Sakon is a telecom and network technology leader that has helped global enterprises organize, understand, and intelligently manage their communications ecosystems since 2003. With headquarters in Concord, Massachusetts and a Global Delivery Center in Pune, India, the Sakon team numbers more than 400 employees worldwide. Sakon serves over 200 enterprise customers, and its technology is used by the world’s top systems integrators and outsourced services providers.
What are your responsibilities at Sakon?
As Chief Executive Officer, Andy sets the strategic vision for the company and works with Sakon’s leadership team to ensure the delivery of great products and incredible experiences for customers and partners worldwide.
What did you do before this?
Andy has led companies doing pioneering work in the telecommunications industry for the past two decades. After graduating from Stanford University, he joined IDT, a leader in the commercialization of Internet and VOIP services, where he helped bring the startup to a successful IPO. In 1999, Andy was CEO of a global fixed-wireless broadband company that went on to become one of the largest corporate broadband service providers throughout India and the developing world. In 2003, Andy co-founded Global Sourcing Group (GSG) with Amine Doukkali to help enterprise companies embrace emerging communications technologies that enable network, mobile and cloud transformation. GSG’s cloud-based capabilities became the foundation of Sakon’s SaaS platform.
What do you do when you’re not here?
When Andy is not working, he focuses on his family and staying active. Currently that involves traveling to lots of sporting events to coach or watch his young sons compete. Andy’s first successful entrepreneurial venture was selling three-pointed colonial “tricon” hats at the bicentennial parade in Concord, Massachusetts in 1975. His favorite part of the experience was selling all 2,000 hats and having enough money to buy the greatest stereo system of any middle- school-age kid in Concord.
Why is this an exciting time to work at Sakon?
“Today, enterprise customers are turning to Sakon in record numbers to solve very complex challenges brought on by the rapid pace of digital disruption. Over the last decade, Sakon has patiently built the solutions that are gaining prominence with Fortune 2000 customers who are all at some stage of transforming their legacy networks into modern communications networks that empower employees to compete in the new economy. With Sakon, I feel like we have ‘cracked the code’ of delivering the kind of technology that enterprises so desperately need – and that we can do so so adeptly because of the hundreds of incredibly skilled and dedicated people we have working to streamline this transformation.”
What are your responsibilities at Sakon?
As Chief Operating Officer, Amine directs the design and development of Sakon’s platform, its applications and integration with all global business process services.
What did you do before this?
Amine has been a part of pioneering telecom ventures since he entered the business world. In 1997, Amine teamed up with Andy Goorno to found an international telecom network service provider. There, he guided the company’s global expansion strategy, as well as the development of its products and services for global networks and IT systems. The company was acquired in 2003 by the Titan Corporation. In 2003, Amine and Andy founded Global Sourcing Group (GSG) to help enterprise companies embrace emerging communications technologies as they intersect with mobile, cloud computing wired and wireless Internet, and Big Data. GSG’s cloud capabilities became the foundation of Sakon’s SaaS platform.
Why is this an exciting time to be working at Sakon?
“The only constant in telecommunications is change. New technologies are always knocking at the door—how do you decide which are the right ones to implement? Sakon provides a way for the enterprise to honestly evaluate what it has and what it needs. We help visualize change, and then help implement it in rigorous way while more effectively managing the communications network they have here and now.”
What are your responsibilities at Sakon?
Sudhir is the Product Manager for Sakon’s Network Infrastructure and Expense Management platform. He is responsible for product strategy, design and development. He has additional responsibility for the development of Sakon’s ETL products.
What did you do before this?
Sudhir has been an entrepreneur for more than 25 years. After completing his Masters in Engineering, Sudhir founded Gateway Systems in 1991. Gateway became India’s leading networking and broadband wireless communications company and, in 2003, it was acquired by Reliance Communications, India’s largest telecom service provider. Sudhir also founded Cruise Control, an embedded software company, and Scrabble, a pioneering DCI-compliant digital projection solution.
What do you do when you’re not here?
Sudhir’s hobbies include computer gaming, photography and music. He loves traveling to unusual and exotic places, and wishes to visit many more places in the world before the coffin is nailed shut on him. In addition to his technology career, Sudhir also serves as Vice Chairman of MMF Hospitals (http://mmfhospitals.in), a charitable hospital in Pune, which treats over 100,000 patients every year.
Why is this an exciting time to be working at Sakon?
“It’s not often that you get the chance to reshape an industry. With Sakon, I have had the opportunity to redefine how corporations manage their telecom costs and inventory. Working with our customers and talented team enables me to think though industry problems and create new solutions that help clients improve their understanding of their networks and costs to achieve better management and ROI. For me, building the Sakon platform and seeing it acknowledged in the industry has been a very fulfilling experience.”
What are your responsibilities at Sakon?
