About
Sky Forward Design
Always Onward & Upward
Helping small businesses in Southern Maine modernize their technology with practical, high-quality custom solutions.
Our Story
Sky Forward Design was founded in Westbrook, Maine with a simple observation: small businesses deserve the same caliber of custom software that large enterprises take for granted. For too long, bespoke solutions were out of reach for local companies — the cost of custom development just didn't make sense at that scale.
That equation has changed. Advances in AI-assisted development have made it practical to build tailored, high-quality applications at a fraction of what they used to cost. We started Sky Forward Design to bring that opportunity to the businesses that need it most — the local companies in Southern Maine that are ready to modernize but have been stuck with off-the-shelf tools or aging legacy systems.
Our name reflects what we believe in: a growth mindset. Sky Forward means always looking onward and upward — for our clients, for our craft, and for the community we serve.
Our Approach
How we work
Listen First
Every project starts with understanding your business — your workflows, your pain points, and what success looks like for you. We don't pitch generic solutions. We listen, learn, and then design something that fits.
Build Smart
We use AI-assisted development tools to work efficiently without cutting corners. This means you get production-quality custom software at a cost that actually makes sense for a growing business.
Quality Obsessed
With deep roots in quality assurance and software testing, we approach every project with a QA-first mindset. Reliability and attention to detail aren't afterthoughts — they're built into our process from day one.
The result is technology that doesn't just work — it works the way you need it to.
Why Sky Forward
What sets us apart
Local & Invested
Based in Westbrook, Maine. We're part of the community we serve and genuinely invested in our neighbors' success.
Direct Access
You work directly with the engineer building your solution. No layers of project managers or account reps between you and progress.
Practical Costs
Custom software is no longer a luxury. Modern development approaches keep costs practical without compromising on quality.
Proven Results
Our first major client engagement — a complete enterprise modernization for The Maine Tour Connection — has delivered measurable results from day one.
See the case studyMeet the Team
Mark Westover
Founder & Lead Engineer
Westbrook, Maine
Mark brings over 15 years of experience spanning quality assurance, software engineering, and engineering leadership. He holds a degree in Industrial & Systems Engineering from the University of Rhode Island and built his career at organizations ranging from defense systems integrators to enterprise software companies like Kepware Technologies and Garmin.
After rising to a senior director role managing a department of 30 engineers, Mark made a deliberate choice to return to hands-on development — the work that energized him most. He founded Sky Forward Design to combine his deep technical skills with his passion for understanding what businesses actually need and delivering solutions that make a real difference.
When he's not writing code, Mark is coaching his son's flag football team, building hockey rinks in the woods behind the house, reading Harry Potter with his boys, or hitting the trails with his family. He's a builder at heart — whether it's software, custom PCs, or backyard rinks.
Zeke Pendexter
Co-Founder & Head of Platform
Cumberland, Maine
Zeke brings a strong background in DevOps, infrastructure, cloud architecture, and AI. He holds a degree in Computer Engineering from the University of Maine in Orono and previously founded a Google Cloud reseller company that was acquired less than a year and a half later.
At Sky Forward, Zeke combines technical platform experience with a deep care for people and process. For him, Sky Forward is a chance to work with his favorite people while helping make a positive impact in the lives of others. He complements Mark's engineering and quality background with founder experience, structure, and a platform-minded approach to building systems that can grow.
When he's not thinking about infrastructure or AI, Zeke is spending time outside with his wife and two boys, playing sports, listening to/making music, or playing games (both board and video). He brings that same mix of curiosity, structure, and care into his work: build strong foundations, support the people around them, and keep moving forward together.
Sky Forward Design is growing carefully. We're bringing together experienced engineers who share a commitment to practical solutions, technical quality, and client success.