Zotera™ Management

Zotera™ is led by a diverse management team with extensive global experience. Our Principals have provided thought leadership to many of the world's most progressive Information Technology, Telecommunications, and Hi-Tech Manufacturing companies.

Our principals have made significant contributions to ICT standards, best practices, business processes, and regulatory issues. We distinguish ourselves by innovation and thought leadership relative to the integration of disparate technologies that support the ongoing evolution of the industrial internet.

Jamal Shareef, Chief Executive Officer:

Many years of experience providing business and technology transformation across several industry sectors including telecommunications, information technology and high tech manufacturing. Fmr. Managing Director Hitachi Data Systems, Managing Partner Cambridge Technology Partners, Director Novell Consulting, Managing Director Decision Consultants Inc., Executive Systems Engineer EMC Corp., Sr. Systems Engineer Candle Corp., and Systems EngineerVM Software. Provided solutions to many of the world's leading innovators of Information and Communications Technologies including IBM, Intel, Hewlett Packard, Vodafone, ATT, Verizon/GTE, Time Warner, Sony Pictures, Sony Electronics, Disney, Motorola, Cox Communications, Boeing, Lockheed, Northrop Grumman, Gulfstream, Hughes Aircraft, Digital Equipment Corp., and others.

Mo Kotaiche, PH.D., Chief Technology Officer:

Dr. Kotaiche began his career with NASA at the Kennedy Space Center designing electronic monitoring and control systems for use on the Space Shuttle program.  His work earned NASA several patents and design registrations.  He has held several senior and executive positions including Chief Information Officer for South Florida Water Management District a large Florida State Agency; Executive VP to SunTech Consulting; VP of Software Development to Fidelity National Information Services, and Sr. Director of delivery to Princeton Information; and Adjunct Professor Tampa University. He is an acknowledged talent in launching and managing complex, solution-oriented IT projects and systems.  He specializes in establishing and managing Program Management Offices (PMO) and driving program management processes by applying best-of-breed quality paradigms such as Agile, Lean Six Sigma, CMMI, ITIL and ISO 9000 to produce on-time, cost-efficient, and highly secure systems and applications. He also serves as a Professor of Computer Sciences and Information Technology at the University of Tampa.

Oscar Williams, Chief Financial Officer:

Telecom Financial and High-Tech Private Equity experience. Fmr. CFO Intermedia Communications, Comptroller ITT South & Central America. Private equity experience as a founding partner in Intellysis Capital Partners. Founding officer 2nd Century, the first US company which used a single transport technology for both voice and data. Significant contribution to the re-engineering and Privatization of the Bahamas Telephone Company. Conducted negotiations for international settlements and partnerships with Cable and Wireless, Telefonica and Portugal Telecom. Offered as expert accounting witness for telephone companies before the Federal Communication Commission as well as for electric and gas companies before the Federal Energy and Regulatory Commission. Accounting expert witness in over 14 State Regulatory bodies related to the recovery of capital and cost for telephone, electric, gas and water companies.

Marek Kaszubski, Chief Operating Officer:

Extensive experience counseling on project finance, mergers and acquisitions, export/import, technology transfer, and foreign investment issues. Practiced law for the U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the Wall Street law firm of Stroock & Stroock & Lavan, a Washington, DC law firm of Mott & Associates. Consulted Fortune 500 and multinational companies including Cisco, AOL, AT&T, Capital One, Compaq, Dow Jones, Hewlett Packard, Digital Equipment Corporation, GTE, IBM, Motorola, Raytheon, SAIC, Sprint, Lucent Technologies, European Space Agency and the World Bank. Mergers and Acquisitions Advisor to the Polish Ministry of Privatization.

Mark Felberg, Director Business Development:

As founder of IPVision Software, an edge-based surveillance system, Mark became known as an Innovator and visionary in the Surveillance Industry and was awarded Best of Show in Software Integration at ISC West. IPVisionalso installed its software and cameras at the FIRST 4G Super Switch in Florida and continued to innovate edge-based video analytic over several years. As Business Development Manager at Video IQ which was acquired by Avigilon, Mark supported Verizon nationally as a flagship account. In 2014 realizing the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) as the next wave of innovation, Mark began a focus on the integration of Information Technologies (IT) with Operations Technologies (OT). As Business Development Manager for a pioneering systems integrator, Mark forged partnerships with Cisco and Verizon Wireless to adopt a novel IoT platform for marketing under their own brands. He also developed and continues to develop significant relationships with industry leaders such as Arrow Electronics, Tech Data, Intel, Microsoft, and Rexel for IIoT innovations.

