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Paul Nicholls

Baldwin, Ontario Canada
CEO
Grey Lion Management
Technology

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“I am ideally suited for a leadership role in a technology company. I bring a mature balance of entrepreneurial zeal and practical experience to the table. I freely step into major projects and assignments and will do what it takes to ensure their completion on time and under budget. In short, I am a high achiever, looking to work with others who share this work ethic, in pursuit of delivering excellent products to create delighted clients. Specialties Management of people and operations at all levels in a technology setting with particular expertise in sales, marketing and human resources.”

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Paul's Short Bio

Paul Nicholls, CST, CSM, HRM, DTM is Chief Operating Officer of iPLANcorp.

Paul started his career as a programmer and analyst with Helvetia Software Enterprises, a pioneer in online, interactive credit union software, and his work took him across North America.

He followed that up with a meteoric rise through the ranks to second-in-command at Richter and Associates, a full-service systems consulting practice. In this position, Paul was exposed to a wide variety of industries and technologies, becoming a recognized expert in retail, distribution and not-for-profit applications. It was while at Richter that Paul founded and led the Richter and Associates Municipal Systems Group in the mid-1980s.

He joined MAI Canada as the leader of the programming and installation team when MAI purchased the municipal application suite from Richter. He grew MAI’s business from inception to a position of leadership, and was promoted to National Software Manager. In this new national role, Paul was challenged with restructuring and reshaping a business decimated by unbridled change in the marketplace. Handed a money-losing operation with bad debts in excess of two times annual revenues, Paul tackled the challenge and turned the operation around in 18 months.

In 1988, he founded Top-Down Logic Corporation(TDL), a company dedicated to local governments and public utilities by providing value-centric turnkey solutions. TDL became a dominant force in the marketplace, developing a client base of over 160 municipalities and hydros in Ontario. In 2003, he sold TDL and commenced re-building the business under the new organization.

In 2005 Paul continued his education by becoming a Certified Software Manager, and earned his Human Resources Management designation.

In 2006, Paul joined Strategic Information Technology, a leading Canadian software company specializing in financial applications. In addition to redefining and improving the company’s business practices, he built relationships and drove organic revenues.

On joining iPLANcorp, Paul embarked on a comprehensive program of rejuvenating the marketing and sales programme to raise awareness of the company’s software and services. Included in his programme are speaking engagements on the company’s products, an overhaul of all marketin collateral, and substantial enhancements in the company’s website.

Paul’s expertise in managing software companies, and being an entrepreneur for many years have helped to re-shape iPLANcorp planning sofware division’s strategy for the next number of years.

Mr. Nicholls’ deep understanding of the local government marketplace, and his “customer-is-king” approach to client management have helped to solidify the reputation of iPLANcorp in the eyes of its marketplace.

According to a long-time colleague in the software business, “I would describe Paul as ethical and professional. His management style is inclusive and team-oriented. He looks at the big picture and tries to bring balance to an organization. Because of these traits, he is well respected by his peers and customers.”

Paul's Resume

Paul Nicholls
6 Audubon Way Cell: 905.251.4441
Baldwin, ON L0E 1A0 email: paul.e.nicholls@gmail.com

Chief Operating Officer

Entrepreneurial, results-focused technology operations executive that combines shrewd business insights with finely-honed management capabilities. Brings an exceptional track record for analyzing and responding to evolving situations across a range of technologies. Blending strategic and tactical focuses, delivers proven talent for developing comprehensive strategies to tackle current and future business needs, then managing projects to completion on time and under budget. Champions and models service excellence, creating long-term client relationships through a “customer-is-king” management style. Possesses cross-functional acumen and a “roll-up-the-sleeves” approach to teamwork.

CORE COMPETENCIES
• Software design, development & deployment
• Project management
• Client relationship optimization
• Planning, budgeting & forecasting
• Product & service optimization
• Strategic planning & development
• Cost containment & process improvements
• Human resources

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

Chief Operating Officer (2008 - Present)
iPLANcorp, a leading 10-person Ontario professional planning practice with a technology division selling its own enterprise-level GIS document management software to municipalities, utility companies (hydro, water, sewer, telco and gas) and provincial and federal governments.
• Led consultations with clients to develop new applications and add features to existing software products.
• Worked with technology team to identify and prioritize product development requirements and develop testing and deployment tactics.
• Monitored current industry trends to ensure products and features were current.
• Defined strategy and implemented tactics to endure technology leadership.
• Responsible for managing all aspects of the software technology division, overseeing a group of 4.
• Developed critical sales forecasting, planning and contact progress methodologies and procedures.
• Restructured the company to focus on core competencies, returning the company to profitability.
• Re-designed the budget process to include a 5-year planning cycle and a proper company-wide plan.
• Gave numerous presentations to URISA conferences on current GIS topics and solutions and techniques to mitigate risks.
• Responsible for all human resource matters including policies and procedures.

Director of Customer Relationships (2006 - 2008)
Strategic Information Technology Ltd, an enterprise-level banking and financial applications developer with over 140 employees, with installations in 5 of the top 6 Canadian banks, and a majority of Canadian trust companies.
• Led a team of 40 to build strong relationships with clients to sell additional software applications and identify product development priorities and enhancements.
• Improved integration of partner products, creating value-added benefits for clients and increasing revenue.
• Grew revenues by $3M in two years by ensuring clients embraced the most recent product releases.
• Completed a competitive price analysis, leading to a new pricing structure that grew revenues 10%.
• Redesigned contracts and compliance documents cutting turnarounds by 5 days on average, and ensuring the company was receiving all licensing fees due.

