Work and education

Assistant Professor - School of Computer Science(2000 - present)

Blekinge Institute of Technology, Karlshamn, Sweden.

Acclaimed university in the areas of telecommunications, software engineering (ranked #6 in the world) and artificial intelligence. Strong connections to industry leaders

Responsibilities / Achievements:

• Educated and supervised 50+ Master students on various areas of container terminal operations or container shipping. Several of the graduated students are employed in the container terminal industry as IT managers, software engineers, project managers, etc.
• Developed an educational program focusing on intelligent transportation systems for master students with over 3500+ students taught from over 90 nations.
• Membership in IEEE, ACM – Association of Computing Machinery, SAIS – Scandinavian Artificial Intelligence Society.
• Senior Researcher – drafting research proposals and winning grants (€25 Million granted) from regional, national and European Union funding agencies. EU projects involved: OVERSIZE BALTIC, EAST-WEST Transport Corridor, MarTech LNG, BalticGateway, GoLNG, CTCC (Creative Traditional Companies Cooperation), Connect2Ports, SECMAR, and SYMPHONY.
• Regularly presents research or invited speaker to academic conferences.
• Active in research on Container Terminal Simulation and Operations that has resulted in two books and over 90+ publications.
• Examiner and Lecturer for the following master courses: Intelligent Decision Support Systems, Knowledge Engineering and Management, Master Thesis Supervision and Artificial Intelligence.
• International Coordinator for the department from 2006-2011. Processing International students that were admitted to the university and assisting them in choosing courses and programs

Commercial Manager(2020 - present)

Responsible for the marketing and further development of software for port, terminals, and cargo handling facilities with a proprietary product portfolio known as ZODIAC. Contacting and networking with new customers across the group. Project. Coordination and alignment with key corporate stakeholders to effectively market and position IT Software solutions to the global market. Key contact point for all commercial and customer decisions and thought leader for the next generation of software with R&D assistance to group Centers of Competence across the globe (Hong Kong, Dubai, London, Caucedo, and Vancouver).

Responsibilities / Achievements:

• Commercial development of TOS and AI and work with ML -machine learning based software tool that incorporates elements of Knowledge Engineering. Managed a team located in Dubai.
• Interface with Terminals, Ports and Shipping companies.
• Established routines on Microsoft Dynamics and CRM tool.
• Effectively developed and established engaging training and workshops

Group Onboarding Manager(2019 - 2020)

Implementation of new customers across the group. Project manage onboarding. Engage with customer stakeholders and collaborate with technical resources to effectively empower and train customers on using the Marcura platform. Front line to the customer and advocate business use-cases to product development.

 

Responsibilities / Achievements:

• Work with ML -machine learning-based software tool that incorporates elements of Knowledge Engineering. Managed a team located in two countries (Dubai and Mumbai) while acting as the face of various services across the group.
• Post-implementation reviews with customers
• Established routines on the SalesForce CRM tool to increase the delivery time that customers would be onboarded.
• Effectively developed and established engaging training and workshops
• Communicated with customers in identifying and understanding service quality issues and improved customer focus.

Principal / Founder(2016 - 2020)

Consultancy contracted for business development, marketing, technology, and research. Applied science to container terminal industry, e.g., simulation, computer visualization 2D or 3-D, Knowledge Engineering, Intelligent Decision Support Systems design.

 

Responsibilities / Achievements:

• Developed Business strategy for mobile Electric and Data Transmission equipment for the Port and Container Handling market.
• Organised client meetings from a list of Identified terminals and clients.
• Pilot work for novel container handling Yard system that has assisted the client to make 3 patents.
• Pre-study on the application of Blue Tooth® technology in tracking containers.
• Yard layout and sales activities in electrifying RTGs.
• Collaboration with ISL –Applications GmbH on simulation and emulation software for port and terminal operations.

Key Account Manager(2013 - 2015)

Provider of electric mobility since 1912. Focusing on providing electric and data transmission solutions for port and container terminals, specifically Electrified Rubber Tyred Gantry Cranes.

Responsibilities / Achievements:

• Developed 3-year Business Strategy Plan that was accepted by the board and is currently being implemented.
• Delivering conceptual solutions for AUTOMATION in container terminals via R&D projects.
• Identifying potential sales targets with OEMs and Container Terminal Operators.
• Introduced sales and marketing strategies
• Designed a new brochure for the Port Technology business unit.
• Delivered presentations and spoke at international events on technologies and services related to Vahle GmbH.
• Submitted press releases and articles to international publications
• Updated engineering staff members on clients’ demands and needs for innovative solutions.
• Representative to Konecranes, Kalmar, Liebherr and to DPWorld, TiL, APMT and PSA Europe.
• Member of the Environmental committee for PEMA – representative for Vahle GmbH.

Global Port Market Manager(2011 - 2013)

Conductix-Wampfler provides solutions for cranes such as electrification of E-RTGs to festoons and motor-driven reel on the ship to shore cranes.

