2023 BOD NOMINEE BIOS
VICE-CHAIRPERSON
CEO, PepsiCo Middle East Business Unit - Quincy Circle
Aamer Sheikh is the Chief Executive Officer of the Middle East Business Unit at PepsiCo. The Middle East Business Unit is an operating cluster within PepsiCo Africa, Middle East, and South Asia (AMESA). This newly formed cluster brings snacks and nutrition (Quaker) businesses together with the franchise beverages businesses, based out of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Aamer serves as the Co-Chair of the US-Saudi Business Council (US Chamber), member of the Multinational Companies’ Business Group (MCBG) Regional Presidents Forum as well as other distinguished associations. In 2021, he was ranked among the top 15 leaders in MENA by Forbes for spearheading regional success for PepsiCo.
Prior to his current role, Aamer recently served as the President and General Manager for MENA and Pakistan. Aamer joined the PepsiCo family in 1999 in Pakistan in the Finance function and since then assumed several leadership roles in Pakistan, UAE, and the United States.
In 2017, he was appointed Chief Financial Officer for PepsiCo’s Asia Middle East & North Africa Sector (AMENA) - designated with leadership of the company’s financial operations in 40+ countries, covering Beverages, Snacks and Nutrition businesses, including 10 Joint Ventures. Other leadership roles included; Chief Financial Officer for Middle East and Africa (MEA) region in 2008, SVP for Planning and Transformation for Asia, Middle East and North Africa (AMENA) in 2014 and SVP for Commercial Finance for Frito Lay North America in 2016.
Prior to his time at PepsiCo, Aamer held multiple finance roles including five years in the USA, working as a senior auditor for Ernst & Young and The Walt Disney Company and leading the Finance Function for Unisys for 3 years in Pakistan.
Aamer is a CPA and holds a BBA in public accounting from Loyola University of Chicago. He has also attended several executive education courses at Harvard and Wharton School of Business.
President & Regional Manager, Middle East, Saudi Arabian Bechtel Company - Quincy Circle
David King has been President of the Saudi Arabian Bechtel Company (SABCO) since January 2021. SABCO is part of a U.S. family-run Engineering & Construction conglomerate that spans the Infrastructure, Energy, Mining & Metals, Nuclear, Defence, and Environmental sectors.
Bechtel has partnered Saudi Arabia for 80 years and the Kingdom represents one of Bechtel’s most valued and enduring strategic relationships. With major projects across Saudi Arabia, SABCO comprises over 3,000 project professionals and has an annual turnover of multi-Billion SAR. In 2022, SABCO doubled its business, trebled its Saudis, and quadrupled its female employees.
SABCO’s business interests encompass the Kingdom’s public infrastructure, rail, aviation, defense, petrochemicals, and mining sectors. David is responsible for the maintenance of executive relationships with multiple Saudi stakeholders; his customers include Neom, SAMI, Ma’aden, other PIF companies, and the Royal Commissions in Riyadh, Jubail, and Ras Al Khair. Having recently established Bechtel’s Regional Headquarters in Riyadh, David is also appointed as Bechtel’s Regional Manager for the Middle East. More broadly, he supports Bechtel’s Defense business globally.
David was Project Manager for Bechtel’s organisational transformation of the UK’s Defense Equipment & Support organisation and Submarine Delivery Agency, a position of strategic sensitivity. His past Saudi expertise includes 3 years on Bechtel’s Wa’ad Al Shamal programme, coordinating a $10Bn development in the Northern Province, and 3 years developing new business that is now in execution.
David is a resident of Riyadh and has worked in the Kingdom since 2013. Before Bechtel, he spent 25 years as a Royal Marines officer. He was appointed OBE by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II for operations in Iraq and left the Service as a Brigadier-General. He holds a Masters’ degree in Defense Studies from Kings College London and is a Fellow of the Chartered Management Institute.
