A group built for what is next

BIO

Phil Friedman founded Computer Generated Solutions, Inc. (CGS) in 1984 and led the company as President and CEO for more than four decades. Under his leadership, the IT solutions firm diversified and grew into a global enterprise employing more than 7,000 people serving customers in 50 countries. Phil now serves as Executive Chairman of CGS Group companies including BlueCherry by CGS, CGS Immersive, CGS Learning, and CGS Nexus. 

Born in the former Soviet Union, Phil immigrated to New York after 12 years in the electronics industry. He holds degrees in Engineering, Economics, and Finance, with further U.S. studies in Information Systems. Under his leadership, CGS earned accolades from Inc. Magazine, Deloitte, Crain's, and Ernst & Young, which named him Entrepreneur of the Year. Phil was also awarded the Ellis Island Medal of Honour and an honorary doctorate from Yeshiva University.

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Jeff Friedman serves as Vice President of Strategic Initiatives for CGS Group, where he works closely with the Executive Chairman and the entire C-suite to identify, explore, evaluate, and coordinate global strategic growth initiatives.

Jeff plays a critical role in assessing new market opportunities, potential acquisitions, strategic partnerships, and expansion initiatives that drive CGS Group's continued growth and diversification. His work spans all business lines and geographies, ensuring alignment with corporate strategy and long-term business objectives. Jeff holds a Master's degree in Management of Technology from NYU-Poly and a BA in Entrepreneurial Studies with a focus in management from Fairleigh Dickinson University.

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Jithu oversees business growth, client acquisition, delivery excellence, and talent strategy across the region. With over 20 years of global IT experience, he brings deep expertise in managing complex, multi-site technology projects. Jithu plays a key role in strengthening BlueCherry’s presence across the Indian subcontinent and driving operational success. 

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Iulia Mihaela Coapsi joined CGS in August 2020 as Vice President of Manufacturing Systems. With over 25 years’ experience in the Apparel Fashion Industry and specialising in all areas of manufacturing, from product design, engineering, quality, to business development and executive management, Mrs. Coapsi currently leads the Operations of the Shop Floor Control Division. Her responsibilities include the implementation and installation, development, and support of the BlueCherry Production Management System, as well as business process analysis and integrations for new and existing customers. Prior to CGS, Mrs. Coapsi worked as VP of Product Innovation & Quality Assurance at the multinational company Gildan Activewear Inc. In addition to her corporate positions, she is a successful entrepreneur. Mrs. Coapsi graduated from the University of Product Design and Engineering with a degree in Manufacturing and Management in Iasi, Romania.

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Michael Fitzpatrick is the Global Chief Information Officer of CGS Group, responsible for setting and executing the company’s worldwide technology strategy across infrastructure, platforms, innovation, and IT operations. He leads global technology with a focus on enabling scale, resilience, and friction-free delivery across the firm’s diverse portfolio of businesses.

A seasoned enterprise technology executive, Michael partners closely with senior leadership to align technology investments with business priorities, accelerate digital transformation, and drive operational excellence. His approach positions technology within CGS as a core business enabler - supporting growth, improving efficiency, and delivering measurable value through disciplined execution and strategic innovation.

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David Grabert is Chief Marketing Officer for CGS Group, where he leads growth-focused marketing across each of the group’s companies. He integrates brand strategy, data-driven marketing intelligence, and Martech platforms to accelerate demand generation, sharpen go-to-market execution, and unify the company’s story across its global portfolio. Partnering closely with Sales, Product, and Operations leaders, David builds scalable programmes that translate insight into action, strengthen customer engagement, and support sustainable revenue growth.

David brings over two decades of experience in marketing and corporate communications at private, public, and private equity-owned firms, with a deep background in the digital transformation of media and advertising through leadership roles at companies on the buy-, sell-, and distribution sides of media, including GroupM/WPP, Cox Communications, Comcast, and DISQO. He blends vision and creativity with a commitment to brand purpose, believing that companies should leave their clients, people, and communities better than they found them.

