2024 BOD NOMINEE BIOS
Eastern Province Chapter President
Senior Business Development Director, KBR - Quincy Circle
David Edginton is the Senior Business Development Director for KBR in the Kingdom, responsible for driving business growth across the Energy, Infrastructure, and Defense sectors. Prior to joining KBR in January 2024, David served as the U.S. Consul General in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia where he was the primary U.S. government representative to Saudi Aramco, the largest energy company in the world, with a focus on accelerating business development and fostering partnerships for American companies.
During his tenure as Consul General David oversaw the transition from the 78-year-old U.S. Consulate in Dhahran, the oldest diplomatic facility in the Kingdom at the time, and opened the $300 million New Consulate Compound in Khobar, marking a new chapter in the bilateral relations between the United States and Saudi Arabia. He also played a pivotal role in the successful launch of the Eastern Province chapter of the American Chamber of Commerce and the AMCHAM Energy Committee, which continue to serve as the primary advocacy platforms for U.S. energy companies operating in the Kingdom.
A Mideast veteran with over 20 years of experience in the region, David’s previous assignments in the diplomatic corps include tours in Baghdad, Mosul, Basrah, Bahrain, Abu Dhabi, and Riyadh where he focused primarily on business development, public relations and communications. He also served in New Zealand, Australia, and Uruguay. David holds a master’s degree in strategic public relations from George Washington University and a bachelor’s degree in international relations from the University of Oregon. He has two children and is an avid fan of the Saudi Pro League, closely following both Ettifaq and Qadsiah football clubs.
Jeddah Chapter President
CEO, National Transportation Solutions Company - 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 15-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.
KSA Operations Country Manager, Amazon - Corporate
Nausherwan Hafeez grew up in Tampa, Florida and completed his B.A. from New College of Florida in History/International Area Studies. He began his career in education and taught for seven years at both the secondary and postsecondary levels, including a teaching Fulbright in Malaysia and Teach for America in Baltimore. Nausherwan holds multiple advanced degrees, including an MBA from Georgetown University. He has been working at Amazon in operations for the past five-years, with the past three-years in Jeddah as the KSA Operations Country Manager. Nausherwan currently serves as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees at the American International School of Jeddah and serves on the AMCHAM Jeddah Chapter Board. He lives in Jeddah with his wife and three children.
Director of Sector Committees
CCO, Accelerate Arabia - Quincy Circle
Carlos Varady is a CFO in a Saudi Group of Companies in the Eastern Province, he initially pursued his studies as a PhD in Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineer, and Geologist before venturing into Entrepreneurship. He had the opportunity to learn and get exposed to different cultures while at West Virginia University, Imperial College London, and Texas A&M University. His stints at ExxonMobil, Schlumberger, and Chevron Research gave him a methodical approach to approach and solve the challenges faced now in Saudi Arabia in its rapid Transformation. Before coming to Saudi Arabia, he built and sold an EPC Company that is currently building the largest-ever infrastructure Project in Guyana, the world's fastest-growing economy since 2019 in GDP %, which draws parallels to the resource transformation boom across the pond. He continued to specialize in multicultural transformational challenges around Industries not often advertised for their sustainability practices, such as Oil & Gas Exploration and Energy, and has successfully increased Revenue in Saudi since assuming a C-Suite role over 500% in two fiscal years. He is a believer that the best is yet-to-come for Saudi Arabia and the Private Sector in what it is one of the best stories of this Century from a corporate and socioeconomic standpoint.
Defense and Security Advisory, KPMG Saudi Arabia - Quincy Circle
Jamila brings extensive involvement across various sectors and industries in the Kingdom. She combines a local understanding and global connectivity for a dynamic approach to managing programs and stakeholders to achieve mutual goals and growth.
As a results-driven and visionary trailblazer, Jamila has a proven track record in strategic communications, advocacy, and market positioning, and program management within (and out) of the defense and security sector. She possesses a deep understanding of engagement towards collaboration and impacting the of efforts towards more efficient and value driven outcomes. Her entrepreneurial spirit has led her to innovate and initiate the launch of initiatives, programs and departments, consistently fostering growth and excellence.
With over 12 years of experience, she excels in navigating complex environments, driving impactful communication initiatives, and leading programs that create significant impact. She is more recently bringing these capabilities to the defense and security sectors, aiming to maximize regional and global impact. Her strategic vision and innovative approaches are poised to drive future advancements and foster greater security and collaboration on a global scale.
