About Us

We are a collection of engineers, technologists, scientists, data analysts, mathematicians, innovators, business people, problem solvers, and golfers with the goal of helping private clubs, golf course communities, and public golf courses use data to improve their operations.

Two golf carts placed a fair distance apart on a golf course fairway

Meet our leadership team.

Dave Vanslette
Dave Vanslette
Founder & CEO

Dave has served as the Pace of Play Chairman at a private country club and started FAIRWAYiQ in 2015 to address a growing need in golf – to manage golf courses using data analytics.  He asked Dr. Riccio to join the company after reading his book.

Obsessed with all things digital, Dave began his entrepreneurial journey at 12 years of age.  He fell in love with computers in high school.  He was part of the ownership team that grew a digital agency that was ultimately acquired by a multi-national advertising agency in 2012.  

Dave has enjoyed the game of golf since his teenage years and ironically plays less golf now than before he was in the golf business.

Dr. Lou Riccio
Dr. Lou Riccio
Chief Analytics Officer

30+ years modeling and optimizing golf as an expert statistician working with the USGA, PGA TOUR, and PGA of America. Columbia University and NY University professor in business analytics, factory physics, and operations management.

Author of “Golf’s Pace of Play Bible” and regular contributor to the Golf Channel, Golf Digest, and the USGA’s Pace of Play Initiative.

Lou has been an avid golfer for many years.

Chuck Rogers
Chuck Rogers
Customer Success Manager

Chuck is an experienced and results-driven customer success manager with strong business acumen and a desire to deliver excellent customer service. He believes customer service is and often ignored and an important differentiator.

Chuck has worked in a similar capacity previously at several leading software-as-a-service technology companies.

Chuck prefers TopGolf over traditional golf.

Mike Stahl
Mike Stahl
Sales Representative (East North America)

Successful sales professional and relationship builder with a highly self-motivated work ethic, and goal-oriented leadership skills. Resourceful do-it-yourselfer with a passionate desire to generate new strategies that promote both the brand and the bottom line, as well as an eagerness to develop new and existing customers. Entrepreneurial spirit combined with an infectious positivity which creates an energy that stimulates and promotes a productive and pleasurable work environment.

Austin Ott
Austin Ott
Sales Representative (West North America)

Former collegiate baseball player turned salesman. Hardworking and conscientious with capacity to manage time and plan ahead to reach superior results. Extremely organized, motivated and equipped with a positive attitude, a willingness to learn and a drive to succeed. Sports enthusiast, mediocre golfer, B2B specialist.

Viktor Tarnavskyy
Viktor Tarnavskyy
Director, Development

Viktor fell in love with computers when he got his first PC at the age of 9. While a freshman in college, Viktor secured his first job as a hardware engineer assistant in Basis Tech company.

After receiving a Master’s degree in Economic Cybernetics, Viktor started his work at a security company as a software engineer.

Alex Buley
Alex Buley
Director, Development

Alex is a back-end developer specializing in Java.  He is one of the first developers to join FAIRWAYiQ and leads the team’s efforts across a number of projects.

He has an advanced in applied mathematics.

Shane Bovey
Shane Bovey
Director, Hardware & Firmware

Shane previously worked at Gooch and Housego as Vice President of RF Engineering, overseeing several of the company’s sites (2 UK, 2 US, and 1 in Europe).

Shane also worked at ST Microelectronics where he produced PCB reference designs that were used to demonstrate the capabilities of new silicon products. And, he worked for Syntech Technologies where he carried out a wide variety of roles from hardware design, hardware reviews, and design analysis.

Michelle Soares
Michelle Soares
Director, Finance and Administration

A Certified Public Accountant with both corporate and non-profit experience, Michelle has experience in all aspects of accounting including software-as-a-service.  

Michelle has been with FAIRWAYiQ since the inception of the company, setting up all systems and procedures that have enabled the company to scale.

Michelle enjoys the social experience of golf when playing in a scramble format.

