Executive Team
The Octopz Management Team:
Innovative Solutions
from Industry Innovators
With expertise in visualization tools and software creation, the Octopz leadership team has created a technology that meets the specialized needs of creative professionals. With a unique understanding of the creative process and the increasing pressure to improve workflow and productivity, they bring a strategic approach to crafting innovatve collaboration solutions that are extremely effective in today's fast-paced business environment.
Ron McKenzie, Chief Executive Officer
Ron McKenzie oversees all aspects of the Company and is chartered with leading the strategic development and growth of Octopz in the marketplace.
Ron has extensive experience in leading high growth technology companies in both Canada and the United States. He has held leadership roles in the computing and communications sector with companies such as Hewlett Packard, SGI, FORE Systems and most recently as Executive Vice President, Marketing and Business Development, of MTS/Allstream (formerly AT&T Canada). Ron led all product generation, lifecycle management and marketing activities, as well as directing strategic business development and acquisitions. Prior to Allstream, he was Managing Director of Whitecap Venture Partners where, among other responsibilities, he took an active role in building investee companies.
His experience in the computing, software and service provider sectors brings crucial knowledge and impetus to Octopz as the company moves into the next important phase of growth.
Barry Fogarty, Co-founder and Chief Evangelist
As one of the Founders of Octopz,
Barry Fogarty has successfully positioned the company as a high-profile and respected developer of a next-generation Software as a Service (SaaS) offering. As Chief Evangelist, he plays a key role in the promotion of Octopz and works closely with clients to ensure that the application continues to meet and exceed their expectations. Additionally, Barry provides ongoing leadership and support in the areas of business development and sales by exploring and expanding market opportunities for Octopz.
Prior to Octopz, Barry built a career as a photographer, programmer and producer and led seminars in interactive imaging for Apple, Canon and Nikon. While president of diginiche inc., a production services company, he led the creation of award-winning content for companies such as HP, Hitachi, Seiko, Ford, Nissan and Better Homes and Gardens.
Paul Nykamp, Co-founder and Chief Technology Officer
With primary responsibility for developing the Octopz technology, Paul Nykamp has placed the company on the cutting edge of collaboration, 3D and virtual host technologies. Paul oversees all of the Octopz research and development efforts including product planning, design, implementation and quality assurance.
As president of his own company focusVR, Paul worked effectively with leading organizations in the real estate, travel, advertising and design industries. A digital artist and photographer as well as a programmer, Paul has conducted workshops on 3D imaging techniques at SIGGRAPH and was an Alias/Wavefront panel member at Digifest in Toronto.
Mark Murray, Chief Financial Officer
A Chartered Accountant with over twenty five years experience, Mark Murray is responsible for the financial and administrative aspects of Octopz operations.
A technology entrepreneur in his own right, in 2001, Mark co-founded Natural Convergence Inc., a software company in the VoIP space that, under his leadership, raised over US$30M in venture capital funding. From a two-person start-up, the company grew to international stature, deploying product to service providers in Canada, the U.S., and Europe and reaching multi-million dollar revenues. Prior to Natural Convergence, Mark held senior financial roles with Nortel Networks, and worked in both Canada and Australia with the global accounting firm KPMG.
Ann Christie, Vice President, Marketing
Ann Christie is responsible for developing and implementing integrated marketing strategies for Octopz, including lead generation, partner marketing support, public relations and communications. Ann brings with her a solid track record of leadership in operational management and software marketing.
Ann has consulted, managed projects and worked closely with some of Canada's fastest growing high tech organizations. Advising CEOs and marketing and sales executives in the business-to-business markets, she has shaped corporate brand identities, developed strategic marketing initiatives, created and executed awareness campaigns and managed complex corporate messaging programs.
Before joining Octopz, Ann held senior marketing positions with Bell Conferencing, Ivara Corporation, Janna Systems and Stream Intelligent Networks. During her marketing career, she has also contributed to the success of Corporate Vision Communications and Alias|Wavefront (AutoDesk).
Asif Khan, Director of Sales
A veteran sales and business- development executive with an outstanding track record, Asif Khan is charged with developing and successfully implementing a sales strategy for Octopz that will result in top-line growth and bottom-line profitability. This includes the development of channel and direct sales strategies and the creation of an effective sales infrastructure to capitalize on the industry buzz generated by the launch of Octopz.
To this assignment, Asif brings a wealth of international experience producing outstanding results for leading high-tech companies as well as private, public and not-for-profit organizations.
Prior to joining Octopz, Asif held senior positions in Sales and Business Development at HelpCaster Technologies Inc. and Borderware Technologies where his responsibilities included international market development, securing strategic alliances and reseller agreements, and the creation of a competitive intelligence programs and improved pricing models. Asif was a founding partner of Whodunet Inc., a network security and supply chain management business and has also held permanent and consulting positions at range of industry-leading organizations that include IBM, Oracle, Netcom, SAP, Royal Bank of Canada, and many others.