 

Responsibilities / Achievements:

• Developed Business strategy for Port and Container Handling market
• Identified terminals and clients resulting in two large projects with potential sales of 25 M € for both.
• Formulated strategy to double sales revenue and profit by 2016 by analyzing current market and products with container industry trends.
• Assisted in the development of international Key Account managers to improve positioning and communication with clients (OEMS and end-users such as container terminal operators).
• Organized workshops on technological innovations for both employees and clients.
• Supported R&D functions with key information to further improve products.
• Built and maintained relationships with key decisions makers in container terminal management from terminals and terminal operators located globally.
• Nominated by the Port Equipment Manufacturing Association (PEMA) to participate in the GREEN CRANES R&D project financed by European Union.
• Promoted Conductix-Wampfler in regional and international exhibitions, events, and trade shows as either a presenter or speaker.
• Consulted clients on automation and electrification projects.
• Member of the Environmental committee for PEMA.

Business Development Manager / R&D Manager(2005 - 2011)

Strong maritime-oriented company located in Sweden that initiated the use of automated guided vehicles (AGVs) and translifters and cassettes for container handling.  TTS Port Equipment is well respected in the following sectors of the maritime industry: shipbuilding, ship equipment, port equipment, RoRo equipment, and offshore equipment

 

Responsibilities / Achievements:

• Hired initially as consultant while finalizing a Ph.D. degree in container simulation to help build the Business Case for TTS Port Equipment to invest into container terminal equipment.
• Developed a business unit from the ground – up that had no prior knowledge of container terminal industry to currently being invited to industry forums and advertising on container industry publications.
• Built relationships while targeting potential opportunities for TTS Port Equipment, which culminated in APMT Virginia becoming the first terminal globally to use translifters and cassettes for its semi-automated terminal.
• Involved in R&D on AGVs, such as simulation and analysis.
• Increased customer satisfaction by being proactive in contacting and remedying any issues to product or service.
• Worked with project teams to develop new or tailored solutions for container terminal clients.
• Regularly reported to the executive board to prepare presentations and updates on the market and performance of the unit.

Global Logistics Manager(2000 - 2000)

Largest shipping organization in the world with 30+ daughter companies.

One of the first Americans to be employed in assisting in the growth of the former “Deutsche Bundespost” to an international company that acquired DHL, DANZAS, ASG as well as 20+ other companies during my tenure with the firm. As global logistics manager, I assisted in working with the new partners in the World Net organization.

Vessel Trade Asst. Manager(1999 - 1999)

Largest reefer shipping company in the world with HQs in Antwerp, Belgium. Responsible for the administration, billing and management for a fleet of 22 vessels working in 3 trades.

Evergreen is one of the most reputable shipping companies in the world that has built up a vertical organization with logistics, warehousing, trucking, terminal operations and other ancillary businesses.

 

Responsibilities / Achievements:

• Dispatch of containers to trucking and rail operators.
• Identified terminal errors in Port computer system which container numbers were not checked correctly. Used Evergreen Database to mitigate and then solve errors resulting in 2 man-hours saved per day.
• Handled billing over EDI systems with rail operators. Located discrepancies that in total were $ 100- 150 per container moved by rail of which 400-1000 moves per week.
• Terminal management in assigning equipment to be at terminal when ship was working.
• Vessel loading and unloading – use of NAVIS Sparcs system to build up load list and work on manifest. In addition, work on HAZMAT containers by checking IMO codes and listing specs on load lists for dockworkers.
• Work as a team with Dock Workers during vessel operations and with M&R (Maintenance and Repair) facility, in which 14 dockworkers were employed full time to repair containers and chassis; $ 1.5 million of damages a year billed.
• Often provided customer service to freight forwarders, customs brokers, shippers and clients.

Operations : Terminal, Vessel Planning, Intermodal, Export Doc.(1993 - 1998)

Evergreen is one of the most reputable shipping companies in the world that has built up a vertical organization with logistics, warehousing, trucking, terminal operations, and other ancillary businesses.

 

Responsibilities / Achievements:

• Dispatch of containers to trucking and rail operators.
• Identified terminal errors in the Port computer system in which container numbers were not checked correctly. Used Evergreen Database to mitigate and then solve errors resulting in 2 man-hours saved per day.
• Handled billing over EDI systems with rail operators. Located discrepancies that in total were $ 100- 150 per container moved by rail of which 400-1000 moves per week.
• Terminal management in assigning equipment to be at the terminal when the ship was working.
• Vessel loading and unloading – use of NAVIS Sparcs system to build up load list and work on the manifest. In addition, work on HAZMAT containers by checking IMO codes and listing specs on load lists for dockworkers.
• Work as a team with Dock Workers during vessel operations and with M&R (Maintenance and Repair) facility, in which 14 dockworkers were employed full time to repair containers and chassis; $ 1.5 million of damages a year billed.
• Often provided customer service to freight forwarders, customs brokers, shippers, and clients.

Bank Fraud Detection and Collections(1992 - 1993)

Collections agent for the bank anti-fraud unit. Collections from 1 month to severe cases that were over 6 months past due.