A Disciplined Approach To Industrial Transformation
About Zotera
Zotera is a technology company focused on modernizing critical infrastructure using Industrial IoT, edge computing, and smart analytics. We help industries from energy and manufacturing to transportation and utilities upgrade aging systems, eliminate blind spots, and improve efficiency with real-time, data-driven solutions.
Zotera offers a vertically integrated platform spanning smart sensors, secure edge computing, advanced analytics, and interoperability with legacy OT systems. This bridges IT and OT into a unified operational environment where real-time insight guides decisions. By combining machine vision, telemetry, AI, and predictive modeling at the edge, Zotera's solutions detect anomalies faster, respond proactively, and future-proof assets against risk, downtime, and cyber disruption.
More than a solutions provider, Zotera is a partner in digital transformation. We guide enterprises through complex change and deliver scalable, intelligent solutions that drive performance, resilience, and long-term growth.
In Memory of Oscar Williams
It is with profound sadness that we honor the memory of Oscar Williams, our Chief Financial Officer, whose unwavering dedication, integrity, and warmth touched the hearts of all who worked with him. Oscar was not only a remarkable financial strategist, but also a mentor, a friend, and a guiding light for Zotera. Beyond his professional achievements, Oscar’s kindness, generosity, and genuine care for others left an indelible mark on our team. We are forever grateful for the legacy of leadership, compassion, and excellence he leaves behind, and his spirit will continue to inspire us in all that we do.
Zotera Leadership
Jamal Shareef
Chief Executive Officer
Jamal Shareef is an accomplished technology leader with a career spanning global telecommunications, high-tech manufacturing, data infrastructure, and enterprise transformation. As Managing Director for Hitachi Data Systems, he led a $4B enterprise solutions portfolio including enterprise servers, storage subsystems, and systems management software, and helped position the company as a leader in intelligent infrastructure. As Managing Partner for Cambridge Technology Partners led the development of Vodafone’s Global Service Delivery Platform, scaling operations across 30 countries and over 200 million subscribers.
Earlier at EMC and Candle Corporation, he pioneered advanced data center performance analytics technologies that laid the groundwork for real-time monitoring and industrial data intelligence. Jamal has delivered strategic solutions for many of the world's most innovative technology companies including IBM, Intel, Cisco, HP, Sony Electronics, Verizon, ATT, American & Delta Airlines, Shell Oil, Time Warner, Disney, Lockheed, Boeing, and several U.S. defense agencies.
Mo Kotaiche, Ph.D.,
Chief Technology Officer
Dr. Kotaiche began his career at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, designing monitoring and control systems for the Space Shuttle program, earning patents and laying the groundwork for his leadership in both public and private sectors. Dr. Kotaiche has led automation and infrastructure modernization projects, transforming operational frameworks across industries.
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As CIO for the South Florida Water Management District, he managed one of the largest public-sector IT infrastructures in the U.S., overseeing water automation, telemetry, and environmental regulation systems. His leadership at SunTech Consulting, Fidelity National Information Services, and Princeton Information strengthened his expertise in enterprise IT modernization and digital transformation. An expert in program delivery, he applies Agile, Six Sigma, CMMI, and ISO frameworks to drive large-scale technology initiatives.
Marek Kaszubski
Chief Operating Officer
Marek Kaszubski is a legal strategist and international finance expert specializing in regulatory compliance, technology licensing, and global investment. With extensive experience in cross-border deal structuring and policy reform, he brings a unique skill set to drive long-term industrial development and regulatory innovation.
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As a former partner and head of Corporate Practice at Mott & Associates and trial attorney at the U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Mr. Kaszubski has deep expertise in energy, infrastructure, and regulatory affairs. He has advised leading firms Cisco, AT&T, IBM, Motorola, European Space Agency, and the World Bank on foreign investment, trade facilitation, and licensing, positioning him as an expert in structuring partnerships and facilitating industry reforms. His work with the Polish Ministry of Privatization during its post-socialist transition showcases his ability to lead market creation and legal framework modernization.
