Meet Our Team

Chris Hastings is the CEO and co-founder of Panoramix, a billing and performance reporting platform for financial advisors developed by Sapphire Software Services, Inc. As the lead architect of Panoramix, Chris brings extensive experience designing and building software solutions for businesses in the insurance and financial services verticals. Known for his leadership and dedication to creating software that meets real-world needs, Chris finds it incredibly rewarding to see his solutions in use by business owners.

He began his career at Applied Systems, where he wrote insurance rating software and then served as the vice president of research and architecture before founding Sapphire Software Services, Inc. in 2004. Chris holds a B.A. in mathematics from Carleton College.

If it's summer, odds are you'll find Chris working from northern Minnesota, where his trusty sidekick, Beckett, regularly sounds the alarm when visitors approach. Unfortunately, she hasn't yet figured out how to keep the mosquitoes at bay.

Joe Lucking joined Sapphire Software Services, Inc. in 2018 after having spent 34 years in various technology roles with Wells. Joe graduated from the University of Minnesota with a degree in News Editorial Journalism, Political Sociology, and History just in time for a significant technology shift in the newspaper business that eliminated thousands of entry-level positions throughout the industry. Having discovered an interest in, and something of a knack for, computer systems work in school, Joe asked "Who has a lot of computers?" Banks. They also have money, another thing Joe cultivated an interest in over his lifetime. When Minnesota Federal Savings and Loan Association hired him, he had to A) buy five suits, white shirts, and ties; and B) pay $495 for a two-week training course on the banking industry. Three years later, as the Assistant Treasurer, he spent $45,000 on "calculators," in reality five personal computers and a server. Within three months Joe wrote accounting code that saved the S&L over $500,000 per year. And thus it went for that first career, pre-Sapphire. Here, Joe serves as the Director of Operations, Secretary, and Treasurer while working part time in semi-retirement. He holds functions on two non-profit boards, is a crisis counselor, cyclist, downhill skier, environmental advocate, and lucky to be married to his wife since 1983. Together they have one child and enjoy the company of two granddaughters.

Jim Schwieters is the Director of Sales at Panoramix. Jim is an experienced Sales Director who takes pride in partnering with clients in a collaborative manner, placing a high priority on identifying and meeting their unique business needs. This approach has led to a proven history of exceeding client expectations, establishing rewarding relationships, and contributing to client retention.

Jim joined Panoramix in 2022, bringing a history of sales and account management success. He holds a B.S. in Business Administration from University of Minnesota, Duluth.

Laura Kingsbury Jones is the Director of Marketing at Panoramix, where she leads the company's marketing, communications, and brand strategy. She joined Panoramix in late 2023 and assumed the role of Director of Marketing in April 2024.

Laura brings an interdisciplinary background in business, marketing, photography, and visual communication to her role. Over the years, she has combined creative and strategic work through photography, writing, design, and digital media. Her creative projects have been featured in national publications, and she continues to serve as editor of her community newsletter.

Laura holds a B.A. in Economics from Carleton College and an MBA from the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota. She has also pursued additional education in photography and graphic design.

Laura lives with her family and two dogs in a small lakeshore community in Minnesota, where photography remains a favorite creative pursuit.

James Charles is an Account Manager focusing on sales and support. As a dedicated member of our support team, James spends most of his time working with advisors to provide solutions that help accomplish their goals. With excellent relationship-building skills and a knack for problem-solving, James is a valued team member who consistently delivers exceptional service to our clients.

James joined Panoramix in 2021, bringing fifteen years of experience in the hotel and hospitality industry. This background has honed his skills in client problem solving and support, which he uses daily in his role at Panoramix.

Outside of work, James is an avid basketball fan and, if the Timberwolves are playing, chances are you'll find him in the stands.

Amanda Seldon is a Client Success Agent focused on providing support and helping clients get the most out of Panoramix. She joined Panoramix in January 2026, bringing more than ten years of experience in internal support and operations coordination.Her background has given her a strong foundation in problem-solving, organization, and working with teams to keep day-to-day operations running smoothly. She enjoys helping clients find solutions and making their experience with Panoramix as seamless as possible.

Outside of work, Amanda is pursuing a BFA in Fashion Design at Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design, with plans to graduate late 2027. Stationed on the east coast, when she's not working or studying, you will usually find her out training with her Belgian Malinois, Colt.

Colby Ryan joined Panoramix Financial as a Software Engineer in 2024, bringing a background in both computer science and mathematics to the team. A graduate of Union College, Colby earned his B.S. as a double major in Computer Science and Mathematics, an academic combination that reflects his interest in both building technology and understanding the analytical ideas behind it.

At Panoramix, Colby works across a variety of software engineering initiatives, including full-stack application development, database systems, and artificial intelligence.

Now based in New York City and originally from the Boston area, Colby is an avid Patriots and Celtics fan. Outside of work, he enjoys trivia with friends, traveling, and playing soccer and chess.

Jackson Small is a Software Developer at Panoramix, where he brings a builder's mindset to the platform's evolution. From database and integration work to modernizing the desktop experience for the web. He takes pride in tackling technical challenges thoughtfully, balancing careful engineering with a drive to keep improving how the product works for the RIAs who rely on it.

Jackson holds a B.S. in Computer Science from Virginia Tech and now lives in Hoboken, NJ. Outside of work, he enjoys running along the Hudson and digging into history books in his downtime.