meet the vendasta team

Allan Wolinski

My passion is creating a link between human and machine. With so much computational power available, there are endless possibilities to build very powerful tools. VendAsta Technologies is full of brilliant minds which constantly explore all those possibilities. I like to challenge myself in designing proper controls so that end users can truly be empowered. My background is in Software Development, Usability Engineering and UI Design. I'm proud of the fact that over the past several years I have been involved in creating applications which are successful and which still have great impact on industries and many users. Like everyone here, I have a passion for emerging technologies and further aspirations to be part of them. Working at VendAsta Technologies gives me a great opportunity to constantly advance and to leave quite a visible footprint. Having said all this, I still find time for family, sports (soccer in particular), sailing, and kayaking into the wild. At least once per year I try to organize an expedition to remote and beautiful places. Saskatoon, Canada has proven to be a great base camp.

Blair Kelsie

I was originally born in Halifax, Nova Scotia. My family moved to 'The City of Bridges' over 30 years ago so I am no stranger to prairie life. However, because I was born beside an ocean I love traveling to tropical places.

I attended the University of Saskatchewan where I received a B.Sc Honors in Software Engineering. I am a firm believer in the value of education and the idea that you should never stop learning new things. I will eventually further my education and perhaps pursue a Ph.D.

Software development allows me to flex many of my best skills. I am a natural problem solver that pays close attention to detail. I like things to be very organized and I enjoy the sense of accomplishment when things are done right. Sometimes I feel like I am an artist; the keyboard is my paint brush, code is my paint, and the machine is my canvas. I enjoy sitting back and looking at the picture when I'm done.

I am: Husband, Father, Software Engineer, Technology Enthusiast, and a work in progress....

Brendan King

So you want to know about me. Let me think, what can I tell you about myself that will still let me run for President...er, I mean, Prime Minister?

I was born and raised in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. In any crowd of over 200 there is always somebody from Moose Jaw.

I have a lot of kids. Five in all, born in 1991, 1993, 1995, 1998 and 2008, and yeah, 2008 is not a typo.

I am a serial entrepreneur. While still in university I started a clothing store. In the first four months we made some serious money selling those crazy 'son of a beach shorts' to all types of sports teams and university organizations. We went big and opened a store in a mall and slowly went broke over the next two years. I also started two retail computer operations (Delron and Compusmart), growing each to over 12 million dollars in revenue before selling them to join Point2 and create Point2Agent.

I am a physicist. Well, at least I have a degree in Physics. When my daughter Robyn (1995) was younger she used to like to tell her friends, 'My dad is a rocket scientist.' Not so much any more.

Persistence should have been my middle name. I don't know when to quit - even when (at least in retrospect) I ought to have known.

I am a dreamer. I love dreaming up ideas and putting them into action. Remember when you were a kid? Anything seemed possible and dreams were the norm. It hurts me to see so many people who used to have dreams give up on them and get beaten by the drudgery of life.

I am extremely lucky. I have the greatest parents, wife, and kids. It's probably why anyone who knows me can tell if I am in a building or room. They only have to listen for my laugh.

Ches Hagen

Hi, I'm Ches. Here's where I tell you about myself on the personal level - the about page on our site tells you about us professionally.

So let's start at the beginning. I was born in Abbotsford, British Columbia. I have an older brother and sister - both married. One lives in Kamloops, BC, and the other in Sydney, Australia. Four kids between them, so I feel pretty lucky to have monkey nephews and adorable nieces. I challenge any mom in western Canada to make finer meals than mine...and thankfully she taught me a few things around the rest of the house. Being single, these domestic skills have come in pretty handy.

While the real smart VendAsta Technologies team works and resides in Saskatoon, I live in Vancouver...a city that I'm rather fond of. I look forward to my monthly visits to Saskatoon as some of my best friends live there, and the November deer hunt is always a highlight of my prairie year.

I have traveled to all the continents except Antarctica and feel very grateful for this...seeing the world and all it has to offer is a pretty cool experience for sure. If I had more free time I'd love to visit more of this crazy earth.

When I'm not working I can be found exploring the BC backcountry...on a snowmobile in winter, on a boat or ATV in the summer.