Steve Burns
Director, Product Management, Edge Computing Platforms
Steve Burns brings over three decades of experience in industrial automation, SCADA systems engineering, and telecommunications, providing deep insight into product development, integration, and reliability engineering. At the South Florida Water Management District, he managed one of the largest real-time flood control SCADA networks in the U.S., encompassing more than 18,000 square miles, and 30 microwave towers and distributed telemetry systems an achievement that reflects his mastery of mission-critical infrastructure.
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Earlier in his career, Mr. Burns worked with Eaton, Ford, and GM, developing early factory automation systems and industrial network controllers that laid the groundwork for modern connected manufacturing. He also contributed to SCADA modernization initiatives with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, driving cross-agency coordination and lifecycle planning. His global client portfolio—including NTT Docomo, the Hong Kong Government, Alcoa, Wright-Patterson AFB, and Chrysler underscore his ability to deliver large-scale industrial systems with precision, reliability, and operational continuity.​
Lonnie Jones
Director, Product Management,
Cloud Platforms & Applications
Lonnie Jones brings deep experience in enterprise architecture, R&D, and cloud platform integration. He has held leadership positions at Scientific Games International, Watson Wyatt, and Candle Corporation, deploying large-scale applications for IBM, Bell South, Volvo, and multiple U.S. state agencies.
His international projects include data platforms for government lottery systems in Mexico, Spain, Panama, and the Philippines. At Zotera, Lonnie oversees cloud orchestration, application frameworks, and analytics integration, enabling seamless edge-to-cloud intelligence for industrial ecosystems.
Mark Felberg
Director, Systems Engineering & Visual Technologies
Mark Felberg is a pioneer in machine vision and edge-based surveillance technologies. As founder of IPVision Software, he developed award-winning visual analytics platforms, earning “Best of Show in Software Integration” at ISC West. His efforts led to advanced deployments across the world’s first 4G Super Switch in Florida and partnerships with Cisco, Verizon Wireless, Intel, Microsoft, and Avigilon.
At Zotera, Mark leads the development of Aegis™ Visual Analytics, integrating computer vision, AI, and IIoT telemetry to deliver real-time situational awareness across critical infrastructure and industrial operations.
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Regional Leadership – Africa & Middle East
Dayo Abiodun
Managing Partner
Dayo Abiodun is a strategic leader in telecommunications and ICT innovation, with experience spanning Lucent, Nortel Networks, Syniverse, and Citicorp. He has managed large-scale digital initiatives across the United States and Africa focusing on infrastructure modernization and wireless expansion.
Dayo has advised governments and private operators on connectivity, spectrum, and mobile services deployment. At Zotera, he leads strategic partnerships and market development across Sub-Saharan Africa, advancing industrial modernization through IIoT adoption and smart infrastructure solutions.
Peter Hlapolosa
Managing Partner
Peter Hlapolosa is a distinguished leader in telecommunications governance and regulatory strategy, with many years of executive experience shaping policy and infrastructure development across Africa. As former General Manager of Telecommunications at the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA), he played a pivotal role in the liberalization and modernization of national networks.
He also led economic regulation at Vodacom Group, supporting market expansion across South Africa and emerging markets. At Zotera, Peter drives strategic engagement with governments, public utilities, and operators to accelerate Industrial IoT adoption and digital infrastructure transformation across the African continent.
Thabo Makhakhe
Managing Partner
Thabo Makhakhe brings deep expertise in regulatory economics, market liberalization, and telecom infrastructure strategy. He previously led the Economic and Financial Analysis Division at ICASA and later served on its Executive Council, where he oversaw national communications policy, licensing, and competition frameworks.
Thabo also played a key role in managing South Africa’s third national mobile license awards and consulted on major telecom and infrastructure ventures for Telkom SA and MTN. At Zotera, he supports regional policy alignment, industry partnerships, and the deployment of IIoT-enabled industrial modernization programs across the public and private sectors.
