1. R. Eric Sonnenburg
No. 10 Kyari Mohammed Cr.,
Asokoro, Abuja, F.C.T,
Nigeria.
Phone: +234 802-408-3262 Email: eric.sonnenburg@gmail.com
www.linkedin.com/in/ericsonnenburg
INFORMATION EXECUTIVE
CORPORATESTRATEGY, DEVELOPMENT, & IMPLEMENTATION
PROFILE & VALUE
Effective and accountable in high-profile executive rolesOvercome
complex business challenges and make high-stakes decisions using
experienced judgment, strong work ethic and integrity to help plan,
organize, and lead towards mission. Transformational leadership style, yet
can be very task oriented when needed. Offer candid guidance under
extreme pressures,aware and reflective of the true operating environment.
Respected as a proponent of empowerment and accountability.
Corporate Strategy & Development SpecialistAdept at vision
clarification and development. Mission focused: Possesses a consistent
record of delivering extraordinary results in growth, revenue,
operational performance, and profitability by choosingtheright strategy for
the right environment. Flexible Tactician. Background experience includes
startups, financing, product and systems development, and compliance.
Consistently deliver mission-critical resultsDriven by a visceral
need to strategize and innovate, goal and results oriented. Applies
achievement oriented action logic deriving intrinsic satisfaction from
team accomplishments and organizational development, while keeping
strategic focus. Tenacious leader,skilled at revenue-building strategies and
tactics. Hands on when needed, work tactically according to the situation,
and apply innovation and knowledge to improve company performance.
Strong orientations in operations and financeParticipate in high-
level operational and planning initiatives including fundraising and
investor relations, budgets and forecast, regulatory frameworks and
business continuity, infrastructure program development, process
engineering,knowledge management, recapitalization, regulatory approval
turnaround management, and reorganization. Intimately familiar with
business management, processes, and the organization.
Respect and leverage human capitalFind, motivate, mentor and
lead talented professionals via excellent talent strategy. Influence culture
by leadership example. Direct cross-functionalmulticultural teams using
transformational and entrepreneurial leadership styles that spurs other to
give 100% effort.
QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERTISE
Visionary, Strategy,Management &Leadership
Technology and Information Systems
Startups,Change, Philanthropy
Entrepreneurship,Innovation,Outside Thinking
Due Diligence, Deal Structuring & Negotiations
Regulatory, Financial & Legal Transactions
Turnaround, Financial Management,P&L
Vendor Management, Purchases & Negotiations
Risk Management & Inventory Control
Cost Analysis,Reduction & Control
Growth Management & Business Development
Product Development & Rollout
Knowledge and Quality Management
Investor,Analyst & Board Relations
Executive Advisory & Decision Support
Programming, Software Development Life Cycle
Project Management,Human Resources
Marketing and Sales
NGO and Program Management

2. PROFESSIONAL PROFILE
20+ years of diverse leadership experience in the ICT and high tech industry, from fieldwork on IBM systems as an undergrad,
to managing ICT at Fireside Financial, to engineering software at innovative manufacturing industries like Stryker/Howmedica,
or entrepreneurial tech startups in Silicon Valley like Aperto Networks. These experiences in blue-chip, fortune 500, financial
industry and startup cultures have provided foundation for leadership and management capability. Able to develop related
investment plans, perform due diligence and assist in evaluation and fund raising, obtaining approvals, and perform
implementations, from contract negotiation through budgetary control to leading multi-disciplinary teams in cross-cultural
environments. English speaker,competent in French, fluent in pidgin with a smattering of Spanish,Hausa, and Igbo. Very well-
travelled in West-Africa, Europe, and internationally.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
BARNKSFORTE GROUP 2013 to Present
ICT Consulting Founder ICT group
CHIEF TECHNICA L OFFIC ER
BG develops new revenue management tools for government. Provided guidance to the software development, technical, and
logistics teams. Engaged necessary regulatory, interconnectivity and financial switching frameworks and communications
architectures. Provided support and direction to the project management team for successful state implementations. Monitored
program development and risks, reporting to the CEO/Chairman. Concluded technical assistance to develop a SIFMIS for an
IDA funded state financial program for development of good governance. Performed high level presentations and engaged
negotiations with stakeholders,commissioners, boards,and Chief Executives of states,keeping projects on budget and on time.
 development of the ICT unit and business from startup to successful projects numerous states in Nigeria employing dozens of
consultants, engineers, programmers, and managers. Hundreds of new jobs created, employment projected to grow
encompassing 1000’s of youth in each state with recent successes
 responded to RFP’s for the public ICT and energy sectors, resulting in supply and service contracts with MDA’s in Nigeria
 developed effective ICT policies for security and governance of the business, negotiated critical service and maintenance
contracts, and trained and mentored in house staff
 redefined and clarified a Vision and Mission for the organization, developed corporate communications, profile, and identified
new business opportunities. Worked to help create a corporate culture, and codify it for organizational development.