Dan leads Sakon’s network services and expense management strategy, working to build the unique systems and processes that power what industry insiders have called “one of the most competent practices in the world.” He directs company-wide financial controls, collaborates with senior management to set the strategic plan for product and service development, and provides executive oversight of Sakon’s key accounts and partnerships.
What did you do before this?
Previously, Dan was a director at a leading international communications services provider where he supervised global network deployments, negotiated major telecom and equipment procurement contracts, oversaw financial planning, and managed outsourcing initiatives. Before that, he was a senior analyst at Chela Financial. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree with emphasis on Economics from Wesleyan University and a professional business certificate in leadership and management from the University of Vermont.
What do you do when you’re not here?
Dan loves spending time with family and being outdoors skiing, kayaking and cycling. He’s also a coach for three different sports: soccer, basketball and baseball.
Why is this an exciting time to be working at Sakon?
“GSG has enjoyed 15 years of continuous growth and, with the launch of our new platform, Sakon, we’re in an exciting position to take advantage of the changing dynamic within corporate IT. I’m extremely excited about the impacts of SD-WAN, cloud and the mobilization of the workforce as these factors fundamentally change the way enterprises work—and we can be there to help enterprises embrace it in a smart, strategic way.”
What are your responsibilities at Sakon?
Chris helps to identify strategic partners capable of providing value-add services which seamlessly integrate with our Sakon suite of applications. Working together with select partners, we deliver SaaS solutions powerful enough to support the most complex IT environments.
What did you do before this?
Throughout his 20 year career in telecom, Chris has held several leadership positions with start-ups helping to develop and deliver managed service solutions to enterprise customers. He started his telecom career at Teligent, a pioneer in providing fixed wireless ‘last mile’ solutions. Recently, Chris led the business development efforts at an international telecom network service provider forging joint-venture partnerships with broadband wireless providers in emerging markets.
What do you do when you’re not here?
When he’s not working, Chris enjoys spending time outdoors with friends and family. After college Chris moved to Aspen, Colorado for one ski season which turned into several amazing years where he developed a passion for hiking, mountain climbing, biking and fly fishing in the heart of the Rockies.
Why is this an exciting time to be working at Sakon?
“We are uniquely positioned with the best product in an immature market with no clear leader. The positive feedback we receive from our customers reinforces my view that we have something special here. Having the opportunity to introduce our solutions to customers for the first time is rewarding and feeds my drive to help Sakon become the market leader.”
What are your responsibilities at Sakon?
Mohan leads a cross-functional team of over 300 telecom and financial experts, and manages the delivery and growth of all Sakon’s lifecycle services. He is responsible for ensuring that Sakon’s clients get consistently high-quality service from all of our consulting, managed services and support offerings.
What did you do before this?
Before joining Sakon, Mohan was a partner at D.V. Sathe & Co., where he was responsible for financial forensics and investigations audits, as well as assurance, project finance, business valuation, performance and risk advisory services. Prior to that, Mohan served as a Financial Controller at Gateway Systems, where he was responsible for financial and cost management. Mohan is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India.
What do you do when you’re not here?
In his free time, Mohan enjoys the great outdoors, tortures himself with yoga, and daydreams frequently about Tex-Mex cheese quesadillas. He loves volunteering and is involved in various United Nations’ projects. Mohan is a success coach by hobby and has conducted over 100 workshops for international audiences. He is also an advocate for the visually impaired.
Why is this an exciting time to be working at Sakon?
“Most enterprises today are seeking different levels of ‘revision surgery,’ so to speak, and they are frustrated with how traditional solutions are simply not meeting their network and mobility management needs. Sakon takes a consultative approach to bring its best-in-class technology to bear—and we spend an incredible amount of energy solving very complex problems to deliver high value to our enterprise customers.”
What are your responsibilities at Sakon?
Dan is responsible for Sakon’s growth through the development of key strategic partnerships and go-to-market strategies with Sakon’s largest global system integration partners.
What did you do before this?
Prior to joining the Sakon team, Dan led the go-to-market strategy and partner ecosystem for GSG’s industry leading wireless lifecycle management product, MobileManager. Before that, Dan led sales and development efforts for a leading international communications services provider, developing partner opportunities for broadband wireless services, VOIP offerings and prepaid services in Latin America, India and the Pacific Rim.
What do you do when you’re not working?
Dan stays busy raising his family with his wife, Lauren. He loves adventure travel and heads to remote parts of the globe to backcountry ski and fly fish. He also enjoys playing golf, cooking and coaching his son’s lacrosse team.
Why is this a great time to be working at Sakon?
“Sakon does an incredible job at providing solutions for our clients in places where the market has, quite frankly, disappointed them for a long time. It’s really fun to have clients genuinely delighted by the fact that Sakon delivers what they desperately want and need—and then actually exceeds their expectations.”
What are your responsibilities at Sakon?
