Meet the team.
The Meaning of Aji
Aji is a term used in the game of Go -- an ancient Asian strategy game played throughout the world (and within our company!).
The game is played by two players who take turns placing black or white stones on a 19x19 grid board. The object of the game
is to surround the opponent's stones and capture a greater portion of the board. While Go is easy to learn, it can take a
lifetime to master. In the context of Go, Aji means something like 'hidden potential'. The term Aji is derived from the
Japanese, aji, which means lingering taste, and in Go refers to the idea that even stones that appear lost at the moment may later become
valuable parts of a new strategy.
Ravi leads Aji’s team. He is focused on maximizing the potential of our current product offerings and creating new opportunities for future innovation. Ravi has years of experience in software, consulting, and business development. 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 founded Aji, LLC in 2007. He guides our team’s development of new software. Jim has years of experience designing and coding innovative software solutions. 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 significant experience in both academia and software is a true asset to the Aji team. Previously, he was a professor in the Faculty of Information at the University of Toronto where he taught courses on information security, inclusive design, information systems, and document formats and standards. 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, where he specialized in artificial intelligence, machine learning and natural language processing.
Tony handles the marketing and customer outreach at Aji. He's focused on promoting iAnnotate and extolling its use in the fields of medicine, law, entertainment, and education. Tony 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.
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 been creating Aji's 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 Aji. 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 Aji.
Phil Simko heads business development at Aji, 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 Aji’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.