Chris Daviduik

Having experienced a relatively routine upbringing in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, consisting of birth, elementary school, high school, and university (with many additional activities glued in between), I am enjoying the transition to the next phase in life...work. After attending school every year since I have had memories of it I am excited to begin applying what I have learned and learning what I have not.

Unique character traits or skills that I have the impression of possessing consist in large part of musical phenomena. During my time away from work I am often busied with either composing, recording, or performing with my Alternative / Indie / Dance / Electro / Rock band Sexy Mathematics. When not immersed in one of the aforementioned activities I am a quite avid listener of music as well. Fortunately Saskatoon has a fantastic live music scene which I enjoy as often as I can.

Aside from music-related activities I enjoy several others, which include reading, fashion, cartoons, gadgets, and sometimes video games. If I did not have a formal occupation I would likely continue life along a similar path and just change the amount of time I allocate to what I am already involved in.

At VendAsta Technologies I am looking forward to utilizing both practical and creative aspects of what I have learned so far in an environment filled with great people and exciting work.

Dave Mosher

Along with my uncanny ability to emulate 'The Governator', I feel that I add a splash of Sweeper Power to the VendAsta Technologies team. A Sweeper, as defined by 37 Signals, is 'someone who can roam between both worlds of design and programming.' I have a strong background in classical art and music, which I believe enables me to create code and design that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing.

If work was optional for me, I would spend my time creating the most beautiful music the world has never heard. Or maybe I'd go on a lifelong traveling adventure with my family, and discover some long-lost treasure or civilization. Most likely, though, I'd keep plugging away at improving my software development practices and fusing it with creative design.

VendAsta Technologies is a place that empowers you to be the best at the things you love doing. The tools and the encouragement provided by the founders inspire me to continually revamp my own development practices. I feel this is a key in remaining relevant in the rapidly changing world of software development. The fact that I can sit down and shred or kick out a power solo when playing RockBand doesn't hurt either.

I've been in Saskatoon since 1999, prior to which I moved extensively all across Canada. The people here are great, there are many opportunities to work, and housing is (well...was) affordable compared to the rest of Canada. Saskatoon is a university city, so there is a very dynamic portion of the population which creates a fast-paced atmosphere. It's small enough that it doesn't take longer than 15 minutes to drive anywhere, yet large enough that you don't feel like you'd miss it if you were to blink.

Speaking purely from a technophile's point of view, I think that information technology is the most important discovery of the last hundred years. There are things happening in the tech-space now that weren't even dreamt of just a few years ago. The constantly evolving, fast-paced nature of the tech sector keeps me challenged and engaged in my work. Being forced to not just think outside the box, but sometimes to define what the box is, has really motivated me to stay current and try to be the best I can be in this field.

Francois du Plessis

If it ain't in Jira, I ain't touchin' it.

Guy Kelsey

I love new technology and imaginative design. I like to spend time thinking about improvement and quality and how lean teams can enjoy building amazing software. I love science and technology and the arts. I enjoy travelling and spending lots of time in the outdoors. The wilder the better.

I know the group of people here at VendAsta Technologies are all superstars at what they do. Most of us are from Saskatoon, like me. I've lived in other places and been to many spots in the world. But Saskatoon is the best. R & D activity at the U of S like the Synchrotron, our Comp Sci, Biotech, and the creative arts and cultural scene, are all examples of the creativity and energy that make us such a success.

Janak Kapadia

I started my career as a Programmer with Plexus Technologies in Mumbai, India. While at Plexus, I helped implement an online project management system.

In 2002 I joined the University of Saskatchewan to do my B.Sc. (Computer Science). After finishing my B.Sc., I joined Point2 Technologies as a Programmer/Analyst and while there I helped maintain their three products: UsedIron (an online advertisement portal for used heavy equipment), Point2 Manager (an online inventory management portal for progressive heavy equipment dealers) and Largo (a mobile application for Point2 Manager). I also developed a syndication engine for UsedIron to aggregate equipment data from third party vendors. Eventually I became the Program Manager for those three products and under my supervision the team developed two new products - IEDAUsed.com and Manager Mobile (a web based mobile application connected to Point2 Manager).