Ben Machoga
Managing Partner
Ben Machoga is a seasoned infrastructure and telecommunications executive with leadership experience across network operations, field deployment, and ICT modernization. He served as National Operations Centre Manager at Telkom SA and led global capacity initiatives at Multi-links Nigeria, managing mission-critical infrastructure across West Africa. His career also includes operational oversight in water management and enterprise communications.
At Zotera, Ben leads on-the-ground execution of IIoT and edge infrastructure deployments, ensuring resilient implementation for utilities, logistics networks, and industrial corridors across Africa and the Middle East.
Yves Meka
Managing Partner
Yves Meka is an accomplished technology leader with extensive experience in IT consulting, systems architecture, and enterprise transformation across telecommunications, healthcare, defense, and financial sectors. He has delivered mission-critical solutions for major organizations including Lockheed Martin, Sprint Nextel, CareFirst, the U.S. Postal Service, and the U.S. Departments of Treasury and Defense.
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Known for his strategic insight and technical precision, Yves has led large-scale modernization initiatives that align business goals with advanced technology frameworks. His leadership strengthens Zotera’s ability to bridge complex enterprise systems with industrial innovation delivering smart, connected solutions that drive measurable value.
Advisors
Tomas Isaksson
Tomas Isaksson is a former Group CEO at Vodafone Global Services and a leader in international telecommunications infrastructure. He has overseen large-scale network deployments across Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, supporting operations that serve hundreds of millions of users. At Zotera, Tomas advises on telecom partnerships, private 5G strategy, and large-scale IIoT integrations across emerging and developed markets.
Adam Hashem
Adam Hashem is an international economics advisor with decades of experience guiding digital infrastructure investment, policy reform, and industry modernization across emerging markets. He has worked with multilateral institutions and global development agencies to build frameworks for national digital transformation. At Zotera, Adam supports geopolitical strategy, investment planning, and expansion initiatives across high-growth industrial regions.
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Partnerships & Ecosystem
Delivering Industrial Transformation Through Strategic Alliances
Industrial IoT success depends on unifying a vast technology stack, from the management of on-premise Edge Computing Platforms, network connectivity & telemetry, end-to-end security, cloud applications advanced machine learning, predictive models, and analytics. No single company owns the entire stack of technologies to deliver a comprehensive end-to-end IIoT solution. That’s why Zotera collaborates with the world’s leading technology providers to deliver interoperable, scalable, and future-ready IIoT solutions.
Zotera’s ecosystem includes pioneers in computing, networking, automation, and digital platforms working together to modernize global industries such as water management, manufacturing, oil & gas, energy, smart cities, and public safety.
Partner Testimonials
“Built on open, interoperable standards-based solutions, Intel provides reliable, scalable building blocks for industrial IoT solutions that bring intelligence to operating assets and reveal insights from data. We have supported Zotera in this effort and are pleased with our progress.”​
Michael Bates, Global Energy Sales Director, Intel Internet of Things Group
“We’re very pleased to be part of this collaboration. Our Ignition industrial application platform is based on open standards, so we’re a good fit with all the other pieces. Whether it’s SCADA/HMI, edge computing, or other industrial applications, Ignition is flexible, interoperable, and able to work in a wide variety of settings. Inductive Automation is happy to collaborate with Zotera for real-time monitoring and control solutions.”
​“With support for OT and IT standards and protocols, Cisco delivers a resilient and secure network architecture for IIoT that enables water clients to more easily connect existing and new IoT applications, build capacity, and improve operating efficiency. We are pleased to collaborate with Zotera on these solutions.”
Sean Caragata, Cisco, Global Director of Critical Infrastructure Industries
“At Arrow's Colorado Open Lab, we take pride in showcasing our ecosystem solutions that solve real-world challenges for city infrastructure. Zotera’s solution helps customers to understand what is both practical and possible.”
Roland Ducote, Arrow Electronics, Technology Director, Arrow Intelligent Solutions
Don Pearson, Inductive Automation Chief Strategy Officer