Janna Goulay-Pond – Game Artist
Janna Goulay-Pond is a recent graduate of the Bachelor of Fine Arts program at Algoma University. She enjoys working with all types of media from acrylics to Photoshop, bringing a keen artistic eye to the AGFH team. In her spare time, Janna enjoys travelling, doing crafts and killing zombies.
Dwayne Hammond – Studio Director
Dwayne has worked in the video game sector in a number of capacities with companies ranging from start-ups to international industry leaders, on teams large and small. An adjunct professor and strategic advisor at Algoma University, Dwayne enjoys travelling the world in search of Mexican restaurants in unexpected locations. He also appears to be utterly incapable of successfully growing Bonsai trees.
Michael McGonigal – Business Development Manager
Once described as a “serial entrepreneur” Mike has been involved as co-founder of a number of successful enterprises including Exsalgo Corp., ITGenomics, Great Lakes Interlinks, Algoma Business Computers and Upper Peninsula Technologies (MI). While holding positions of VP Sales, VP Business Development, CIO, CEO Mike envisioned, designed and deployed many large-scale innovative IT solutions.
Mike was able to consistently raise private capital to fund these enterprises and was named the 2009 “Innovation Leader of the Year” by the Sault Ste. Marie innovation Centre.
As an experienced and inventive IT business developer who easily conveys complex technical concepts in a business context Mike plans to focus on building business relationships for Algoma Games For Health.
Jason Shaver – Game Designer & Programmer
A graduate of the Masters in Computer Games Technology program (MSc.CGT) offered at Algoma University, Jason is an avid gamer himself, and has been slaying goblins and saving princesses for many years. Originally from Ottawa, he has settled in Sault Ste. Marie to pursue a career with Algoma Games for Health. With a background that includes a degree in engineering physics, and a healthy amount of good ol’ fashioned IT work, Jason could build you that nuclear reactor you’ve always wanted...if he wasn’t so busy programming games at the moment.
Lu Zheng - Tester/Game Programmer
Zheng is a graduate of the Masters in Computer Games Technology program (MSc.CGT) from Algoma University. Originally from China, he is an avid Magic The Gathering player. Zheng likes DOTA, and can often be found online destroying whatever stands in front of his teammates. Specific areas of interest include mathematics, game artificial intelligence development and game engine creation.
Vinay Yarlagadda – Video Game Programmer
An enthusiastic game developer, Vinay loves working on a variety of different games. Vinay is a graduate of the MSc.CGT program, and has worked as a sessional instructor for both Algoma University and Humber College. Vinay’s specific areas of interest in game development include procedural terrain generation and engines development.