Front Office

LeagueApps Roster Expands with Gautam Chowdhry Joining the Product Team

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By LeagueApps
March 24, 2014
3 min

Gautam Chowdhry recently joined the LeagueApps team as the squad’s new “Point Guard” and Director of Product Management. Gautam has over 12 years of experience building web based software products. He’s built, managed and launched many types of products in his previous roles, including Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Systems, Content Management Systems (CMS), eCommerce Products, and Digital Marketing Tools. Plus, he is also a co-founder of DC based sports league and the sole architect behind their leagues management tools. He’s a tech guy with hands-on league management experience.

Check out our Q&A with Gautam below to learn a little bit more about his background and experience.

Q: How’d you join the LeagueApps team?

Fate! I received a call from a member of the LeagueApps sales team. We had a great conversation about sports, technology and business.  The conversation quickly transitioned to a sort of recruiting effort, as LeagueApps had an open position on their product team.

Q: You told us LeagueApps is your “Dream Job.”  Explain that!

About 10 years ago my friends and I started a small recreational sports league that had 50 people in it.  The league has grown to have over 10,000 players.  As a software professional I designed and built the software that powered the business – basically building a “LeagueApps Lite” on my own.  Much of my free time was spent developing use cases, building data models, and writing code to develop the system.  Working for LeagueApps has turned my hobby into a full time job.

Q: What’s your role with LeagueApps and what of your is most exciting to you.

I enjoy solving problems – with technology.  As the Director of Product Management it is my job to drive forward product features and enhancements. I envision ways to make LeagueApps more effective and efficient. I am also really pumped about building the next generation of tools, which will focus around exciting new technologies like eCommerce and mobile. These are the type of technology that will make a huge difference in the league experience for both organizers and players.

Q: How will your background in both software development and local sports organization be helpful in your role?

I’ve been building web based software products for the past 12+ years, and have worked in many roles during that time. I have thorough understanding on how the software development process works. From brainstorming ideas, working with people to refine those idea, to designing the technical architecture, and ultimately building the final product.  As a sports organizer I know what it’s like to be on the ground. I have shared in many of the same experiences that our partners have faced.  I know what it’s like to manage registration, run tournaments, create schedules, update standings, order t-shirts, deal with rain delays, schedule makeup games – and the many other logistical challenges of running a league.

Q: From your own experiences, what was the hardest part of organizing sports programs? How can software help?

Growth – It’s a good thing, but is also very challenging at the same time.  When you are small you can get away with a lot. You don’t need permits, you can send group emails from your own inbox, you can accept payments on the field, etc .  Once you get to a certain size all of that becomes a logistical nightmare.  And you end up being more of a paper pusher rather than a sports enthusiast. Technology can automate many manual & labor intensive process making you more efficient.  This allows you to focus your attention on your sport – or they many other needs of your growing league & business.

Q: What’s the best part of running your own bocce league?

There is no shortage of ball jokes.

Q: What are some of your other interests besides sports and technology?

I love music, cooking, photography and spending time with my family.

Q: Anything else to add?

I am thrilled to be a part of the LeagueApps team. As the team Point Guard, it’s my job to make everyone else better.  The team is full of All-Star players which makes my job that much easier and more fun. I look forward to working with our team and our partners to make a great product even better.