Ammar W, Alkhafaji, MD - Chairman
Dr. Alkhafaji is a seasoned principal at Veritas Limited, a multifaceted umbrella company with holdings spreading across multiple sectors in both the MENA region and the United Stated.
Dr. Alkhafaji is also principal of W Investors Group, a multifaceted family-owned real estate acquisition and development company headquartered in Southfield, Michigan. With a robust background in both real estate and medicine, Dr. Alkhafaji has successfully led significant developments, including a 49-unit condominium project in West Bloomfield and a mixed-use development in White Lake featuring 83 luxury urban apartments, underground parking, and over 15,000 square feet of retail space. Notable tenants of this project include Tim Hortons, Bank of America, and Taco Bell. The White Lake project, in particular, showcased his ability to overcome severe contamination issues through effective remediation.
Dr. Alkhafaji’s medical expertise as an Internal Medicine physician has uniquely positioned him to expand W Investors Group’s portfolio into the healthcare sector. He has spearheaded the construction of two state-of-the-art COVID testing labs in Southfield and Waterford, MI. Under his leadership, the company currently has over 1,000 apartment units and hundreds of thousands of square feet of retail and medical office space in development.
Dr. Alkhafaji’s achievements extend beyond real estate and healthcare. He has been recognized as one of Crain’s Detroit Business “20 in Their Twenties” for 2021. He holds a BS in Biopsychology, Cognition, and Neuroscience from the University of Michigan and a Medical Doctorate from the American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine. He practices as an Internal Medicine physician, operating multiple multidisciplinary medical practices in Michigan, and is affiliated with Garden City Hospital and Ascension Providence Hospital.
Expanding his influence into the MENA region, Dr. Alkhafaji has initiated ventures that bridge his expertise in real estate and healthcare, contributing to the development and modernization of infrastructure in these areas. His diverse and expansive career continues to drive significant growth and innovation across multiple sectors.
Rudi Yaldo
Mr. Yaldo is a prominent real estate developer with a distinguished career in both the United States and the Middle East, including Iraq and the UAE. Known for his strategic vision and innovative approach, Rudi has played a pivotal role in shaping the real estate landscapes in these regions. His expertise spans residential, commercial, and mixed-use developments, making him a key figure in the industry.
In addition to his real estate ventures, Rudi Yaldo has substantial experience in the Oil and Energy sector operating in Iraq, contributing to the region’s economic growth and industry advancement. Rudi’s diverse portfolio and commitment to excellence have solidified his reputation as a leading entrepreneur and influential business figure in multiple sectors.
Mike McClain, ChFC, MBA
1998-Present: Original Shareholder of Hantz Group, a Financial Services company based in Southfield Michigan. Served as a Senior Leader of the company during its start-up (1998-2005) before focusing exclusively on his own personal practice (2005-Present), which focuses primarily on Asset Management, Risk Management, Tax Services and Estate Planning for individual clients. Hantz Financial is a regional firm based primarily in Michigan with over 20 offices, 700 employees and $15 Billion of assets under management. 1991-1998 Prior to Hantz Financial Services, Mike worked at American Express Financial Advisors. Initially Mike was an advisor and later became a Managing Principal overseeing the development of new advisors as well as oversight and leadership of the entire 40 person office at American Express Financial Advisors in Troy Michigan and Auburn Hills. Bachelors Degree from Albion College, 1991. MBA from Northwood University in 2012
Bassim Alkhafaji
Mr. Alkhafaji is a Technology Executive and Business Visionary with over 25 years of experience in delivering global enterprise information technology platforms and solutions, in diverse industries and sectors.
As a Global Technology executive and business visionary, Bassim has worked extensively in Capital Market, Asset Management, Investment Banking, Private Equity, Startups, New Ventures and Private Sector, with a strong record in creating robust IT architectures to support all aspects of the information systems delivery process. He held senior executive positions at various premier financial institutions in the role of Chief Information officer, Chief Information Security Officer and technology executive. These include JP Morgan, HSBC, Nomura Securities International, Bankers Trust, First Union Capital Market, FFTW and BNP Paribas asset management, as well as executive advisor on emerging technology, managing wide range of technology initiatives and development efforts with robust growth strategies.
In 2011, Bassim founded a management consulting business specializing in capital sourcing for startup technologies and ventures, including seed capital, direct investment, and joint venture development with a business focus on emerging markets within the MENA region.
Bassim holds a Master’s of Science in Information Systems from Pace University along with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Computer Science.
Amir Alkhafaji
Dr. Al-Khafaji founded the CETI in 2002. The CETI is focused on building partnerships with universities and scholars, business executives, government officials and elected leaders from across the globe to solve common problems facing infrastructure. Executives and leaders from more than 40 countries have participated in CETI initiatives. These include scholars from the UK, Germany, China, India, and 12 ministers including the prime minister of Egypt, Governor Pat Quinn, Senate President John Cullerton and more than 200 CEOs of some of the largest companies in the world. Major CETI initiatives continue to impact BU students, faculty members, and business communities cross Illinois, USA, and the world. Below is a partial list.
- nternational Construction Innovations Conference
- Innovations in Construction, Asphalt and Transportation (http://icat.bradley.edu/)
- The Annual Executive Summit limited to 56 executives
- The Annual Heartland Sustainability Award
- The Annual Ed Rapp Leadership in Action Award
- he Annual Sawyer Diversity Award
- The Sustainable Funding of Infrastructure Group ($FIG)
- Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Focus Board
Jafar Shereaf NEMA
Since 2003 I have been working for many International organizations such as UNDP, the US Army, the US Embassy, USAID, Chemonics Inc., and NDI and more recently as an advisor and PR manager for a UNDP program that is sponsored and funded by US INL’s DOS to support the Iraqi government with its fight against corruption and Anti Money Laundering, and as USAID Decentralization advisor working closely with the Iraqi Government for adopting decentralization and good governance for the local governments. My experience included a role as an Independent Consultant in Democracy and Economic Growth.
My career span through a wide range of international development projects, as an Activity Manger for a USAID’s Agribusiness Program which partnered a spectrum of stakeholders to increase the competitiveness of Iraqi agriculture and agribusinesses while improving the livelihood of farmers, and as an Adviser for the Iraq Economic Opportunities Program (Foras) which is an economic growth project intended to improve economic and job opportunities for the unemployed Iraqi youth and graduates. Activity Manager for USAID’s IRAP project which is jointly managed by USAID & DOS through which I applied my knowledge and skills in facilitating the process of establishing and training NGOs and empower those managing grants.
My areas of focus include civil society empowerment, youth & woman programs political and policy analysis, conflict analysis, dialogue processes, reconciliation and post-conflict stabilization, and ethnic and religious minorities. Experience in managing Rule of Law, Elections, possessing excellent skills and competency to bolster the national interests for the USG and the Iraqi government.
I believe in my credentials and experience in adopting the working cultures of conflict zones and distinguish my skills and caliber as being more suitable compared to candidates with similar backgrounds. Politically oriented expert with excellent negotiation and interlocutors skills, persuasive power, extensive expertise in Iraqi Politics, cultures, and a very matured outlook are some of the attributes I pride myself of having, needed eventually to equip him to formulate strategies and implement solutions.