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Carlos Lyons is a senior cybersecurity executive with extensive experience in building resilient security programmes across complex global enterprises. He aligns cybersecurity strategy with business outcomes and leads teams across all domains, including cloud security, identity, risk management, compliance, secure software development, AI governance, and physical security integration.

Carlos has led enterprise programmes aligned to NIST 800 53, NIST 800 171, ISO 27001, ISO 42001, PCI DSS v4, CMMC, SOC 2 Type II, FINRA, and HIPAA HITECH. He drives structured governance, measurable risk reduction, and disciplined execution. Under his leadership, organisations have strengthened control maturity, improved audit readiness, and delivered sustained operational stability. He brings hands-on experience securing SaaS, IaaS, and PaaS environments across public, private, and hybrid cloud architectures. His background includes secure SDLC, DevSecOps integration, third-party risk management, cloud architecture security, and AI risk governance. He is known for direct communication, clear accountability, and data-driven decision making.

Carlos serves as a mentor to security practitioners and regularly advises executive teams on cyber risk, regulatory exposure, and enterprise resilience.

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Mark MacManus serves as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for CGS Group. He brings more than 25 years of global finance and leadership experience across large multinational corporations and privately held companies, with broad cross-industry expertise and a strong specialisation in software and services. In his role, Mark leads the worldwide finance organisation across the Americas, Europe, and Asia, focusing on simplifying complex challenges and aligning multidisciplinary teams to deliver impactful outcomes for clients.

Before joining CGS, Mark served as both Chief Financial Officer and Chief Executive Officer of a privately held Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) manufacturer. His career spans more than 25 years in the technology sector, including senior roles at IBM, EDS, Compaq, and HP. Mark holds a BA (Hons) in Business Studies from the University of Greenwich in London and is a qualified chartered accountant.

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Paul Magel is President of BlueCherry by CGS and a recognised leader in the enterprise software industry, with a track record of building and scaling high-performance, global technology businesses. Over more than two decades at CGS Group, he has led strategy, operations, and commercial growth, uniting BlueCherry’s product, go-to-market, and delivery teams around a shared focus on operational excellence and measurable customer outcomes.

Paul has architected BlueCherry into an industry-leading vertical software platform trusted by many of the world’s top fashion, apparel, and lifestyle brands. Under his leadership, BlueCherry has evolved an ever-widening array of point solutions into an AI-enhanced, flexible, no-code platform that unifies data across ERP, PLM, shop floor, eCommerce, and logistics. Under his stewardship, BlueCherry solutions have addressed data gaps that undermine supply chain resilience while enhancing clients’ decision-making agility and regulatory compliance.

Paul uses his personal platform with BlueCherry to spearhead a broad community of clients, technology partners, and industry influencers that works to advance best practices in data, AI, and supply chain resilience across the sector. He is frequently sought out by leading business and trade publications for his perspective on the future of fashion technology and modern supply chain platforms.

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Natalya Monosova has more than 25 years of IT experience, of which 19 years she worked at CGS. Natalya leads and oversees the daily operations of BlueCherry and VisualNext customer support teams and is responsible for managing all aspects of customer support and service.

To complement her experience in Apparel Fashion, Natalya also has a technical background. Prior to CGS, she worked as an Oracle developer at St. John’s University. Natalya joined CGS as a data analyst and over the years has been involved in various aspects of the business. Currently, she leads a team of 50 people as Vice President of Customer Support. Natalya is proud to consider herself a culture carrier for CGS and is looking forward to continuing to contribute innovative ideas to the business.

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Jonathan Ohm is the Chief Investment Officer at CGS Group, responsible for leading investment strategy, capital deployment, and portfolio value creation across its global businesses. He brings more than three decades of experience in corporate finance, private equity, and strategic advisory roles, guiding complex transactions and growth initiatives for leading organisations. 