Lonnie Jones, Director, Product Management, Cloud Platforms & Applications:

Information Technology experience spans Program Management, R&D Management, Systems Architecture & Design. Held management and engineering positions with Scientific Games International, Watson Wyatt, and Candle Corporation. Clients include Bell South, IBM, Ford Motor Company, Volvo Motor Company, States of Pennsylvania, Connecticut, North Dakota, and Oklahoma. International clients include Lottery Consortiums in Mexico, Spain, Panama, and the Philippines.

Steve Burns, Director Product Management, Edge Computing Platforms:

International and Domestic High-Tech Product/Project Manager of cellular and emergency radio systems for Government and Private Sector clients. Specialized expertise in risk management and software development using Agile, Waterfall and Blended frameworks. Former Network Manager for real-time distributed flood control system with over 32 microwave towers covering an area of over 18,000 sq. miles. Former seven state Regional Network and Database Practice Manager for Digital Equipment (25 staff). Developer of the Ford electronic engine control cross assembler and simulators. Client list included Hong Kong Government, NTT Docomo, GM, Ford, Chrysler, Alcoa, PPG, Bell South, U.S Steel, Wright-Patterson AFB, Michigan National Bank, Stroh's and many others.

MEA:

Dayo Abiodun, Vice President, Business Development:

Extensive experience in Engineering, Advisory, Sales and Management. Co-founder, and Executive VP of CISU, Inc. Formerly held management and engineering positions with Kean Inc, Mobile Media Communications, Citicorp, Racal-DataCom Inc, Lucent Technologies, Nortel Networks, Syniverse Technologies, Acme Packet, Knet and Aicent.

Peter Hlapolosa, Managing Partner:

Several years of experience in the Information, Communications and Technology sector. Worked as General Manager Telecommunication Services at The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa. Served as Executive Head of Economic Regulation at Vodacom Group. Participated in regulation making processes in South Africa, Lesotho and Tanzania. Provided telecommunications consultancy services to clients based on the African continent, Europe and the Northern Americas.

Ben Machoga, Managing Partner:

Many years of experience in the South African Telecommunications industry. Served as Manager - National Operations Centre, Senior Manager - Network Infrastructure Operations, and Global Capacity Business at Telkom SA. Represented Telkom SA at several International events on international business. Further served as Executive - Network Field Operations, Network Engineering, Network Planning and Build, at Multi-links Telecommunications Company in Nigeria. Also has several years of experience in the Water Well Drilling business in South Africa.

Thabo Makhakhe, Managing Partner:

Several years of experience in the Information, Communications and Technology sector. Headed the Economic and Financial Analysis department of The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) and later appointed an executive board member (Council) of the same Authority. Project-managed South Africa�s third mobile licensing process which culminated in the licensing of Cell C. Served as an executive in the Regulatory departments of Telkom SA and MTN SA. Provided telecommunications consultancy services to clients on the African continent.

Advisors:

Tomas Isaksson:

International telecoms experience including Fmr. CEO & Chairman of the Management Board Vodafone Netherlands, Fmr. CEO Vodafone Americas Region, & Pres. Vodafone Global Platform (VGP), Verizon Wireless Board of Directors, CEO of Europolitan Holdings AB, and CEO of Ericsson Radio Systems Inc.

Charles Zetterstrom:

Experience deploying, managing, and operating wireless telecommunications companies. Fmr. VP Asian American Telecommunications Company (Beijing). Fmr. VP Engineering & Operations Telcel (Caracas Venezuela). Fmr. Exec. Director Bellsouth Comunicaciones (Santiago Chile). Fmr. Exec. Director CIDCOM (Santiago Chile).

Adam Hashem:

Experienced in the development of Social, Economic & Cultural programs for Africa (Water, Health, Power, Agriculture, & Security). Developed sustainability through innovation in technology & models to cater to humanitarian & disaster response. Fmr. Ericsson Managing Director Senegal/Gabon & VP Major Accounts West Africa, Fmr. Ericsson Vice President Multi-Country Accounts.