Jamila has demonstrated expertise in guiding teams and optimizing resources to achieve outstanding outcomes throughout various stages of the organizational journey and for a multitude of complex stakeholders. She is adept at proactively evolving communications to meet the ever-changing landscape of business and security landscape, ensuring messages resonate with diverse audiences.
Her exceptional interpersonal and communication skills enable seamless collaboration with internal and external stakeholders. From clients to community, Jamila actively advocates for the broader business network, championing strong bilateral business relationships between the United States and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Leveraging her expertise in the defense and security sectors and her passion for advocacy of women in business; Jamila is committed to fostering innovation, collaboration, and impactful engagement that drive mutual growth and success.
Partner, Northman & Sterling - Quincy Circle
With over a decade of experience in corporate immigration and business incorporation, Murtaza Shah is a seasoned expert in navigating the complexities of the Saudi and EMEA business landscapes. His career is marked by leadership roles at top American firms, where he has developed a deep understanding of immigration and compliance management.
Currently, Murtaza is a Partner at Northman & Sterling, where he leads initiatives in corporate immigration, business setup, and licensing. He plays a crucial role in assisting American businesses with their establishment and compliance needs in Saudi Arabia. Northman & Sterling, with entities in Washington D.C. and Texas, reflects Murtaza's commitment to facilitating cross-border operations and fostering global partnerships.
Murtaza's previous experience at Fragomen involved managing client accounts for US based, as well as global companies across various sectors. This role provided him with valuable insights into the diverse needs of industries and the challenges businesses face in the region. His strategic advice on corporate and immigration matters has been instrumental in helping companies navigate the Saudi market effectively.
Earlier in his career, Murtaza contributed significantly to Pangea Mobility, where he developed and implemented immigration and mobility policies for global clients. His roles at Newland Chase and Fragomen in London and Dubai further honed his skills in compliance and client advisory services.
Murtaza's comprehensive expertise and leadership skills make him a pivotal figure in the field of corporate immigration and business incorporation, with a proven track record of supporting businesses in achieving their operational goals in the Middle East and beyond.
Recent Achievements and Future Learnings:
Last year, Murtaza was nominated as the global mobility person of the year at the FEM (Forum of Expatriate Management) EMMAs awards in held in UK.
Murtaza is planned to attend “Leadership in Law Firms” which is a 6 days on-campus Executive Education course at Harvard Law School in United States.
MEMBER-AT-LARGE
President & Middle East Regional Manager, Bechtel Corp. - Quincy Circle
Abdul-Rahman Al Ghabban is a dynamic, highly engaging professional with proven executive-level experience in developing and driving strategic planning, project development, team development, stakeholder management and business growth within the energy, infrastructure, and manufacturing markets, nationally and internationally.
Prior to joining Bechtel, Abdul-Rahman worked for several government agencies, including the King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, and the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority, among other private-sector companies.
After a decade of working for public and private sectors in Saudi Arabia, Abdul-Rahman joined Bechtel in 2013 as the business development manager for Bechtel’s Power Global Business Unit. After two years, he was appointed deputy country manager for Saudi Arabia in 2015. He was promoted to Country Manager of SABCO in 2017, where he laid much of the groundwork that enabled the extraordinary growth of the Saudi market for Bechtel.
He moved to Houston, USA in January 2019 to support Bechtel’s Energy GBU’s downstream and chemical business development. In early 2020, he moved on to be the Deputy Manager of Corporate Business Development. Abdul-Rahman became the Marketing and Business Development Manager for Bechtel’s Manufacturing & Technology in 2022.
In 2023, Abdul-Rahman returned to the Kingdom as Vice President of Bechtel’s KSA Infrastructure. In this role, he leads the company’s regional business strategy, stakeholder and customer engagement, talent management, and supporting our projects for the company’s Public Infrastructure business line. He’s currently Saudi Arabian Bechtel’s President & Regional Manager, Middle East.
Abdul-Rahman is a registered professional engineer, he holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Completed the Emerging Leaders program from London Business School, and an Executive Masters in Energy Management from BI Norwegian Business School. He is also the Chairman of Saudi Arabia’s buildingSMART chapter.
Managing Director, Meta Solutions Industrial Company Ltd. - Corporate
Anver Sadath’s journey commenced with an MBA in Marketing Management—an academic voyage that would shape his destiny. Armed with knowledge and fueled by curiosity, he stepped onto the sun-kissed streets of Saudi Arabia—a land where tradition harmonizes with modernity, and visionaries sketch futures.
