Ravi is passionate about technology and communication and is responsible for the development of some of the core ideas and architecture of Branchfire. In his role as CEO, he is focused on maximizing the potential of our collective work and creating new opportunities for future innovation. Ravi has years of experience in software, communication, and business development. Previously, Ravi was a communication consultant, advising clients on trial strategy and effective jury communication in high-stakes litigation. Ravi holds a J.D. from Washington University in St. Louis, and he is admitted to the Illinois Bar. He completed his undergraduate work in Cognitive Science and Computer Science at Indiana University.

Jim is our principal architect and in that role he leads our engineering team as it takes on new software challenges. He is a deeply talented engineer who thrives on solving “impossible” problems and then building a well-designed software solution. Previously, Jim was a software architect at Determina, Inc., a security software startup (acquired by VMWare, Inc). Jim studied in the Ph.D. program in Mathematics at the University of California, Berkeley. He was a Churchill Scholar and obtained a Certificate of Advanced Study in Mathematics from University of Cambridge. Jim holds a BS in Mathematics and a joint BA in Computer and Cognitive Science from Indiana University.

Steve’s unique experience in both academia and software development allow him to make powerful contributions to our product development strategy. Prior to joining our team, he was a professor in the Faculty of Information at the University of Toronto, where he conducted research and taught courses on design, impact, and social shaping of information technologies. His development experience includes work in the telecommunications industry and at Intel Corp. Steve holds a joint Ph.D. in Computer and Cognitive Science from Indiana University, where he specialized in perceptual and linguistic development and learning, and a BSCEE and MSEE from Purdue University.

Tony specializes in customer outreach, user-centered design, and web programming at Branchfire. He brings years of experience from the litigation graphics field, giving him an expertise in effective communication through technical and visual channels. Tony graduated from the University of Maryland with a degree in Computer Science and a minor in Rhetoric.

Alex is a writer who contributes to user support for iAnnotate and written content production at Branchfire. Alex has a B.A. in Classics and a B.A. in English from Brown University, as well as an M.A. in Humanities from the University of Chicago. Most recently, Alex has worked as a Humanities instructor at Truman College and as an independent contractor and educational content writer for Remilon L.L.C.

Matthew handles user support and library support for iAnnotate. He also helps out with writing and QA. Prior to joining the team he worked as the primary Homebound Instructor for a large high school district, and as an Account Executive in technology sales. He has an MA in Teaching from National-Louis University, and a BA in Historical Studies from The University of Texas at Dallas.

Ezra is responsible for key aspects of our user-interface design. He is an accomplished writer and designer, with years of experience. His critically acclaimed graphic novel series, The Changers, began a unique comics career peppered with a number of collaborative multimedia projects including the groundbreaking experimental iPhone App, Ruben & Lullaby, the documentary film Lunch Line, the experimental animated rap opera, Sun Wu Kong, and the upcoming immersive graphic novel, Upgrade Soul. His work has been published by Dark Horse Comics, and his illustrations have been featured on the covers of the Village Voice, Chicago Reader and The Portland Mercury. For more information, visit dream-chocolate.com

Jun holds a BS and an MS in Computer Science from Peking University and a joint Ph.D. in Computer Science and Cognitive Science from Indiana University. He also holds an MA in Philosophy from Duke University. He has extensive research experience focusing on how cognitive agents and digital constructions fit into the larger patterns of social and worldly dynamics. He was formerly a professor with the Cognitive Science Program at University of Toronto, where he taught courses in cognitive science, artificial intelligence, robotics, and philosophy. He was also a postdoctoral fellow with the Faculty of Information at the University, where he conducted research in digital humanities and the foundations of computation and information.

Julie is a painter, printmaker, and artist. With years of professional experience as a designer, she has developed our corporate identity, website design, and user-interface graphics since 2007. Julie received her BFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in 2003.

Linda brings years of experience as a small business administrator, manager, consultant, and owner to Branchfire. With extensive expertise in commercial real estate markets, she invented IncomeWorks, an online real estate evaluation platform that recently received a U.S. Patent. Linda’s unique organizational skills and knowledge of day-to-day operations form the basis for her diverse responsibilities at Branchfire.

Phil Simko heads business development at Branchfire, where he is currently focused on the rapidly developing mobile applications market. Phil enjoys the challenge of discovering opportunities for growth and efficiency within an organization. He has years of experience in data analysis and corporate strategy. Phil received a BA in Japanese Studies, with a minor in economics, from Earlham College.

Cleber manages Branchfire’s systems infrastructure, overseeing support, testing, and managing deployment of new software. His experience includes hardware/software compatibility, strategic consulting, application security, and virtualization. Cleber previously worked for VMWare where he focused on ESX Farming Deployment/Support, an integral part of VMWare systems acquisition deployment (supported integrating systems when VMWare acquired new companies). Before VMWare he worked at Determina, Inc., and Big Chief Partners.