Curriculum Vitae

Background:

Christopher Raymond (JCR) was born and raised in Southern, and Central Ontario, where he attended Ridley College ’73, and the University of Waterloo (School of Planning) BES, ‘ 80.  Throughout this education process, he was employed as an Environmental and Urban Planner with J. Ross Raymond & Associates, to 1981, out of offices in Gravenhurst, Parry Sound, within the Regional District of Muskoka.  Responsibilities included: Drafting of Municipal By-Laws, Land Use and Economic Studies for Local Indian Bands, Official Community Plan Land Use research, and drafting policy, conducting environmental impact assessments, and assisting the Professional Planner, during Ontario Municipal Board, hearings.

Following University, he took an opportunity to sail Crewed Charter yachts throughout the Caribbean for 3 winters, while employed as the Chef | Manager, of The Severn River Inn, in Severn Bridge, Ontario.  During this time, he speculated on new technology opportunities, and started his first company in 1984, as the Canadian Reseller for a U.S. based voice - processing manufacturer.  Responsibilities included: selling early voice processing systems to dealers, and end-users across Canada.   By 1986, with the developments of DOS, PC’s with hard-drives, and the first relational database products he designed and developed PC C.O.P.S.^tm   an automated voice notification system for Crime Prevention Sections of Canadian and American police services.

PC C.O.P.S^.tm quickly became a “must have” product for growing Crime Prevention offices.  62 systems were supplied across Canada, by 1990.  Further voice and fax processing solutions were developed for education, and public utility markets.   During frequent business trips to British Columbia, he “discovered” Whistler in 1985, and purchased his first Whistler Ski Pass in 1986.  Now, as a Whistler Pass Holder, living in Toronto, he realized an opportunity existed to relocate and establish an Information Technology business in Whistler.  Whistler Computers Ltd. was started in 1988, and he relocated to Whistler full-time in 1990. 

By 1996, the traditional PC hardware, network and support services in Whistler, became overrun with competition, so he partnered up with a Vancouver based IT company, as a Senior Account Manager.  Since returning to Whistler full-time in 2000, he has been involved in the design and development of Resort based technology solutions, including: MobileDataCollect, a Palm Pilot based Room Deficiency application, AdventureREZ.com, a .NET based reservation application for adventure tour businesses, and SURVEYOffice.net, an Office Automation application for Land Surveyors.

In 2005, he remains focused on delivering technical design, implementation, maintenance, and support services. The delivery of our professional services is founded on an entrepreneurial will to evolve through years of technological experiences, and provide independent expertise to clients who need assistance.   To day, technology support requires experience. This experience has been learned over the years, and includes hands-on technical skills that started with Microsoft Dos 2.1, and dbase II. He has been involved with delivering professional database design and development, hardware and networking, system analysis, telecommunications and voice processing solutions.  From Whistler, B.C., he provides business and technical services to Whistler and other clients across Canada, with focused services to resort destinations. 

Overview:  

I have 23 years of professional experience in the Information Technology industry.  My employment has included a diverse variety of responsibilities with IT systems, including:  design, development, management, marketing and sales processes. This experience has included, PC hardware, networks, software applications, and the Internet.

This knowledge has been built through many employment and self-employment responsibilities.  I am dependable, mature, self-starting, and a valuable member to any team.  I love challenges, and perform very well in demanding, mission critical situations.  I understand what is required to manage and plan a business's network.  Previous experience focused on delivering "Vertical Market" solutions to education, police services, and utilities.   Now, as a Whistler business owner since 1989, I focus on delivering solutions to this Resort Destination's activity | adventure, accommodation, activity, hospitality, and tourist service vendors.  In turn, we offer these solutions to similar businesses, in other Resort Destinations.

This experience has included the development of specific software applications, and delivery of design, development, marketing, sales, support of hardware, network and software technology services.  I have built a unique list of expertise over the years, as a self-employed technical professional, a senior account manager with hardware and network integrators.  Recent employment in the hospitality industry (Vacation Rental Management), as a Call Centre Supervisor, and Inventory Manager, complements this technical experience.  We offer specific business, products, and reservation solutions to this industry.

We assist our clients understand and plan their technology and software, we also provide: cleaning and maintenance, off-site data storage, hardware/network administration, software design, office software and customer relations management, Network Integration, Computer-to-Telephone, Call Centre Systems, and Web - telephone Integration, and Inventory/Reservation products.

