Research Team
Mammad Sharifzadeh, PhD., CFA
CEO and Director of Research
Dr. Sharifzadeh has over twenty years of experience in the field of investment management and research. He has written extensive research reports on public companies and industry sectors. He has written comprehensive reports on Oil and Gas Industry,Exploration and Mining Industry, Nanotechnology Sector, Liquid Crystal Display Industry, and Machine-to-Machine (M2M) industry.
Prior to concentrating on the research side of investment business Dr. Sharifzadeh was a portfolio manager at a leading overseas bank and the branch manager and investment advisor at a leading U.S. brokerage house.
Dr. Sharifzadeh is a Charted Financial Analyst (CFA), a Certified Financial Risk Manager (FRM), and a Registered Investment Advisor (RIA). He is a member of the CFA Institute (formerly AIMR), CFA Society of Los Angeles, and Global Association of Risk Professionals (GARP).
Dr. Sharifzadeh holds BSc degree in mathematics and statistics from University of Salford, England, MPhil (post master) degree in Management studies from University of Oxford England, and PhD degree in finance from Walden University, USA.
Dr. Sharifzadeh has several years of teaching experience at various universities. Currently he is adjunct faculty at Walden University and the University of Phoenix, mentoring PhD students and teaching online courses in finance and quantitative methods.
Alladin Ukiwe, PhD., MBA.
Dr. Alladin Ukiwe is a finance manger with a global and fortune 500 Company. He is responsible for Retail and Channel strategic finance – he is charged with:
- Measurement, planning, and forecasting of Retail/Channel Marketing activities and implications.
- Strategic support for Retail initiatives and projects by assessment of economic impact on business.
- Industry competitive analysis, Compliance, and ad-hoc analysis.
Prior to his current role, he worked as a Risk manager and Senior Financial Analyst in the Financial Controls & Compliance team where he developed and implemented financial controls for the corporate marketing group; influenced operational and strategic decisions and drove operational efficiencies. His assignment covered Japan, Hong Kong, China, United States, Canada, Europe, and Africa.
Dr Ukiwe also worked at SunTrust Bank as a Senior Financial Analyst where he supported both the Georgia Region Strategic Finance and Wealth Management division of the bank. He joined SunTrust from GE Commercial Finance where he worked as a business credit analyst – was responsible for analysis and underwriting corporate lease and loans. He also worked for Bank of America as an analyst for 7 years
Dr Ukiwe holds PhD in finance from Walden University and MBA degree from Regis University in Denver, Colorado . He is also an adjunct professor at George Fox University in Portland OR. He mentors students and teaches courses in finance, quantitative method, and Management.
Thomas A. Thiele, PhD
Dr. Thiele is currently working as Chief Financial Officer of MAHLE Technologies Holding (China) Co., Ltd. / Shanghai, where he manages the financial positions of the group in China. His activity includes the preparation of advanced cash flow models and the development of acquisition strategies. MAHLE is a global automotive supplier with turnovers of around US$ 7.5 billion. The company is especially well known in the United States for its 2007 acquisition of the Dana Corporation’s engine hard parts business which included 39 locations and more than 5,000 employees.
Prior to joining MAHLE International GmbH, Dr. Thiele served as the Interim CFO / Advisor to the Board of Management at Big Dutchman Inc., Michigan / USA, where he initiated the restructuring of the North American operations. In particular, Dr. Thiele relocated manufacturing facilities and enabled the spin-off of non-core businesses.
Dr. Thiele also has extensive professional experience in China. He was the Chief Representative of Brauerei Beck & Co. GmbH, in the P.R. of China, during 1998-2000, where he developed an expansion strategy together with McKinsey & Co. that led to a new joint venture with the Australasian company Lion Nathan near Shanghai. Prior to this, Dr. Thiele worked as an Investment Consultant at Roland Berger Strategy Consultants, P.R. China, during 1995-1997, where he developed and implemented market entry and holding strategies for multinational companies in China.
Dr. Thiele holds a PhD in finance from Walden University, USA, and an MBA from the University of Manchester, U.K. He also holds professional certificates which include the ACCA- Certification in International Financial Reporting from Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, U.K. and a Brevet de Technicien Superieur (BTS) from the Academie de Montpellier, France.
Dr. Thiele is Member of the Hamburg Chamber of Commerce and the American Finance Association.
Dr. Thiele is fluent in German, French, and Mandarin (Chinese). He is well skilled in advanced financial modeling, corporate restructuring, and emerging market strategies.
Godwin Nash Quashigah, Dr. Eng.
Since 2006, Godwin Nash Quashigah, Dr. Eng; has served as Managing Director of Zerrine Corporation, a financial services firm that invests in and provides financial advisory services to small and medium-sized companies; provides global management consulting services and technology management consulting services for innovative medical and energy related technologies developed by individuals, private and government research institutions. From 1997 through 1999, Nash served as President of G2 Group Corporation. G2 provided specific value-added financial and strategic management advisory services to client companies such as developing funding strategies and strategic and operational plans including, improved operational efficiencies; product, customer and market diversification, leveraging of distribution channels, identifying and closing add-on acquisitions, international expansions via exports, joint ventures, and strategic alliances.
Nash is also an adjunct faculty at a leading online university in the country where teaches MBA level courses in financial management and global management. From 1994 through 1996, Nash was an independent financial, and technical research analyst covering emerging markets and US small cap equities.
Nash received his MBA from the University of Dallas and completed his Investment Banking Certification from New York University in 1997. In 1988, Nash received his Doctor of Engineering (Civil Engineer.) degree in Civil & Environmental Engineering at Utah State University. He received his Master of Science degree in Agricultural Engineering at Colorado State University in 1985 and his Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture at the University of Liberia in 1981. Additionally, Nash was a Fullbright Scholar in August 1983.
Simin Hojat, M.Phil. (Chief Economist)
Mrs. Hojat has earned an M.Phil (post master) degree in economics from the University of Oxford, England. She also holds a diploma degree in economics from the University of Oxford.
Mrs. Hojat has over twenty years of experience in the banking sector and has held high advisory positions in a leading overseas bank. She has participated and presented at various international conferences around the world including at International Monetary Fund (IMF), Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) conferences, and United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).
Mrs. Hojat has taught courses in international finance and macro economics at the BA and MS level for over fifteen years. She has written many research reports on macro economic and international finance issues.
