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Aaron RalloCOO and director, PNI Digital MediaAge: 37 When Aaron Rallo joined PNI Digital Media in 2004 he already had experience in the photo industry, but he knew it was going take a lot more to grow the company the way he wanted. “Even though the company was already public at the time, we had to go out and meet investors,” said Rallo. “We had to convince people to put their money in, we went through the whole thing.” It obviously worked. PNI operates photo-kiosk software and sells personal photo merchandise such as photos, photo books, personalized calendars and small-business stationary. Rallo helped the company transform from a small, personalized product retailer to Canada’s fastest-growing public company as ranked by Profit magazine. In 2008, PNI recorded more than $17 million in revenue. It works with large retailers such as Costco and Wal-Mart. Rallo, who’s originally from New York, said his father’s furniture-and-appliance business had a big impact on him as a young man. “I grew up working a retail sales floor so I loved business,” he said. “I loved selling, but I was a computer guy so I went to school for computer science.” Rallo holds a bachelor of science degree in computer information technology from Rochester Institute of Technology. He did so well at it, he was hired by Fuji Film e-systems after he graduated. From 1995 to 2003, Rallo was Fuji’s vice-president of web development and operations before he joined Microsoft’s digital imaging team in 2003 as a senior program manager. Rallo said he was able to leverage the skills he learned at Fuji and Microsoft to help turn PNI into a success. Now, in an effort to give back, Rallo mentors young entrepreneurs at Simon Fraser University’s New BC Venture Program. “It’s great to go to a one-guy show and help him figure out how to take his technology and turn it into something that makes money.”• Birthplace: Rochester, N.Y. Where do you live now: Vancouver Highest level of education: B.Sc. computer information technology from Rochester Institute of Technology Car or chosen mode of transport: Hybrid SUV Currently reading: The Fabric of the Cosmos by Brian Greene Last CD bought or music downloaded: Nothing But the Best by Frank Sinatra Favourite movie: The Natural Favourite local restaurant: My wife and I love to eat so this is a tough one. It’s between Il Giardino and La Buca Person you would most like to meet (living or deceased): Sam Walton Profession you would most like to try: I would love to work for NASA in space exploration Mentor: Paul Rosa, my stepfather, has mentored me in life and business. The second is Scott Brownstein, my technology mentor Most memorable career milestone or event: When I first joined PNI, we were a very small team, had only two customers and very little money. The amount of hands-on work was immense, and the hours were endless. Our core group dedicated everything to rebuild a faltering system so that we could manage volume for Wal-Mart during the holiday season as well as support new business we hoped to win. I’ll never forget how inspired I was – watching this core This article from Business in Vancouver December 29, 2009-January 4, 2010; issue 1053 Business in Vancouver (www.biv.com) has been publishing in-depth local business news, analysis and commentary since 1989. The newspaper also produces a weekly ranked list of the biggest companies and players in a wide range of B.C. industries and commercial sectors, monthly features and industry-focused sections that arm its subscribers with a complete package of local business intelligence each week. |
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