Bio for Christo Lowe
Christo - Founder/CEO: began his career in technology back in 1986, when he was given his very first Macintosh Computer to write a database solution for the Photo/Graphics department of Notre Dame University. Since then, he has had the opportunity to work with various large and small companies as a consultant, an employee, and a manager dealing with several computer platforms and a plethora of database and networking technologies.
Christo has a unique way of understanding the needs of companies, the individuals, and departments within those companies. After working for several consulting firms both small and large, he decided to start his own company, Excelisys, with a strong emphasis toward customer service and quality. He continues to build a team of loyal and devoted people who have the same common goals, passions, and insight into building intuitive custom information management systems for LAN, WAN, and Web deployments.
Bio for Geoff Ryle
Geoff Ryle - President/Project Manager: brings a wealth of real world experience in a variety of established and breaking technologies, combined with professional people skills and a strong ability to communicate effectively. He has been working with FileMaker Pro since its first introduction over 20 years ago, when he developed his first customer tracking, sales and invoicing system. Since then, he has developed and marketed several of his own FileMaker based vertical market solutions, as well as having designed and maintained custom LAN/WAN cross–platform solutions. Some of the clients Geoff has had the pleasure of working with include FileMaker Inc., Walt Disney Imagineering, Viacom, Universal Studios, Discovery Toys, Steinberg North America and Line 6. He is co–author of the FileMaker Business Tracker and the Excelisys Business Tracker. A published author, he is also a contributing writer for several trade magazines, including FileMaker Pro Advisor. A classically trained pianist since age 5, in his spare time Geoff enjoys playing with his band, AudioCast, or relaxing in his production studio. His original CD, Oyster Brew, is available through his personal web site, GeoffRyle.com.
Bio for Greg Furry
Greg Furry - VP of Technology/Project Manager: brings a plethora of skills to Excelisys and its clients. Most recently as the director of technology for a leading systems integrator, Greg assisted a wide variety of clients from small businesses to Fortune 100 companies. He is a proven leader in advanced technologies and applications, providing clients with open state-of-the-art solutions that incorporate both existing and emerging technology. The father of three boys, Greg enjoys sailing, basketball and just about every sport or outdoor activity. He brings to Excelisys his expertise in all things geeky and a strong desire to find the perfect solution for his clients.
Bio for Kurt Knippel
Kurt - VP of Production/Project Manager: began developing software in high school and continued in college learning Pascal, C++ and various forms of BASIC. He started designing databases professionally in dBase III using Clipper to customize, install, and train his company's sales departments on custom solutions including others he developed in Access, Paradox, FoxPro and Lotus Notes. Kurt has worked for several successful consulting firms selling, customizing and training sales, telemarketing and customer-service departments on Telemagic, both the DOS and Windows versions. In 1994, using FileMaker Pro 2.1, he built a successful commercial sales force automation product, that he continued to expand and update as new releases of FileMaker emerged over the years. Kurt broadened his knowledge of RDBMS systems by installing/configuring, customizing and training users on sales solutions with back-ends in Oracle, Sybase and Microsoft SQL Server. He then went on to work as a successful independent FileMaker developer as well as a senior/lead developer for three of the leading FileMaker development companies. Kurt joined the Excelisys team after spending several years as an IT/Operations manager at an architectural firm, where he was responsible for the development and administration of 5 FileMaker servers hosting more than 700 databases.
Bio for Duane W.
Duane has been developing enterprise web–integrated FileMaker solutions for an international travel publisher since 1996. He has developed numerous solutions involving SyncDek, Lasso, PHP, and MySQL integration. He has been a member of FSA/TechNet since 2003 and has attended DevCon numerous times. In addition to his development work, Duane is a dedicated Mac user. He is the Web Master for his local Macintosh User Group and has also served on the board since 2002 as Treasurer. In his spare time Duane enjoys photography, movies, writing music, and spending time with his family.
Bio for Andrew P.
In 1992, Andrew sat down with a copy of FileMaker Pro 2.0 and was instantly hooked. Since then, he has been the lead developer on a wide variety of solutions, including a robust accounting system, a comprehensive medical management solution and a mass-marketed photography management product. His background in graphic design and desktop publishing is displayed in the attractive and intuitive interfaces that are characteristic of his solutions. Among his many other projects, Andy is co-author of the FileMaker Business Tracker.