General Manager, UPS Saudi Arabia - Quincy Circle
Hailing from the renowned city of Lakes, Bhopal, in the deep heartlands of India, Khalid spent most of his childhood and youth growing up in the coastal city of Jeddah from the early '80s to the mid-‘90s. This period coincided with his father's work in finance at Petromin, Petrolube, Pemref, SAMAREC, and ultimately at Aramco towards the end of his tenure. Khalid was fortunate to experience the local culture, western business inceptions, and the transformation and transition of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia under the leadership of the late King Fahd and King Abdullah (May they rest in peace).
Khalid had a remarkable career spanning over two decades, he has demonstrated unwavering expertise in developing market presence and propelling business growth across diverse regions, including the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Gulf, Europe, and emerging markets in Asia.
Khalid's extensive experience is anchored in successfully managing and cultivating large-scale third-party logistics (3PL) enterprises. His adeptness spans a wide spectrum of domains, such as Land Transportation,
Express Package Delivery, Integrated Logistics, Warehousing & Distribution Management, Critical Order Fulfillment, Freight, Marketing, Sales, Customer Care, Quality Assurance, finance, and international trade.
After briefly working in banking and finance, IT, and General Trading Sales, he embarked on his journey with EIRAD-UPS Saudi Arabia in 1999 in Sales, Khalid's ascent through the ranks has been marked by successive senior management roles in business development, marketing, PR, communications, operations, project management, finance and credit control, technology development, and deployment. He has also undertaken significant assignments for UPS in the GCC and Europe.
Presently, Khalid serves on the leadership board as General Manager for UPS Mail Innovations in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, leading a diverse team of technical logistics professionals.
Under Khalid's leadership, UPS Mail Innovations has earned its distinction as the fastest-moving, ever-evolving, and most innovative 4/3PL solutions integrator in Saudi Arabia. The company's daily pursuit involves conceiving, crafting, and launching large-scale, sophisticated products and services with geographical reach, dimensional complexity, and cutting-edge technological advancements in supply chain management.
Through Khalid's guidance, UPS Mail Innovations has transformed the logistics landscape in Saudi Arabia and continues to set new industry standards, driven by a forward-thinking approach and an unwavering commitment to excellence.
Treasurer
Senior Associate, Al Tamimi & Co. - Corporate
Ahmed Amonette is a U.S. qualified attorney licensed in the District of Columbia and is a Senior Associate within the Dispute Resolution practice of Al Tamimi & Company’s Riyadh, Saudi Arabia office.
Ahmed’s legal practice focuses on complex commercial litigation and arbitration, cross-border dispute resolution, and financial fraud. He has represented and advised clients on a wide-range of civil, criminal and investigative matters, including multi-jurisdictional matters requiring the coordination of legal strategies.
Ahmed’s international experience, common law background and fluency in the Arabic language, combined with his knowledge of the Saudi legal framework makes him an invaluable asset to his client’s in developing and implementing their legal strategies.
Ahmed also has extensive experience providing strategic counsel to clients seeking to mitigate their regulatory, criminal and reputational risk in the areas of anti-money laundering (AML) and anti-bribery and corruption.
Prior to joining Al Tamimi, Ahmed was as an associate with a regional law firm in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia where he advised on a number of regulatory mandates on behalf of governmental entities and government owned companies, including the Saudi Ministry of Finance. He also worked as an associate with an international firm based in Washington, DC where his practice focused primarily on the representation of clients in high-profile cross-border litigation matters and international disputes connected to the MENA region.
Ahmed graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of Denver and completed a Juris Doctor from the University of Tulsa.
DIRECTOR OF MEMBERSHIP
Chairman, CEO & President, ExxonMobil Saudi Arabia Inc.- Quincy Circle
Born in Spain, Fernando Vallina is a graduate of the Autonomous University of Madrid, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry. He also holds a Master of Business Administration degree from Instituto de Empresa in Spain.
Mr. Vallina joined ExxonMobil in 1987 in Spain and has held a wide range of management positions in sales, marketing, technology, planning and supply chain throughout the world, including in North America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia.
