FRED MOUAWAD : Founder, Chairman & CEO
FM Synergia is a collection of companies Fred Mouawad has founded and in most cases grown organically. The companies today share common capabilities focused on quality and on leveraging technology to increase productivity and build a common management system. More on Fred.
ALEC DE CHANGY : CO-FOUNDER, MANAGING PARTNER
Alec co-founded G Partners in 1995 and has been a key driver since in growing and structuring the company into its current form. An active board member in portfolio companies, Alec is usually involved in defining and setting up reporting systems, in drafting and reviewing company strategy, in interviewing and following up key hires, in negotiating important partnerships and acquisitions, and finally in implementing financing strategies.
Alec graduated with a MS in Engineering and Materials Sciences from the Catholic University of Louvain and an MBA from Harvard Business School. He started his career at McKinsey & Co in Brussels and Mexico, then with Alcatel in Antwerp and Novosibirsk (Siberia).
Alec co-founded G Partners in 1995 and has been a key driver since in growing and structuring the company into its current form. An active board member in portfolio companies, Alec is usually involved in defining and setting up reporting systems, in drafting and reviewing company strategy, in interviewing and following up key hires, in negotiating important partnerships and acquisitions, and finally in implementing financing strategies.
Alec graduated with a MS in Engineering and Materials Sciences from the Catholic University of Louvain and an MBA from Harvard Business School. He started his career at McKinsey & Co in Brussels and Mexico, then with Alcatel in Antwerp and Novosibirsk (Siberia).
BENOIT DUPLAT : MANAGING PARTNER - BRUSSELS
Travelling between Brussels, where he is based, and Argentina, Benoit is in charge of the Argentine projects and is a director of Eki-discount, FarmaCity and Latin Seguros. In Belgium, he is a director of LibertyTV. In his work with portfolio companies, Benoit is amongst others involved in defining growth opportunities, screening key managers, assisting in negotiation with suppliers, assessing and negotiating strategic partnerships, setting-up stock option plans for key executives aligning their interests with shareholders and refining control systems.
An "Ingénieur Commercial" (MS Engineering/Business) from the University of Brussels by training, Benoit started his professional career at PetroFina in order to assist in negotiating, following-up and auditing oil exploration joint ventures around the world. After completing his MBA at Harvard Business School, Benoit joined McKinsey & Company in Brussels and Buenos Aires.
Travelling between Brussels, where he is based, and Argentina, Benoit is in charge of the Argentine projects and is a director of Eki-discount, FarmaCity and Latin Seguros. In Belgium, he is a director of LibertyTV. In his work with portfolio companies, Benoit is amongst others involved in defining growth opportunities, screening key managers, assisting in negotiation with suppliers, assessing and negotiating strategic partnerships, setting-up stock option plans for key executives aligning their interests with shareholders and refining control systems.
An "Ingénieur Commercial" (MS Engineering/Business) from the University of Brussels by training, Benoit started his professional career at PetroFina in order to assist in negotiating, following-up and auditing oil exploration joint ventures around the world. After completing his MBA at Harvard Business School, Benoit joined McKinsey & Company in Brussels and Buenos Aires.
Joseph Cherian : MANAGING DIRECTOR
Joseph started his career in 1997 with McDonalds India as a Management Trainee after graduating from the Institute of Hotel Management & Catering Technology, India. During his tenure at McDonalds he started in the restaurants, got promoted to managing restaurant teams, and then moved up to the Training Department. As a Training Consultant for McDonalds he developed and conducted various management training programs for both restaurant and corporate teams. In 2005 he moved to Dubai to take up an assignment with Thomas Klein International a consultancy firm to set up high end restaurants across the Middle East. In one of his assignments he was the Franchise Manager of Lipton t- Junction for Unilever Arabia. Joseph has travelled extensively across Asia, Middle East, USA, and Australia and has gained first hand insights on how to manage in multiple markets. Prior to becoming Managing Director of GFA Global, Joseph was the General Manager of International Business Development at GFA.
