Competed in two University Games (2003 - Korea, 2005 - Turkey) • Started training in 1993, trained and competed internationally during university studies (1998-2002) and early career • Here are some competition videos https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fbjs4VSDWcM From 1996 to 2007 (11 years) IT Manager @ • Single handedly supported and managed a windows 2003 server environment consisting of 12 servers and 75 users spread over 3 countries (USA, Canada, and South Africa) • Created and managed a budget of $350,000 • Grew data center by 110% in one year and managed a user growth of 100% • Implemented and executed strategies including: More efficient internal communications, increase remote access to information, increase security, systemize and document IT processes • Managed various project implementations including: SAGE CRM, Outlook 2003, SharePoint, ACCPAC, Data center expansion, new international office Setup • Held weekly meetings with leaders of other departments to go over strategy progress and get updates on company position • Maintained great relationships with all types of vendors in areas including construction, hardware, software, networking and consulting From July 2005 to September 2006 (1 year 3 months) Founder & Lead Programmer/Designer @ • Founder of an online real time car auction built on PHP, mySQL, Applets, and Servlets • Developed project through all stages of the SDLC • Developed fast database structures, easy to use interface and connected to payment gateways • Developed and deployed marketing strategies • Developed sales pitch and presented to over 100 clients • Responsible for key directional roles of the company including operations, marketing and finance From March 2004 to February 2006 (2 years) Independent Web Developer/Graphic Designer @ • gha4.com was my own company which specialized in custom web development and graphic design. • Developed and maintained code through all phases of the SDLC Clients: Remisys Micros • Designed and programmed a content managed website for a restaurant management company. CaTech Systems (www.catech-systems.com/) • Designed and programmed a content managed website for a network infrastructure company Canadian Golf Superintendents Association (www.golfsupers.com) • Created intuitive sitemap and layout for over 250 content pages Starfield Consulting ( www.starfield.ca ) • Implemented a and customized a full functional content management system (JetBox one) Mooto America ( www.mooto.ca ) • Implemented and customized osCommerce From November 2002 to August 2005 (2 years 10 months) Web Developer @ • Designed and developed a dynamic, customizable human resource portal for CIBC Canada, which surpassed all client and users expectations. Technologies used: ColdFusion, SQL 7.0, Flash, JavaScript, HTML and CSS From July 2001 to September 2001 (3 months) Associate Software Engineer @ • Provided multiple bug fixes for a large windows client software (Janna contact) developed mainly in Visual C++ and some in Visual Basic 6.0. Visual Source Safe was the version control software being used to check code in and out Technologies used: Visual C++, Source Safe, Visual Basic From January 2001 to May 2001 (5 months) PC Developer @ • Re-designed and added extra functionality to a web site devoted to the executives of CIBC • Developed custom web applications including Electronic Greetings, a Bulletin Board System with administrator settings, and an online method for posting biographies of employees. Technologies used: ColdFusion, SQL 7.0, Flash, JavaScript, HTML and CSS From May 2000 to September 2000 (5 months) HBSc, Computer Science @ University of Toronto at Scarborough From 1998 to 2002 Dunbarton High School From 1993 to 1998 Ali Ghafour is skilled in: Web Applications, Product Development, Business Strategy, Programming, Business Planning, Start-ups, Financial Planning, Team Leadership, Web Development, PHP, JavaScript, Web Design, Microsoft SQL Server, User Experience, CSS