The Udutu Leadership Team
Roger Mundell, CEO, Partner
Roger Mundell has been a successful entrepreneur for 30 years. In 1996 he became captivated by the challenges facing Royal Roads University in Victoria, British Columbia.The newly created University had to leverage very limited physical space by taking advantage of emerging online learning technologies. For the next eight and a half years, as the Director of Technology Transfer, Research and Innovation at Royal Roads, Roger created and led the teams that were recognised around the world for innovations in online learning technology, and he funded all the R&D by building a robust external client base.
In 1998 his team led the world by introducing the first learning-styles adaptive, dynamic course authoring platform with a reusable learning objects repository, and levels of learner interactivity that were previously unknown in online learning circles. In 2002/2003 he led a collaborative project between Telus, Canarie, The Justice Institute of British Columbia, and Royal Roads University to develop a unique authoring tool that enabled media rich interactive simulations to be quickly and inexpensively built and modified by non-programmers.
Roger has spoken and lectured at conferences and institutions around the world on the subjects of reusable (shareable) learning objects, and interactive online learning. He is a frequent speaker, advisor, and panelist on the subjects of online learning, technology, and Entrepreneurial management.
In October 2005 Roger left the University, along with key members of the CEDAR team, and created Udutu to leverage all of their research and development experience into an ultimate new solution. In addition to the talented team he had worked with at RRU, Roger was joined by Ron Hart; one of the west coast's foremost visionary.
Ron Hart, Partner
Ron Hart was the founding CEO of Power Measurement Ltd, a Canadian company specialising in digital 3-phase power metering systems. The company started by designing and manufacturing digital power meters for the telephone industry.
In 1984, Power Measurement completed the development of a micro-processor-based 3-phase power monitor - the first of its type in the world. The new panel-mount meter replaced a large number of traditional electro-mechanical meters with a single device. Soon after the company designed a communications port for remote data access, which allowed the meter to eliminate the need for discrete 0-20 mA or pulse output transducers.
Power Measurement grew rapidly. The line of meters was expanded and on-board data logging capabilities were added. The next milestone was the development of PC-based Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition (SCADA) software that automatically retrieves and displays real-time and historical data from the meters.
The addition of alarming and set point control capabilities to the meters enabled the systems to become popular for a wide range of applications, from industrial energy management to utility distribution automation. Systems were designed to help customers cut energy costs by automatically controlling parameters like peak demand and power factor, improve reliability by providing early warning of impending problems, enhance predictive maintenance and extend equipment life.
Throughout industry, new designs for power supplies, drives and process automation equipment were being introduced that were more sensitive to power quality anomalies - while often simultaneously generating them. As a result, Power Measurement's customers were seeking ways to avoid failures and downtime due to a rise in power quality problems. In response, the company began building harmonics analysis and unique disturbance recording features into its meters. These allowed the source and severity of problems to be quickly pinpointed and solved.
Power Measurement grew to become the greatest high-tech success story on Vancouver Island and was eventually acquired by Schneider Electric for more than $100 million.
Richard Mundell , Partner, CEO of UdutuUSA
A graduate of the National Coaching Institute in Canada, Richard started his career in professional coaching (Sailing). He transitioned into business management where the analysis and coaching skills proved extremely valuable.
He worked in IT Management, District Level Sales Management, & Product Category Management, including high level involvement in Business Analysis and Strategic Planning. Richard’s experience includes the Information Technology, Natural Gas Distribution, Mobile Communications, and international retailer sectors as well as a foray into the field of Internet Privacy Solutions. A believer in lifelong learning, Richard was attracted to the emerging elearning sector after his experiences with a large international retailer and a high turnover workforce.
In January 2009, Richard co-founded and became president of UDUTU’s US subsidiary. In this role, Richard works with a team that is dedicated to making elearning faster, easier and cheaper to implement through innovative tools and services.
Kris Noesgaard, Director of Technology
Kris graduated from the University of Victoria with an MSc in Computer Science, with an education specializing in Software Engineering, AI, and eLearning Systems. Prior to joining Udutu, he worked on the R&D team at Royal Roads University, and was a part of the award winning team that created the Kooltool and the LOGIC tool, and subsequently led the migration of Royal Roads University's authoring tools onto the .NET platform. He left the University to join Udutu in 2005.
Kris has been an innovative programming expert who has brought new interactivities and levels of learner engagement to eLearning software systems particularly for the health care and business sectors. In the stimulating and fast moving R&D environment at Royal Roads University he became keenly aware of the needs of online learners and course designers, and was an out-of-the-box innovator and creative contributor to the process of designing and building solutions.
