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: CEO GFA India, and General Manager GFA Global Services
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.
KISHORE BABU KOTA: Corporate General Manager - Finance
Holding a Doctorate in Business Administration and two Master Degrees in Accounting & Finance and Business Administration, Kishore brings a vast knowledge and expertise to all levels of financial concerns at GFA. As GM of Finance, he is not only responsible for all financial concerns for the organization, but also applies expertise to areas such as financial modeling and analysis, business and management tools development, strategic planning, IT platforms and cross-organizational analysis.
Originally from South India, Kishore moved to Thailand in 2002 and began his career at the FM Synergia Group as a Customer Enhancement Analyst for Mondera, and later moved to the position of Financial Controller of GFA in 2005. While pursuing his doctorate at the University of South Australia, Kishore specialized in the area of franchising business and wrote a paper on Determining Factors on Ownership Decisions in Fast Food Industry Franchise Systems in Thailand. He is trained in lean Six Sigma and the ISO 9001 methodologies.
Kishore has traveled extensively throughout Asia and the U.S., is an avid reader, and enjoys listening to music and surfing the Web.
Holding a Doctorate in Business Administration and two Master Degrees in Accounting & Finance and Business Administration, Kishore brings a vast knowledge and expertise to all levels of financial concerns at GFA. As GM of Finance, he is not only responsible for all financial concerns for the organization, but also applies expertise to areas such as financial modeling and analysis, business and management tools development, strategic planning, IT platforms and cross-organizational analysis.
Originally from South India, Kishore moved to Thailand in 2002 and began his career at the FM Synergia Group as a Customer Enhancement Analyst for Mondera, and later moved to the position of Financial Controller of GFA in 2005. While pursuing his doctorate at the University of South Australia, Kishore specialized in the area of franchising business and wrote a paper on Determining Factors on Ownership Decisions in Fast Food Industry Franchise Systems in Thailand. He is trained in lean Six Sigma and the ISO 9001 methodologies.
Kishore has traveled extensively throughout Asia and the U.S., is an avid reader, and enjoys listening to music and surfing the Web.
KEVIN J. ROSSER: Head of Communications and Partner Relations
With multiple majors in Music, Literature and Film Studies, Kevin brings his diverse knowledge, creative skills and experience to all communications at GFA. As a 16-year veteran of the multimedia, advertising and web development industries in the U.S. as a copywriter, audio/video designer, composer, voice-over talent and web developer, Kevin honed his skills at several international agencies including Big Hand, Rapp Collins Worldwide, DDB Needham, Sixty-Foot-Spider, and in house at Radio Shack, CompUSA, & Verizon's Web Division. Some of the notable clients he has worked with include Dell, Adobe Software, Sony PlayStation America, Anheuser-Busch, Tabasco, Mercedes-Benz, Warner Bros., Hyatt Hotels, and Continental Airlines.
In addition to managing communications for the organization in areas of PR, Web presence and marketing and creative initiatives, Kevin is also the first line of contact with new partners and business development, coordinating through multiple channels to lend efficiencies to the international partnerships and business units.
With multiple majors in Music, Literature and Film Studies, Kevin brings his diverse knowledge, creative skills and experience to all communications at GFA. As a 16-year veteran of the multimedia, advertising and web development industries in the U.S. as a copywriter, audio/video designer, composer, voice-over talent and web developer, Kevin honed his skills at several international agencies including Big Hand, Rapp Collins Worldwide, DDB Needham, Sixty-Foot-Spider, and in house at Radio Shack, CompUSA, & Verizon's Web Division. Some of the notable clients he has worked with include Dell, Adobe Software, Sony PlayStation America, Anheuser-Busch, Tabasco, Mercedes-Benz, Warner Bros., Hyatt Hotels, and Continental Airlines.
In addition to managing communications for the organization in areas of PR, Web presence and marketing and creative initiatives, Kevin is also the first line of contact with new partners and business development, coordinating through multiple channels to lend efficiencies to the international partnerships and business units.
BUNDIT LEERAHARATTANARAK: Asst. General Manager, GFA Thailand
With Bachelor and Master Degrees in Food Technology from Silpakorn and Chulalongkorn Universities respectively, Bundit brings his knowledge and expertise in food industry and food research to all GFA consumer brands. Before heading up the Operations of GFA, Bundit worked in Research and Product Development innovating consumer products for all GFA brands. Bundit joined GFA in 2005 and has supported in quite a few areas including International Operating Assistance and as an international trainer, launch manager and product advisor to our international partners in Indonesia, India, Oman, Sudan and Vietnam. In addition, Bundit is a Lean Six Sigma enthusiast, trainer and advisor for the organization's improvement projects. As Head of Operations, Bundit manages the day-to-day operations of all the specialty retail brands under the GFA portfolio.
Bundit grew up in Nakhon Pathom Province of Thailand and in Bangkok. He considers himself a people person and enjoys communication with customers and colleagues. He is an avid reader and believes strongly in continuous learning. He also enjoys music, sports, and gaming.
With Bachelor and Master Degrees in Food Technology from Silpakorn and Chulalongkorn Universities respectively, Bundit brings his knowledge and expertise in food industry and food research to all GFA consumer brands. Before heading up the Operations of GFA, Bundit worked in Research and Product Development innovating consumer products for all GFA brands. Bundit joined GFA in 2005 and has supported in quite a few areas including International Operating Assistance and as an international trainer, launch manager and product advisor to our international partners in Indonesia, India, Oman, Sudan and Vietnam. In addition, Bundit is a Lean Six Sigma enthusiast, trainer and advisor for the organization's improvement projects. As Head of Operations, Bundit manages the day-to-day operations of all the specialty retail brands under the GFA portfolio.