Bio for Ken M.
After earning his history degree in 1998, Ken began work with a small manufacturing firm where he was introduced to FileMaker Pro. Shortly thereafter, he became an in-house developer and by the end of 2003 and was maintaining, retrofitting, and enlarging a 75+ file solution that powered a 12 million dollar company. After moving to Texas, Ken developed a custom solution for a Cingular wireless retailer. When he is not buried in work, he can be found in his wood shop, tooling around his Kentucky house, or watching yet another History Channel program. However, it is his hands-on experience that affords Ken an in-depth understanding of the facets large scale FileMaker projects.
Bio for Levi V.
Coming from an exercise and health care background, Levi has been building FileMaker databases since FileMaker 1.0. She has created primarily orthopedic and nonprofit applications. A quote from a friend sums up her attitude about FileMaker Pro, "Levi thinks everything can be solved with FileMaker Pro." This belief leads her to dream up solutions for almost everything. Most recently she was an in-house developer for a spine rehab facility where she developed a state of the art, touch-screen driven, clinic management solution using FileMaker Pro. If you can disconnect her from her computer, you will find Levi pursuing her other love, anything active. She can usually be found on one of her bikes, tromping through the woods somewhere or chasing her dogs. Any activity from under the sea to the top of the mountain is fair game.
Bio for Alex K.
Alex hails all the way from the Ukraine. Classically trained on piano from an early age and fluent in multiple languages, we like to call Alex our "Swiss Army Knife of Technology." Whatever we throw at him, he hits right out of the park. Whether its creating unique SQL or MySQL based enterprise solutions, web-enabling FileMaker Pro systems with Lasso, custom applications with C, or integrating with legacy technologies like Cobalt, Alex is able to effectively research and produce the exact results our clients are looking for. He even creates custom plug-ins and applets whenever a desired functionality does not yet exist within the tools at hand. Alex currently lives in Hollywood, CA with his wife, where in his spare time he pursues his dream of working as a composer for feature films and commercials.
Bio for Katie N.
Katie’s first passion is photography, which led her into the world of digital editing. Her passion for computers and all things digital flourished and she decided the perfect way to integrate the two was the world of web design. She studied both photography and web design in college and graduated with an Associates degree in Photographic Technology and an Associates in the Internet Professional Program specializing in Interactive Web Design. Her specialties are designing in Photoshop and Flash, and coding xhtml and css. Katie is currently living in Michigan. She enjoys kayaking, fishing, birding, disc golf, and cross country skiing.
Bio for Abhi G.
Abhi has a Master’s degree in Computer Science, awarded by the University of Southern California (USC). He has several years of Software Development experience and has previously worked in the capacity of a Software Consultant and Programmer-Analyst. Abhi specializes in Custom Software Development and likes to involve himself in various facets of the development life cycle, including Requirement Analysis and Architecture Design. While working as a Consultant in Los Angeles, Abhi designed and engineered a cutting edge Process Automation System for a legal recruiting firm. He has developed several data intensive applications with a strong focus on data mining and profile based recommendations. In his free time, he likes to watch Formula-1 racing.
Bio for Jeff D.
After two years in Spain, four years in sales and marketing, and two degrees in Computer Graphics Technology, Jeff’s first post–college interview was for a position as a marketing coordinator/web master. His FileMaker skills trumped everything, though, and he wound up in a newly created development position. Jeff is a second-generation FileMaker developer that got his start at the ripe old age of fourteen. His father–then a computer teacher at a local middle school–created FileMaker systems on the side, and his wealth of knowledge was passed down to his teenage son. Now, Jeff combines nearly two decades of database development with his training in interface design; he can truly bring your database to life. When his nose isn’t stuck in yet another database system, Jeff enjoys movies, spending time with his wife and kids (and guinea pigs), and helping his father learn the latest and greatest of FileMaker.
Bio for Kristine B.