Accomplishments:

ADVENTURER - Enjoy travelling through England, Europe, The Caribbean, North America's Mountain, Water and Urban Environments.
AMATEUR CHEF - Years of BBQ, Chef at The Severn River Inn, Head Chef and Organizer of "The Whistler Wolves" Competitive BBQ Team, competed in The Canadian BBQ Championships 2003, 2004, 2005!   Won 4th in Backyard Burger, 2003, 2^nd in Appleton Rum Cocktail Contest in 2005!
ENTREPRENEUR - Business Owner and Proprietor of: J. Christopher Raymond & Associates, Whistler's Computer Group, Whistler Software Limited, Whistler Computers Ltd, the I.M.P.A.C.T. Group Inc., and Microlog Canada.    
ENVIRONMENTALIST - U. of Waterloo, BSc - Environmental Studies, (Urban Planning) experiences include: environmental, urban planning and mediation.
Expert Skier - 44 Years | 5 Year Member of Whistler Mtn. Trail Crew | 2005 Mountain Safety Lead Hand
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIST - Software Architect, Systems IT Consultant, Network Administrator, Senior Systems Account Manager.
Land SurveyING  - Business | Operations Manager, GIS | GPS Mapping, High-Density Surveying Technologist, Surveying Assistant, Chainsaw Operator.
Yachtsman – Crewed and Helmed sailboats since 1962, experience has included: Mate and Skipper on Charter Boats in Caribbean, 80ft., 100ton Fife Ketch “Kentra”, Sail Trimmer on 44' ft. IOR Yacht "Dynamo" RCYC Toronto, Main Sail Trimmer, Tactican on 8M “Octavia”, through 3 x 8M World Cups, 1989, 1990, 1991. 

Employment History:

J. Christopher Raymond & Associates: Principal, Whistler B.C., May 2001 to Current - Deliver general IT services to this resort based business community.   These include: BIZAssist, BIZPlan, DATAProtect, HELPDesk, MANAGEDCare, PRODUCTDev, and TECHClean services.  Specialize in developing and sourcing solutions to the Hospitality Industry, specifically activity and accommodation vendors.  We have established Reseller partnerships with different technical vendors, including: Mobile Inventory Management, Secure Internet | Web Services, Wireless Internet, and Reservation Software vendors.    In 2006, will be delivering GPS | GIS Mapping Products and Services to Whistler. 

Whistler Lodging Company: GDS Call Centre Supervisor/Inventory Manager, Whistler, B.C., October 2001-April 2002. - Supervise GDS and Call Centre Agents, managed implementation of yield strategies, analyzed and maintained 12 Property, 850+Unit Inventory Availability, Rates, and Stay Controls Status, managed the delivery of this critical sales information across 12 CRS partners, identified and interpreted global distribution trends to monitor and manipulate inventory, to maximize yield, minimize guest relocate issues, and provided operational support to 12 front desks.   Maintained a leadership/management role for 12 Call Centre Staff, and all CRS Reservations for the Company.

J. Christopher Raymond & Associates: Principal, Whistler B.C. September 1999 - October 2001 - Existing PC C.O.P.S. ^TM clients in Western Canada, indicated interest in expanding system capabilities.  This created new business opportunities for PC C.O.P.S. ^TM, 2000.  Designed and managed the development of Y2K compliant SQL Database, Automated Notification, Automated Fax and E-Mail Communications software, in preparation for delivery to existing Canadian Police Services. This lead to an introduction to Dialogic Communications Corp. (DCC), an American manufacturer of automated notification systems.   We established a working partnership with DCC to market our PC C.O.P.S. ^TM program, and their “Communicator” System to Canadian PC C.O.P.S. ^TM clients.   We are the Canadian Reseller for DCC, and remain the developer and copyright holder of the PC C.O.P.S. ^TM system, supplied to 65 Canadian Police Services.

Voyus Computer Solutions, Inc.: Senior Account Manager, Burnaby B.C., March 1999-September 1999 - Voyus, then Velocity, acquired A.B. Microtek Ltd., in March 1999. Through this acquisition, I was offered this position, responsible for client management (193 clients), and business development for hardware, LAN/WAN networks, VPN and other advanced technical services. This included developing partnerships with vendors of application solutions for the engineering, legal and medical markets.  Worked with a team of sales professionals, including Inside Sales, and Technical Engineers.   Managed the integration and sold, Microsoft and Novell Networks, Client Service and Support Contracts, and IBM hardware systems.  Achieved monthly sales goals, on a consistent basis.  

