Imad graduated from cal state Northridge in 1995 with a BA in Industrial Design and immediately went to work for Designworks USA/BMW. There Imad’s  focus quickly became model making were he learned to master all the traditional hand fabrication techniques, sculpting, manual machine, paint, molding and casting, composites, and shop operations. He worked many projects for a variety of clients including BMW, Mini, Rolls Royce, Kenworth, Peterbuilt, John Deere, Gulfstream, Microsoft, Nokia, Scott USA, Thermadore, Magellan, Sunbeam, and more. In 2001 Imad was hired as senior modeler for the Vertu team where he continued to grow his skills adding tradition jewelry fabrication and CAD/CAM machining while managing daily lab operations. He continued improving his CAD/CAM skills at NDC until 2005. Imad then continued his career as an engineer, production liaison, and project manager for Fortner Aerospace and PCC aero structures. In 2010 Imad was hired to build, operate, and manage the XDC for Technicolor in Burbank CA. Today is focus is on consulting and modern rapid prototyping and 3D printing.

Bruce Greenbaum has more than 30 years of experience in multiple industries, with extensive experience in leadership, strategic planning, value creation, operations, business development, acquisitions, and corporate transitions.  Bruce has served as CEO and President of an aircraft component manufacturing company, prior to negotiating its sale to a public corporation.  He served as division President of the public company, Ducommun, Inc. (DCO - NYSE) for five years.   Bruce co-founded, and served as Chairman and major shareholder of an aircraft avionics company, specializing in aircraft avionics installation design and engineering, generating rapid sales growth prior to negotiating and completing its sale.

 

Gerardo Herrera is Director of Packaging and an Instructor at Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California as well as Partner and Owner of Yep Yup, a new company designing premium pet lifestyle products. His expansive career is highlighted by more than a decade at Nokia Design. As the Design Director of the Global Brand Experience Design Team, Gerardo led teams in the US, UK, Finland and China in developing and aligning strategic activities along a common path for a holistic brand experience.

Sheldon's career in Industrial Design spans world-class accomplishments in innovation and design leadership. As Creative Director for Product Design at BMW/Designworks USA, he led product design programs for BMW, Siemens, Haworth, Samsonite, and Nokia. His early work for Nokia helped define the visual identity for the earliest hand-portable mobile handsets produced by the burgeoning telecom giant.  Following his tenure at BMW, Sheldon joined Nokia as Design Director for New Business Development.  He managed design activities during the formation of the Vertu brand, including product design, design engineering, and retail design. In 2009, Sheldon signed on with Technicolor Corporation as Vice President of Design where he ran global Industrial Design at Technicolor's eXperience Design Centers in US and Europe, leading teams developing product design and user-experience design for the entertainment delivery sector.

 

 

With a finance and economics background, and first-hand experience in new venture formation, Tony’s brings a practical perspective to the team.  Tony began his career by forming a successful hospitality company in central California, which today still receives nationwide acclaim. He later worked with several startups in a variety of industries providing valuable leadership, strategic planning, and new business development. Tony’s diverse skill set makes him a notable contributor with a clear understanding of the development process including in-depth market analysis, financial forecasts, sales and distribution.  During the last 2 years, Tony has played an integral role in the ideation, development and design of innovative mobile applications, consumer products and ecommerce solutions.

Jon obtained his mechanical engineering degree, BSME from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.  His career began in the aerospace industry working at Litton Guidance And Control, which is now Northrop Grumman.  Jon’s early work involved the design of delicate guidance systems for the defense industry.  Following that, Jon was a technical advisor with SDRC CAD systems -when he was discovered and recruited by Designworks/USA BMW. While there, Jon gained a great deal of experience in the automotive and consumer products industry,  working on and leading projects on a wide range of product programs including designs for the medical industry, sporting and ski accessories, Nokia phones and BMW automobile interiors and related accessories.  Jon joined then start-up Vertu in 1999, bringing his unique mix of design sensitivities and the discipline of mechanical engineering to the group. Jon is a master at 3D CAD for both mechanical parts and complex surface detail creation for design.