Kristine first discovered FileMaker in 1992. Since 1998, Kristine has been developing custom solutions for leading companies in a variety of industries including marketing, manufacturing, fashion, digital imaging, finance and information technology. One of her favorite things to do is to learn how a company runs its business from day to day and to design a smart, effective and easy-to-use FileMaker system around it. Her second favorite thing to do is to come in under budget. Based in New York City, Kristine spends her days banging away at the keyboard or running around to meet with clients, and her nights teaching her pet Chihuahua new tricks.
Bio for Michael R.
Michael has been a FileMaker developer since 1987 and was one of the very first full–time professional FileMaker developers. Over the last 16 years, he has developed literally hundreds of custom solutions for all types and sizes of companies. He has also developed several commercial products, one of which is the highly acclaimed ISP Billing Software (www.isp-billing.com) which is an account management and billing program for Internet Service Providers and/or any organization that does recurring billing. Michael brings to Excelisys a wealth of experience and business knowledge across a wide variety of industries. He specializes in highly intuitive interfaces and loves FileMaker’s ability to encompass incredibly complex functions down to the press of a single button. There is nothing Michael likes to hear more than “It can’t be done!” and then being able to prove that it, in fact, can! Michael is a published author with over 40 magazine articles to date and is also a regular contributor to FileMaker Advisor magazine. We are proud to have Michael as a member of the Excelisys team and involved in developing amazing solutions for our customers that will exceed any expectations.
Bio for Rick Middleton
Rick Middleton - Account Manager/Business Development: brings to the Excelisys family a wealth of real world experience. During Rick’s time in the United States Marine Corps, his main duties were security forces, counter terrorism and “Information Technology Man”. It was in the Marines that Rick learned you lead from the front. Since leaving the Marines, Rick has worked in technologies from Mac to PC, from ACT to Microsoft Outlook, and held many titles from Account Manager to Director of Sales to Director of Customer Service. While working in the security world, he dealt with customers ranging from small operations to nation wide retailers, treating each with respect and holding close to the ethic that you “say what you mean and do what you say”. When Rick isn’t taking care of customers, he can be found at home hanging out with his wife and kids, or out on the golf course.
Bio for Scott Mosher
Scott - Business Development/Account Management/Sales for Excelisys since 2006: Has a historical background in computer software, hardware and programming since 1980 on many platforms including Mac, PC and AS/36, 38 & 400. Certified technician for IBM, Compaq, HP and Acer on desktop, laptop, printer and servers. Specialized in multi-platform multi-protocol WAN implementation related to Mid-range systems for over 7 years. Involved with Filemaker versions 7-10 and it's implementation in both Intra- and Internet solutions since 2006. Web Solutions and SaaS offerings becoming more common. See us at www.excelisys.com
Bio for David L.
David brings to Excelisys, among other things, FileMaker, FMTouch and AppleScript expertise. He has been developing FileMaker based solutions since 1994 for the aviation, broadcasting, education, facilities management, government, healthcare, marketing and technology sectors. He learned the art of gathering project requirements and data modeling in high school, and learned low level programming, troubleshooting and technical writing in college. David is an effective, straight forward communicator. Given enough involvement in a software project, he often gets to know a client’s business better than they do.
Bio for Steve Murray
I bring an extensive background in business management as well as expert technical knowledge and practical experience in several leading database tools, especially FileMaker Pro and associated technologies. I enjoy using technologies in a cost effective way to analyze and solve problems.
2009 Development activities for Excelisys. FileMaker, PHP, SQL
2001 - 2009 VP Technical Services, In House Development
Design, develop, and deploy FileMaker based system for Contracts, applicant processing, QA procedures, HR processes, payroll and invoicing. Revenue and cost center data integrated with an enterprise accounting system (Microsoft eEnterprise Dynamics). FileMaker system also is basis for interactive and dynamic web site functionality using PHP. Infrastructure: Windows Servers, LAN with all Windows clients.
1997 – 2001
Lead programmer or Project Manager on a variety of Filemaker projects for a wide range of clients including Citibank, Amgen, Universal Studios, Fox Studios, Stanford University, LA County Schools, Disney
- 5 FileMaker 7 Certified Developers
- 7 FileMaker 8 Certified Developers
- 7 FileMaker 9 Certified Developers
- 4 FileMaker 10 Certified Developers
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