A.B. Microtek Ltd.: Senior Account Manager, Vancouver B.C., January 1998 - March 1999 - Hired by President to provide experienced marketing and sales of computer networking, and telecommunications, including Computer -to- Telephone Integration, PC Hardware, Novell and Windows NT Networks, BackOffice Networking Products, NEC Telephone PBX Systems, Active Voice Processing Applications, Network Project management, Year 2000 System Analyst and Client Service, Support contracts.  Developed new accounting, legal, and medical software vendor partnerships and built complete solutions for clients.

Whistler's Computer Group: Principal, Whistler, B.C., January 1996 - January 1998 - Created through the amalgamation of both Whistler Software Ltd., and Whistler Computer's Ltd.  Focused on delivering Technical Consulting, Design, Maintenance and Planning Services. Provided management and ownership of ARRIVALS Reservation Software, and PC C.O.P.S. ^TM Crime Prevention Software.  Purchased Hygenicomp Whistler franchise from Hygenicomp Canada, one of 26 Electronic Cleaning Franchise's in Canada.  Provided Whistler based clients with one-stop technical resources for various applications, network service, and telecommunications.   Established partnerships with hardware integration, telecommunication vendors and sold their services into the Whistler business market.

Whistler Software Limited: Partner/Owner, Whistler, B.C., January 1996 - January 1998 - While working with a Whistler Condo Management Company client, we were invited to develop a proposal for a Windows based reservation system, for a business managing 50+ nightly rental units.  After designing fields, tables, relationships, queries, and program requirements, we retained a programmer partner, and managed the development of the ARRIVALS TM Reservation Software for Windows. After our first install, we went forward with organizing the marketing and sales process managing sales activities to Whistler based Vacation Rental firms. Sold over $150,000 in software licenses.  Company and software were acquired by JCR&A., in 1998.

Whistler Computer's Limited: President, Whistler, B.C., January 1988 - January 1996 - Expand the marketing and sales of our PC C.O.P.S. ^TM system, while establishing the 1^st Whistler based Value Added Reseller for PC break and fix, consulting, hardware, network administration, management and system support. Built the company from the ground up, into a $120,000 annual technical service firm. 

the I.M.P.A.C.T. group inc., President, Toronto, Ontario, December 1986 - December 1989 - Developer and Reseller of Voice Processing Solutions using the Microlog Corporation VCS 3500 Voice Processing Platform. Products included pcALERT Emergency Notification Systems, PC C.O.P.S.^TM Crime Prevention Communication Systems, TenderOffice, Bid Fax on-demand, and Voice Response Systems. Clients include: 65 Canadian Police Services, Public Utilities, and Government Offices.

Microlog Canada: Principal, Toronto, Ontario, September 1984 - December 1986 - Managed Canadian Distribution, Dealers, Marketing and Sales of Microlog Corporation VCS 3500 Voice Processing Products. Supported 5 Regional Dealers, and sophisticated VCS3500 product sales, for Automated Attendant, Integrated Voice Response, VoiceMail, Transaction Processing, and Outbound Notification.

Software Skills

Microsoft VisualStudio.net                                                           Windows 3.x/95/98/Me/XP/NT/2000
MS SQL 7.0, Certificate of Achievement                                      Microsoft Visual Studio 6.0
Microsoft Office Products including FrontPage, Visio, Project      MS Office and Developers Toolkit
ACT3.0, 2000, 2006 Contact Relations Management                     M.Y.O.B, Simply Accounting,    
Merchant for Windows, Retail POS                                             
Microlog Corporation VCS 3500, Voice Processing Software, and CallStar System
DOS 2.1 - 6.12, Dbase II – IV

Community Activities

Whistler Mountain Ski Patrol, Trail Crew Volunteer 4 Year’s, 2005 Mountain Safety Lead Hand:
Big Sky Golf Course - Starter and Marshall 5 Years:
Active Volunteer with Whistler based adventure activities;
CSIA Level One, Instructor. Whistler – Blackcomb November 1999
CASARA Spotter, and Navigation Certified Volunteer

Patents and publications: Owner - PC C.O.P.S.TM Canadian Trademark and Copyright

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