President & CEO (1988 - 2006)
Top-Down Logic Corporation, a 10-person turn-key supplier of turnkey systems for Ontario municipalities and local utilities.
• Positioned the company as a recognized leader and subject matter experts in local government and utilities operations, and developed a client-centric application suite unrivalled in the space.
• Pioneered one-stop local government and utility services application solutions (including water/sewer, hydro and telecom), and created best-in-class implementation and support services.
• Oversaw all software design, development, installation and support activities, running the company using a professional practice approach.
• Created processes to ensure support times were minimized, company led the industry with a 1-hour response time to any issue; first company to adopt an 800 call in support number. Built a first of its kind corporate Knowledge Base to streamline support response and capture critical failure information for product improvements.
• Integrated data from corporate database into complementary GIS systems.
• Created tactical approach to monitor and improve quality of releases with a goal of achieving a zero failure rate in the field.
• Launched customer feedback system to ensure the company’s applications were current to emerging client requirements.
• Established routine and emergency release strategies to virtually eliminate customer downtime.
• Mentored staff to elevate skill levels and enhance professional best practices.
• Took the company from point-zero to $2.3M in annual revenues and a 30% market share in Ontario.
• Negotiated the sale of the company for a substantial return on investment.

National Software Manager (1986 - 1988)
Director, Local Government Group (1985 - 1986)
MAI Canada Limited, the $65M Canadian division of a Fortune 500 supplier of the first commercially available business BASIC interpreters.
• Responsible for 60 systems professionals organized into vertical-specific teams and branches developing and supporting custom software solutions.
• Implemented programming written programming and support standards.
• Generated $3M in Local Government Group revenues and added 150 key clients within one year.
• Given a financially struggling 6-branch $3.5M operation, brought it back to profitability in 6 months.
• Resolved a $1.5M A/R issue while ensuring customer satisfaction and protecting the company’s reputation.
• Set the standards for preparation of RFP responses, and also prepared majority of such requests.
• Responsible for liaising with Sales Department to develop new marketing collateral and the development and implementation of sales plans.
• Handled all aspects of software in a number of vertical market specialties including marketing, sales, development, training, implementation and support activities.

Programming Manager/Assistant GM (1983 - 1985)
Systems Analyst/Senior Consultant (1982 - 1983)
Programmer-Analyst (1980 - 1981)
Richter & Associates, the custom systems development and consulting arm of a top-10 accounting practice with over 200 installations in a wide variety of industries including local government, apparel, not-for-profit and distribution.
• Grew the professional services team from 5 to 20; organized the group into vertical-specific teams developing and supporting custom software solutions.
• Responsible for ensuring all aspects of customer satisfaction, branch management and technology standardization.
• Conceived, wrote and implemented the company programming standards manual.
• Wrote and implemented the branch’s time accounting and billing and receivables systems.
• Established templates for all RFP submissions and led the RFP response team.
• Designed and implemented all end-user documentation for all applications.
• Organized, designed and oversaw a corporate move including all technology, telephony and design.
• Handled all HR matters for the branch including hiring, mentorship and performance review.

Partner (1977 - 1980)
Helvetia Software Enterprises, a credit union software company with 100 installations across North America.
• Responsible all functions for a software firm specializing in credit union vertical market.
• Created all-new accounting products.
• Drove process to create programming standards and common look-and-feel characteristics.
• Working with other partners, built the business from part-time experiment to full-time business employing ten.
• Working with key clients, translated software into French.
• Wrote specialized payroll system for Caisse Populaires to handle logging payroll.

COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP
Georgina Public Library Chair since 2001, Director since 1994
• Provides overall leadership and governance to a $2M operation; oversaw development and construction of two new branches with a combined value over $7.5M; drove budget priorities to restore service cuts caused in the 1990s.

South Lake Community Futures Development Corp. Chair since 2009, Director since 2001
• Provides overall leadership and governance for this Fed-Dev sponsored organization that manages a $5M loan portfolio. Key driver in the re-integration of this free-standing BDC back into the CFDC program.

Pefferlaw Lions Housing Co-Operative (“Rixon Manor”) Chair since 2009, Director since 1995
• Provides overall leadership and governance for this $2M CMHC seniors’ home.

Georgina Cares Fund Director since 2000, President 2003 - 2008

Town of Georgina Town Councillor 1994 – 1997
• Participated in senior leadership roles in numerous other community organizations, driving excellence and success in all cases.

EDUCATION & SPECIALIZED TRAINING
Toastmasters International Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM)
Publicist of the Year 2006
Durham College Human Resources Management Diploma
Stitt, Feld & Handy Alternative Dispute Resolution (Introductory& Advanced)
S.I.I.A Certified Software Manager
Mohawk College Computer Systems Technology Diploma
McMaster University Bachelor of Commerce
York Technology Alliance Member, active in several peer groups

TECHNICAL SUMMARY
Literate in various e-commerce, business applications and IT systems technologies including:
• Microsoft Office Suite & Corel Office Suites
• ESRI and MapINFO
• Web standards
• ITIL and Agile product management and all aspects of SDLC
• Adobe Illustrator
• E-Commerce: Storefronts, relational databases, shopping carts, data warehousing and financial processes
• Networking: Windows 9X,NT/XP, Linux/Unix, LAN/WAN, Intranet & Internet infrastructures
• Programming: Web programming, MS-SQL, object-oriented programming and Business Basic