Akbar Kazim
SAN ANTONIO,TX
Summary
Entrepreneurial professional offering progressive experience in operations leadership. Skilled at identifying and implementing process improvements to drive efficiency and productivity. Motivating and proven team leader with a long track record of success in managing cross-functional teams.
Overview
33
33
years of professional experience
Work History
Chief Operating Officer
Cyber Range Solutions Inc.
San Antonio, TX
03.2022 - Current
- Developed and implemented strategies to increase operational efficiency.
- Built relationships with external stakeholders such as investors, partners.
- Formulated strategies to improve customer service levels within the organization.
- Negotiated contracts with vendors and suppliers for goods or services.
- Served as strategic advisor and functional expert on critical strategic and operational matters.
Director of Business Development
Cyber Range Solutions Inc.
San Antonio, TX
03.2020 - 03.2022
- Spearheaded development of an all-encompassing business growth plan
- Negotiated partnerships with key industry players to expand market presence.
- Secured $15M in new business in the first year.
- Developed a robust pipeline of leads and relationships to achieve 30% growth year on year.
- Led sales planning, development and account management to grow existing accounts and establish new sales accounts.
- Analyzed market trends and identified new business opportunities in existing and potential markets.
- Established relationships with clients, vendors, suppliers, partners, and other stakeholders to ensure successful collaborations.
Managing Director International Operations
KIG Technical Services LLC
Arlington, VA
03.2012 - 03.2020
- Oversaw day-to-day operations of the company while coordinating with staff members.
- Managed complex projects and multiple teams in over a dozen countries around the world.
- Grew annual sales from $5M to $25M within 18 months.
- Cultivated relationships with customers, vendors, partners, and other external stakeholders in 15 countries.
- Ensured compliance with applicable laws, regulations, policies, and procedures related to global business operations, including shipping, documentation, and customs exemption requirements in over two dozen countries.
- Created strategies for increasing revenue streams by leveraging existing customer relationships.
- Used expertise to cultivate relationships with existing clients, develop new client relationships and win business.
- Negotiated contracts with vendors and suppliers to maximize cost savings for the organization, achieving a minimum of 15-20% cost savings across the board.
Managing Director
GA Transport
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
03.2007 - 03.2012
- Developed and implemented a comprehensive business plan to launch the company.
- Negotiated contracts with vendors and suppliers for optimal pricing structure.
- Evaluated new technologies for potential application in the organization's processes.
- Designed and launched innovative products and services, ensuring they meet market needs and customer satisfaction.
- Secured initial funding through pitching to angel investors and venture capitalists, raising significant capital.
- Negotiated and closed deals with suppliers, clients, and other key stakeholders to optimize operational efficiency.
- Established and grew a transport company from startup to over 100 trucks within 2 years.
- Grew sales from zero to $20M in 2 years.
Program Manager
C2 Logistics Solutions
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
01.2002 - 03.2007
- Developed and maintained project plans, schedules, and budgets.
- Maintained positive relationships with vendors by monitoring their performance against agreed upon contractual terms.
- Developed project plans, identified risks, set objectives and monitored progress towards completion.
- Managed program budgets and timelines, ensuring projects stayed on track and within allocated resources.
Chief Financial Officer
Southern Electric Power
Lahore, Pakistan
01.1994 - 11.2001
- Worked with project developers to conceptualize and create a $120M Independent Power Project (IPP).
- Created a capital structure for financing the project.
- Lead the finance team to raise $100M in external financing via a combination of funding from the World Bank and a global syndicate of commercial lenders.
- Negotiated with suppliers and vendors to create a turnkey construction contract.
- Managed cash flows, financial budgets, and construction progress to complete the construction within the financial budget and construction timelines of 21 months.
- Created and supervised a syndicate of equity partners, including a subsequent IPO, to raise capital through a public issue.
- Subsequent to project completion, continued in the role of CFO
- Oversaw cash flow management activities including accounts receivable and payable processing, payroll administration and banking functions.
- Managed relationships with external auditors, bankers and investors to ensure compliance with all regulations.
- Negotiated favorable payment terms with vendors while maintaining a positive working relationship with suppliers.
- Reviewed contracts prior to execution by the company to ensure they are financially sound decisions.
- Provided strategic advice on capital structure, debt financing, investments, acquisitions, divestitures and other corporate finance matters.
- Negotiated and managed contractual agreements to secure ideal terms and drive effective financial engagements.
Manager
Citibank, APAC-EMEA Regions
Lahore, Pakistan
09.1991 - 01.1994
- Assessed potential risks associated with new investments or acquisitions.
- Analyzed financial data to identify trends, patterns and strategies.
- Coordinated with cross-functional teams to gather financial data and insights for comprehensive reports.
- Performed risk analysis on potential investments and provided recommendations based on financial standing and market conditions.
Education
MBA - Business Administration And Management
Institute of Business Administration
Karachi, Pakistan06-1991
Skills
- Planning and execution
- Compliance Management
- Business Analysis
- Strategic Planning
- Operations administration
- Business Forecasting
Affiliations
- Hobbies include chess (rated Expert unde USCF standards)
- High Altitude Mountaineering (currently pursuing 7 Summits objecives)
- Hiking, outdoors, fitness
Timeline
Chief Operating Officer
Cyber Range Solutions Inc.
03.2022 - Current
Director of Business Development
Cyber Range Solutions Inc.
03.2020 - 03.2022
Managing Director International Operations
KIG Technical Services LLC
03.2012 - 03.2020
Managing Director
GA Transport
03.2007 - 03.2012
Program Manager
C2 Logistics Solutions
01.2002 - 03.2007
Chief Financial Officer
Southern Electric Power
01.1994 - 11.2001
Manager
Citibank, APAC-EMEA Regions
09.1991 - 01.1994
MBA - Business Administration And Management
Institute of Business Administration
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