Before joining CGS Group in 2024, Jonathan served as the Worldwide Leader of the Private Equity Programme at Amazon Web Services (AWS), where he collaborated with private equity firms and their portfolio companies to drive cloud-enabled transformation and innovation. Previously, Jonathan served more than two decades at Deloitte Corporate Finance, serving in US and Global leadership positions with responsibilities encompassing mergers and acquisitions advisory, capital raising, and the evaluation of strategic alternatives across various industries.

Known for his collaborative approach and deep understanding of both financial and operational levers, Jonathan works closely with CGS’s leadership teams to align investment decisions with long-term value creation and sustainable growth. He is based in New York.

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David Ottensoser joined CGS in November 2021 as Senior Vice President and General Counsel. David is responsible for global legal matters across the group, including corporate governance, commercial contracts, mergers and acquisitions, regulatory compliance, and risk management.

David's legal, business, and management experience spans roles in private practice as well as General Counsel positions for both public and private companies, primarily in the technology sector. His expertise includes complex commercial transactions, intellectual property, employment law, and strategic corporate matters. David is a member of the Board of Trustees at Yeshiva University, where he also earned his BA. He received his JD from Fordham University School of Law.

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Molly Rammel-Puckett leads PMO & Consulting at CGS, driving business transformation, technology implementation, and operational excellence for clients across various industries.

Molly delivers strategic initiatives and guides clients through complex transformations and technology rollouts, partnering closely with them to ensure they achieve maximum value from BlueCherry’s solutions. This includes onboarding and training, identifying growth opportunities, resolving issues proactively, and serving as a strategic advisor to drive long-term satisfaction. Under Molly’s leadership, she has successfully streamlined operations and maximised client impact. 

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Savio Rebelo joined CGS in 2019 as Senior Vice President of Human Resources, bringing more than 15 years of human resources leadership experience. Savio is responsible for the worldwide HR function, including policy, talent acquisition and management, learning and development, compliance, employee relations, and HRIS. Savio leads best-in-class HR teams across North and South America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. His strategic approach to talent management and organisational development supports CGS's growth and transformation across its diverse group of companies. Prior to CGS, Savio served as Vice President of Total Rewards at Integral Ad Science and previously held key HR positions at J2 Global and Ziff Davis. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Business Management from Mangalore University, India, and a Master's degree in Business Management from Goa University, India.

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John Samuel joined CGS Group in 2016 as Senior Vice President and Global Chief Information Officer, was promoted to Executive Vice President in 2018, and subsequently appointed Chief Operating Officer in 2024. Throughout his tenure, John has played a pivotal role in leading the company’s digital transformation, enabling scalable growth and supporting CGS Group’s global expansion strategy. 

With more than 25 years of progressive experience in technology and operations, John oversees CGS Group’s operations, technology, and procurement organisations. He is responsible for shaping the group’s digital and operational strategy, with oversight of innovation, information technology, cybersecurity, and the deployment of productivity, automation, and process improvement initiatives. Prior to joining CGS Group, John held senior leadership roles overseeing technology and operations. John holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Manhattan College.

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Doug Stephen is President of CGS Immersive and CGS Learning, bringing more than 25 years of experience helping global enterprises modernise how they onboard, train, and upskill their people. He leads strategy, product innovation, and go-to-market for these CGS Group businesses, aligning immersive technologies with measurable outcomes such as faster ramp time, higher productivity, and stronger partner and customer performance.

Under Doug’s leadership, CGS Immersive has introduced pioneering products including Cicero, an AI-powered immersive roleplay platform that transforms how organisations build critical human skills through lifelike practice and real-time coaching, and TeamworkAR, an extended reality collaboration solution that turns moments on the job into hands-on learning and expert-guided problem solving. Prior, Doug and his team also created one of the first software-as-a-service (SaaS) platforms dedicated to providing hosted learning systems to Fortune 500 companies and helped conceptualise, design, and implement one of the largest virtual business communities, supporting over 10,000 business partners, earning a Gold Brandon Hall Award for Excellence.

Doug is a recognised expert in learning and workforce development, quoted in publications including Chief Learning Officer (CLO), Forbes, TrainingIndustry.com, Huffington Post, and InformationWeek.