Growing up and getting educated during his stay in Oman and Saudi Arabia over the last 45 years, he witnessed the intricate tapestry of this region. Thirty-four of those years have been devoted to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia—a place where the scent of frankincense mingles with the hum of progress.
As a Higher Board Member of ten international Indian schools in KSA, Anver wears his commitment like a cherished heirloom. These schools, cradled under the protective wings of the Embassy of India in Riyadh, are more than institutions—they are gardens of possibility. Here, young minds learn not only from textbooks but also from the rich mosaic of cultures that envelops them.
He has witnessed the spark in a student’s eyes—the moment when curiosity ignites and knowledge transcends borders. It’s a privilege for him to nurture these flames, knowing they will illuminate Saudi Arabia’s path forward.
Senior Director of Corporate Affairs & Pricing, Reimbursement & Access, Eli Lilly Saudi Arabia Ltd. - Quincy Circle
Dana AlAjlani is currently Senior Director of Corporate Affairs & Pricing, Reimbursement & Access at Eli Lilly, with close to 20 years experience in public and government affairs. She is a strong leader who held different positions in the corporate and nonprofit industry. Her career has focused on advocacy and national policy shaping in the energy and healthcare sectors where she held many positions including Head of Public Affairs for GCC at Sanofi and VP of Public and Government Affairs for ExxonMobil.
Having started her career when there were very few women in the workplace in Saudi Arabia, Dana is passionate about supporting women’s inclusion and career progression. As co-chair of the Women in Business Committee at AmCham KSA from 2020-2023, she developed and implemented programs to advance the inclusion of women in the corporate sector, in-line with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 goals.
She holds a M.S. in Environmental Sciences as well as a B.A. in Environmental studies and a B.A. in Spanish. She is fluent in Arabic, English, French, and Spanish and has completed several executive training programs. Dana is part of the Misk Vision 2023 Leadership Program.
Chief Scientist, Saudi Data and AI Authority (SDAIA) - Individual
Ehsan Hoque is the Chief Scientist of the National Center for AI in Saudi Data and AI Authority (SDAIA), where he leads the research and development in AI. He is also a professor of Computer Science (on leave) at the University of Rochester, USA.
Dr. Hoque earned his Ph.D. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where his dissertation of ‘using computers to help with conversations’ was highlighted by the MIT Museum as one of MIT’s most unconventional inventions. Microsoft is currently using his patent to introduce “presenter coach” in Microsoft PowerPoint.
His ideas and impact of developing health interventions have been recognized through MIT Technology Review Top Innovators Under 35 Award in 2016. In 2017, Science News named him one of the one of ten early- to mid-career scientists to watch, and in 2018, he received the Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (ECASE)—the highest honor bestowed by the US Army Research Office for young scientists and engineers. In 2020, Dr. Hoque was named an emerging leader in health and medicine by the US National Academy of Medicine. He is currently a board of the Health Sciences Policy of the US National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. Dr. Hoque is a Distinguished Member of the Association of Computing Machinery (ACM)—the world's largest computing society, and a senior member of the Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AAAI)—the largest scientific society for AI.
Corporate & Governmental Affairs Director, PepsiCo. - Quincy Circle
Mansour Al Shamrani is the Head of Public Policy & Government Affairs (PPGA) at PepsiCo in GCC, Chairman of the National Exportations committee at Federation of Saudi Chambers, and Vice Chairmen of Juice and beverage committee. He drives various strategic initiatives for the organization besides leading several projects on operational and risk mitigation. He is an accomplished corporate affairs specialist with over two decades of experience across public policy, regulatory affairs, government affairs, stakeholder management, strategic planning, and risk mitigation across sectors like pharma, food & beverages, and government.
Mansour is a dynamic and passionate professional who has demonstrated leadership capabilities in driving business growth across several key sectors. He works towards creating a conducive environment for the business and has a proven track record in problem solving and managing complex policy & regulatory issues. With a flair in relationship management, Mansour has been successful in nurturing partnerships with key stakeholders including government ministries, regulators, opinion leaders, trade associations and diplomatic offices. He also holds a leadership position in various associations and is known for developing position papers on key issues relevant to the industry.
Prior to PepsiCo, Mansour worked with leading companies such as Philip Morris, Johnson & Johnson, Boehringer Ingelheim, Danone, Alcon Novartis, and the Ministry of Health.
He holds a BSc degree in Pharmacy from the King Saud University.