With several years professional experience as a software engineer and designer on a wide range of platforms, Kris brings the technical expertise and know-how to develop the team's innovative ideas into applications born of the most cutting edge technology. With an emphasis on developing software that is adaptable, reusable, and robust, Kris gives the technology developed at udutu the agility to meet the rapidly changing needs in the eLearning field. At Udutu, Kris leads the development of myUdutu, Udutu Teach & Learn, as well as several other technologies created for the eLearning needs of specific industries.
Maria Race, VP Operations
Maria, with a degree in biochemistry from the University of Victoria, spent 3 years working as a lab technician/assistant administrator for the UVic-Genome BC Proteomics Centre. She decided to leave her science roots and venture into the IT industry in July of 2006 when she joined the Udutu team as office manager.
Her background in science has made her a quick learner and has given her the organizational and problem solving skills needed to manage resources and projects. Maria has quickly moved over two years into the VP of Operations role. She currently works directly to manage projects, staff, multimedia production resources, as well as assists in course development projects.
She also plays a key role in marketing and sales. Maria also currently serves on the Board of Directors of VIATeC, an organization developed to promote and enhance the development of the local advanced technology industry.
Kirk Wilson, Creative Lead
Before he realised his true calling as a graphic artist/web designer/flash developer, Kirk had tried his hand as a teacher, a chef, and even a deep sea fisherman. That varied background, and the perspective that came with it, informs his work and his understanding of the training needs of a variety of customers. Kirk has worked on hundreds of courses, covering almost every imaginable discipline, and along the way has learned much about the industries and professions he has come into contact with, as well as a recognition of the commonalities that apply to online learning across all fields of endeavor.
Kirk's technical knowledge embraces a myriad of programs and applications. Coupled with his design creativity, Kirk is an invaluable asset to our project team. Conceptualizing, storyboarding and developing online application interfaces is where Kirk shines. Meeting user expectations, detailed specifications and overall usability is of paramount importance to him.
Kirk also has experience in creating identity and brand awareness for projects in their embryonic stages. To concisely and effectively create online learning experiences is a pursuit that continues to inspire him. Kirk was honoured at the First Annual VIAtec Awards for the Best Overall website, and at the National Innovation awards for his work on the LOGIC project. Kirk led the team that created the innovative Krystal Kollege project with courseware in both English and Spanish. He has worked on many online course development projects and has a finely tuned his expertise in converting learning concepts into engaging online activities.
Greg Moran, Senior Media Developer
Greg brings to the Udutu team a strong background in both instructional media design and traditional art. A published illustrator with several books to his name, Greg’s career in art has included everything from gallery showings to a municipal mural commission. In addition Greg was the recipient of the National Ben Wicks Award of Canada for his illustration work in The Teenage Survival Handbook. Greg is currently a member of the Island Illustrators Society.
In the educational technology field, Greg has been allowed to combine his traditional background with the online medium. His education and experience includes a variety of online software mediums including animation, web development, interactive design, usability, and social networking.
Prior to joining the Udutu team, Greg worked several years at Royal Roads University as a Creative Lead where he was able to grasp understandings of online learning, pedagogy, and instructional design. Working on a large variety of course projects, Greg was able to finely tune his ability to work with subject matter experts and take abstract concepts and make them a working reality.
Richard Lane, Elearning Designer
Richard brings his background in Media/Graphic design as well as a history of work as foreman in an aqua-culture facility, retail manager, and a journeyman electrician to our company. Drawing from his diverse work experience and well rounded history of schooling, Richard brings a wealth of personal insight to each of the courses he develops.
His primary focus is that of branding and interface design; and has enjoyed bringing his talents to the online learning and instructional design aspects of our projects. Richard graduated from a local Web & Graphic Design school at the top of his class and was the winner of the New Media Design award.
Before joining our team Richard worked independently creating web sites, corporate branding, graphic design and motion graphics.
Meng Dong, Web Developer
Meng Graduated from Nanjing University of Telecommunications with a BSc in Computer Science. She spent 2 years working there as a teaching assistant and researcher. She was also part of a Ministerial-level awards winning team that created a Management Information System. Next, she moved to Shanghai and began her career as a web developer.
Later, she joined world leading Telecom Equipment Manufacturer and worked in core network and mobile network area as a software engineer, before moving to Canada. Now, she brings her years of experience in software and web development to Udutu.
Lori Stevenson, Instructional Designer
Lori utilizes over 10 years of experience working in the training department for one of the largest oil and gas companies in Canada and 4 years developing training materials for the financial services industry. Throughout her career, Lori has developed and delivered a variety of corporate training sessions, workshops, online presentations and self-paced online learning solutions. Lori’s strong project management, coordination, planning and organizational skills allow her to work to deadlines on multiple projects. Lori has excellent engagement skills and enjoys the challenge of working with stakeholders and subject matter experts to transform traditional paper-based training materials into engaging, dynamic online courses and curriculums.