 experienced undertaking additional roles such as: negotiator, corporate communications and spokesperson, drafting and vetting
technical service engagements, employment, contracts, legal documents and tenders, financial statements, bank transactions,
feasibility studies, and general business development
 oversaw innovations in good governance, education testing systems, rural electrification initiatives (solar), health care delivery ,
youth service corps, others
 engaged international consulting firm (Boston Consulting Group) to partner with Barnksforte, establishing Nigerian presence
 time and budget management, stayed positive under extreme pressures, maintain locus of control
GREY TECHNOLOGIES Nigeria Ltd., 2005 to Present
Information and Communications Technology Consulting Firm Founder, Sole Proprietorship
MANAGING DIRECTOR
 Directed information resources at USAID Nigeria Reforms Project under DAI (Development Alternatives International) to
improve program governance and responsivity. Renewed contract terms severally (2006-2007)
 Consulted with international firms such as VDV Media / Steadytel on Uniden (Motorola) technology to present integration
proposals to the Federal government to maximize its communications network potential. Carried presentations forward to the
offices of the NSA (National Security Advisor) and the National Assembly on behalf of our clients to propose a national
communication system to better coordinate first responders and defense in 2007, establish border communications and security
prior to outbreaks of serious terrorism.
 In 2013 worked with Quanteq and EEDC (Power Company, DisCO) to perform technical audit, and business development.
 Again worked with Motorola tech (IDEN) through Crossland Communications who recently acquired (ending 2014) licensed
spectrum to deploy the secure Push to Talk network via modern IDEN technology in Nigeria after years of efforts and political
lobbying. In 2016 continued efforts to sensitize the Chief of Defense Staff and stakeholders on the value of the new MotoTurbo
line of emergency communications and the benefits to military agencies as off-takers.
 Crosland’s development of corporate mission / vision and strategy, financing prospectus and investor sourcing, is ongoing,
while constructive feasibility, market strategy and analysis (with off takers), and initial technical approaches and BPE is
concluded. Network is slated now for take-off in 2017 in the capital city Abuja and commercial hub of Lagos.

3. Wi-Tel Nigeria Ltd., (Previously Startech before rebranding in 2008) Abuja, Nigeria 2007-2010
Telecommunications Company Network Deployment, Turn Around,BPE
CHIEF TECHNICA L OFFIC ER
Assumed Technical leadership of Startech, when the network was failing. Ensured regulatory and operational compliance.
Worked with vendors, suppliers, clients, and subcontractors optimizing pricing and relationships to enhance profits. Executed
business development strategies resulting in strong turn around growth. Initiated high profile projects and contracts for Wi-Tel,
implemented new technologies, expanded operations, engaged investors.
 documented, maintained, and secured the network architecture as an initial tactic
 including overhaul of packet transport across the network core to edge, within three months (re-architected all IP transit and core
switches)
o Impact: resulted in decreased packet loss from 35% to less than .05% and improved network performance, which
significantly helped us to assure revenue, reduce churn, and maintain our subscribers
o revenue in 2008 and 2009 improved after implementation of recommended staff reorganization, training, and network
rehabilitation initiatives preparing implementation of Wi-MAX
 introduced fault tolerance and network redundant architecture (1+1 VSAT with Fiber and OSPF/BGP failover) features and
principles.
o Impact: improved QOS and enabled the company to build market share to dominate wireless broadband in FCT at the
time
 helped to re-brand company (Wi-Tel), led new marketing introduction campaign and introduced new service offerings such as
SLA’s and guaranteed dedicated bandwidth, moving away from previous tainted (poor service culture) image, worked to change
culture
 helped in the fight against internal fraud and waste with integrity
 mentored and cultivated technical staff, sourced competent assistance in weak areas while leveraging existing strengths
 assisted the Board and Chairman to source an appropriate CEO to revitalize the newly rebranded company, Wi-Tel (formerly
Startech)
o Impact: worked under the new CEO directly, performed major audits and prepared technical due diligence reports to
ready the company for recapitalization resulting in Intel Capital offering USD $250m for expansion and turn around
Cefib Internet., Bamako - Mali 2004-2005
TelecommunicationsCompany Developed Broadband Strategy,Implemented new Technology,first Wi-MAX MAN in Africa
DIREC TO R OF IT
 implemented backhaul upgrades and decongested internal networks to improve security, performance, and reduce downtime.