I also have a B.Comm. from the University of Mumbai.

Jason Collins

I believe I bring an ability to quickly assess new technologies and understand how they can be best assembled into overall solutions. I also have a deep understanding of the supporting bits that are necessary for software to be successfully deployed and operated. I'm very happy to be surrounded by very smart, capable people who can help me realize these things.

If I didn't have to work I would be traveling - anywhere and everywhere. Experiencing new cultures, food, and architecture is facinating to me. Much of this would likely involve sailing or at least being near the oceans.

VendAsta Technologies is an ideal of what a software development organization ought to be. It embodies transparency and empowerment. It encourages growth, experimentation, learning. Everyone is treated equally and all ideas are given full shrift. We succeed together as a team through excellent communication, mutual respect, and a common desire to build the best damn software that we are absolutely capable of.

Saskatoon, despite some cold weather in the winters, is a great city to live in. It has friendly, intelligent people. It has a thriving arts scene, especially music and theatre. Because we are a five hour drive to the next largest centre, we tend to have most things right here in the city. Oh - it also has a massive urban forest and the South Saskatchewan river lined on both sides for miles with park - this makes for great biking and hiking.

I am, at heart, a geek. Writing software allows me to achieve a certain type of meditative state - sort of like a runner's high, but, you know, without all that exercise. The more difficult, the better. That the software is actually a useful tool for others is an interesting, and appreciated, side-effect.

Jeffery Read

I was born in Sydney, Nova Scotia, and moved to small-town Saskatchewan when I was 8. Shortly thereafter we moved to Saskatoon, and I have been here ever since. After getting my B.Sc. in Computer Science from the U of S, I did a short stint working for a web hosting company, then 2 years as the IT Manager / Lead Developer for Pic'n'Del, the online grocery store, and then 3.5 years as a programmer / manager at Cover-All Building Systems.

I was looking to make the move to a real developer's environment - a company completely dedicated to the production of software - and I was afraid that I would need to leave Saskatoon to find it. Then I found VendAsta Technologies. Everything I had been looking for in a company was right here in Saskatoon. This is a company which has an understanding of how developers work and what they need to be successful. All of my professional experience has involved the web, and in all of my former roles I have had to fill the shoes of programmer, web designer, graphic designer, and DBA at various times. I believe that with this experience I bring a 'big picture' point of view with me to the projects I work on.

I love technology in general, computers specifically. Programming is one of my passions. Solving a difficult problem or getting complicated code to run right the first time gives me a rush like scoring a winning goal would give a hockey player. I love the bare potential of technology - how it has the ability, when used correctly, to influence and improve all aspects of the human experience. I love how we, as developers, can play a part in that.

It would probably take me less time to list the things I would not be doing if I no longer had to work, but here goes. At a guess I would be traveling the world with my wife and daughter. I would definitely still be writing code, so maybe I'd try something I have always wanted to do: game development. Maybe I'd write a novel, a sci-fi epic, or just jump right into writing screenplays. I might also take a break from the vagabond lifestyle to go to culinary school.

Jeff Tomlin

I bring marketing and business development skills to VendAsta Technologies. I like to characterize myself as the non-technical geek. Software has to be easy, so the test here for our software is always, 'if Tomlin doesn't get it, it may not be easy enough' (although, it may already be pretty damn simple).

If I didn't have to work, I'd spend my days golfing more. But really, I don't consider what I'm doing 'work'. It's fun trying to figure out what the next biggest coolest thing will be and how to build it. I also count myself lucky to work with some pretty darn smart dudes.

Technology is changing so fast, I can't think of a more exciting field to be in. I'll tell you, if I didn't have software, I sure wouldn't spend my time trying to build a boat where there isn't any sea for a thousand miles...

John Fothergill

I continually try to look at things from many perspectives. Applying this to my day-to-day work allows me to identify potential issues with user interfaces and workflow early on in the design process. I feel I bring to VendAsta Technologies both vision on how users operate and a higher-level vision on opportunities that emerging technologies present. I attempt to move between high and low level thinking in order to chart the right product road maps and focus on the right things.

