Who We Are… Vivonet Executive Team

Ryan Volberg, President, Chief Executive Officer, Chairman
Ryan co-founded Vivonet in 1999 and has served as the company’s President and Chief Executive Officer since that time. Ryan is the driving force behind Vivonet’s “Enable, Acquire and Organize” retail transactions strategy as well as the visionary behind the Halo Secure Web-Based POS product. During Ryan’s tenure, Vivonet created the web based POS category and established itself as the leader in software-as-a-service (SaaS). Ryan also leads the company’s M&A activities and has made a number of strategic acquisitions over the past several years. Prior to co-founding Vivonet, Ryan founded several start-ups including a medical device manufacturer. Ryan studied Business Administration and Psychology at Simon Fraser University as well as Computer Based Information Systems at the University of Victoria. In 2007 Ryan was named to the Vancouver 2007 ‘Top 40 under 40′ list.

Kevin Falk, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Product Strategist
Kevin co-founded Vivonet in 1999 and is the original architect and designer of the Halo Secure Web Based POS product. Kevin is dedicated to designing simple solutions that solve complex problems. In addition to being the Chief Financial Officer responsible for Vivonet’s finances and operations, Kevin is the Chief Product Strategist responsible for the company’s future product direction and innovation. Kevin has spent 17 years in the software industry and has previously been involved in several start-ups. Kevin studied Anthropology at University College of the Fraser Valley and Systems Analysis at the British Columbia Institute of Technology. In 2007 Kevin was named to the Vancouver 2007 ‘Top 40 under 40′ list.

Kevin Froese, Vice President of Sales and Marketing
Kevin has served as the Vice President of Sales and Marketing with Vivonet since 2004. As the brand architect behind Halo Secure Web Based POS and the creator of Vivonet’s software-as-a-service (SaaS) direct sales model, Kevin is passionate about continuing to build Vivonet as a world class SaaS company. Kevin is accountable for the delivery of organic recurring revenue growth and for transforming retailers into clients that are enthusiastic promoters for Vivonet. Additionally, Kevin is responsible for all aspects of branding, marketing, corporate communication and culture initiatives. Kevin has spent 13 years in business to business technology and previously has held senior management positions with Titan Corporation (now L-3 Communications NYSE: LLL) subsidiary Cayenta and Class Software Solutions (now Active.com). Kevin studied Kinesiology and Chemistry at Simon Fraser University.

Graham Hill, Vice President of Client Support
Graham joined Vivonet in 2005 as the Vice President of Client Services and transitioned to his current position as the executive accountable for Support Services in 2009. Graham has been the driving force behind the implementation and ongoing stewardship of Vivonet’s Net Promoter Score program that since 2008 has delivered results at or near best of breed for all software companies worldwide. Graham is responsible for ensuring that Vivonet’s support services are available and accessible to clients exactly when they need them. Once clients connect with Vivonet, Graham believes passionately that the way to grow long term value for all stakeholders is through creating and maintaining a strong group promoters amongst the Vivonet client community. Prior to joining Vivonet, Graham held several senior leadership positions in the customer care teams for Class Software Solutions (now Active.com). Graham studied Physics at the University of British Columbia.

Tom Kakanowski, Chief Technology Officer and Chief Privacy Officer
Tom joined Vivonet as Chief Technology Officer and Chief Privacy Officer in 2008. Tom is committed to the development of secure technologies, enterprise products and scalable processes that delight and protect Vivonet clients. Tom is a strong proponent of security and compliance, and led Vivonet’s payment card industry compliance projects (PABP and PCI-DSS) in 2008. Tom is responsible for technology strategy, development and quality assurance results as well as Vivonet’s mission critical software-as-a-service (SaaS) infrastructure. Prior to joining Vivonet, Tom held senior positions in both government and Fortune 500 companies, most recently responsible for teams delivering real time control and data collection systems for Ford, Chrysler, GM, Toyota and Honda. Tom attended the University of Waterloo, Carnegie Mellon University and Athabasca University and holds MBA and MSc degrees, as well as MCSE, MCDBA, SCM and PMP certification. In 1998, Tom was nominated as a Canadian IT Excellence award finalist.

Robb Alexander, Vice President of Product Management
Since 2005, Robb has served Vivonet as a Restaurant Market Product Manager and the Director of Product Management. In 2010, Robb assumed executive responsibility for Vivonet’s product management operations and was promoted to the role of Vice President of Product Management. Robb is wholly committed to delivering software-as-a-service (SaaS) product solutions to the market that deliver a wonderful client experience. In this role, Robb is responsible for Vivonet’s execution against the Pragmatic Marketing Framework to enable Vivonet’s continued organic recurring revenue growth and industry leading Net Promoter Score results. Prior to joining the Vivonet team, Robb held technology leadership and operations positions Earl’s Restaurants Ltd. and Point Financials. Robb attended Simon Fraser University where he studied Economics. Robb is Pragmatic Marketing certified and actively involved in the Product Management community.

Tim Becerra, Vice President of Business Development
Tim joined Vivonet in 2010 as Vice President of Business Development and is responsible for expanding the company’s strategic partner and channel business relationships. Tim’s passion for developing long term win-win strategic business results is complimented by Vivonet’s “Enable, Acquire and Organize” retail transactions strategy which allows both clients and partners alike to share and add value to the data generated by Halo Secure Web Based POS. With over 22 years of retail technology industry experience, Tim has held executive and senior management positions with Posiflex Technology, Sable Technologies and Squirrel Systems. Prior to Joining Vivonet, during his ten years at Posiflex Tim built the preeminent North American distribution channel for the company’s hospitality products and then expanded into the healthcare, retail, voting and gaming market segments resulting in over 100 software company certifications on Posiflex hardware. In 2003, Tim orchestrated the company’s first ‘super site’ non-channel installation by deploying approximately 500 systems into hospitality location within a major theme park. Upon refreshing the site four years later, 1,000 systems were deployed across hospitality, retail and guest survey resulting in the company’s single largest order. Tim also delivered numerous large OEM deals which substantially grew the business and established Posiflex as a premier brand in hospitality POS. During Tim’s tenure, Posiflex’s revenue consistently grew annually by double digits. Tim attended Control Data Institute in San Francisco where he studied microprocessors and electronic engineering.