Mr. Vallina was based in Saudi Arabia from 2001 to 2002 as Senior Core Venture Coordinator. Fernando also represented ExxonMobil in the Steering Committee that oversaw the Saudi Elastomers Plant investment in Al Jubail in 2015 and 2016.
Fernando is currently Chairman ExxonMobil (China) Investment Co., Ltd. based in Beijing since 2017, responsible for ExxonMobil activities in the People’s Republic of China. Effective April 1, 2023 Mr. Vallina will become Chairman, CEO & President for ExxonMobil Saudi Arabia Inc., based in Riyadh, with an oversight for all ExxonMobil affiliated companies in the Kingdom.
IoT Business Development Manager – Middle East & Africa, Flowserve Corporation - Quincy Circle
Saudi passionate person for improvement in life and working to add a good value to my country, 33 years old, have a good chance to be part of Flowserve which was a great for 9 years with different positions till I have reached IoT Business Development Manager – Middle East & Africa as of today and reporting directly to Flowserve Corporation, from Madinah region to the whole world with mechanical engineer background from YIC, and Business Administration & Finance Management Degree in SEU.
MEMBER-AT-LARGE
Director of Business Operations, Jones Group Middle East - Quincy Circle
Basma Abdulkarim brings hands-on experience with implementing Saudi Arabia’s Vision and National Transformation Plan. Based in Riyadh, Basma previously served in Saudi Arabia’s new Ministry of Culture, where she managed the Culture Fund initiative to develop the Ministry’s Fund strategy and operating model. She led the international relations initiatives for the Saudi Film Council portfolio and developed investment strategies for Saudi and international companies specializing in film production and content development.
Prior to her work at the Ministry of Culture, Basma served in Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs as an international affairs officer at the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Berlin, Germany. She managed investment cases for Saudi-German companies and laid groundwork for public relations strategies with international bureaus for culture and economic development. She enabled bilateral communications platform for German and Saudi companies seeking investment opportunities and planned intercultural dialogue programs bringing together German and Saudi leaders.
Currently, Basma is the Director of Business Operations at Jones Group Middle East in riyadh. A USA based management consulting company specializing in advising the defense and security sector in Saudi Arabia. She is the primary connection between the Riyadh team and the USA office on all administrative, business, and operational matters, and the interface with all local business partners and government relations. She overlooks its people and processes to ensure all operations work smoothly,
efficiently, and productively.
Basma earned her master’s degree in international management from the European Business School in Weisbaden, Germany and her bachelor’s degree at Prince Sultan University in Riyadh. She is a graduate of the Diplomats Training Program of the Federal Foreign Office in Germany. Basma speaks Arabic, English, German and Portuguese.
Global Partner, Saudi Arabia and MENA, Fragomen - Corporate
Haider has been in the Middle East region since 2012 and currently is a Global Partner at Fragomen (a Global Corporate Immigration Law Firm). He is currently heading the Operations of Fragomen Operations in the KSA and the MENA regions. Currently, overseeing the KSA office and 3 offices in the UAE (DIFC, DDA and Abu Dhabi) with a team of 200+ employees. He is responsible for the provision of consulting of corporate immigration support to clients throughout KSA and the wider Middle East and North Africa ensuring Government, Semi Government and Corporate entities and their employees are adhering to the immigration regulations in the KSA and beyond. Haider has a wide and extensive array of experience within the Middle East and North Africa regions with a primary focus on the immigration regulations and procedures in the Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain, Egypt and Morocco regions.
Over the years, Haider has partnered with various entities across Saudi Arabia and partnered with Government authorities inside KSA and KSA embassies across the globe to provide creative innovative solutions and advisory support. He has and continues to assist in testing and providing feedback to Government authorities on the roll out of their immigration procedures to provide the voice of the client. Haider is responsible for developing and implementing sustainable immigration programs in coordination with the HR and mobility departments for start-ups, small and medium enterprises, and large multinational corporations across various industries, including information technology, hospitality, education, power generation, engineering and manufacturing within the ever-changing immigration landscape in the Middle East and North Africa regions.
