Zak Baird

CEO / Founder

Meet Zak Baird, our CEO and Founder. Zak is a visionary in the realm of web development, programming and design. Since the inception of Digital Chaos in 1996, Zak has built a legacy of excellence in creative and functional internet projects. Serving clients like Suncor/Petro-Canada, Manulife, and the Manitoba Museum, Zak's expertise as a system architect and technical project manager is unparalleled.

Zak attended TMU for Graphic Communications Management and New Media Design, he has been a trailblazer since programming his first video games on the Commodore 64. Zak's passion for multi-media design and evolving the tech landscape led him to establish a dynamic team at Digital Chaos. Specializing in web development, WordPress programming, and secure web server management, we truly excel under Zak's leadership.

Zak is not just a CEO but a compassionate soul, fostering a work environment that values work-life balance. Zak always demonstrates kindness, extending his warmth as a devoted animal lover, father and friend. In his spare time, you'll find Zak supporting local in downtown Elora, hiking with his pups, or flying a drone over a disc golf course. We could go on...

Zak is known for his long-distance disc golf throws… right off the course! “I think my disc just got run over by a truck!”

When he started Digital Chaos, his comrade was “Chaos” a green iguana who hung out on top of his monitor. Chaos grew to 5’ long and lived for 17 years.

Quick Facts

Pets

Currently, 2 dogs: Pai and Suki. Past best friend: Chaos the iguana (17years). He started Digital Chaos with me.

A favourite quote

“Kids are great. You can teach them to dislike what you dislike and, with the Internet and all, they practically raise themselves.”

TV shows or movie

The Forbidden Zone

Spare time activities

On my computer reading about technology and design or photographing insects in the garden.

What do you love about your job?

In web development, you are always learning. Learning new technologies, and learning about the operational and sales challenges of each business we work with. It's always new.

I love how great design creates an emotional response and solves problems. I get to work with a great group of talented people who help me pull that off.

Colin Oakes

Production Manager

Colin has worked on many large-scale web projects over the 16+ years that he has been with Digital Chaos. His background in design combined with his excellent knowledge of web technologies makes him a very skilled and versatile Production Manager.

Colin leads our team of developers through the more complex stages of development and helps with managing the overall production schedule at Digital Chaos.

Quick Facts

What do you love about your job?

The fast-paced nature of the industry and the ability to work on something new all the time.

TV shows or movies

It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Disc golf/YouTube

Spare time activities

Hanging out with my family, playing disc golf, or video games

Pets

Dog, Dottie, 6 years old
Cat, Ziggy, 15 years old

Gregory Van Bastelaar

Director of Client Success

Greg is a versatile professional with expertise in client relations, project management, sales, and marketing. He has a proven track record of successfully managing a wide range of projects, from small-scale initiatives to large-scale endeavors, consistently delivering exceptional results. With a strategic mindset and exceptional interpersonal skills, Greg excels in building strong client relationships and developing tailored solutions that drive mutual success. His ability to understand and prioritize client needs, coupled with efficient coordination of teams and resources, enables him to consistently deliver reliable and impactful outcomes.

Quick Facts

What do you love about your job?

I love connecting with other people and getting to know their needs. It’s exciting to take an idea and turn it into reality and have fun doing so in the process!

Best advice

The most important thing in life is the health of one’s own mind & body.

TV shows or movies

TV Show: Star Trek: Strange New Worlds
Movie: Everything Everywhere All At Once
Podcast: Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend
Video Game: Cuphead

Spare time activities

Woodworking, playing guitar, or playing baseball

Michelle Malatches

Account Manager

The one who wears many hats! Michelle has extensive experience as a client care professional. She has worked on both agency and client side in marketing, leveraging her education and experience in the creative process. Streaming into our niche of website client relations was a long-time goal for Michelle, and she suits her role at Digital Chaos perfectly. Whether she is busy facilitating web projects, updating our social media channels, organizing billing and administration, or supporting our hosting clients, Michelle takes her role with great pride.

Quick Facts

What do you love about your job?

My projects are very versatile and that keeps things interesting! I can honestly say that I learn something new every day at Digital Chaos. Plus, I love that our industry is constantly growing and changing.

Favourite websites

digitalchaos.ca of course! Also imdb.com :D

Pets

Eddie, our chocolate lab (a.k.a Eddie Spaghetti, Edwardo, My Little Pony)

Spare time activities

What’s spare time? In my garden, cooking, chasing my boys, singing along with a playlist specifically associated with my current esthetic, TV.

Paolo Gabriel Supena

Senior Web Developer & Server Engineer

Paolo has worked on a myriad of Web Content and Web Development projects across his 14 years of experience in the field. Within his 3 years at Digital Chaos, Paolo has worked on several large websites with technical challenges that were welcome to be overcome. As a senior web developer, he assists other colleagues on other projects. As our key Server Engineer, Paolo helps maintain and manage the Digital Chaos server.

Quick Facts

What do you love about your job?

I love the technical challenges, they are like puzzles to solve. I also like the feeling when a whole team comes together and solves a particular issue, culminating in a wonderful looking project.

Favourite websites

https://stackoverflow.com

TV shows or movies

Ghost in the Shell (the original Japanese)

Spare time activities

In front of my PC or Playstation.

Best advice

Expect the worst, but always hope for the best --from my Dad.

Andrew Durocher

Senior Web Developer

Andrew leverages his substantial knowledge and experience at Digital Chaos, helping guide the team in the delivery of high-quality WordPress and Laravel projects. Renowned for his problem-solving capabilities with complex APIs and advanced software systems; his leadership and coding skills are bolstered by a strategic emphasis on business-enhancing areas such as Schemas/Microdata, SEO, and Accessibility.

Throughout his multi-decade career, Andrew's dedication to excellence has been frequently acknowledged, culminating in several prestigious accolades. Including multiple national awards from the Canadian Marketing Association and the Government of Canada. Andrew's advanced security knowledge, along with his exceptional proficiency in a multitude of languages and frameworks, has played a critical role in implementing life-saving internet measures. This underlines his commitment to apply his skills in ways that foster meaningful impact, resonating far beyond the boundaries of the digital sphere.

Quick Facts

What do you love about your job?

As a developer, I feel like I'm starring in my own movie. One moment it's a crime drama where I play the detective, hunting down elusive bugs in the code. The next, it's an action thriller, racing against the clock to roll out a critical feature. The genre of day can quickly change depending on the soundtrack, also known as my playlist!

Favourite websites

http://thecagecage.com

TV shows or movies

https://www.netflix.com/title/81099996

Spare time activities

Homestead, Gardening, Farming

Chris Lee

Web Developer

Chris is an integral part of the development team here at DC. He majored in Software Engineering and has well-rounded experience developing and maintaining WordPress based websites. Chris has the ability to develop unique software and is a natural problem solver.

Quick Facts

What do you love about your job?

Being challenged every day whether that be a simple bug fix, to something big like a new project.

Favourite websites

https://stackoverflow.com

TV shows or movies

Stranger Things, Money Heist

Spare time activities

Camping with wife at one of the BC’s provincial parks