Hennessy Leggatt
Hennessy Leggatt
Sales Operations

Hennessy is a highly organized and dedicated member of our Sales Operations team with experience in optimizing sales processes and enhancing team efficiency. Her passion for data-driven strategies and her meticulous attention to detail have been instrumental in streamlining operations and supporting the sales team. Her unwavering commitment to excellence and her ability to foster collaborative environments make Hennessy an invaluable asset to our sales team.

Meet our board of directors.

Dave Vanslette
Founder, CEO & Director (2015 - Present)

Brings 30 years of technology and business experience to the company. He has worked in both corporate and entrepreneurial environments. Dave was a member of the ownership team at Roundarch, a leading digital agency, that was acquired by Aegis Media. He is also an early stage investor.

Kit McQuiston
Director (2018 - Present)

An active investor and advisor to early stage private companies through Aubrey Ventures and as a member of New York Angels. He has also served as a judge for the past fifteen years for New York University’s Graduate Business School annual Business Plan Competition. He has an MBA from the Stern School of Business at New York University.

Chris Jenny
Director (2023 - Present)

Chairman and CEO of Jennus Innovation, an incubator/accelerator that helps entrepreneurs get to market smarter and faster, through strategic and operational advisory services and fundraising support. Experienced Senior Advisor and investor with a demonstrated history of success in the management consulting and venture capital industries. Significant experience in strategic and operating management, board roles and venture investment. Skilled in Business Planning, Entrepreneurship, Venture Capital, Strategic Partnerships, and Strategic Consulting.

David Nelson
Director (2023-Present)

Principal, KOVR Insurance Services. Forty Year Insurance Agency Owner and Entrepreneur. Sold $20MM insurance brokerage to Acrisure in 2016 and started KOVR, Inc. Current Board Member to PIIB, large West Coast insurance agency aggregator. Past President of Independent Insurance Brokers of California.

We're hiring!

Want to join us on our quest to optimize golf course operations?

Company Milestones

Bringing data analytics to golf operations and turf management.

FAIRWAYiQ was born in 2015 with the goal of better managing everything that moves on the golf course.  Dave observed that there was limited technology to manage the actual golf course.  Technology existed for other aspects of management like tee times, accounting, food & beverage, inventory, but hardly any technology existed to manage where people spend the most time – on the golf course.

2014

Launch

The idea of FAIRWAYiQ was born out of research and experience gathered from stakeholders at private golf clubs and public golf courses.

2015

Minimally Viable Product

Development of technology that was used for beta testing with actual customers to refine the concept.  This includes our LoRa RF-based sensor maximized for battery life.

2016

Release of Virtual Ranger

Release of our first solution for golf course operations to manage pace of play and course flow.

2017

Investment Capital Raised

Raised investment capital to further the development and growth of the company.

2018

Release of Virtual Turf Manager

Released our first solution for turf management that is complimentary to our golf operations solution. Added new board members Paul Gaumnitz & Kit McQuiston

2019

Release of Private Cart Manager

Released the first solution to help manage privately owned golf carts in golf communities. Added new board members Rod Fletcher and Drew Sawyer.

2020

Launch Advanced Sensor

Released our first cellular sensor that works on NB-IoT and CAT-M1 cellular networks.  Extended our cart GPS capabilities for turf protection.

2021

Introduced Innovative Handheld Sensor

Launched our latest handheld units. These cutting-edge devices boast an impressive battery life of over 24 hours, enhancing their reliability. Moreover, they can be effortlessly charged using wireless inductive charging units, making maintenance a breeze for your team.

2022

Released Predictive Pace of Play

Launched our groundbreaking predictive pace of play feature, revolutionizing the management of pace on golf courses. This innovative functionality effectively minimizes disruptions on busy courses and effectively identifies and addresses groups causing issues.

2023

Raised Series Seed Capital

Secured additional funding to fuel our ongoing innovation efforts and assist golf course operators in optimizing their courses to the fullest extent.

Added Chris Jenny and David Nelson as new board members.

Revolutionize Your Golf Operations with FAIRWAYiQ

Unlock the power of data analytics to optimize your golf course management