Being the General Manager of Fragomen Saudi Arabia, Haider has been spreading the opportunities available in the Kingdom by organizing and conducting a ‘Doing Business in Saudi Arabia’ Series across the various global cities namely Dubai, London and Kochi. This series is to create awareness and highlight the positive outlook of the Kingdom. There are similar additional events planned for the next 6-8 months for in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Frankfurt, New York and Amsterdam.
Prior to joining Fragomen in 2012, he worked as a Legal and Financial Analyst for Habib Bank AG Zurich supporting corporate entities across the UK. He assisted in generating credit risk ratings and analyzed deals for presentation of financial analysis to the senior management explaining the risks and benefits of new deals. He also worked with the Back Office team to establish checks and controls to prevent discrepancies and ensuring they were remedied timely. Analysis and preparation of security documentations, making sure all the legal paperwork is correct. Dealing with ad-hoc client requests for information and reports.
Haider also worked at Citigroup in London where he conducted research and presented his findings regarding new SME & MME opportunities in the Spanish Banking Sector. He also worked with the Risk Management department to construct a RCSA model (Compliance) for the Commercial Banking sector. He also co-ordinated between the Spain and London offices and created a consolidated investor feedback database, enabling the team to identify potential and interested investors in the region and also compiled data to be used by officers in demonstrations to clients and managers regarding the TFCs Ratio analysis to determine the cushion available in the form of security for further loans (NOCs). Additionally he assisted in creating financial models to be used in client presentations along with researching and updating company profiles across various sectors in EMEA.
Haider did his BA (Hons) from the University of Durham in Accounting and Finance in 2009.
University of Durham, being a top 5 university in the UK, laid down the foundations for Haiders growth in the professional world.
Haider was nominated to be a member of the Multi Nations Business Group during the Covid period to provide recommendations to the UAE Ministry of Economy on HR & Mobility.
He is also a member of multiple business groups such as EMIR, British Business Group, American Chamber UAE (AMCHAM) etc.
Haider has also written or contributed to publications regarding immigration for The National amongst others. He has also done multiple webinars and informative events. Some recent ones are listed below:
Doing Business in Saudi – Fragomen and British Business Group Event in Dubai, UAE
Doing Business in Saudi – Fragomen and London Chamber of Commerce Event in London, UK Doing Business in Saudi – Fragomen Event in Kochi, India
Immigration Routes in MENA – American Immigration Lawyers Association, Orlando, US KSA RHQ Initiative – Fragomen & Clyde & Co, Dubai, UAE
Changes in Saudi Arabian Immigration and Work Visa Rules – Dubai Gazette
Saudization Helps Increase Employment in Private Sector – Argaam, Saudi Arabia
How to apply for a 10-year golden visa in the UAE - Pocketful of Dirhams – The National - Podcast NetExpat Mobility Best Practice Exchange Virtual Event: UAE – Net Expat Event UAE visa rules latest: All you need to know as amnesty deadline draws near – The National UAE
UAE companies going remote-first amid signs working from home is here to stay – The National UAE residency visa processes amid Covid-19 explained – The National
Saudi Arabia to Grant Citizenship to ‘Innovative’ Individuals – The National Recent
General Manager Business Operations, ManTech Saudi Ltd, ManTech International - Quincy Circle
Joe Stanley has extensive experience leading and managing business operations internationally in a broad range of business activities that include all aspects of operational management; security, information technology, budgeting, human resources, contracting, and training management. As the Managing Director in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Joe is focused on supporting all DARSAS programs and expanding and executing business services in Security Guarding, Digital Security, Cyber Security, Information Technology markets. Joe partners with Mawarid Program Management to achieve Corporate, Group, Business Unit, and Programs goals and objectives. Joe provides subject matter expertise in all areas of GCC Business Operations to implement Program and International Business objectives providing in-country full spectrum business management and leadership support. Joe also serves as the Chairman of the local Chapter of the U.S. State Department’s Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC).
