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PROFILE
A respected, seasoned and versatile leader with more than 15 years of international and U.S. experience in sales, marketing, economic development, project management, training, and logistics. Highly skilled professional experienced in direct sales and managing distribution channels to provide quality products and services to private companies, government agencies, multinationals, small and medium enterprises across numerous industries in challenging and complex environments. Led numerous teams, managed partner relationships, and increased bottom line of small and large companies by focusing on internal systems and customer service. Extensive work experience in Latin America, Europe and Eurasia, Middle East, and Africa. Holder of both United States and Italian Citizenship.
SELECTED QUALIFICATIONS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS
7/02-present Citizens Development Corps
Executive Director of Centro Apoio Empresarial (8/06 – present) Luanda, Angola
* Managed 14 employees on a corporate social investment project funded by BP, Exxon, Chevron, Total and Sonangol (NOC) to increase local content and improve supply chain efficiencies in the Oil & Gas sector by strengthening business opportunities for Angolan SMEs.
* Led team that secured a number of contracts worth $10,500,000+ with oil operators and prime subcontractors by setting up procurement systems, improving the marketing of local companies, and improving the quality of the goods and services offered.
* Initiated a supplier qualification system that provided value added to potential buyers by decreasing the costs associated with procurement systems.
* Established systems and policies around a vision for local content in Angola and in the process of expanding the project nationally and internationally.
* Secured multi-million dollar contract extension for three years to continue business center activities throughout Angola.
Chief of Party in Residence (8/05- 8/06) Washington, DC
* Led CDC in implementing U.S. DOD/State Department contract worth $1,400,000 requiring the design of a self-sustaining business center in Iraq and the creation of a nation-wide Business Center Association; key roles in market research and analysis, security, and stakeholder meetings; supervised eight field staff implementing this extremely challenging project in a difficult environment.
* Led CDC teams in developing new products and services that required multi-source research, and materials and documents creation for association building, business center operations, and SME technical assistance initiatives on marketing, finance, HR, supply chain management and sales promotion.
* CDC representative to the Leadership Steering Committee of VEGA (Volunteers for Economic Growth Alliance) responsible for polices, procedures and sustainability planning for this global partnership of more than 15 development organizations.
* Oversaw VEGA/CDC projects in Iraq worth $8,000,000. Supervised field implementation strategies, grant disbursements, partnership alliances, provided technical assistance to field teams. Strengthened local SMEs ability to become suppliers to the oil industry, national and local governments, and U.S. military forces.
* Design and participate on proposal teams for U.S. AID, World Bank, Global Development Alliance, Middle East Partnership Initiative, and other donor funded economic development projects. Supervised quarterly reports and financial reporting on U.S. AID projects.
Consultant (7/04- 7/05) Washington, DC
* Created a Business Toolkit for Iraqi Entrepreneurs as part of a U.S. AID-funded project.
* Conducted in-depth business research and design for project proposals in Azerbaijan, Georgia and Angola. Led interaction with and selection of potential partners in Tbilisi and Baku and negotiated memoranda of understanding.
Chief of Party and Country Director (9/03 - 7/04) Baku, Azerbaijan
* Supervised CDC's Supplier Training Initiative for the AIOC (Azerbaijan International Operating Company) consortium. Assumed leadership and improved performance of CDC training and technical assistance program involving more than 300 companies to supply international standards products and services to oil operators. Conducted numerous trainings and consulted with three leading companies on bid procedures, quality management, and customer service. Worked closely with the BP Enterprise Center on identifying new Azerbaijani suppliers. Project funding came from BP, Exxon, Unocal, and others.
* Managed $2,200,000 U.S. AID Economic Development Project. Supervised 12 employees, responsible for all U.S. AID reports and budgets and project implementation that utilized the skills and experience of both members of MBA Enterprise Corps and sector experts/practitioners who volunteered for short and mid length assignments.
* Focused program strategy on improving Azerbaijani business services and locating/securing private and public investments for SMEs. Started a new business consulting group to provide technical assistance to local companies.
MBAEC Member-SME Business Consultant (7/02 – 9/03) Baku, Azerbaijan
* Sponsored, organized, and trained students for the 1st Azerbaijan Business Case Competition. Secured $95,000 in sponsorship funds and in-kind donations from multinational companies including BP, Exxon, Unocal, and Radisson.
* Assisted eight clients in a variety of industries with finance, marketing, sales, and organizational management. Developed export marketing plan for beverage company which resulted in European and Asian export sales. Managed a consulting team in market research and internal management structure for a major telecom company. Organized an internship program for local MBA students in oil and gas industry and major telecom operators.
5/01-9/01 Logistics Management Institute McLean, VA
Associate - Logistics Consulting
* Developed a comprehensive proposal to implement a customer relationship management program, which was approved by Department of Defense client.
* Created and maintained model for monitoring DOD international ocean shipments. Conducted partnership meetings with the large ocean carriers to improve service levels and increase efficiency.
9/97-6/99 PACE GmbH Munich, Germany
Regional Manager - Marketing and Business Development
* Managed 30 international distributors in 18 countries, grew sales by 23% to $2.5 million per year.
* Led cross-functional teams in presenting and negotiating supply service contracts with Nokia, Ericsson, Pioneer, Siemens, Aramco, and various military and government organizations.
* Conducted competitive market analysis of strategic business initiatives in Europe, Middle East, and North Africa resulting in an effective shift in product promotions and distribution strategies.
* Obtained training contract for Motorola Middle East and Egypt Air. Trained 25 foreign technicians on electronic repair. Resulted in $87,000 order for equipment.
9/95-9/97 PACE, Inc.
Technical Engineer - Marketing Karlsruhe, Germany
* Implemented programs to improve coordination across logistic channels. Modified product promotion and created new distribution channels. Increased revenues 29%.
* Initiated and negotiated a $200,000 US Government Foreign Military Sales contract with Egypt.
* Developed and implemented marketing strategies targeting repair and retail outlets. Strategically entered into eight new untapped markets.
4/94-9/95 Factory Representative - Business Development Dallas, TX
* Raised revenues from $200,000 to $650,000 in Brazil and Mexico. Used innovative sales strategies to create product awareness, competing against established brands in these markets.
* Evaluated business opportunities in Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Colombia, Venezuela and Chile by conducting customer and financial analysis. Formulated and executed business strategy that resulted in new distribution channels and new corporate relationships.
* Developed brand awareness in Latin America against established competitors increasing market share from 8% to 13%.
* Conducted in Italian, Spanish and Portuguese technical seminars, tradeshow activities, and training resulting in a more efficient distribution team.
Education
MBA, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, 2002.
B.A., International Relations and History, Tufts University, Medford, MA, 1991.
Languages
English (native), Spanish (fluent), Italian (fluent), Azerbaijani (basic), Portuguese (basic).
Additional Activities
Serves on the Board of Directors of La Romita School of Art, a non-profit school that offers workshops for the arts in central Italy (1990-). Responsibilities include business development, customer service, and financial management of the non-profit corporation. In the 1st Gulf War was an assistant producer for NBC News in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia in 1991.
Country Work Experience
Americas: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Columbia, Mexico, United States, Uruguay, Venezuela
Europe: Belgium, Cyprus, France, Germany, Greece, Holland, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Turkey, United Kingdom
Africa: Egypt, Morocco, Angola
Middle East: Bahrain, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates
Caucuses: Azerbaijan, Georgia
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