I have lived in Saskatoon most of my life, with stints in Calgary and Vancouver. There is something about Saskatoon that keeps me coming back. Maybe it is the well-defined seasons. The traditions that surround these changes are pronounced, matching the seasons themselves. It is exciting to be in Saskatoon at a time of rapid growth and such a vibrant tech community.

If I did not work I would likely spend a lot of my time cooking. As with most things I do, this would rely more on sound principles than on a strict recipe. Interspersed with cooking would be biking and playing guitar.

Jordan Boesch

I'm a prairie boy from the inside-out and I love getting my feet wet with any type of web technology. I enjoy picking up a good book, but I'll never get around to reading it unless it has variables, methods and other programming jargon. In my spare time I enjoy snowboarding, watching music, listening to movies and serenading people with Backstreet Boys on the guitar.

Kevin Pierce

I am passionate about knowing something about everything, and some would say lots about nothing. I bring to VendAsta Technologies a desire for simplicity in process, and extensive experience working on consumer-facing web systems. Previously I worked for FrontLogic Inc., where I developed the TypeNGo search engine used by thebrick.com and mysask.com, and Point2 Technologies Inc., where I helped build the CatUsed.com web system.

Outside of work I am interested in the great outdoors, sound teching concerts, playing drums, and ultimate frisbee, where I go by many nicknames (KP, Killer P, Kevpie, Pierce).

Krystian Olszanski

I am originally from Poland where we have this tradition. When a child celebrates his first birthday, the following objects are placed in front of him: Bible, shot glass, money, pen, and a slice of bread. What the child picks up determines who he will become in life. Talk about having to make tough decisions at an early age! So guess what I picked up? No, not the shot glass. No, no, not the Bible. Yes, a pen, which signified that one day I would become a writer. So here I am now, writing code and lovin' it.

After obtaining my B.Eng in Software Engineering from Concordia University in Montreal, I started working for a division of Reader's Digest. In 2006 I decided to relocate to Saskatoon and Reader's Digest decided not to relocate with me. My first job in Saskatoon was at QA Technologies, where I developed software for the transportation industry - messaging, position reporting, real-time engine data acquisition, satellite communication, all sorts of geeky stuff. Being a person who is highly motivated, persistent, driven by challenges, and who likes to try new things, I decided to open my own one-man company. It gave me a chance to work for different customers and to gain lots of valuable first-hand experience. I told myself that I would continue to be self-employed until I found 'THE' company.

I found it, and its name is VendAsta Technologies. People at VendAsta Technologies work hard, play hard, and most importantly, enjoy every second of it. On top of being extremely talented, everyone here is passionate about what they do, and I love being surrounded by this type of crowd. Besides the crew, we work on cool projects and we are not afraid of new technologies.

If I didn't have to work, I think I would eventually go crazy. I really enjoy what I do, perhaps sometimes too much. Besides programming, I also like photography, graphic design, music production, various DIY projects, and spending time with my family. Saskatoon is a great place to live and raise a family, but I would definitely like to explore the rest of the world, one country at at time.

Mariatta Wijaya

I was born and raised in Indonesia. I first came to Saskatoon in Y2K to study at the University of Saskatchewan. In 2005, I graduated with a B.A. Honours degree in Computer Science / Software Engineering. I worked for a couple years at IRD, then moved to Quebec, but returned to Saskatoon after a year and a half. I like Saskatoon because the people are nice, the winter is long, and the commute is short.

I used to play video games when I was small, and I always wondered how the video console worked. I was amazed that I could control the tiny character on TV using only two buttons labeled A and B. That's how my fascination with technology really began.

My other interests are rather unconventional, including classical myths, ancient civilizations, and crime drama. However, if I wasn't in the software industry, I think I would be working in a doggy day care, because I love dogs

Marie-Louise de la Harpe

I was born and raised in South Africa. Summers were long and hot with temperatures peaking at above 40 degrees celsius, so I figure Saskatoon and the famous Saskatchewan winters will be a welcome change... (Let's reevaluate this statement if I survive my first winter!)

We moved to Saskatoon recently and have never looked back - it's a great city with a vibrant art scene, great restaurants, and a growing tech community.