Joe joined DARSAS after transitioning from ManTech International Corporation Saudi Arabia Programs from 2016 through 2023. Previously Joe served as the Director of Business Operations for AGT International in ATS Group Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates and prior to that Joe was in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia where he managed and lead aspects of business operations that included quality assurance, compliance, safety, and all aspects of security.
Joe was born in Chateauroux, France and as a U.S. military family member grew up in a variety of locations around the world. He enlisted at the age of 17 in the Regular Army and was sent to Fort Sill, Oklahoma for training. Joe completed a distinguished 25-year US Army career as a Command Sergeant Major where he served throughout the world in Europe, Pacific, Haiti, as well as the Middle East. Joe capped his Army career serving as the Commandant, U.S. Army Training Academy, Fort Sill, Oklahoma where he also made several trips as a Military Advisor in Uzbekistan. Joe’s military awards and honors include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, as well numerous Meritorious Service Medals. He also is a recipient of the Field Artillery Ancient Order of Saint Barbara and the Cavalry Order of Saint George.
Joe is a graduate of the United States Army Sergeants Major Academy, the United States Army First Sergeants Course, the Marine Corps Command and Staff College, 7th Army NCO Academy (Bad Toelz), and the Air Assault Course. He has a Master’s Degree in Information Assurance (Norwich University), a Bachelor Degree with Honors in Business Administration with Wayland Baptist University, as well as an Associate Degree in Accounting.
Senior Managing Director, KSA Lead, Ankura Consulting KSA - Quincy Circle
Kassem Younes is a Senior Managing Director leading Ankura Consulting KSA business.
Kassem has extensive experience in the fields of forensic accounting and fraud detection. He has led on site teams in conducting large and high-profile financial investigations and forensic reviews in various sectors across the MENA region. These included a variety of cases involving corruption, kickbacks, money laundering, embezzlement, asset misappropriation, and financial statement fraud.
Kassem has also broad range of experience in commercial disputes, both in litigation and international arbitration. He was appointed as an accounting expert witness on numerous cases involving the quantification of damages in contractual disputes, shareholder disputes, and transaction related disputes.
Prior to joining Ankura in 2018, Kassem worked with Deloitte in the Middle East. His previous experience also includes transaction services and statutory audit where he led several high-profile transactions and assurance engagements.
Kassem is a Chartered Accountant (fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants and the UAE Accountants & Auditors Association), Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) and is an associate member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb).
Kassem is currently the Chair of the professional Services committee of the American Chambers in KSA.
Education
Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting and Finance from Hariri Canadian University (HCU)
Ceritfications
Member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) - Middle East prize winner
Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE)
Affiliations
Member of the UAE Accountants and Auditors Association (UAECA)
Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb), Associate Member
Languages
Arabic and English
General Manager, Accenture MENA RHQ
Associate Director, Strategic Operations at Accenture, Middle East, - Corporate
She joined Accenture Saudi Arabia as Associate Director for Geographic Operations in the Middle East and Turkey in March 2018.
Samar was the first Saudi woman to join Accenture Middle East Executive Leadership team where she also held the title of ‘Information Security Sponsor’ in the Middle East and Turkey.
Throughout her career, Samar Al Amro was eager to promote the role of Saudi women in the her society and job market also within Accenture to empower female employees in all fields in order to assume leadership positions in the near future, in line with Vision 2030, which aims to increase Women's Participation in all the labor market sectors.
Samar was also the Senior Specialist Global Government Relations for Public Sector & Healthcare in SAP KSA, from 2010 to January 2018. In this position, she built high-profile relationships between SAP's Senior Management and many governmental entities and bodies in KSA, such as the Ministry of Labor, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Finance and several other ministries, as well as foreign embassies.
Her professional career also included Operations Manager at the King Abdulaziz Medical City(National Guard Health Affairs) from 1996 to 2010. Overall, Samar Al Amro garnered 22 years of combined experience in business administration, in both the public and private sectors.
Samar has joined She is Arab speaker platform https://sheisarab.com/ voluntarily as professional speaker for deferent topics in Business & Management, Leadership, Inspiration & Motivation and Gender Equality: https://sheisarab.com/speaker-profile/239.
