olive

Head of Engineering

Round

Round is a curated community of technology executives and senior leaders who support, grow, mentor, and learn from each other. The Round experience supports leaders who are at the forefront of technology, working on products and services that have an outsized impact on the world.

Founding Member

Power Digital Marketing

Team and product leadership for the Nova platform at Power Digital Marketing. The machine learning platform that can analyze any business’s growth opportunities, build a marketing strategy to execute on them, and track progress across 13+ channels in custom-tailored dashboards.

VP Engineering & Product

KlientBoost

Founded, launched and sold a marketing tech SaaS product.

- Grew team of 6 engineers plus product design and support staff
- Managed feature roadmap, technical architecture, development, delivery, and support
- Produced 50% trial-to-paid customer conversions
- Created education path for junior engineers
- Managed agile process of reviews, retros, standup, backlog

The flagship product for Kite Software integrated with Google Ads API to analyze accounts with custom algorithms and generate ROI focused recommendations. Scaled to process millions of records at a time with AWS serverless and queue services. Built with TypeScript, Node.js, Express, Python, Serverless, React, Redux, CircleCI, Docker, Gatsby, GraphQL.

VP Engineering, Kite Software

Maverick

Lead server side API development and web application team to support iOS startup venture creating a new social community for empowering young women. genmaverick.com

Develop microservices with NodeJS and MongoDB.  React and redux front end development.  Machine learning for moderation and transcriptions.  Rapid feature development including comments service, trending algorithms, and gamification progression engine.  Support PHP Zend MySQL API framework.  Mentor and train team members.  Manage technical contractors and support the agile development process.

Software Engineering Manager

JNR Incorporated

Promoted to senior architect and project lead role for new application development. Design and develop Node.js and MongoDB microservice based API with custom express gateway on AWS Lambda hosted serverless environment (api.paymentrise.com) Design and develop front end React, Redux web application to consume new PaymentRise API for customers to redeem prepaid reward cards with unique offer codes for BoostMobile clients. Led technical team for new product development and defined software engineering process. Helped design and implement Agile Scrum process for new product development team. Wrote custom Python script serverless & S3 deployment process integrating GitLab CI/CD.

Senior Software Architect, Lead

Introduced development technologies including Git, Continuous Integration, and Agile project methodologies.  Redesigned and migrated existing data center to an AWS cloud hosted environment. Architected, developed, and supported large scale Prepaid Card Industry applications for incentives programs, card activation, and card ordering.  Developed a REST API for new applications to securely interface with legacy cardholder data systems.  Ensured PCI DDS compliance at application, systems, and process level.

Software Engineer

Blink Development, Inc.

Founded Blink Development with one partner and grew to a peak staff over 10 employees servicing website development and marketing.  Launched and serviced over 40 projects in 5 years, generating over $1.5M annual gross revenue.  Served as lead developer on all major projects.

Founder & Lead Developer

Fletcher Jones Motorcars

Started as a PC installation technician in 1999.  Advanced through many positions over 11 years with responsibilities including database administration, web development, help desk, project management, vendor management, and ultimately data warehousing and BI analysis with C#, .NET MVC, SharePoint, MSSQL Server, and SSRS.

Business Information Analyst, Developer, System Admin

Software Engineering Leader, Architect, and Full StackDeveloper with over 20 years experience working in startups, marketing, telecommunications, financial, and consumer sales industries. 

Skilled in NodeJS, React, Python, AWS Cloud Solutions Architecture, MySQL, MongoDB, PHP, Project Management, Team Management, and Technical Sales. MS in Software Engineering from CSU Fullerton and BA in Political Science and Government from University of California, Irvine.

Just in time for my 2nd Mt. Whitney attempt in 3 weeks, the US National Park Service dropped a new app 📱 

This will be Mt. Whitney as a day hike with my wife, Kim Fitkin! 

If you didn’t know, Mt. Whitney in the Inyo National Forest of Southern California has a 14,505-foot summit. It’s the highest peak in the lower 48 United States.

