TED Community » Christopher Beltran

About Me

Professional Associations/Groups:
•TED Community “Ideas Worth Spreading”
•TieCON Business Leaders Organization
•Indianapolis Microsoft .NET Association
•Chicago Midwest Microsoft .NET Association
•Tippy Connect Young Professionals Group
•Strategic Advisory Board for FoundOps

Accomplishments/Awards/Certifications:
· Strategic Advisor for FoundOps, an online service delivery facilitation startup
· Fireside Chat and Speaker at Inaugural Verge Event
· Started a successful industry-leading software company, Passageways (www.passageways.com).
· Grew Passageways from its establishment in 2003 to over 175 banks and credit unions nationwide, reaching profitability in the first year. Customers range in size from $100 million in assets to many over $1 billion, including 20 of the largest 300 institutions in the United States. Passageways’ mission is to provide an affordable collaboration solution for financial institutions of all sizes, helping their employees and partners become more efficient in collaboration and interaction with different systems.
· Winning the Inc. 500 award in 2008, for being one of the 500 fastest growing companies in America including an impressive 27th fastest growing software company in the country.
· Winner of Indiana Companies to Watch - Fifty of the top second-stage companies in Indiana were recognized last week as part of the Indiana Companies to Watch awards. The nominees represent high growing companies both in revenue and in job creation. More than 500 nominations were received from companies in 66 Indiana counties. Passageways was among the fifty companies honored in 2009.
· Marketing Coordinator for 2012 TEDxPurdueU

Governor's Award for Tomorrow's Leaders , Indiana Humanities Council
· Winner of 2006 BAI Retail Delivery Conference and Expo, Best of Show Award
· Winner of 2006 Credit Union Journal Best Practices Award.
· Mentor for Purdue University Entrepreneurship Academy, 2007, 2009
· Named Top 40 Under 40 Business Professionals, 2007 (Tippy Connect Young Professionals )
· Burton D. Morgan Competition Winner at Purdue University, 2002
· Venture Challenge, San Diego State University Finalist, 2002


Experience

Strategic Advisor for FoundOps, an online service delivery facilitation startup
· Fireside Chat and Speaker at Inaugural Verge Event

Co-founder / VP Product Development, Passageways

•Started a successful industry-leading software company from dorm room, Passageways (www.passageways.com).
•Initial investment of $100,000, profitable in first 3 years
•Grew Passageways from its establishment in 2003 to over 175 banks and credit unions nationwide, reaching profitability in the first year. Customers range in size from $100 million in assets to many over $1 billion, including 20 of the largest 300 institutions in the United States. Passageways’ mission is to provide an affordable collaboration solution for financial institutions of all sizes, helping their employees and partners become more efficient in collaboration and interaction with different systems.

Marketing Coordinator for 2012 TEDxPurdueU

Mr. Beltran has consulted for many financial services firms and other portal based projects including Purdue University's IBM WebSphere-based portal implementation, Purdue University’s Discovery Park Research Center and Prudential Financial Real Estate. He also has considerable experience in Microsoft's .NET platform.


Extra-curricular Activities/Family/ Hobbies:

Mr. Beltran enjoys readings on technology issues and trends. He is also a Tom Clancy and John Grisham fan and loves writings by Thomas Jefferson. He reads about 20 magazines a month, mostly centered on technology and software to keep up with the industry and new products being developed. He also enjoys great food at mind-blowing restaurants! His hobbies include catching a movie on a Friday night, getting in a round of golf, or simply spending time with friends at a unique restaurant. He also enjoys theater, musicals, opera and symphonies.

Community Involvement:

Mr. Beltran served as a team member for Relay for Life and contributed to other community events such as the American Heart Walk. Mr. Beltran sponsors and contributes to local charitable events such as golf outings and benefits including the Hartford House.

Mr. Beltran has been invited to be a guest speaker at Purdue University, National Financial Services Conferences, and Technical Conference on topics ranging from bringing passion into the workplace, using collaboration technology at the office, and more on several occasions.