She is passionate about women empowerment and motivation she is very active socially within her professional network or her community.
In her free time, she likes to read, travel and to learn about other nations and their history and culture.
As mental health ally
Am interested in
1- To be the source of support for our employees in ME regarding any MH topics
2- I feel more responsible due to my seniority as female leader from ME, I need to learn more about MH and how to provide support to my collogues
3- I was put in situation where I was approached by our employees (male & female) as trusted advisor regarding some mental health issues which make me feel even more responsible.
4- MH is very critical health issue specially with the challenge we are facing due to the COVID19 and post covid19 we will be facing more topics and we need to address it professionally
Founder & Executive Producer, Storylab Films - Individual
Tien is a producer, director and writer of non-fiction video content. For over two decades, she’s produced television shows and documentaries, educational videos, broadcast promos, corporate videos and marketing videos from concept to broadcast. She manages all the logistical and creative aspects involved with producing a video— including managing budgets, production schedules, concept development, contracts, crew and talent hiring, casting, and securing licenses/approvals/permissions. She has produced countless hours of video content for platforms such as National Geographic Channel, History Channel, Discovery Channel, and other broadcasts outlets with her production company, Storylab Films, now in its sixteenth year of production.
As both a US and international producer, Tien has produced documentary films in China, Cambodia, Mexico, and Saudi Arabia. Tien’s strengths lie in collaborating with the client team and partners, producing top-quality videos under tight deadlines, and tailoring a project to meet the client’s specific needs.
Her most recent broadcast project in the Kingdom is producing a seven-episode sports docuseries for Shahid streaming platform about Saudi professional football team, Al Nassr, called To Win or To Win.
During her nearly five years in the Kingdom, she has been active in both the Women in Business and Arts, Culture and Entertainment Committees. She was a key leader to facilitate hybrid monthly workshops for the Ignite initiative promoting Saudi women’s entrepreneurship in partnership with the US Embassy and the Atlantic Council. In addition, she produced a number of events for AmCham to develop and expand the Saudi film industry in 2022 and 2023 including events at the Red Sea Film Festival, Saudi Film Festival and at the Marriott DQ in Riyadh made possible by a US State Department grant.
In her free time, Tien enjoys painting and fitness and is currently working on her personal training certification. Her latest documentary film is about women’s boxing and muay thai in Saudi Arabia.
CEO, Petromin - Quincy Circle
Gary is an influential, successful leader with inexhaustible drive and unquenchable thirst to succeed having served in senior executive roles (including CEO, President, MD) with two decades of international automotive, transportation, and sustainable mobility experience in U.S, Europe, GCC & Middle East. A decorated U.S Marine and philanthropist, Board member and relentless passionate innovator. Expert at technology implementation and applied empirical solutions to achieve profitable results. Avant-garde advocate, backer and enabler of early EV and ULEV mobility transformation for large private and government fleets in U.S. and the MENA Region. Authority at transitioning fleets to sustainable platforms utilizing EV and FCEV technology with intelligent management, specialized financing for “green” projects and asset management.
Gary is the recipient of numerous industry awards including multiple Ford Motor Company's prestigious President's Awards and a four-time recipient of 100 Leaders Awards. He was also bestowed the honor of being selected to serve on the U.S. National Congressional Committee’s Business Advisory Council, on the Advisory Board of Directors of the Metropolitan Opera and on the Board of Trustees of the American International School Jeddah.
Currently Gary is the Chief Executive Officer of the National Transportation Solutions Company (NTSC) a technology company specializing in advanced Multi-Modal Mobility through zero-emissions platforms founded in June of 2021. NTSC quickly became the leading cutting-edge technology company and innovator with unique Fleet-as-a-Service (FaaS), eMobility-as-a-Service (eMaaS) and Hydrogen mobility solutions in the MENA Region. In less than one year, under Gary’s leadership NTSC became the fastest growing, transformative, multi-modal mobility company having gained 226 B2B clients with 345,182 vehicles under management and a vector for large scale sustainable mobility which will, in keeping with the Vision 2030, reshape logistics, transportation and public sector industries in KSA and MENA Region from the perspective of industrial diversification, progressive environmental responsibility and embetterment of our planet.
