StepForth Team
What’s it like to work at StepForth?
A west coast culture prevails at StepForth – shorts, sandals and high octane fuel (caffeine) abounds. We get to the office by bicycle or on foot. Five of us have a zero (urban) carbon footprint by working out of our home. This should not come as a surprise to anyone who is familiar with British Columbia where the work environment is relaxed and, even may be considered by some as casual. How can this be? After all, Victoria is renowned for its plethora of high-quality coffee micro roasters; we all should be edgy and twitchy. Victoria experiences a micro climate that has 50% less rain than its Vancouver or Seattle neighbours. So maybe it’s the beautiful west coast climate and landscape. More so, perhaps, could it be the non-industrial and refreshing coastal air off the Strait of Juan de Fuca?
We think there’s another possibility.
Team StepForth members are sociable, friendly and considerate. Generally we are of good cheer, enjoy each other’s company (quirks) and work in a nurturing and supportive environment. But don’t be mistaken; this is not to take away from frequent in-office pranks and humorous situations. Of course, we work hard to be the best we can be in our industry which has had a direct positive influence for the successes of our world wide clients in even the most competitive search engine searches.
Meet our Team
Ross Dunn
Founder/CEO
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I am the owner, founder, and CEO of StepForth. I am a lucky husband with two silly, cute kids, and an absolutely adorable beagle. I’m still in this business for the rush I get helping businesses grow and thrive over the years we work with them.
Favorites:
Quote: “Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms — to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way.” – Vicktor Frankl
Food: GF Greek food with authentic sheep milk tzatziki
Hobby: Outdoor adventures like kayaking, hiking above the alpine, and exploring.
Artist: OneRepublic
TV Show: The Wheel of Time
Place: Hawaii
Scott Van Achte
Senior SEO
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I am a very lucky husband and father of two kids living my best life in the most beautiful place on earth, the Comox Valley in British Columbia. Now in my 20th year as Senior SEO with StepForth!
Favorites:
Quote: “If you don’t shoot, you don’t score.”
Food: A perfectly cooked medium rare rib-eye steak, fried mushrooms, baked potato and a nice glass of Cabernet Sauvignon
Hobby: I love the outdoors, specifically fishing and boating, but also biking, hiking, camping, golfing, the list is endless.
Artist: Nobody specific, but I do have a fondness for 80’s music!
TV Show: SCI-FI and Period Shows
Place: Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Niharika Pathak
Lead Project Manager
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I have a background in computer science and over 7 years of project management experience. I am passionate about delivering high-quality results and am dedicated to staying current with the latest technologies and industry trends. In my free time, I enjoy reading books, taking long walks and figuring out how the world works. I am also passionate about expanding my knowledge and understanding of different subjects and cultures. When not in office you can find me at the nearest public library.
Favorites:
Quote: “And now here is my secret, a very simple secret: It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.” – The Little Prince
Food: Potatoes in all shapes and forms
Hobby: Reading and learning
Artist: Anushka Shankar
TV Show: Marvellous Mrs. Maizel
Place: Chandigarh
Justeen Aliudin
Executive Assistant
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Favorites:
Quote: “Life is 10% what happens to us and 90% how we react to it.” – Charles R. Swindoll
Food: Pesto Pasta, Garlic & Shrimp Pizza and McDonald’s Chicken Fillet Ala King!
Hobby: Reading Books and playing with my little girl
Artist: Lily Collins
TV Show: Friends, How to Get Away with Murder, To Kill a Mockingbird, Love Rosie
Place: Beaches and mountains
Denis Stenderchuck
Chief Web Developer
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Since I remember myself I was always was a geek and fascinated with tech, so programming become my passion during school years. Eventually my hobby made me to become web developer and then a proud memeber of StepForth family.