General Manager, Saudi Arabian Parsons Limited - Quincy Circle
Martin Boson is the General Manager of Saudi Arabian Parsons Limited (SAPL) an operating unit of US-based Parsons Corporation, a digitally-enabled solutions provider in the defense, intelligence, and critical infrastructure markets with annual revenues exceeding $3 billion. SAPL employs more than 2,800 people and provides services in land development, buildings, road & bridges, airports, rail & transit systems, smart cities, and infrastructure.
Prior to taking on the role of General Manager in 2021, Martin was Senior Vice President and Director of Operations for the MEA Business Unit overseeing its regional operations team. Martin has been with Parsons for 20 years in various operational roles in the US and the GCC.
Since assuming the role as General Manager of SAPL in 2021, Martin has demonstrated strong leadership capabilities, more than doubling both the size of the business and its footprint within Saudi Arabia. This impressive growth showcases his strategic acumen and solution-oriented approach in a dynamic market environment.
Boson's commitment to Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 is evident in his actions. He firmly believes in the importance of developing local talent, spearheading SAPL initiatives including the Tamkeen Program for fresh graduates and the Saudi Qada Leadership Development Program. These programs provide valuable opportunities to cultivate the next generation of Saudi leaders, directly contributing to the nation's ambitious goals.
CEO, SAWACO Water Group - Quincy Circle
Nizar Kammourie is the dynamic CEO of SAWACO Water Group, overseeing three pivotal companies: SAWACO‐Water Desalination, the pioneering private water utility in Saudi Arabia; Suido Kiko Middle East (SKME), a Japanese‐Saudi EPC venture specializing in water treatment; and Chemsbro, a provider of specialist chemical services for the water treatment industry.
Mr. Kammourie is a passionate advocate for sustainability, particularly in the water sector. Under his leadership, SAWACO has been at the forefront of integrating digital tools and innovative technologies to enhance water sustainability. These advancements have significantly improved operational efficiency, resource management, and environmental impact mitigation.
In addition to his role at SAWACO, Mr. Kammourie is the Chair of the ESG Committee at the American Chamber of Commerce. He also serves on the boards of several esteemed organizations, including Rabigh‐3, one of the largest Independent Water Projects (IWP) globally, GeSI, Suido Kiko, AmCham, and Current Water Technologies Inc. His diverse roles underscore his commitment to fostering sustainable practices and digital innovation across the water industry.
Head of Government Affairs and Public Policy for Saudi Arabia, Google - Corporate
Sarah Al-Husseini leads Google’s Government Affairs and Public Policy for Saudi Arabia and Egypt and Chairs the US Chamber of Commerce Digital Economy Working Group as well as Founded and Chairs the American Chamber of Commerce Technology Committee.
Before joining Google, Sarah was a Senior Adviser in the Office of the Vice-Minister and the General Director for International Cooperation at the Ministry of Tourism where she led the Tourism Working Group during Saudi Arabia’s 2020 Presidency of the G20. Under her leadership, the Group delivered multiple outcomes to support the recovery of the tourism sector from the COVID-19 pandemic, developed a framework for inclusive community development through tourism, and engaged the private sector on safe and seamless travel. In addition to coordinating Saudi Arabia's involvement in international organizations like the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UN Tourism) and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), she also oversaw bilateral cooperation globally.
Sarah began her diplomatic career with the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs. During her tenure, she was assigned to the Permanent Mission of Saudi Arabia to the United Nations in New York, where she played a leadership role in policy formulation related to legal matters, countering terrorism, peacekeeping operations, establishing bilateral diplomatic relations, and participating in multilateral elections.
Sarah earned a Bachelor's in International Studies from American University, then a Master's in Diplomacy and International Relations from Seton Hall University. She also holds a Master's in Global Affairs from Rutgers University.
Director General, Misk Schools - Quincy Circle
Dr. Sommer has over 25 years of experience in senior roles across Europe and the Middle East. He joined Misk Schools as Director General in August 2022 from Doha College, where he was Principal for seven years.
Before moving to the Middle East, he led top international schools in The Hague, Paris and Lausanne. A fluent speaker of six languages, he was also Head of Languages at Rugby School, one of the UK’s top independent boarding schools.
Born in Germany, Dr Sommer gained his first degree in Language and Linguistics at the University of Leipzig. After military service and teacher training, he worked in France with car maker Peugeot, and studied for a PhD in Birmingham, UK, before finding his vocation in teaching.
Dr. Sommer is Vice Chair COBIS, a co-founder of the international division of HMC, and a Fellow of High Performance Learning.