Joseph started his career in 1997 with McDonalds India as a Management Trainee after graduating from the Institute of Hotel Management & Catering Technology, India. During his tenure at McDonalds he started in the restaurants, got promoted to managing restaurant teams, and then moved up to the Training Department. As a Training Consultant for McDonalds he developed and conducted various management training programs for both restaurant and corporate teams. In 2005 he moved to Dubai to take up an assignment with Thomas Klein International a consultancy firm to set up high end restaurants across the Middle East. In one of his assignments he was the Franchise Manager of Lipton t- Junction for Unilever Arabia. Joseph has travelled extensively across Asia, Middle East, USA, and Australia and has gained first hand insights on how to manage in multiple markets. Prior to becoming Managing Director of GFA Global, Joseph was the General Manager of International Business Development at GFA.
DAN KISCH : PUBLISHER
A 30 year veteran in business-to-business media, Dan Kisch has produced award-winning magazines and trade shows in design, retail and travel. Immediately before joining SmartWorkMedia, Dan was Group Vice President for VNU overseeing numerous magazines and trades shows in the jewelry industry. Since joining SmartWorkMedia, Dan has presided over the growth of INSTORE into one of the leading B to B magazines in the jewelry industry.
A 30 year veteran in business-to-business media, Dan Kisch has produced award-winning magazines and trade shows in design, retail and travel. Immediately before joining SmartWorkMedia, Dan was Group Vice President for VNU overseeing numerous magazines and trades shows in the jewelry industry. Since joining SmartWorkMedia, Dan has presided over the growth of INSTORE into one of the leading B to B magazines in the jewelry industry.
DAVID SQUIRES : GROUP EDITORIAL DIRECTOR AND ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER
Over the last 20 years, David Squires has worked in virtually every type of publishing medium -- ranging from small local newspapers to metropolitan dailies, from consumer magazines to business-to-business publications. Now he's using his broad experience to create some of the most innovative magazines in all business publishing for SmartWorkMedia. He believes that the most important role of trade magazines is to get readers excited about their businesses -- and, with the help of his team of award-winning writers and editors -- is determined to spread that excitement into every vertical market served by the company.
Over the last 20 years, David Squires has worked in virtually every type of publishing medium -- ranging from small local newspapers to metropolitan dailies, from consumer magazines to business-to-business publications. Now he's using his broad experience to create some of the most innovative magazines in all business publishing for SmartWorkMedia. He believes that the most important role of trade magazines is to get readers excited about their businesses -- and, with the help of his team of award-winning writers and editors -- is determined to spread that excitement into every vertical market served by the company.
SANJAY UPADHYAY : MANAGING DIRECTOR
Sanjay Upadhyay has over 15 years experience in the software development industry with primary roles in software architecting, project management, and business development. Sanjay started as lead programmer with DST Systems Thailand responsible for developing equity trading systems, back office clearing systems for financial services brokers, as well as automated order matching systems for stock exchanges in Athens, Bangkok, Manila, and Johannesburg. His role further expanded to work as software consultant for Chicago Stock Exchange and technical lead for Systems Division of DST in Chicago overlooking systems activities for subsidiary offices in Thailand, Philippines, and South Africa. As he progressed towards a management position, Sanjay was transferred to DST International (UK) subsidiary office in Boston where his role was focused on business development of web-based broker trading, and reporting solutions for financial brokers in New York City. Sanjay holds Bachelor of Science in Statistics & Computer Science, Master of Science in Computer Engineering, and Executive MBA from Asian Institute of Technology.
Sanjay Upadhyay has over 15 years experience in the software development industry with primary roles in software architecting, project management, and business development. Sanjay started as lead programmer with DST Systems Thailand responsible for developing equity trading systems, back office clearing systems for financial services brokers, as well as automated order matching systems for stock exchanges in Athens, Bangkok, Manila, and Johannesburg. His role further expanded to work as software consultant for Chicago Stock Exchange and technical lead for Systems Division of DST in Chicago overlooking systems activities for subsidiary offices in Thailand, Philippines, and South Africa. As he progressed towards a management position, Sanjay was transferred to DST International (UK) subsidiary office in Boston where his role was focused on business development of web-based broker trading, and reporting solutions for financial brokers in New York City. Sanjay holds Bachelor of Science in Statistics & Computer Science, Master of Science in Computer Engineering, and Executive MBA from Asian Institute of Technology.
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