In 2021, we got within 100 vertical feet of the summit but had to turn around because I got altitude sickness, finishing in a grueling 15-hour hike. With Kim carrying both of our packs down the mountain. 

This year, I’m better prepared – I've downloaded the app, got altitude medicine, and will be acclimating at 8,000 feet before the hike.

I’m using the app to check the trails and finding places to rest and eat after the hike 🤣

Wish us luck!

Christopher Fitkin

Partner at MetaCTO · Custom Mobile Apps 📱

🌟 Employee Spotlight: Shagufta Naseem 🌟

Meet 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗴𝘂𝗳𝘁𝗮 𝗡𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗲𝗺, our amazing Technical Project Manager at MetaCTO! 

She's responsible for keeping everyone here on schedule and makes sure we ship on time. And in 3 years with this team, she's delivered over a dozen stellar iPhone and Android apps. 🚀

Here's what our team has to say about working with Shagufta:

→ "She can handle a lot of work, have a lot of responsibilities and do it all. And be very good on each and every one of them."
→ "Her thorough testing ensures that all our software is polished and reliable."
→ "She's very patient and always happy to help me understand new things."
→ "She's the best at organizing stuff and making deliveries."
→ "She's so kind <3"

Bonus Fun Fact: Shagufta can never say no to dancing! Whether its dance class, dance parties, or dancing with friends she's always first on the dance floor. 💃

(P.S. I think we have to work a dancing session into our next company retreat)

Shagufta, you rock! Keep up the fantastic work! 🙌

Everyone else got their excuse for 3-day weekend lined up?

Do you believe in the 'tech genius' founder myth? 
 
The idea that one brilliant mind will lead a tech startup to success alone? 
 
It rarely works. 
 
With 20+ years in engineering and CTO roles, I've seen it debunked. 
 
Why? 
 
Collaboration beats individual brilliance in every company I've worked with. Here’s why: 
 
→ Diverse perspectives create better solutions 
→ Teams can do more work, faster 
→ Risks are shared, so you can be bolder 
→ Team support boosts motivation 
 
But the biggest reason? 
 
𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗽𝘀 𝗳𝗮𝗶𝗹 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗯𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗮 𝗹𝗼𝘁 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝘁𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗼𝗻𝘀.  
 
Tech is important. But you can learn tech and hire the right team. 
 
The best tech solution is usually one that's fast. And helps you to validate and iterate business ideas on your way to success.

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Good news like this in the mobile app space is a breath of fresh air.

I write about mobile app development and launches a lot. And unfortunately, there's a lot of negative news about how apps impact mental wellness, attention span, and childhood development.

But here, a recent study by the University of Cincinnati found that the Stanza app can help people manage fibromyalgia symptoms effectively.

What impressed me:

· 𝗦𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁: 70% of patients using the Stanza app improved over 12 weeks.

· 𝗘𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗽𝘆: The app uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) with exercises like meditation and awareness.

· 𝗪𝗶𝗱𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁: The study involved 25 locations, and results were published in The Lancet.

For the millions affected by fibromyalgia, this app offers a new way to manage symptoms and improve their quality of life. It's great to see mobile apps making a positive impact!

I'd love to talk about and build more apps like this Stanza app. If you've got an idea for one, I'd love to hear abut it.

Read the full article here:

Open article: Mobile app could help people manage fibromyalgia, UC study suggests by wyso.org

Screenshots of the Stanza app that guides patients with fibromyalgia through various evidence-based acceptance and commitment therapy activities.

Mobile app could help people manage fibromyalgia, UC study suggests

NY Times grew digital revenue by 16% to $282.2 million last quarter. The surprise? Most was from Mobile Games Apps.

LinkedIn and YouTube are jumping on the trend now with their own line of mobile games. Should your company too?

Here are a couple game app ideas for different industries.

Good or bad? Let me know 👍👎

𝗧𝗿𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗹 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘆 - Destination Word Puzzle: Create a game similar to Wordle, but focused on famous destinations and travel terms, offering hints related to popular tourist spots.

