Meet The Mygazines Team

Yoav Schwartz

CEO, Founder

Yoav Schwartz is CEO and co-founder of Mygazines, providing the strategic vision and business management of the company. Utilizing 14 years of hands-on experience in all aspects of web application development & design, Yoav also oversees product development, infrastructure and managing the technology team.

With a Computer Science degree from the University of Western Ontario, Yoav is a unique combination of a creative and analytical thinker. Involved in several family-owned businesses throughout his career, Yoav has been exposed to all facets of business and industries such as commercial flooring products.

Yoav was the key system architect and designer in the creation of Mygazines. In his spare time, Yoav likes to kick back with one of his guitars in hand; most recently trying to perfect Bach's Bourrée in E minor.

Randy Frisch

Chief Operating Officer, Partner

A partner at Mygazines, Randy is responsible for the strategy, marketing, sales and execution of Mygazines' branded digital publishing solutions. Randy's focus is to understand customer needs and provide solutions which simplify access to content in today's digital era. As we say at Mygazines, he helps you to e-define your content.

Randy brings an entrepreneurial and customer-focused background to Mygazines with leadership experience in both business-to-business(B2B) and business-to-consumer(B2C) operations environments. Randy holds an MBA from the Schulich School of Business and a Bachelor of Commerce from McGill University. Given his very unprofessional skillset at hobbies like skiing and ice hockey, he's unlikely to leave his day job at Mygazines any time soon.

Erik Levinson

Director of Technology

Erik leads all aspects of technology development at mygazines.

A University of Waterloo Computer Science graduate, Erik's career spans over nine years of diverse private and public sector roles in support, operations, development, infrastructure, and management, including successfully starting and operating a regional telecommunications firm in Ontario.

Erik is known for cutting edge R&D in the telecommunications industry, resulting in unique and creative solutions. Erik designed, implemented, and operated highly-available, scalable, secure, and reliable networks, systems, and applications, specializing in Internet and telecom infrastructure and service-delivery, as well as B/OSS. Erik contributed to several widely-used open source software projects and created a popular consumer router firmware.

Erik has lived in three countries and likes to travel and learn new languages. Erik is fluent in Russian, speaks some Hebrew and Lithuanian, and has previously studied French and Spanish.

Rob Secord

Front-end Developer

Rob is a front-end web evangelist designing and developing compelling user-interface controls bringing a richer user-experience to the world wide web. As a front-end developer for Mygazines, Rob delivers an easy-to-use and appealing user experience to our Client Administration systems. Outside of Mygazines, Rob enjoys fine-detail visual arts, roller-blading, researching ancient history, debating spirituality and extraterrestrial-life and solving Rubik's cubes in under 30 seconds.

Robert Damiano

Java Developer

Rob is the lead Java developer at Mygazines. He is a Ryerson Computer Science graduate. He comes to Mygazines from Research in Motion, and has also had the opportunity to work on Shoppers Drug Mart's HealthWatch NG application. Robert brings strong application development and a positive attitude to the Mygazines team. What people might not know is that Rob is a huge movie buff and has a passion for Taekwondo.

Ian Chen

Bookkeeper

Ian is a serious number cruncher. Going beyond his bookkeeping responsibilities, his advanced computer skills enable him to help the company improve sales processes through their accounting software. He holds a degree in Business Administration from Brock University and is also a CMA Candidate. When he's not calculating taxes or debugging the accounting system, he relaxes by watching movies and playing badminton.

Audrey Gagnon

E-Content Account Manager

Audrey was born in Montreal, but has spent most of her life in Toronto. She attended the University of Toronto to study English and Sociology, though she admits spending more time in the office of indie mag Broken Pencil Magazine than attending actual lectures. The experience sparked an interest in publishing. She spent the bulk of her 20s working for various book and magazine publishers, doing everything from freelance writing to sales. She brings to Mygazines positivity, energy and the occasional joke. When not in the office, she can be found cycling fast or obsessing over her tiny, city garden.

Bruce Canales

E-Content Account Manager

As a graduate of George Brown College (Graphic Design) and Certified by the University of Toronto (E-Commerce & E-Marketing), Bruce uses his experience in design and marketing to develop new relationships and new business with the advertising world and print industry. When he’s not buried in a web book of some sort, you could find him cooking up a storm, bike riding or listening to a ton of music. In the Fall and Winter, it’s all HOCKEY!! Go Leafs Go!

Jose Sanchez

Communications Specialist

José has seven years of experience in cross-platform media, strategic communications and marketing. He's responsible for the development, implementation and coordination of Marketing and Communications strategies, including digital and traditional channels. A native of Caracas, Venezuela, José holds a Bachelor in Communication Sciences from Universidad Monteávila and specialized in new media at Sheridan College, Toronto. When he is not immersed in work, he expends his spare energy working out, reading or listening to all types of music. Pop is still his favorite. He has no interest in hockey.

Nathan Virtue

Customer Support Lead

Nathan has led the customer support department at Mygazines since he joined the company in April 2010. He loves to be a part of this team which operates on the cutting edge of technology and industry!

With a perfect blend of customer service skills and technical knowledge, Nathan's top priority is to assist Mygazines' clients in bringing their digital vision to life!

Nathan holds a degree in Computer Science from the University of Windsor and has worked for ACI Payment Systems and IBM Canada in the past.

Nathan is a big Toronto sports fan (Go Jays!, Raptors! and Leafs!). He also loves pickin' and a grinnin' on the ol' banjo!

Peter Petrovits

Customer Support

Peter joined Mygazines in June of 2011. A graduate of York University. He brings 10 years of experience and a passion for customer service. Peter provides client support and technical issue resolution via E-Mail, phone and other electronic medium. Peter has a passion for new technology, and always keeps abreast with this ever growing industry. During his free time, Peter likes spending time with his family and friends.

Lauren Atmore

Client Retention

With her degree in English and a rich past in customer service, Lauren leads client retention at Mygazines. Born and raised near Sarnia, Lauren spent her undergraduate years in Ottawa at Carleton University, where her love of everything social and political developed. She moved to Toronto to start a career and to be closer to family. In her spare time, Lauren enjoys exploring the sights and sounds of Toronto and spending time with her family and friends.