2009 30 under 40 winners

Mark Hale, 34

President/CEO, Simplicity Computer Solutions, Ajax, Ontario

Hale’s father was a production manager for a glass fabricator so he says he “kind of grew up in a glass plant.” A teenage whiz with computers, he began updating the company’s systems and developing custom-made software during his school breaks. By age 17, he was a regional IT manager for Guardian Industries. Today, he owns his own software company. “We’re a family, a community in the glass industry. We may move around a lot but you see all the same faces. I’m not much of a salesman, but I do every demo of our software and I let it sell itself. What it’s really about is the people behind the software.”

Hale believes China will continue to play a major role in the world glass industry and wishes he had paid more attention to the country as an emerging player. “China is certainly a huge opportunity and a challenge. That’s something that’s playing a role with us, even right now. You either sit back and whine about the Chinese like many people, or you find your opportunities. A lot of our focus moving forward is working with Chinese manufacturers.”

In addition to stretching into new countries within the industry, Simplicity Computer Solutions is looking at other industries as well. “I’m kind of a business analyst at heart. We’re starting to leverage that ability and I mentor that ability in my employees. We’re certainly specializing in glass, but we’re looking at branching out too,” Hale says.

One-word description of the glass industry: Diverse
One-word description of self: Visionary
Career history: 2006-present, president, Simplicity Computer Solutions, Ajax, Ontario; 2000-06, global business systems consultant manager, Guardian Industries, Auburn Hills, Mich.; 1998-2000, global implementation manager, Guardian Industries; 1997-98, systems analyst, implementation specialist, Guardian Industries; 1995-96, regional M.I.S. manager, Guardian Industries; 1994-95, divisional network administrator, Scarborough division, Guardian Industries; 1992-94, programmer/junior analyst, Amsoft Inc., Phoenix, Ariz.
Diversions: “I’m a computer guy. Definitely techie gadgets and whatever my son finds fun.”
Family: Fiance, Sandra; son, Brett
Favorite book: “I read a lot of management stuff and technical stuff. I also read a lot of Robin Cook books for entertainment.”
If a movie were made about your life, who would you cast to play you? “My first answer is Angelina Jolie because everyone wants to watch her. But since I’m a guy, I’ll pick Mark Wahlberg. Sandra would kill me if I didn’t pick him.”
Connections: 785 Westney Road South, Unit 16, Ajax, Ontario, L15 7G1, 905/683-7743, mhale@simplicitycs.com, www.simplicitycs.com

 
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