I have a BA in Fine Arts (Applied Graphics) from the University of Stellenbosch, South Africa. I have always been passionate about design and technology and I love exploring new mediums and platforms. My interests span various design disciplines, and I think this will be a great asset at VendAsta Technologies. The opportunity to understand more about emerging technologies, products, and applications is also very exciting.

The environment at VendAsta Technologies is flexible, creative, and highly conducive to original work.

If I had unlimited resources I would: travel more, paint more, and drink more wine!

Michael Bree

It is said that some people are born Engineers. I think that describes me. As a kid, it was all LEGO, all the time. So it was only natural that I went into Engineering, where I first became enthralled with computers. The feeling of accomplishment one enjoys when creating software is exactly like that experienced in any creative endeavour, be it writing or performing, solving a problem, or even constructing a castle out of LEGO.

The feeling of accomplishment is even better when experienced as part of a team. The people of VendAsta Technologies are energetic, enthusiastic, and encompass a diverse set of skills and backgrounds. The opportunity to be part of this team, to work with and learn from smart and creative people, and to feel that sense of accomplishment, is what attracted me to VendAsta Technologies - more so than any particular technology or project. To the team I bring many years of experience, and my own unique questions, interpretations, and opinions.

I like to cycle, rollerblade, ski (cross-country), and travel with my wife Terry and daughters Sarah and Nicole. My family has been fortunate to have visited many parts of the world already, but there are a lifetime of sights to see. I'd like to visit the Pyramids, Ankgor Wat, and Petra; the Hagia Sophia, Taj Mahal, and Burj Dubai. The list goes on... Is there a theme here? If so, you can blame LEGO. Or the Engineer in me.

Michael Charles

I don't know the first thing about software development. I joined VendAsta Technologies to bring some 'creative energy' to the team, which in practice means asking silly questions and nodding a lot.

After an unsuccessful attempt to break into the theatre biz in Vancouver, I returned to my hometown of Saskatoon in 2000. Since then I have composed a rock opera for the Mendel Art Gallery, written and appeared in several low-budget short films, and created a number of modestly popular internet cartoons, including Garson Hampfield, Crossword Inker. I also sing and play guitar with the band known as Sea Water Bliss, an idiosyncratic folk-rock group whose fame exists largely, but not entirely, in my own imagination.

I am single and enjoy Scrabble.

Michael Degtyarev

I was born in Russia but lived all over the world, Russia, USA, Ukraine, Taiwan and now Canada. I have a degree in linguistics, however I was always interested in design... I was drawing interfaces well before I could read or write (in English at least), but did not get into Web-design professionally until late 2005. Ever since I just cannot sleep well at night, unless the websites I create are pixel perfect.

Aside from making things work and look better, I spend my time reading the Bible, studying music theory, playing with my beautiful daughter and teasing my wonderful wife.

Nicole Stavness

I am a Saskatchewan girl at heart. I moved to Saskatoon in 1998 to pursue a university degree. After completing my Bachelor of Commerce degree, majoring in Development of Information Systems in 2002, I decided to strengthen my computer science skills and enter the MSc. program. Studying in the Software Research group, I was able to combine my business background with further technical knowledge. I researched approaches to creating flexible software that supports workflow processes, successfully defending my thesis early 2005. I have worked in the small business arena in Saskatoon and most recently coordinated the Internship Program in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Saskatchewan.

I enjoy analyzing business problems, sorting through work processes, and developing smart solutions. Working in a team environment with good people is also an important part of work life for me. VendAsta Technologies is an excellent place to be a part of a strong team and focus on developing quality software. They support the use of good design principles, provide the tools of choice, and strive for software development process improvement.

If I didn't have to work, you would find me on a beach playing volleyball in the sun (yes, that does include the sand courts in Saskatoon, as well as some more tropical locations). My travels would also include spending time with friends and family. I like to keep busy, so in between traveling my time would be spent volunteering with a nonprofit organization in a business or technical capacity.

