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Ralph Turfus, B.A.Sc., M.A.Sc., M.B.A., P.Eng., has launched eight startup companies in his career, and spent 28 years as the founder and CEO of Class Software (originally Escom Software), which began as a minicomputer sales and distribution company in 1976 and moved on to create registration and booking software for municipal parks and recreation departments, clubs, colleges, and schools.

Mr. Turfus trained as an engineer and also spent seven years in the Canadian Air Force. In his years at Class Software, he steered the company through what were the largest changes so far in the history of computer software and data processing industry, from the dawn of minicomputers through the personal computer era to the dominance of the web. He was the sole shareholder, with no venture capital and no debt, leading the firm to 30% annual growth, more than 140 staff, over 730 customers at more than 10,000 individual facilities, and $20 million in revenue.