Achieved results that improved customer bandwidth and satisfaction. Impact: Reduced downtime from hrs daily to 99.5%
uptime within 3 months. implemented a secondary provider for redundancy and a 1+1 VSAT configuration, planning new Fiber
capacity through Senegal
 increased customer satisfaction, and size of client base resulting in enhanced quarterly performance after charge off of major
CER items. Added BDM (Banq Development du Mali), and Douanes (customs unit of federal government) to the client base
 performed major upgrades and service enhancements to a country wide 3.5 and 5.8 Gig wireless WAN to all of our clients,
including new tower installations and redundant wireless subsystem implementations. (Orinoco, Alvarion and Aperto broadband
products)
 worked to create partnerships to leverage existing support infrastructure and enter new wireless markets creating ‘hotspots’ in
Bamako, the nation’s capital. Generated new revenue streams while keeping costs nearly flat
 created redundant email, DNS, and hosting services and created and documented IDR and disaster recovery procedures for
major systems. Documented and maintained all networks including the wireless WAN and internal networks and upgrades
Aperto Networks., Milpitas California (Silicon Valley)
1999-2003 ICT Technology Development FirmFounded ICT organization,helped company develop the first WI-Max specification
Administrator of Networks / Director
 reported to the CFO, developed plans to support the startup of the enterprise (12th
hire in company)
 founded Internal Networks, Email, Database, Security, and Internet
 assist CFO develop and manage operating ICT and operating budget, created alliances with major vendors and streamlined the
purchasing and equipment distribution processes with significant cost savings through customization of latest tech
 planned, documented, supported and maintained IT infrastructure in the Enterprise through rapid growth period
 partnered closely with engineering to establish the first innovative ASIC regression farms utilizing LSF to reduce cost and time to
market while leveraging existing computational resources
 built a fiber optic campus network as the company expanded its presence in silicon valley, preparing for future growth in staff,
(over 100+ Engineers and managers) support capabilities, and revenue (Valued at nearly $3Bn USD pre-9/11)
 hired, Mentored, and developed an IT service organization, and developed all relevant documentation, policies, and security
procedures

4. Stryker Endoscopy., Santa Clara California (Silicon Valley)
1997-1999 ICT High Tech Manufacturing Merged with Howmedica,now the world’s largest Medical Manufacturer
Programmer / Analyst
Under the Director of IT, Kim Gonia. -a great mentor and IT leader- we worked on some exciting new projects, like
developing and project managing a new bar code reader and labelling system for manufacturing deployment internationally
(at the Arroyo, Puerto Rico manufacturing facility for example). Developed the UI using Visual Basic and used DTS and
SQL on the back end to interface with manufacturing data. Coordinated efforts with IT department and others in operations,
under the director of new technologies. Learned some RPG language and how to operate the Pansophic MRP system, and
the archaic but still useful AS400 platform (20 years ago). A truly great and positive corporate culture and a case in
dynamics of leading diverse technical teams and projects resulted in boosting my career in information management, and
served me well in later leadership roles. Left Stryker in 1999 to join the founders at Wireless start-up Aperto Networks.
 Developed new report writing processes and implementing automation through SQL and Crystal Reports to view
manufacturing data and drive up productivity.
 Travelled internationally to develop and implement new technologies like standard product bar coding systems and
developed a major application with Visual Basic Enterprise, and SQL. Improved overall customer response time
and reduced shipping control costs and labour.
 Developed programs to better manage forecasting reports and improved data access to MRP. Utilized Microsoft
Visual SourceSafe for code source and version control. Followed stringent guidelines for implementation of the
SDLC (using standards adopted from the Space Shuttle flight program at NASA) which are enforced by the
Government regulator, the FDA.
 Worked with IBM AS400 Technology, RPG, and the PRMS MRP system while integrating seamlessly within a
standard Windows user environment.
EDUCATION & CREDENTIALS
California Lutheran University, ThousandOaks CA
2015-Present Pursuing MSLM at Western Governors University
1989-1992 Studied Computer Science/Physics. Emphasis in software engineering
Graduated HS in '89 with AP courses and concurrent college work.
Skills and Certification:
 Special: Familiar with NIBSS, (Nigerian Interbank Settlement System/Switch) and money transfer programs in Nigeria in the regulatory context
 Includes experience with payment gateways (through all the majors) and institutions (all banks, VISA, MC etc.…) across different platforms
 Languages: Programming C, C++, BASIC, PASCAL, Delphi, Assembly, Smalltalk, LISP, RPG, DOS, HTML
 Administrative and Networking:ICT – ITIL, GIT, Agile, Cloud, Mobileand SMS platforms, Network administration, IEEE protocols, and
standards, quality ISO standards, firewall security+configuration. Implementation, management, migration and integration of MSAdvanced
Server, Exchange Server, Solaris sendmail, Back office. LSF (Load Share Facility) Software License management (Globetrotter, FLEXLM,
Allegro etc both WIntel and UNIX platform) CVS, SSH, telnet, ftp
 Productivity: Typing50WPM Applications:MRP (Pansophic), ERP (all), Office Productivity Apps (all) Photoshop
 Database: SQL, Oracle, Access Programming and Database server management (Data Transformation services, programming DAO, ODBC etc
 OS: AS400, Microsoft Platforms, and some: Linux, UNIX, and Solaris management experience
 Project Management Apps: Visual Source Safe (Code Source), GIT, CVS, Microsoft Project, VISIO Flowcharting, Network Architecture
Other Practices and Hobbies
 MartialArts – 15 years of teaching / training experience, 35 years of practice.
 Former category III (Semi-Professional) cyclist under the USCF
 Philanthropy, Windsurfing, Hiking, Snowboarding/skiing, Mountaineering, Archery, and Reading (History, Sci-Fi, Physics and Astronomy
journals)
 Silicon Valley Business Round Table (visionary member since 2001)
 Philosophy, Artificial Intelligence, astrophysics, advanced propulsion systems, quantumtheory, chaos theory, string theory, virtual reality
 Building great things, trying what has never been attempted before, learning, travelling, understanding and tasting new cultures