For over a decade, Pathfinder has been delivering software applications that help users kick ass, providing clients with the technology to enable business breakthroughs and competitive advantage. Companies hire Pathfinder to design, develop and deliver software products faster and better than they can do themselves. And they also hire Pathfinder to teach big, traditional IT firms how to be nimble, fast and customer focused across all their software product development activities. Our clients range from early stage start-ups to Fortune 500 companies in healthcare, financial services, energy, consumer services and other industries.
Management Team
Bernhard Kappe
Chief Executive Officer
As founder and CEO of Pathfinder, Bernhard applies lean startup principles and agile development to launch successful products. As a product of the Chicago-tech industry, he has a passion for launching successful software that makes a difference in the world and helping local startups make it big. He leads the Chicago Lean Startup Circle and the Chicago Product Management Association (ChiPMA), and teaches lean startup courses through Lean Building Blocks.
When he’s not a leader in the Chicago-tech world, Bernhard’s an expert giver of piggyback rides and tickle monster to his two little girls. In a cook-off, he would win hands down with his mean recipe for coconut salmon. He’s a native speaker of English and German, and is fluent in Spanish and French.
Bernhard’s likes include music from and travel to the far corners of the earth, languages, his iPad, and salsa dancing. He can be dazzled with obscure facts and figures. His dislikes include balut and people who sing off key, so you will never catch him watching American Idol.
Bernhard attributes everything he knows to running into a wall (not literally, but he believes that experience is the best teacher.)
Paul Dittmann
President
Before being “seduced to the dark side” (technology), Paul, a CPA, had a successful career as a “Big 6″ auditor and financial executive directing the finance and risk management operations of a manufacturing company with operations here and in Europe. Prior to joining Pathfinder, Paul served as a Principal and Managing Director in the technology practice of a Chicago-based CPA firm. During his career, he has managed and delivered engagements covering all areas of Information Technology (IT) – IT Strategic Planning, Process Design, ERP Systems Selection & Implementation, Infrastructure Design & Implementation, Application Design & Development and Internet Design & Development.
Paul is currently serving as the President of the Chicago Chapter of AITP (Association of Information Technology Professionals – www.aitpchicago.com) and as a member of AITP’s national Research & Strategy Group. He is also a member of The Executive’s Club of Chicago and has been a speaker and panelist at many technology conferences.
Paul has a BS in Accountancy from the University of Illinois at Chicago and a MA in Economics from Northern Illinois University. He has taught accounting and economics at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.
Dietrich Kappe
Chief Operating Officer
Dietrich Kappe is a founder and the COO of Pathfinder Development, a firm that combines User Experience Design and Agile to speed software product development. Dietrich published one of the first 100 public web sites and launched one of the first Java Servlet-based web applications. He has been a software engineer for two decades, a frequent open source contributor, and has developed applications for the Media, Financial Services, Insurance and Healthcare industries.
Dietrich is a technical speaker on Agile Software Development, AJAX and Business Rules technology. He publishes the Agile Ajax blog and is a contributor to Ajaxian.com.