OUR TEAM
Edward Mclean Founder CEO
I’ve spent the last 21 years looking at the world through the lens of security, tech innovation, and problem-solving. In 2005, I founded IPView Security, a venture born out of a desire to build robust, smart infrastructure that keeps businesses and communities secure. Over the past two decades, running IPView taught me the value of efficiency, data integrity, and building systems that work flawlessly when it matters most.
As a builder at heart, I recently found myself driven to apply my skill sets to new challenges—pushing the boundaries of what automation and artificial intelligence can do for everyday business logistics. This passion led to the development of next-generation productivity architectures like Sonar Search and MIMO, software built to take the friction out of high-stakes environments.
But my pursuit of growth isn't limited to software architecture. Lately, I’ve taken my passion for precision and fast-moving mechanics to the skies, learning to fly helicopters. Landing a rotorcraft requires the same things it takes to build an enterprise application: absolute focus, situational awareness, and an understanding of how complex components work together seamlessly.
Whether I’m writing code, optimizing a commercial security layout, or controlling a pitch in the air, I’m focused on one thing: mastering the mechanics of the challenge.
Brazos Guido Lead Investor & Strategic Advisor
Brazos Guido brings decades of executive leadership, systems optimization, and strategic growth expertise to our team. As our lead investor, his visionary approach to business scaling is instrumental in guiding our company's trajectory.
Academic & Corporate Leadership
An alumnus of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Brazos graduated in 1970 with a dual focus that included a degree in Industrial Management. His highly analytical mindset laid the foundation for a successful 37-year career in business. Known for his systems-driven approach, Brazos revolutionized his previous company by developing a proprietary optimization process that transformed initial plans into guaranteed operational workflows. This innovation successfully tripled the company's sales and doubled its profit margins, ultimately culminating in a highly successful exit when he sold the business in 2008.
Beyond the Boardroom: A Passion for Longevity
Beyond his corporate achievements, Brazos is a lifelong learner with a deep personal passion for health, human potential, and longevity. Driven by a heartfelt promise to his daughter that he would live to be 120 years old, he has spent recent years intensely researching wellness and alternative health practices.
This personal dedication led him to create a holistic health program called Journey. In his free time, he also explores the intersections of energy and well-being as the founder of Biologic Sensing®, a muscle-testing tool he developed. Brazos is currently channeling his ongoing fascination with wellness, the mind-body connection, and the spiritual world into a series of upcoming books detailing his personal discoveries in the domain.
Steven Ballif - COO
Steven Bailiff serves as Chief Operating Officer of Avant Garde Applications, bringing a leadership background rooted in operations management, strategic growth, client relations, and high-performance team development. With experience leading teams in fast-paced industries and managing complex projects from concept to execution, Steven specializes in building scalable systems, streamlining operations, and driving organizational efficiency.
A United States Marine Corps veteran, Steven developed a disciplined leadership style centered on accountability, adaptability, and mission-focused execution. His professional background includes years of hands-on leadership in the construction and exterior restoration industries, where he built a reputation for operational excellence, customer advocacy, and problem-solving under pressure.
At Avant Garde Applications, Steven oversees operational strategy, business development, organizational structure, and long-term scalability initiatives. He plays a key role in aligning innovation with practical execution, helping bridge the gap between advanced technology concepts and real-world implementation. His leadership focuses on building sustainable growth, cultivating strategic partnerships, and ensuring the company maintains a strong operational foundation as it expands into emerging technology sectors.
Steven is also passionate about entrepreneurship, process optimization, and creating solutions that improve both business performance and user experience. His approach combines disciplined execution with forward-thinking innovation, helping position Avant Garde Applications for long-term success in an evolving technology landscape.
Outside of business, Steven is a devoted husband and father, grounded in strong faith and family values that continue to shape his leadership philosophy and commitment to integrity in every aspect of life.