Phil and his team evaluate customer requirements and tailor solutions designed to exceed their expectations. Phil helps leverage Sakon’s technology—combined with the talents of our partners and service delivery teams, and our extensive real-world experience—to demonstrate how the Sakon platform will work for new customers.
What did you do before this?
Phil has spent his career making technology work for enterprise users, first in end-user desktop services, and for the last 12 years in mobility and telecom expense management. He has held sales engineering and customer success roles at Movero, MTS AnchorPoint and Visage Mobile. He is a graduate of Georgetown University.
What do you do when you’re not here?
Phil has devoted the last two decades (or so) to raising his three daughters. He is proud to be among the few fathers in America to have three twenty-something kids who live independently outside of his home and he considers it his greatest accomplishment.
Why is this an exciting time to be working at Sakon?
“It’s always fun to be on a winning team. Being part the growth that we’ve experienced, and working with some of the most talented people in our industry, has been personally rewarding. We all have a certain amount of pride in our solution—but here there’s a confidence that comes from knowing you’ve got the best one out there.”
What are your responsibilities at Sakon?
Eric is responsible for researching and analyzing the market environment, seeking opportunities for product innovations and transformative changes for Sakon and our customers.
What did you do before this?
Prior to Sakon, Eric served as Vice President of Mobile Development for RBS Citizens, working with cross-functional teams to identify and prepare product use cases and product specifications for the mobile banking and online banking retail customer community. Eric managed a highly skilled global development team to architect and deliver the bank’s first set of native iPhone, iTouch, iPad and Android applications, awarded the best-rated mobile banking applications by customer reviews by Webwire in 2013.
What do you do when you’re not here?
Eric’s passion is sailing and, during the summer months, you’ll find him racing off the cost of Cape Cod, in Massachusetts. “It is a sport that is both mental and physical. Coming around a mark with ten boats sailing inches apart, the captain screaming, and each person having a role with just seconds to accomplish it…it’s completely intense and exhilarating. And it’s played in the most beautiful field in the world…the sea.”
Why is this an exciting time to be working at Sakon?
“I joined Sakon, first, because of the team of people here. Over time, they truly have become friends, not just colleagues. Secondly, they ‘get it.’ No other competitor in this space has tackled global delivery like this. We put ourselves in very challenging markets to prove that we are capable to deliver. Finally, the convergence of network, IT and telecom is rapidly changing and Sakon embraces the change. We are constantly challenging ourselves to think about things beyond the traditional models and come out with new and innovative solutions.”
What are your responsibilities at Sakon?
John’s team is the first step in Sakon’s customer success journey. They ensure that implementations are completed on time and on spec following a lean implementation methodology and a customer-centric, workshop-focused delivery model.
What did you do before this?
John has over 25 years of professional services leadership experience in the telecom, financial services, healthcare and high-tech industries. He spent that last 13 years in the TEM industry, most recently at MTS where he led their TEM/CLM consulting practice. Prior to MTS, John served as Vice President of Software Operations at AnchorPoint where he led their TEM and MMS professional services and support organizations, software development, and managed services delivery teams. John holds a B.S degree in Electrical Engineering and a Master’s degree in Business Administration.
What do you do when you’re not here?
John is a self-confessed lacrosse junkie and, when he is not working, he can usually be found running with his dog or traveling up and down the East Coast to watch his kids play college and high school lacrosse and softball games. A little-known fact: when John lived in San Francisco, one of his homemade wines won a silver medal at a Napa Valley wine tasting contest.
Why is this an exciting time to be working at Sakon?
“I’m excited to be working at Sakon with such a high-energy group of individuals focused on customer satisfaction and customer value at a time when the industry in general is having issues in those areas. We’ve put together a very deep team with a lot of industry experience and insight—and that really shows in our product direction and our ability to work with our customers and partners. It’s allowed us to quickly deliver solutions personalized for each customer and designed to meet their specific business goals. It’s actually pretty unique in an industry of black box managed services.”
What are your responsibilities at Sakon?
Eileen engages with our partners and clients during all stages of the sales cycle, ensuring that requirements are accurately captured, resulting in a defined solution that often exceeds our client’s expectations.
What did you do before this?
Eileen has over 15 years’ experience in the TEM industry, first as a user at a large enterprise, then as an implementation/steady state manager at a TEM vendor. In her current role as Senior Solutions Consultant, Eileen is a true problem solver, listening to client needs, helping uncover pain points and ultimately defining the right solution with the most value to the client.
What do you do when you’re not working?
When she’s not busy at work, Eileen is busy digging in the dirt (gardening) and caring for two dogs. She loves to travel and her favorite vacation destinations involve plenty of sun and sand.
Why is this a great time to be working at Sakon?
“I jumped at the opportunity to work at GSG because I believe the Sakon platform is the best in the Telecom and IT Expense Management industry. Our strong leadership team combined with an entrepreneurial spirit allows us to realize amazing growth while delivering superior platform capabilities and managed services.”