People
Based in midtown Manhattan and suburban Washington, DC, True Blade Systems, Inc., was founded in Maryland in 2003. You will always get immediate, around the clock response to your needs when you hire us.
J. Robert Burgoyne
Co-Founder, True Blade Systems, Inc.
Robert has been a computer and technology enthusiast since childhood. He leads True Blade's sales efforts in New York City, develops client websites using Plone, and participates in True Blade's infrastructure support and services projects. He's hands-on and spends a substantial amount of his time working directly with clients. To support Plone, Robert founded the Plone NYC User's group, which he describes in this video.
Prior to founding True Blade, Robert worked in financial services as an investment adviser, where he operated his own RIA practice. Before that he held positions in the sales and management of financial products and services at PaineWebber and a startup mutual fund company. It was in these years that Robert learned about the operational complexities of pooled investment vehicles and developed a keen appreciation for internal control systems and processes in regulated businesses.
Prior to working in finance, Robert got his start in computer consulting and custom software development, including being a member of a team that developed the first highly successful client-server database system for Bell Atlantic (now Verizon), where he met Eric Smith, co-founder of True Blade, in 1993. Robert and Eric have kept in close communication ever since.
Robert also worked on DoD projects developing micro-miniature RADAR systems for the U.S. Army.
Robert holds a B.S. in Physics from the University of Maryland, College Park (UMCP). UMCP's Physics Department was ranked 14th in 2010 by U.S. News & World Report, and consistently ranks in the top 20 nationwide.
In his free time Robert enjoys exploring New York City and improving his Mandarin Chinese language skills. He travels to Taiwan and China regularly and has many Chinese language associates and friends. Robert's Chinese name is 包若柏。Robert is also an avid photographer and videographer. Robert also blogs about the books he reads on Shelfari.com.
Robert's published articles are:
Improving Plone and Zope Market Acceptance, presented at the Plone 2006 Conference in Seattle, Washington, USA.
Plone: A Web Based System for Knowledge Management, presented at the Society for Applied Learning Technology's August 2006 Conference in Washington, DC, USA.
In 2006 Robert wrote a series of articles for Investment Advisors, including:
Eric V. Smith
Co-Founder, True Blade Systems, Inc.
Eric specializes in putting a friendly face on Linux server administration, TCP/IP systems implementation and network security. He's also a powerful advocate of the Python programming language, which lead True Blade to embrace Plone as a website and web-application development tool for ourselves and for clients.
Previously Eric worked for the NASDAQ corporation as a consultant for nine years on a variety of projects, including the development and monitoring of the NASDAQ.com website. Before that he worked in various positions doing software development and executive management.
Eric holds a B.S. in Electrical Engineering, with High Distinction, from the University of Virginia. In his free time Eric enjoys gourmet cooking for his family and playing the guitar. In 2009 Eric began an intense daily physical exercise regimen and has already completed 3 triathlons. He also participated in the 2010 annual Great Chesapeake Bay Swim, swimming a full mile in the Chesapeake Bay. He resides in Kensington, Maryland.
Abby Bougher
Executive administrative assistant Abby Bougher provides comprehensive support for executive-level staff at True Blade Systems.
She coordinates marketing, meetings and travel for the organization, and she handles administration, information management and research.
Abby was formerly administrative assistant at Central Beverage Group, where she coordinated staff, operational, financial and record-keeping activities.
She has also tended bar at Due Amici and Easy Street Café, where her responsibilities included marketing, training, ordering, inventory, and checks and balances.
Abby holds a B.A. in Biology from Capital University and a B.A. in Psychology from Ohio State University.
Helen Daly
Writer Helen Daly handles copywriting and contributes to marketing initiatives at True Blade Systems.
Helen was formerly a writer and account manager with the advertising agency SullivanPerkins, where her clients included Nokia Siemens Networks, Layered Tech and BNSF.
Her work has been published by Wired, The Washington Post and Apple, among many others.
She has also served as a spokesperson and marketing executive for Silicon Valley technology companies.
Helen is a cum laude graduate of Yale University, where she earned a B.A. with Distinction in Film Studies.