𝗲𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗰𝗲 - Product Match Game: Develop a game where users match products to categories or features, similar to a memory game, with discounts or points for successful matches.

𝗙𝗶𝘁𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 - Workout Trivia Challenge: Design a trivia game based on fitness and nutrition knowledge, rewarding users with workout tips and content for high scores.

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P.S. I build custom mobile apps for businesses at MetaCTO. DM me your app ideas.

If you need a soundtrack for your Monday morning coffee and inbox I generated this track with the new Sonu app 📱

The lyrics surprised me. It’s kind of relaxing and kind of creepy. 

It’s a little dystopian listening to an AI voice sing a song to me about answering emails on Monday morning.

Either way it’s really impressive how good this is if you haven’t tried making a song yet. Check it out.

Open video: Monday Melodies by @rejuvenatingsongs058 | Suno on suno.com

Monday Melodies by @rejuvenatingsongs058 | Suno

"Do you have these in a size 10?" 👟 There's an app for that. But should there be? — Foot Locker is giving shoppers in-store inventory access with their next mobile app update. 

The app will include real-time launch updates, biometric authentication, and a “Heat Monitor” to track sneaker hype.

Seriously—would you install a new app to find out if they have your size? Is it better than waiting for someone in the store?

Or do you want to talk to a real person when you're out shopping?

source: https://lnkd.in/gEengvWG

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P.S. I build iPhone and Android apps for businesses as MetaCTO. DM me your app ideas.

Somebody hire my man Drew. Best decision you’ll make this year.

Product Marketing + Brand Marketing @ Peanut Butter (Coming soon)

*** Excited to announce I’m ready for my next full-time opportunity ***

Here’s what I'm looking for (and could use your help with): 

→ PMM/Sr. PMM (series B+) 
→ Head of product marketing (A or B) 
→ Founding product marketer (series A) 
→ Head of brand (early stage) 
→ Head of content/comms. (running the product/brand playbook I posted yesterday) 

Why you should hire me: 

→ 12+ year in marketing, 9+ in leadership 
→ I love to build: companies, media engines, departments/functions, teams, GTM motions, processes
→ I’m hands on: equal parts strategist (positioning, narrative, messaging) and tactician (writer, designer, videographer) 
→ I’m principled: like, a nerd for the fundamental principles underpinning strong brand marketing and product marketing
→ I live for high growth: personal growth, company growth, team growth… I thrive in it all. 
→ I’m eternally hungry (maybe even a little obsessed with marketing ;) 

Why you should NOT hire me: 

→ You need someone to just execute, not support strategy or innovation (hire someone cheaper) 
→ There’s no safety for bold ideas or original thinking (I get it, but it's not for me) 
→ You want someone to “takeover” with no onboarding (this just never works) 
→ No managers/leadership have a family/kids (need some alignment on life stage) 
→ You need an analyst relations pro (not my expertise) 

Thanks in advance for any likes/comments/tags for reach 😘

Shoot me a DM if you're open to a conversation!

AI is a two-edged sword for software developers. It will and has replaced some jobs already. 

But developers who know how to use it will be more valuable and find more work.

PR Manager at Usetech │ Media Relations │ PR for B2B

Happy to share a new article from the Usetech blog: How To Use AI In Software Development And Increase Your Efficiency?

Thanks to Christopher Fitkin (MetaCTO), Anand Kulkarni (Crowdbotics) and Michael Hess (CodeSigningStore) for your valuable input and interesting thoughts. I'm sure many developers will be interested to learn about using AI in software development to automate their workflow and improve their workflow.

Despite the discussions around AI, we cannot deny its positive benefits.

Keep the link to the article and enjoy reading: https://lnkd.in/d3Vdt8kp

Stay tuned: we'll be publishing a new article on AI in manufacturing soon.

#artificialintelligence #softwaredevelopment #technology

Open article: How to Use AI in Software Development and Increase Your Efficiency? by usetech.com

How to Use AI in Software Development and Increase Your Efficiency?

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