Professional Summary
Ian Lauder has a comprehensive background in software engineering, AI automation, website design, professional photography, and business proposal development. As the CEO of Proposal Kit, Inc., he has significantly contributed to the evolution of business proposal and contract development, aiding businesses and freelancers for over two decades.
Ian has decades of hydrofoiling experience across multiple disciplines, from early sit-down foils to today’s modern board sports. He served as SkySkis’ main photographer during the company’s formative years, helping showcase and grow the sport through his imagery. Ian later became the senior photographer for Flight Magazine, a dedicated hydrofoil publication, documenting many of the sport’s key athletes, events, and innovations.
He now brings that deep technical and creative background to Foiling Freaks, LLC, combining his on-the-water expertise and visual storytelling to help riders progress and have more fun on foil.
Educational Background
- University of Montana: Bachelor's Degree in Software Engineering, 1988.
Career Milestones
- Software Engineering: Began career in 1988, focusing on database software development.
- Raima Corporation: Technical Support Engineer for db_VISTA III Database Management System.
- Vista Development Corporation: Software Engineer, managed and contributed to client projects.
Entrepreneurship and Proposal Kit Development
- Website Development: Transitioned to website design in 1997; developed the initial version of Proposal Kit.
- Proposal Kit, Inc.: Founded the company to provide comprehensive proposal and contract solutions for businesses.
Professional Photography
- Publications: Published in National Geographic, Shark Week, National Wildlife, Popular Mechanics, Shark Diver Magazine, Extreme Watersports, Wakesurfer Magazine, Wakeboarding Magazine, Level X Wakeboard Magazine, Ski and Snowboard Magazine, Rodale's Scuba Diving, Seattle Seafair, Burning Man, Flight Magazine, and many more.
- Roles: Official event photographer for Seattle Seafair and senior photographer for Flight World Magazine.
Volunteering
- The Mountaineers: Actively volunteers with the organization, teaching rock, glacier, and ice climbing.
- Alpine Ambassador: Member of The Mountaineers Alpine Ambassadors ice climbing program.
Technical and Creative Contributions
- Software and Content Development: Leads the development of Proposal Kit software and oversees content creation by designers and writers. Designed and built the AI Writer, AI Word to PowerPoint, AI RFP Analyzer, and AI SEO Audit systems built into the Proposal Kit software.
- Industry Impact: Proposal Kit is a leading business proposal and contract software provider.
Previous Roles and Contributions
- LOG-NET, Inc.: Director of Software Engineering, responsible for backend software development for international transportation logistics.
- Cyberi, Inc.: Co-founder and VP of Engineering, produced multimedia CD-ROM presentations for various high-profile clients.
Hobbies
- Mountaineering: Finding peace and challenge in the mountains of the Pacific Northwest.
- Hydrofoiling: Gracefully gliding over the water on a hydrofoil from efoiling, wakefoiling to dockstart pumpfoiling.
Personal Philosophy and Future Directions
Ian Lauder's career combines technical expertise, creative expression, and an entrepreneurial spirit. Through Proposal Kit, Inc., he continues to provide valuable tools and resources that streamline the proposal writing process, demonstrating his commitment to the success of businesses across various sectors.