Favorites:
Quote: “Take what is offered and that must sometimes be enough.” – Richard K. Morgan, Altered Carbon
Food: Bread, Bitter Chocolate
Hobby: Running, Reading, Hiking, Photography, Travel, Baking artisan whole flour breads
Artist: Metallica, Conjure One
TV Show: Lost, Game of Thrones
Place: Home, Nature
Jomel Dequina
Web Developer
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Single Dad. Family-oriented. Loves the company of close friends, good food, music and lots of jokes and laughter. 8+ years in web design and development
Favorites:
Quote: “Strength does not come from winning. Your struggles develop your strengths. When you go through hardships and decide not to surrender, that is strength.” – Arnold Schwarzenegger
Food: Lechon (roasted whole pig)
Hobby: Music (Peforming on gigs) and Video games
Artist: Ely Buendia (Filipino Singer/Song Writer)
TV Show: Prison Break, Breaking Bad
Place: At Home and infront of a cheering crowd
Aiza See
Design Manager
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I am passionate about web and graphic design. I love taking on challenging design projects that will test my creativity. Outside work, I love spending time with my family and friends. I am also a furmom of 11 dogs and 3 cats.
Favorites:
Quote: “The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.” – Nelson Mandela
Food: Pizza and Pasta.. and a lot!
Hobby: Reading Books, self-help books in particular
Artist: Mariah Carey
TV Show: American Horror Story, Crime Investigation
Place: Beach or anything with a nice view
David Caughran
Social Media Lead
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As a digital strategist and content manager, David creates and implements digital and social strategies that enable clients to create and maintain engaging user experiences. David is a champion of social media tools and technologies, with a track record of creating and actioning successful campaigns. He has delivered digital marketing strategies in non-profit, consumer and business-to-business markets, developing programs across a range of categories including IT, sport, entertainment, non-profit, politics, food & beverage, retail, health care & mining.
Favorites:
Quote: “A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives.” – Jackie Robinson
Food: Southern BBQ
Hobby: Golf
Artist:
TV Show:
Place: Golf course
Nathan Marcon
PPC Specialist
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A numbers oriented person with 20+ years of PPC experience.
Favorites:
Quote: “You never know until you try.”
Food: Cheesecake
Hobby: Snowboarding
Artist: Smith & Myers
TV Show: Family Guy
Place: Revelstoke
Rose Manlapat
SEO Specialist
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I’ve been in the SEO industry for 10+ years and specialize in Local SEO. My main goal is to help clients boost their website’s ranking and visibility in local search results. In addition, the opportunity for continuous learning, gaining experiences, challenges, and teamwork are what I love the most about my job at StepForth.
Favorites:
Quote: “Challenges are what make life interesting, and overcoming them is what makes life meaningful.”
Food: Pasta and Croissant
Hobby: Reading and mainly watching webinars about the latest SEO trends, binge-watching on Netflix, and food trips.
Artist: “Jose Mari Chan (Filipino Singer)
TV Show: Friends and Chesapeake Shores
Place: Home, Lakeshore in Pampanga, and Beach
Teddy Chua
SEO Specialist
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Family man. 4 kids. Honest and Hard worker.
Favorites:
Quote: “Work hard in silence, let your success be your noise.” – Vicktor Frankl
Food: Kare-kare (Pork Legs in peanut sauce)
Hobby: Gaming (Playstation – console), going to the beach, listening to classical music
Artist: Yurima (Japanese pianist)
TV Show: Big Bang Theory
Place: Home, Beach
Earl Cunanan
SEO Assistant
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With more than ten years of experience in the SEO and SEM industry, I’ve handled numerous websites and worked with various clients with different business types and professions. The SEO industry is constantly changing, which is why I always stay up to date with all these changes to ensure that I always provide high-quality results to all of our clients and help them achieve their business goals.
Favorites:
Quote: “The end does not justify the means.”
Food: Ramen
Hobby: Any activities that involve DIY.
Artist: Eminem
TV Show: GOT, HOTD, LOTR
Place: Home