FRANKLIN, Tenn. Dec. 13, 2012 – Local entrepreneur and founder of custom mobile app developer Metova, Inc. Kevin Ross announced today that he is stepping aside as president and leaving Metova’s day-to-day operations.
Metova’s Vice President Dave McAllister will take the helm as president. Ross will stay on as founder and a member of Metova’s Board of Directors, and will maintain an advisory role within the firm.
“I look forward to continuing to advise Metova and other local technology startups,” Ross said. “This is an opportunity for me to get back to my technical past – toying with technology and helping local entrepreneurs build profitable, sustainable companies that make a difference.”
Ross plans to stay in Franklin and will continue working with technology startups within the area. “This is my passion—helping technology ideas get off the ground. I’m specifically interested in developing some of the entrepreneurial support and resources that Nashville has here in Franklin, I hope to work with the Williamson Country Office of Economic Development, the City of Franklin, and other area entrepreneurs on this project,” Ross said.
McAllister joined Metova as vice president of operations in 2008. Since he began, he has been responsible for providing strategic and operational direction for Metova’s software development services, with a focus on growth to meet the demand in the mobile market.
With more than 14 years of software development experience, McAllister previously worked as director of information technology at SPi and as director of software development at Spheris, a healthcare technology company. He has a degree in information technology from Keiser University.
“Metova’s direction and mission remains the same—we are committed to bringing high-tech job growth to Middle Tennessee,” McAllister said. “Of course we are sad that we won’t be seeing Kevin around the office everyday, but we know he will be involved in Metova’s future. He built a world-class application development company and we plan to keep it that way.”
Ross founded Metova in 2006 with $8,000 charged to a credit card, and grew the company to 30 employees who assist with all aspects of mobile app development for Android, iOS, Blackberry and Windows phone platforms including both smartphones and tablets.
Metova is a 2012 and 2011 Inc. 500|5000 award winner, and the Nashville Technology Council’s 2012 Software Development Team of the Year.
In August 2012, Metova took on new majority investors associated with an Arkansas-based company that provides IT services to the government market. The move opened opportunities for Metova to get in on the ground floor of the adoption of mobile technology in the government space.
“Next year we will continue our focus on growing the commercial side of our business, while also building some products for the federal side,” said McAllister.
With this change in leadership, Metova’s management team will also be taking on new roles. Dave Lane, director of technology, will become vice president of technology and Carrie Gofron, director of software development, will become Metova’s director of business development.
Lane leads Metova’s development team, mentoring developers across multiple technology platforms. He also provides technical advice and user experience guidance to clients, helping turn their ideas into successful applications.
Lane previously worked at High Caliber Services, where he developed a mobile Web-based lean inventory management system and an in-line vehicle sequencing system. He graduated from Tennessee Technological University.
Carrie Gofron is responsible for collaborating with Metova’s customers to provide custom software solutions that meet their vision. Prior to Metova, Gofron was a sales engineer at Picsel Technologies for the U.S. Sales Team, where she worked with OEM’s and carriers to provide mobile software solutions.
She also worked at Motorola for over six years, where she helped produce the BMW Roadside Assist system and the first-ever Motorola smartphone. She graduated from Iowa State University.
About Metova, Inc.
Metova is a technology company made up of Metova Mobile and Metova Federal Services. Metova Mobile develops custom mobile applications for smartphone and tablet platforms, including Android, iOS, BlackBerry and Windows Phone. Metova Federal Services is a Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) that provides information technology services and support to government entities. John Adams serves as CEO for both companies, and Dave McAllister serves as president of Metova Mobile. The Metova brand employs 70 people in four cities: Franklin, Tenn. (Metova Mobile’s headquarters), Cabot, Ark. (Metova Federal Services’ headquarters), Augusta, Ga. and Washington D.C. You can find Metova on Facebook at Facebook.com/Metova, Twitter at Twitter.com/Metova, or on the Web at Metova.com.