Eduardo earned his BA in Industrial Design at the University Jorge Tadeo Lozano (UJTL) Bogota, Colombia where he also gained initial experience in design. Following his time there, Eduardo moved to Ohio where he earned his Master of Arts in Industrial Design at Ohio State University.  Eduardo worked at various companies in Cincinnati before being discovered and then recruited for the Nokia Design Group in Los Angeles.  Eduardo was handpicked to work directly with the Chief of Design at Nokia, Frank Nuovo, and was specifically assigned to develop the first products with Nuovo in support of the Vertu start-up.  Eduardo performed intricately detailed design and modeling for products from concept to production.  Vertu products included the original Vertu Constellation and the Constellation series products such as the follow-on Ayxta fold, the Quest, and most recently the Constellation Touch. With over 15 years of design experience and expertise as a computer aided design specialist, Eduardo joins Design Studio Nuovo as a DSN Associate- continuing a long-time partnership in creating some of the finest products in the world.

Richard has 8+ years of experience working in the the Telecoms and Technology sectors. During the last 5 years, he was a Consultant at Deloitte working as a technical expert providing advisory, assurance and architecture systems design across multiple industries. Client experience includes the BBC, the MPAA, Tesco, the UK's largest retailer, Aviva, the UK's largest insurer and others. Prior to Deloitte, he was a Technical Consultant at a Virtual Network Operator – Vanco, now Reliance Communications and graduate at Logica, working at Vodafone.  Most recently, Richard has led development on a series of mobile apps, Android custom ROMs, and web focussed solutions.

Suguna Madhavan is a recognised brand architect and businesswoman with extensive experience in sales, marketing, business development and leadership. She has over 20 years of combined global strategic consulting and hands-on operational experience in leading companies across the Asia Pacific. Her knowledge spans a diverse range of industries, including lifestyle, retail, mobile communications and audio, and covers the full spectrum of mass consumer to ultra-luxury market segments.

 

Over the past 13 years, she has focussed primarily on the development of new branded concepts and operational management of new enterprises. Today, she harnesses both her passion and expertise in charting new paths as Founder/Director of Firesong Initiatives Pte Ltd, a strategic brand & business management consultancy set up in 2004 to specialize in creating and launching unique products in new market spaces.

 

From 2007 to December 2011, suguna was seconded as President, Asia Pacific & Middle East, and also as Global CMO for Steinway Lyngdorf, an innovative Danish start-up which launched the world’s first fully digital luxury sound systems. In 1999, as a member of the global founding team of Vertu, the world’s first luxury mobile phone, suguna worked on the initial brand development and subsequently spearheaded Vertu’s Asia Pacific business operations until 2003. As Regional Director of Communications for Nokia Asia Pacific from 1996-2000, she led teams across 14 markets in Asia Pacific. She speaks several Asian languages and is fluent in Mandarin.

 

She was recently recognised at the 3rd CMO Asia Award 2012 for the Super Achiever Award(Women), for excellence in branding and marketing. Today, she also serves on the Board of the Singapore Repertory Theater, one of Asia’s leading English theater company.

Dr. Peter Ashall is a highly creative and experienced multi-contributor. As an entrepreneurial board member, senior management and project consultant, he works continually with brand savvy tech start-ups, combining proven world class leadership with refined business development principles and methods. His practical knowledge of complex technology and business challenges helps both start-ups and charities by working with senior management to avoid or solve strategic dilemmas.

 

Dr. Ashall holds a Ph.D. In electronics, specialising in telecommunications. Previously he has worked with Motorola and Nokia in senior management product creation and business development roles, and was the co-founder and president of Vertu, Nokia’s highly successful luxury internal start-up.

 

Since 2006 he has headed his own consultancy while serving roles with numerous new ventures. These currently include Business Strategy Advisor and Associate of Design Studio Nuovo, a board member and consultant to Savelli SRL, board member and Chief Product Officer of Zone V Ltd, and also is Chair of The Link, a local UK charity providing a befriending service to older people who are experiencing social isolation.