Bundit grew up in Nakhon Pathom Province of Thailand and in Bangkok. He considers himself a people person and enjoys communication with customers and colleagues. He is an avid reader and believes strongly in continuous learning. He also enjoys music, sports, and gaming.
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: General Manager
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 a software consultant for the Chicago Stock Exchange and as technical lead for Systems Division of DST in Chicago, overlooking systems activities for subsidiary offices in Thailand, the Philippines, and South Africa. As he progressed towards a management position, Sanjay was transferred to DST International's (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 a Bachelor of Science Degree in Statistics & Computer Science, a Master of Science in Computer Engineering, and an Executive MBA from the 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 a software consultant for the Chicago Stock Exchange and as technical lead for Systems Division of DST in Chicago, overlooking systems activities for subsidiary offices in Thailand, the Philippines, and South Africa. As he progressed towards a management position, Sanjay was transferred to DST International's (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 a Bachelor of Science Degree in Statistics & Computer Science, a Master of Science in Computer Engineering, and an Executive MBA from the Asian Institute of Technology.
SOMSNIT VANPRAPA: General Manager - Product R&D, Brand Development, QA, Commissary Works, Mont Blanc Patisserie & Boulangerie, and Siam Coffee Roasters
Graduating with first class honors initially in medicine, specializing in medical genetics, Somsnit has turned her passion toward culinary arts and food sciences. With multiple Degrees from Australia, England, Thailand and the U.S. in Medicine, Food Sciences, and an Advanced Diploma in Patisserie, Somsnit brings her vast experience, knowledge, creativity and dedication to all product and brand development for all food service units under FM Synergia. She has worn many hats in the past including medical genetic practitioner, patisserie chef, food designer, scientist and also owned and managed a Thai restaurant in Melbourne, Australia before joining GFA in 2005.
With her extensive background in recipe development and quality assurance (GMP, HACCP, ISO 9001), Somsnit manages all design and development of consumer and wholesale food products for Mont Blanc Patisserie & Boulangerie and Siam Coffee Roasters, and all GFA consumer brands.
In her free time, Somsnit enjoys anything related to the culinary arts and often attends any variety of culinary trainings, trying new restaurants and products with friends, traveling, and pampering her pets.
PAKARAT KANCHANAMONGKOL: General Manager
As a 15-year veteran in newspaper and magazine design, advertising, print and web design, Pakarat brings her vast experience and talent to the forefront of all design production at GFA. As the Design Manager of Nouveau 360 Degrees, she heads a talented team of graphic artists, interior designers, 3D developers and animators, overseeing and affecting all designs, from concept to production, to ensure a consistent, relevant and always stunning quality to all media produced for all brands and business units. Before joining GFA in 1999, Pakarat whet her talent and skills in newspaper & magazine design at Khookeang Publisher Co. Ltd., Gemkey Magazine and in-house at such agencies as Bara Windsor Ltd., and as a web designer at Web-Studio-1, and at Mondera.com.
Pakarat hails from Bangkok and received her Bachelor Degree in Communication Arts Design at Rangsit University. She enjoys anything related to the Arts, is an avid movie-goer, window shopper, and enjoys dining out with friends.
XIWACH SRIPASUYANON: General Manager
With a diverse background in business development, advertising/marketing, project management, and as a business owner, Xiwach brings his years of experience to lead a team of highly capable interior designers and construction specialists at INTERBUILD Solutions. Originally from Bangkok, Xiwach completed his Bachelor of Law Degree at Ramkamhaeng University and later a Business Administration Degree at Cornell University in the U.S. where he spent 8 years working in several industries including stints at Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, Sheraton Hotels and as an owner and operator of 4 Thai restaurants in West Palm Beach and Clearwater Florida. In 2002, Xiwach moved to the U.K. to join the Sportingbet Plc and Ladbroke Plc organizations as Advertising and Marketing Manager for their Asian markets. Upon returning to Thailand, he took on the role of Restaurant Business Development Manager at the Impact Exhibition Center in Bangkok, before joining GFA in 2005 as a project manager.
In 2007, Xiwach was made GM of INTERBUILD Solutions and has helped to grow INTERBUILD from a business unit of GFA to a complete interior design and construction company under the FM Synergia Group.
With a diverse background in business development, advertising/marketing, project management, and as a business owner, Xiwach brings his years of experience to lead a team of highly capable interior designers and construction specialists at INTERBUILD Solutions. Originally from Bangkok, Xiwach completed his Bachelor of Law Degree at Ramkamhaeng University and later a Business Administration Degree at Cornell University in the U.S. where he spent 8 years working in several industries including stints at Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, Sheraton Hotels and as an owner and operator of 4 Thai restaurants in West Palm Beach and Clearwater Florida. In 2002, Xiwach moved to the U.K. to join the Sportingbet Plc and Ladbroke Plc organizations as Advertising and Marketing Manager for their Asian markets. Upon returning to Thailand, he took on the role of Restaurant Business Development Manager at the Impact Exhibition Center in Bangkok, before joining GFA in 2005 as a project manager.
In 2007, Xiwach was made GM of INTERBUILD Solutions and has helped to grow INTERBUILD from a business unit of GFA to a complete interior design and construction company under the FM Synergia Group.
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