About Me

Family and Personal Life

I consider myself first and foremost, a father. My four children have each become independent and productive members of society, all self-employed in health services. I have also raised and supported numerous nephews, nieces, and other children. I have two adorable granddaughters, the eldest of which is seven and has her own cooking show for kids.

Professional Background

Computer Programmer

My first paid employment was during high school, hired by the Toronto District School Board to create a student management system. I have since independently created numerous enterprise level business systems, including:

• Asset tracking & Y2K compliance system for the City of Toronto
• Health benefit management system for the Seventh Day Adventist Church
• Television scheduling and Canadian content tracking for Odyssey Television Network
• Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software for Datamex
• Online patient management system for small health clinics & alternative practitioners

Long before the Internet existed, I created and managed Canada's largest Amiga-based BBS (bulletin board system).

I am experienced with computer server administration, running Linux servers in Canada, the USA, England, and The Netherlands.

Web Developer

I have created and managed over 100 websites, including:

• Laurentian University: President's Office, Vice-President's Office, University Secretary, Privacy & Freedom Office
• A custom-built CMS for The Municipality of Markstay-Warren
• An online book tracking & reservation system for the Markstay-Warren Public Library
• An award-winning online psychotherapy treatment system

Author and Game Developer

Computer-based:

• Explorer 2260, an Amiga-based space adventure
• Numerous mods, enhancements, and add-ons for games such as Farming Simulator 15, 17, 19, & 22, Arma 3, The Sims 4, and more

Tabletop role-playing games:

• Dungeons & Dragons
• Traveller
• The Morrow Project

Entrepreneur

Successfully founded and ran numerous businesses, including:

• An aqua-terrarium setup and management company for offices
• A courier delivery company
• A taxi service
• Global Internet Development Inc. web development
• Sun Tech computer technologies development
• The Alliance for Complimentary Therapists association
• Sunsational Charters offering yacht charters in The Bahamas and British Virgin Islands
• Bed & breakfasts in The Bahamas, Scotland, and Spain
• ESL Homestay in Spain
• Manage Your Clinic offering clinic management services
• Small Things Matter online children's clothing & accessories shop
• Solymar Energy Scotland offering green wind-generated electricity and renewable bio-diesel
• Forest Glen Academy private school offering K-12
• Owned and managed farms in five countries
  • Canada #1: 32-hectare Certified Naturally Grown livestock farm raising cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, chickens, ducks, geese, horses, and rabbits
  • Canada #2: 80-hectare wide variety of specialty hay mixes for farm and zoo animals
  • Scotland: 77-hectare bio-diesel production from sunflower, as well as livestock (highland cattle, sheep, pigs)
  • Spain: Orange & olive production
  • Dominican Republic: Sugar cane & cacao
  • France: 28-hectare wide variety of specialty hay mixes for farm and zoo animals

Teaching Experience

• Founded and ran Forest Glen Academy
• Created the Database Programming course for Laurentian University
• Taught English as a Second Language
• Taught levels 3 through 7 business administration for a UK university (Bachelor's to Master's level)
• Created numerous online courses with thousands of students

Sailing

• Lived full-time aboard our sail catamaran
• Royal Yachting Association Yachtmaster (Sail) Ocean certification
• GMDSS Short Range Radio and Long Range Radio Certified
• Professional Practices and Responsibilities certified
• Successfully completed 10 Atlantic crossings (as of June 2024)
• Experience with chart-based, electronic, and celestial navigation
• Electrical systems design and maintenance, including 12 and 48 volt DC, 120 and 240-volt AC systems
• Experienced with diesel engines, including complete tear-downs and rebuilds

Photography

Published photographer with work featured in magazines and gallery exhibitions, and for sale on several stock-image websites.

Education and Certifications

• Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science, Cum Laude
• Doctor of Philosophy in Religion
• Doctor of Divinity (Honorary)
• TESOL - Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages
• Numerous other certificates and certifications

Board Memberships

• Gizaadagamik Native Daycare Board of Directors (one of the few non-natives to hold this role)
• United Way Of Greater Toronto's Chester Daycare Board of Directors
• Markstay-Warren Public Library Board
• The National Party of Canada's Greater Toronto Regional Council & President of Broadview-Greenwood Riding Association

Music

Play drums, piano, trumpet, and limited guitar & bass. I also write and compose my own music; in June 2024, I released my first solo album, 'Seas of Sorrow'. See solymar.uk

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