Phoenix Mao

I was born and raised in China, one of the world's oldest civilizations. Growing up in a culture that can be dated back more than six millennia, I have always been fascinated by the power of human learning and intelligence. In 2001, I came to Saskatoon to study Computer Science at the U of S, and I fell in love with this beautiful city right away! Despite the cold winter, I was deeply moved by the warm welcome I received from Saskatonians. Shortly after my graduation, I started work at a local IT firm, Shared Event Inc. During my time there, I was able to apply my studies to grasp some of the complications of software development.

VendAsta Technologies offers the perfect environment for me to continue my learning and deepen my appreciation for new technologies. I certainly hope I will bring my creativity and passion for continuous improvement to the team. I love working with fun people, and VendAsta Technologies truly is an easy and fun environment to work in!

In my spare time, I like to travel, sing karaoke, do some graphic design, and check out new technologies. And someday, I hope to go on a treasure hunt!...well, that is if I have enough money to buy all the expensive gear...

Ryan Baldwin

I'm not exactly sure how it happened, but at one point I decided to switch my major from Drama to Nerdism. My experience and interaction with computers and computer science prior to my naive and hasty decision was approaching nil, but I enjoyed clicking buttons and playing with user input controls so I figured that counted for something.

The decision proved to be one of infinite wisdom (or just plain lucky). Upon graduation I started my first job with Traxis Inc. where I took everything I learned about algorithms and logic over the previous several years and created a protocol for asynchronously updating data between remote applications in real time. At the time I was 21 and had no idea how I made it work, but it worked.

My real education began a year later when I left Traxis to join Point2 Technologies Inc., where I was tasked with the duties of a Programmer/Analyst. It was my first jaunt into the world of enterprise web development. I started on simple projects, such as "Hey, implement this simple widget into Point2 Agent that shows interesting numbers!", but I quickly generated momentum up the ladder of project complexity. I created a store front end that allowed Point2 Agent customers to purchase domain names and have those domain names instantly point to their portal websites, ready for email and internet hotness. I maintained and extended the functionality of the company's central online billing system. I helped design and develop the Point2 Neighborhood Directory and subsequent auction system.

I made a lot of good things happen thanks to the shoulders of surrounding giants, but alas, a change was in the winds and I moved to Regina. It was in the Queen City where I took the job as the Integration Team Lead at iQmetrix. The team's primary objective was to create backend and middle-tier components that allowed the company's flagship product, RetailiQ, to integrate with 3rd party systems and product offerings. In plain speak, I made computers talk to each other.

Two years later the opportunity to work with Jason Collins, Brendan King et. al of VendAsta Technologies reared it's beautiful head and I jumped at the opportunity. I've never looked back. VendAsta has provided me the opportunity to dramatically increase my repertoire of known acronyms and technologies. The company's goals and values match my own, the challenges and opportunities presented are second to a pythonic None, and I once again find myself standing on the shoulders of surrounding giants. Plus, they let me bring my turntable and vinyl collection into my office, so hey.

My career and incredible good fortune can be summed up by The Dude: "Far out, man."

Shawn Rusaw

Shawn is a very private person. His friends nag him to start Twittering and Facebooking, but he ignores them. His co-workers nag him to come up with a bio for the company website, but he just smiles and backs away.

Here's what we know about him. He has a doctorate in computer science. He lived for a while in Vancouver where he worked for Cray building supercomputers. He's married with three kids. He enjoys running, playing soccer, and building robots with Lego NXT.

Tavis McPherson

I'm one of those guys that went out to see the world (well Europe anyways) but ended up coming back to Saskatchewan. While logging long hours working at an Investment Bank in London I would catch myself dreaming about fishing on the Assiniboine River or diving into the cool crisp water of a Saskatchewan lake.... in the end that's really what brought me back, the open space, easy access to nature and a great family close by. Sometimes you've got to leave home to really get an appreciation for it.

An incredible love of numbers.... well financial numbers anyways and the black ones in particular...  Not very sexy, I know, but put me in a room full of software developers and you’d be surprised at what looks sexy.

I’m extremely interested in spending time with family and learning new things.  In the last little while I’ve started snowboarding (which included an incredibly painful day at Table Mountain and 2 years of recovery) and my latest greatest challenge is being a dad (much harder but less painful than snowboarding.)