John Gross Email & Phone Number

Successfully navigated a "mid-life crisis" by opening a large indoor climbing gym in Downsview Park after 25 years in the software industry.A people-oriented manager who uses exceptional “soft skills” to bring teams together and bridge groups that are geographically or culturally separated. 20+ years of hands-on software development, of which 5+ were “in the trenches” film, television & commercial production. Established partnerships with customers to build trust and ensure product plans are aligned with rapidly-changing customer requirements. Identified and recruited many key players to grow and strengthen teams. Led the adoption of Agile Development practices to improve software quality and increase responsiveness. A track record of managing complex logistics and coordinating multiple contributors, to deliver a very large high-quality multi-platform software application on time year after year.Specialties: rock climbing, computer graphics, 3D, animation, agile development, recruiting, C++, very large application development, software.

Listed skills include Computer Graphics, Agile Methodologies, Software Development, Maya, and 28 others.

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  Owner

  True North Climbing Inc.

  May 2009 - Present

  True North Climbing is a large modern climbing gym that opened as part of the Downsview Park Sports Centre in March 2010. The gym is large enough to provide an easy start for kids and beginners without intimidation, as well as a challenge to even the strongest climbers. Our primary focus is on safety, from how we choose and maintain our equipment, to how we train and certify our instructors. That allows us to make sure everyone is having fun in a safe environment.We offer a full range of services including: introductory, intermediate and lead climbing lessons, birthday parties, day camp during all school breaks, after-school and weekend youth programmes, a competitive youth team, school and corporate groups, monthly and annual memberships.