Entrepreneurs meet alumni

By Lina Shoumarova

Turning an engineering degree into a successful business career was the theme of the first lecture sponsored by the Concordia Engineering and Computer Science Alumni Chapter (ECAC), held June 22 in the Hall Building.

With a touch of humour, Tommy Petrogiannis, of Silanis Technology, and David Wilkins, of VertigoXMedia, told an audience of alumni and students about their successful companies.

The event’s title, “Making Canada’s Top 40 Under 40,” refers to the annual Report on Business magazine award for Canadian business leaders under the age of 40. Both Wilkins and Petrogiannis, who graduated in 1988, have been recipients.

ECAC’s president Mario Ciaramicoli said forging links is one goal of the chapter’s new speaker series; the other is to inspire other alumni and current students to realize their potential.

The guest speakers admitted they aren’t using the technical side of their education.

“At university, I learned how to learn by asking a lot of questions,” Tommy Petrogiannis said. It’s a tactic that serves him well in his business practice.

He co-founded Silanis Technology in 1992. Silanis develops e-commerce and messaging software for company-to-company transactions and electronic approvals. Today, Silanis has contracts with Microsoft and the U.S. Army, among hundreds of other clients.

Petrogiannis advised future entrepreneurs to be inquisitive, force change and always get a second opinion.

David Wilkins credited Concordia for his problem-solving skills. He advised the audience to follow their passion and turn ideas into action. Wilkins’ company, VertigoXMedia, was one of the first in broadcast graphics automation.

In 1997, they designed a program for transforming information into graphics, and signed contracts with media giants ABC and CBS. Today, Vertigo’s graphics program is used to produce major broadcast events like the World Series, the Super Bowl, and U.S. and Canadian elections.

Organizer Ciaramicoli was happy with the event, and plans more events in the new complex.