In previous years, Flom served as the President & CEO of Ford Motor Company's flagship Mobility & Innovation Center in United States. In a short period of time, Gary completely transformed the company and turned it around from losing mullions to generating revenues more than $1 Billion and high-margin earnings. During his 17-year tenure Gary became the first experimental EV distributor in U.S., testing early adaptation with various governmental fleets. Successfully negotiated complex regulatory requirements and OEM manufacturing challenges to implement utilization of early Electric and Hybrid Vehicles for high-intensity government, emergency services and large private FHV fleets which transformed the national mobility landscape and brought the environmental sustainability to the forefront of critical decision in fleet management and mobility. For his achievements, Gary was twice awarded Ford Motor Company’s President’s Award – the highest recognition the Company can bestow, and four time recipient of 100 Leaders Award for his innovation.
Gary grew up in Brooklyn and served with distinction in the United States Marine Corps where he was recognized through two meritorious promotion and an award of the Navy Achievement Medal, the highest peacetime decoration.
While serving in the Marines, he graduated from the University of Maryland with a degree in Business Management.
Operations Lead, KAUST - Individual
Maxwell Andrews is currently the Chairman of the AmCham Sports Committee and serves as the Operations Lead at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST). With over 20 years of experience, Maxwell has excelled in providing strategic planning, leading teams, project management, and successfully developing and implementing complex initiatives.
Originally from the Chicagoland area, Maxwell has spent the last 6 years in KSA, managing a multimillion-dollar portfolio with KAUST while also founding the AmCham Sports Committee. Under his leadership, the committee has flourished into a well-funded and widely recognized entity within AmCham KSA and the industry.
In a short span, Maxwell has orchestrated multiple successful committee events, bringing together industry stakeholders from across the Kingdom to foster investment and collaboration. Additionally, he has played a pivotal role in reinstating and leading the re-launch of the long-standing Riyadh AmCham golf tournament, subsequently expanding its success with two additional annual tournaments. These initiatives have significantly raised AmCham's visibility in the sports sector, providing valuable social and networking opportunities for its members.
Maxwell's ambition, motivation, and strong commitment to the AmCham mission make him an engaged executive with a passion for driving positive change. As a member-at-large, Maxwell aims to contribute to the board with his exceptional skills in strategic thinking, problem-solving, teamwork, collaboration, advocacy, and networking.
His extensive experience and dedication to furthering AmCham's goals make Maxwell Andrews a highly qualified and valuable candidate for the member-at-large position. His enthusiasm for advancing the organization and driving meaningful impact is sure to benefit AmCham and its community in meaningful ways.
Chairman of the Board, Polywed Construction Chemicals - Individual
A second-generation American industrialist with a French academic background in brand management, business development, and a proven ability to dissect consumption behavioral patterns in any given market.
Although my background is in finance and banking, I hold an MBA from the European Business School in Paris and a Master of Science in Luxury Brand Management and Data Analytics from the University of Monaco.
Fluent in English, French, and Arabic, my expertise has allowed me to transform my family's business from a local Saudi manufacturing company into an international industrial powerhouse that, as of 2023, exports a series of high-performance building materials and construction chemicals to over eight countries in the Middle East.
As a strong advocate for environmentally friendly business practices in the B2B sector, I believe that we have a responsibility to reduce our carbon footprint and protect the environment. I am committed to using my expertise and experience to help businesses adopt sustainable practices that are good for the planet and good for the bottom line.
In addition to my work in the manufacturing industry, I am also the owner of an interior plant shop in downtown Jeddah called The Seven Plants. I am passionate about plants and greenery, and I believe that they play an important role in creating a healthy and sustainable environment. I am committed to using my businesses to promote sustainability and to educate others about the importance of taking care of our planet, I am excited to use my voice to advocate for change and to help businesses make a difference in the world.
