Gary Keorkunian

I formed GARA Systems in 1996 with the goal of bringing affordability, efficiency and predictability to the process of custom business software development.

Since then, I have developed and maintained dozens of commercial and custom software applications for GARA's clients and partners.  I've worked in a wide array of industries and under a variety of circumstances.

Learn more about my experience »

Early Career

My professional career started almost 20 years ago at The Prudential Life Insurance Company of America. While there, I worked as a user liaison, quality assurance tester and a programmer of various financial and insurance systems. During my time there I learned the ways of software development life cycles and creating frameworks for complex information management systems.

From there, I went to work as a software design engineer for Financial Software Systems (FSS), a consulting and software development firm that provides client-server financial risk management systems to banks and multi-national corporations. While there, I learned mastery in the art of writing solid code and guerilla programming techniques.  I provided implementation and consulting services to clients around the world.  I was assigned as the senior engineer responsible for porting the flagship product, Spectrum, from Unix to Windows NT and I coordinated and mentored several software development professionals during that effort.

Background

I am a native of Eastern Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. After graduating from Abington High School, I enlisted in the U.S. Army where I trained as a light infantry commando and served with the 10th Mountain Division.  During my time there I received several commendations including the Army Achievement Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, several Letters of Commendation, promotion to the rank of Specialist and an Honorable Discharge.

After leaving the military, I enrolled at Temple University where I majored in Computer & Information Sciences and Finance.  During much of my time in college I worked full-time while carrying a full-time course load.  I graduated Magna Cum Laude and received the Society for Information Management Student Leadership Award.