About Us

Dr. Song was the founder, president and CTO of SOC Technologies. Dr. Song received his Ph.D. in engineering from Memorial University of Newfoundland in 1993, and dedicated his career in advancing research, development, and education in the field of Technology. With esteemed positions at the National Research Council Canada (1992-1995), the University of Prince Edward Island (1995-1998), and Wilfrid Laurier University (1998-2023), Dr. Song inspired students and professionals to become the next generation of innovators and technological leaders.

Mr. Chad Hartman received his B.Sc. in Computer Electronics from Wilfrid Laurier University in 2006, and has been with SOC Technologies since. Chad completed his required courses for a Master’s Degree of Engineering at the University of Guelph through a part-time program while also working at SOC. In addition, he completed a number of training courses related to hardware design and FPGA technology. As the Chief Engineer, Chad leads research and product development at SOC. His knowledge of video and audio compression techniques and skills in digital systems have contributed greatly to the success of SOC.

​Natalie Song holds both a Bachelor of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Computer Science from Wilfrid Laurier University, blending a strong foundation in both business and technology. With extensive experience in business finance and accounting, she joined SOC in September 2024 and quickly took charge of overseeing all financial operations. Natalie has played a key role in setting financial objectives, negotiating acquisitions and joint ventures, and allocating funds to optimize departmental efficiency. She has also contributed to SOC’s growth by researching investors, strategic accounts, and competitors to drive data-informed decisions. Notably, Natalie led the effort to secure ISO:9001 certification and revamp the company website. Additionally, she helped introduce modern marketing strategies, aligning SOC’s financial goals with effective promotional efforts.

Blake holds a Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering from Polytechnique Montréal, completed in 2010. Joining SOC in January 2011, Blake has since contributed extensively to SOC’s advancements in video and audio encoding and decoding technology, research, and product development. Blake has become a key player in developing and optimizing numerous codecs, including H.264 decoders (CABAC), H.264 encoders across HD, 4K, and 8K, MPEG2 encoders, and H.265 encoders and decoders for HD and 4K. Additionally, Blake has been instrumental in designing PCI interface boards and implementing audio encoders/decoders on both DSP/FPGA and ARM/FPGA platforms (Xilinx and Intel). Notably, Blake has created comprehensive encoder/decoder systems on Xilinx and Intel FPGAs, integrating SDI, Ethernet, and may other functionalities. His work further extends to computer-based code development, including UDP/TS_Sender, UDP/TS_Receiver, TS_Analyzer, and additional crucial tools, making him a vital contributor to SOC’s technological achievements.

Samuel holds a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from McMaster University and joined SOC in 2017. As a Senior Design Engineer, Samuel is responsible for coding new IP and modules in C/VHDL and managing custom projects for clients. Samuel has led several successful custom PCB projects, including the CCA1000, FCI1000, and AVFEB. Additionally, Samuel has been a primary engineer on key SOC hardware products, such as the VoIP-I-4K, VoIP-X-4K, and SoM-I-SX660. His work also includes developing audio encoders and decoders for ARM architectures on Intel and AMD platforms, making him a versatile and valuable asset to SOC.

Tim holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Automation from Xidian University and an Advanced Diploma in Computer Systems Technology from Mohawk College. He joined SOC in January 2022 and plays a key role in the development of hardware solutions for our video and audio encoders/decoders. As a PCB Design Engineer, Tim is responsible for designing high-performance circuit boards, ensuring optimal signal integrity and power distribution. His work involves schematic capture, PCB layout, component selection, and routing to meet industry standards and performance requirements. He collaborates closely with FPGA and embedded software engineers to integrate system components effectively. In addition, Tim coordinates with contract manufacturers to oversee prototype fabrication, production testing, and assembly, ensuring that SOC’s hardware solutions meet quality and reliability standards.

Stephanie, a Design Engineer at SOC, holds a Bachelor of Engineering Science in Computer Engineering from the University of Western Ontario. Joining SOC in February 2021, Stephanie has since been involved in research and product development and contributing valuable expertise to the team. Notably, Stephanie played a key role in the development of the H.265 Decoder Inter Prediction feature, enhancing SOC's advanced video technology. Additionally, Stephanie has contributed to implementing USB communication on Xilinx boards and developing USB security key capabilities, further strengthening SOC’s technology portfolio.

Paige joined SOC in 2024, bringing a background in Business from Conestoga College. As the customer relations representative and office administration, Paige supports the company’s daily operations and plays a key part in customer interactions, contributing to SOC's growth and efficient workflow. Her enthusiasm and commitment have quickly made her a valuable team member, helping SOC stay organized and responsive to client needs.