I am confident that my skills, experience, and passion for sustainability make me a valuable asset in promoting trade and investment between the United States and Saudi Arabia and I believe that I can make a significant contribution to the chamber's mission.
Thank you for your consideration.
Founder/CEO, Milestones - Individual
Sage Madeline Park is a seasoned trainer who develops real, resourceful and resilient leaders who achieve results.
Whether the need is stronger leadership presence, increased conflict management skills, higher emotional intelligence, more persuasive influence or higher performing teams, Sage’s approach focuses on creating an engaging experience that makes learning both enjoyable and directly relevant to each participant. Her experience, skill and knowledge of human behavior in strategic contexts produces pragmatic and aligned change strategies. Fundamentally, her training techniques do more than simply deliver content, she makes the content relevant to the participants, based on their current level of responsibility and prior learning history. Sage works to provide real-life examples, give actionable ideas and have fun doing it!
Since 2014, Sage has been providing executive, leadership and individual and team coaching. Colleagues describe her as an intuitive, intelligent, focused, and engaging coach who is candid and sincere with her feedback. Her expertise is in the areas of organizational development, team building, and increased productivity. As a sought-after subject matter expert on Middle Eastern organizational behavior management and employee engagement, her work has supported several talent and management initiatives for companies such as Saudi Electric Company, Najm Insurance and Unilever.
Among Sage’s professional roles are Founder/CEO of Milestones, Inc, an organizational consulting and coaching business, professor for students in the Master’s degree program at Arizona State University and she also serves as an active member of the Board of Directors of the American Chamber of Commerce Saudi Arabia. Sage has written and delivered trainings for large organizations such as the Prince Nasser Bin Abdulaziz Center for Autism in Riyadh and the American International School in Jeddah. She has also designed and helped implement organizational development plans for smaller entities. In addition to designing and delivering her own trainings, Sage works as a facilitator of corporate trainings for Blanchard and Crestcom, international leadership development companies based in the United States. Her work has also helped individuals clarify their personal values, resolve career stressors and align personal priorities with professional pursuits.
Sage has a Bachelor’s degree in Communication from the University of Connecticut, a Master of Science degree in Education from Fairfield University, and a Post-Masters Certificate in Organizational Behavior Management from the Florida Institute of Technology. She is a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst and holds a medical license in the state of Virginia, USA. Sage is a native English speaker and facilitates in this language. In her free time, Sage enjoys scuba diving, kite surfing, golfing and traveling.
Testimonials:
I am amazed at Sage’s ability to bring us all along, engage our input, keep us to task, tie a multitude of complexities together & enable great outcomes. She has a wonderful way with people, a highly developed understanding of leadership & interpersonal relationships & unlike many other facilitators, an affinity with business principals. HR Director, Insurance
Sage is a natural talent in facilitation & leading people. She raises the bar as she demonstrates the art of facilitation. The seamless transitions, clear instructions & deeper dives into her experience & knowledge all serve to validate her credibility as a subject matter expert. With a powerfully intuitive sense for what is needed in the moment to meet the needs of her audience, you feel her vibrant energy in the room & you know you’re in for an amazing experience. Director, Education Facility
It has been my pleasure to work with Sage. She understood our organization’s cultural needs and was able to connect board, management & staff for all voices to be heard in a process that was thorough & productive for the benefit of our organization. Head of Training, tourism
Director/ General Manager, Flowserve Corporation- Quincy Circle
Reid Wayman is the Director General Manager of Flowserve’s Joint Venture Valve business unit with responsibility for all aspects of the business in Saudi Arabia. He has a broad range of experience in the process equipment business serving customers in the Oil & Gas, Petrochemicals, Water, Mining, Fossil and Nuclear Power and a variety of other industries for over 48 years including 37 years with Flowserve. He has managed businesses in Europe, Southeast Asia, Japan, Australia, India, Canada, and the United States. Reid was born and grew up in the Aramco camps in Saudi Arabia and has lived and worked in Saudi for more than 25 years. He holds a B.S. in Chemical Engineering and an MBA in Technology Management.