Timeline

1986: NES. Mario. Zelda. I was hooked, I wanted to know everything about computers.

1993: Started ‘hacking’ into local BBSs, this was the internet before there was the internet.

1994: Wrote my first program, Solitaire for the TI-85.

1995: Caught the internet bug, HTML 2.0 and Netscape were ooh so tempting.

1996: Started playing with UNIX, DigitalUX, Solaris, FreeBSD and Linux. 
         
          Developed localized search engine in C.

1997: Joined largest LUG; hacked into university servers.
          Provo was an exiting place to be tech wise.. Novell, Corel, Caldera, Word Perfect.  

1998: Database Administrator for Mercedes Benz
         
          Launched early e-commerce site ebags for large international luggage company.
         
          Served the people of LA for the next 2 years.

2001: Started Supernerd, a web consulting and development company. 
         
          Using PHP and MySQL began development on framework for PHP.. later dubbed Zoop.

2002: Married. Supernerd team grew to an even dozen.
          Built e-commerce / CMS system for HealthMinded.

2003: Worked with Stamford University to develop a prototype driving UI for Toyota
          Developed and taught web development class for BYU.

2004: Developed hybrid application for Real Salt Lake.
          First application of it's kind that powered print, desktop and web versions of media guide.

2005: Supernerd took on Priceline.com as a client. Developed affiliate program.
          Appointed CTO of connect U, looking to reinvent itself. Ultimately investors took in a different direction.
          Zoop released under open source license. First AJAX framework for PHP.

2006: Led development of Takkle, sports social network.

2007: Appointed VP of Technology at Portero, luxury auctions.

2008: Promoted to Chief Information Officer at Portero, luxury auctions.

Interests

Since you can obviously tell I am interested in computers, how about what I do when I am not in front of a screen. I enjoy playing sports, now I mostly play basketball, soccer and the occasional frisbee. I also played lacrosse competitively, once upon a time. I have been skateboarding for about 15 years. It takes a lot longer to get up when I fall now. I recently began running with my wife as she is losing the baby fat from back to back pregnancies. I really enjoy it, we ran our first 5k this year and are looking at a half triathlon in the fall. I enjoy reading, especially philosophy and history. I love movies, my favorite are "It's a Wonderful Life" and "The Matrix".

Executive Summary

Steven Francia, Technology Executive

With over 13 years experience as a technology leader and implementor, Steve has built and led teams, served as principal architect, and built web applications using varied technologies. Starting in 1995, Mr. Francia has been part of all three internet revolutions, beginning with search; Steve built an early localized search engine serving the Tri-State area, Ctsearch.com. Following that, he pioneered e-commerce by implementing the intershop platform for ebags, an international luggage company. In 2000, founded a consulting firm (Supernerd) whose clients inluded Priceline,com, Toyota, Real Salt Lake and HealthMinded. Solutions included an affiliate program and corresponding system for Priceline.com, Search Engine Optimization [SEO] and Content Management Systems [CMS] and multilingual e-commerce platforms. In 2005 Mr. Francia was appointed as CTO for ConnectU, the original college social network looking to reinvent itself after Facebook cornered the college market. Most recently, Steve joined Takkle.com as one of the original 6 employees, and led it’s development team to launch and through 300,000 registered users. He has an extensive background on the Internet particularly with e-commerce and social networks. Architected the Zoop Framework, the first OO, and first AJAX framework for PHP. Mr. Francia holds a BA from Brigham Young University in Philosophy, where he created and taught a course on dynamic web development. Currently Mr. Francia is serving as Chief Information Officer for Portero Inc where he is responsible for technology and operations.