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Christopher Zura

Director

Profile

As Senior Technology Architect/Engineer with nearly 20 years industry experience developing emerging technologies for aerospace, manufacturing, security, and retail service systems, Chris works with leading CEOs to help companies develop key technologies to bring their products and services to market while achieving business objectives. As an accomplished author of new technology patents, he provides the vision and creativity for strategic business planning and new product design. His hands-on experience with both low-level embedded systems hardware and high-level database-driven web application development enables him to provide innovative solutions for the next generation of wireless and mobile applications. As a technology consultant, mentor, and turnaround expert with over 12 years building enterprise database applications and 8 years designing microcontroller based embedded products, Chris is regularly called to fix projects gone awry and provide the leadership for successful project completion.

Recent Accomplishments

Security Identification Systems Corporation (SISCO)

SISCO is the world leader in security and safety systems for the Cruise Line industry. Originally hired as the Emerging Technologies Coordinator in August 2005, Chris presently serves as the Director of R&D, Business Development and is responsible for the development of new intellectual property and patents. Working directly with the Vice President and the CEO, he provides the vision and strategies to bring new products and services to market. After being with the company only 5 months, he was appointed to his leadership role to facilitate the migration from a legacy development environment to Microsoft .NET. After hiring a new staff and leveraging his knowledge in engineering disciplines, he has been the catalyst for facilitating the adoption of Agile Development methodologies and new business practices within the company. As the Lead Architect and Project Manager, he led the team to develop the company’s next generation products. In March 2009, the result was a patent filing1 for a new system utilizing handheld mobile technology for high speed accountability of passengers on a cruise ship with sales projected to double over the next two years.

1 Method And System For The Mobile Tracking And Accounting Of Individuals In A Closed Community
Pat. Pending - Appl. No.12/387,856 - Filed May 7, 2009
Additech

As Vice President, Research & Development of Additech, Inc. from August of 2003 until his departure in September of 2004, Chris was responsible for the intellectual property required to enable the business model including all the new hardware and software technology designed to deliver gasoline additives on demand at the pump. Starting as a consultant in January of 2000, and working with the company for only 6 months, he developed his first patented2 technology, called the "Inceptor™", an embedded solution that simplifies integration with virtually all fuel-based POS (Point-Of-Sale) systems, as well as conceiving "Additech TV", a new generation of media technology at the gas pump. Deployed at hundreds of Walmart fueling locations nationwide, this new system is web enabled and combines full motion video, digital signage and advertising, coupons and order entry for complete at-the-pump marketing presence.

2 Method And Apparatus For Fuel And Fuel Additive Dispensing
US Patent 10036656 - Filed Dec. 21, 2001
Consultancy

Chris maintains his consultancy, Z Tech Systems, with a team of associates providing clients with specialized services in business automation including system integration, embedded/mobile system development, and web design to meet today's competitive business demands. Chris works directly with leading CEOs to provide the innovative solutions and key technology strategies required to bring products and services to market while targeting business objectives.

Medical Devices

Working closely with Dr Harry Glen, MD, Chris designed and built an electronic control system for a new medical device. By first engineering a working computer simulation of the user interface and control apparatus, the model was later used as the basis of a patent filing coauthored with Dr. Glen. This patented3 product features an interactive user interface and control system for an array of pressure inducing elements. Under microprocessor control, the device can aid in the treatment of muscle pathology while promoting the movement of lymphatic tissue and other circulatory fluids that can lead to the prevention of venous stasis ulcers (bed sores) and improved venous return. The system promises to raise the standard for treatment, especially for long term patient care.

3 Method And Apparatus For Controlling Massage Using Pressure Inducing Elements
US Pat. 11441739 - Filed May 27, 2006
P Sea Concepts

In partnership with Brian Olson of P Sea Concepts, Inc., Chris designed and developed YachtNet™. Introduced at the 2002 Fort Lauderdale Boat Show, the product provides the ultimate universal remote control for recreational yacht owners. Running on a wireless PDA and a shipboard server, the system integrates GPS navigation, radar, sonar, and ship monitoring systems along with audio/video/SAT TV/internet devices and other peripherals. The system controls the delivery of real-time streaming video from multiple video sources including camera, tuner, and PC applications through a simple touch screen user interface. Chris also designed a complementary product line of embedded products that can be used for remote control of devices including lighting, curtains and appliances for marine and other applications.

NanoTime

John Cain, President of NanoTime, LLC, may have said it best after completing another project: "I have a technology-based start-up company that is designing a new electronic product. Through the course of my design work I engaged Chris Zura of Z Tech Systems to conduct a software feasibility study, with the goal of creating an initial software development roadmap that was aligned with other elements of my product design. Throughout this process I have been extremely pleased with the work Chris has provided. He has made a number of helpful and creative suggestions, demonstrated a real enthusiasm for the project, and created a very useful analysis that will assist us in moving our project forward. Chris has always taken the time to explain his thinking and ideas, and has brought his technical expertise to bear on a complex product that will require numerous layers of software development. The resulting development plan was exactly what was needed. I appreciate Chris' contributions to our project and have found them to be very valuable and insightful."

National Trade Shows

Chris and his team developed the NTS System for National Trade Shows, a company specializing in trade show production for the travel industry. This custom multi-user database system automates show registration for over 300 trade shows a year, and mailings to over 100,000 travel agents across the US and Canada.

Charter Oak Services

For another client, Charter Oak Services, Inc., a faith-based company that specializes in providing home health care and cleaning services for the elderly, Chris developed the Charter Oak Service System (COSS). This custom, multi-user database system automates client tracking, employee scheduling, payroll, billing and regulatory reporting for a complete 'service company' oriented turnkey solution.

Cable Technology

In another automation project, Chris developed the Order Processing Information System (OPIS) for Cable Technology, Inc., a specialty wire manufacturer. This custom multi-user database system automates quotation, order entry, Bill Of Materials (BOM), materials tracking, inventory management and custom reporting.

First Brands

With his tenure at First Brands Corporation, the former brand holder of Prestone™, STP™, and Glad™, Chris co-developed the Integrated Satellite Information System (ISIS), a complete integrated manufacturing system for the Glad™ Products division where he also installed, maintained and supported 15 corporate LANs across North America for the company. He also co-developed an embedded barcode interface for shop floor reporting to ISIS. Later, as a consultant, he worked on numerous projects over the years including the development of the Broker Tracking System (BaTS), which tracked broker performance for over $800M in annual sales of Glad™ Products. In yet another high profile project, Chris developed the Financial Investor Tracking System (FITS), which tracked worldwide investor relations and mailings for the CEO.

Early Accomplishments

Software Insight Systems

Chris was a pioneer in the late 80's with Software Insight Systems, Inc., when, at age 20, he received worldwide acclaim for his earliest commercial product offering, GO-64!™, a software and hardware combination providing Commodore 64 emulation for the Amiga computer. This product maintains backward compatibility for users to migrate to the Amiga computer while saving their investment in a large library of software and peripherals.

United Technologies Research Center

Chris began his career as an Engineering Assistant with the United Technologies Research Center where he honed his engineering skills and provided PC support services for a large engineering group developing abradable seals for turbine jet engines.

Background

Since the age of eleven, Chris has been actively involved with computers, electronics and music. He holds a certificate in Small Business Management and studied Information Technology and Accounting at Manchester Community College in Manchester, Connecticut. As a Microsoft Solutions Partner and a member of the Microsoft Developer Network, he is frequently a guest speaker on a variety of topics. As an active musician, photographer, aviculturist, oenophile, and collector of antiquities, Chris can be found hunting down the finer things that life can offer, and playing with his little girl Morgan.