 

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Vladimir Sterescu is Global President of CGS Nexus, where he leads a global network of BPO and CX specialists focused on designing AI-powered, omnichannel customer experiences. He partners with clients to modernise their service operations, combining human talent, automation, and advanced analytics to improve customer satisfaction, reduce effort, and optimise cost-to-serve across voice, digital, and self-service channels. Over more than 20 years at CGS Group, Vlad has held key leadership roles including Country Manager for CGS Romania and Senior Vice President of Call Centre Solutions for EMEA, overseeing teams of more than 4,000 professionals delivering complex CX programmes for telecommunications, technology, finance, and retail brands. A founder of EasyCall—a contact centre company acquired by CGS in 2006—he brings an entrepreneurial mindset to deploying AI, bots, and data-driven insights at scale, and is known for his focus on developing people, strengthening strategic partnerships, and continuously elevating the end-to-end customer journey.

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A recognised thought leader in AI, data analytics, and digital transformation, Kamal has spent his career helping organisations harness technology to solve complex, real-world challenges. As the former CEO of GCOM Software (now Voyatek), Kamal led the company through a period of rapid growth in delivering data-driven solutions to public sector clients. Kamal brings extensive board experience spanning technology, energy, media, government, and nonprofit sectors, including Magine (digital media), Syzygy (clean energy), Evolution Well Services and AMP (energy), HZO (thin film coatings), Queens Community House (community development), and the advisory boards of SambaNova, and previously Dell, IBM, HP, and Symantec. He is also the founder of PreClivity, a nonprofit focused on combating fentanyl-related deaths following the tragic loss of his son.

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Steven M. Goldman is a managing partner at PBM Capital Group. Prior to joining PBM, Mr. Goldman was a corporate partner at Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel, a law firm in New York City where he specialised in mergers and acquisitions, financings, joint ventures, private placements, and leveraged buyouts. He also advised boards of directors and independent board committees on corporate transactions.

Before joining Kramer Levin in 2009, Mr. Goldman served as the Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance, appointed by Gov. Jon S. Corzine. In that role, he chaired the Reinsurance Task Force at the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, which during his tenure completed a framework for modernising the regulation of reinsurance both in the United States and between the United States and other countries. He also chaired the International Insurance Relations Committee of the NAIC, and the Reinsurance and Other Forms of Risk Transfer Subcommittee on behalf of the U.S. at the International Association of Insurance Supervisors. Mr. Goldman was also one of seven commissioners nationally developing insurance regulatory modernisation reform proposals on behalf of the NAIC. Mr. Goldman has testified before Congress on multiple occasions regarding insurance regulation and health care reform.

Mr. Goldman devotes significant time to civic work. President Barack Obama appointed Mr. Goldman to the President's Advisory Committee on the Arts for the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in August 2014. He is a member of the board of directors of Macaulay Honors College Foundation at The City University of New York. He also served as co-chair of the Board of Directors and Executive Committee of the New Jersey Performing Arts Center where he still serves on both committees; and he served for 13 years on the Board of Directors of Holy Name Medical Center in Teaneck, New Jersey, and as the hospital’s outside counsel in numerous matters. He also serves on the Dean’s Council of Advisors for The George Washington University Law School and as Chair of its Business and Finance Law Advisory Council.

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Ari Hoffman is a seasoned fashion executive with over 30 years of experience leading some of the world's most prestigious brands. He has held executive roles at Yves Saint Laurent, Christian Lacroix, St. John, Lacoste, GANT, Benetton, Scotch & Soda, and Ted Baker. Recognised as one of the fashion industry's most influential leaders, he has been ranked on the Power 100 List. As President and CEO of GANT USA for 11 years, Ari repositioned the brand as a premier American sportswear label, launching the acclaimed GANT by Michael Bastian collaboration, which earned nominations from GQ and the CFDA for Best New Menswear Designers of America in 2011. In 2014, he became CEO of Scotch & Soda under Sun Capital, leading an ambitious expansion that added over 35 stores and quadrupled the business within five years. Since 2019, Ari has served as CEO of Ted Baker North America, guiding the brand through a major transformation, including its 2022 acquisition by Authentic Brands Group and the implementation of a new operating model. He led the overhaul of its eCommerce platform, inventory management, and in-store POS systems, all aimed at enhancing the customer experience. Ari has a deep understanding of the American fashion landscape and specialises in shaping distinctive brand identities that drive competitive advantage. His ability to adapt swiftly in a rapidly evolving digital world, combined with his passion for product development, allows him to create compelling narratives that engage customers and employees alike. Currently, Ari is a principal in Hoffman Strategic Advisors, advising companies in fashion, retail, tech, and innovation.

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Kapil Jain is a seasoned global finance executive with over 40 years of international leadership experience in corporate finance, risk management, capital markets, multi-cultural talent development, and regulatory compliance. He has advised Fortune 500 companies, multinational enterprises, and high-growth organisations in navigating complex financial landscapes and executing high-value IPOs, M&A transactions, and global expansion strategies, as well as leveraging technology-driven financial transformations. Kapil has held a number of global and regional leadership positions as a partner at EY, having led initiatives to enhance corporate governance, optimise risk management frameworks, and modernise financial operations. He has also led large global teams to deliver complex multinational financial audits and advisory services, including guiding companies through large-scale finance transformations, and ensuring organisations effectively integrate emerging technologies across Life Sciences, Renewable Energy, Technology and ITeS, Manufacturing, Consumer Goods, Professional Services, and Real Estate sectors. Kapil has significant experience executing capital markets transactions globally—including IPOs, spin-offs, and M&A—across the U.S., Europe, and Asian markets. He has deep expertise in U.S. GAAP, IFRS, Ind AS, SEC regulations, and PCAOB and International auditing standards. Kapil is committed to helping boards, audit committees, and senior leadership teams elevate financial reporting integrity, enhance transparency and regulatory compliance, ensure transaction readiness, maintain internal control effectiveness, and implement forward-thinking governance strategies while driving sustainable growth in increasingly complex global environments. He is also passionate about leveraging his expertise to support non-profit organisations focused on economic empowerment, education, and developing leaders and communities of tomorrow. He has served on the Boards of Oxfam America, Asian University for Women (AUW) and AUW Support Foundation (US), and the American Embassy School, New Delhi.

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Betzalel Kenigsztein is an experienced telecommunications executive and board leader with more than 35 years of experience driving growth and transformation across complex, multinational operations in Europe and Latin America. He has held senior roles including CEO of Cable & Wireless Panama at Liberty Latin America, where he led the country’s largest telecom operator, serving over 2.5 million customers, generating approximately 700 million dollars in turnover, and overseeing a workforce of 2,500 employees. Betzalel has also served as COO and Senior Vice President at Liberty Latin America and as President and COO of Liberty Global Latin America and the Caribbean, with commercial and financial responsibility across more than 40 countries and over 10 million customers.

Throughout his career, Betzalel has led large-scale integrations, technology modernisation, and operational turnarounds, including integrating Claro in Panama, executing a nationwide copper-to-fibre migration, and restructuring Central and Eastern European operations for Liberty Global. He has extensive board and governance experience, having served as chairman of Bahamas Telecom Company and Liberty Cablevision Puerto Rico and as a board member of Liberty Costa Rica and Cable & Wireless Panama. Earlier in his career, Betzalel held senior technical and operational roles in Israel’s cable industry and served as a Technical Operations Officer (Lieutenant) in the Israeli Defence Forces.

Betzalel holds a BSc with honours in Electronics and Telecommunications from the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology and an MBA in Marketing from Bar Ilan University. He has also completed executive programmes at IMD in Lausanne and Harvard Business School. Based in Panama, Betzalel is fluent in English, Spanish, and Hebrew and brings a global perspective on strategy, M&A, technology implementation, and operational excellence to his board roles.