Meet The Sonic Messenger Team
Executive Team
Rob Tiv
President &
Head of Product Development
Rob has extensive industrial experience in development and implementation of enterprise technologies. These include Engineering, Operations, Supplier Management, Information Technology, Test and Quality Control and Intellectual Property Management.
Rob holds a Master degree in Product Design and Development Management Program from Northwestern University, Chicago.
Ludger Hemesath
Head of Marketing & Sales
Ludger is an Engineer and Entrepreneur who started several companies, such as Loopinx LLC, a business incubator and Coaloo Media Inc., a next generation multi-layered social media platform. He was working in the high-tech 3-D software industry for 20+ years. Ludger has extensive experience in business development, software development, advanced 3-D technology, Virtual Reality, 3-D perception technology, robotics, user-interface design, high-tech consulting, sales, management & operations.
Ludger holds a master degree in mechanical engineering from RWTH Aachen, Germany.
Vithya Tith
Head of Engineering
Vithya has more than 17 years of experience in various applications and systems software development. His software experience ranges from biometrics, submarine detection systems, as well as mobile and web applications. He has an extensive background in data visualization and application development. Vithya’s expertise includes: Mobile Apps, Biometrics, Signal Processing, Web Applications, GUI Development and Object-Oriented Design. He is experienced in Java, C/C /C#, Objective-C and Matlab.
Vithya holds a Bachelor Degree in Electrical Engineering from George Mason University.
Li Tao Tan
Controller
Li is an experienced, results-oriented Senior Financial Professional with broad-based financial expertise managing company accounting and reporting, supply chain (especially procurement and manufacturing), internal controls, process reengineering, and compliance. He served in top management roles at McDonald’s, Walmart and Xunlei. His strong thought leadership and solution delivery combined with a proven ability to create and implement tangible strategies guarantees to achieve enterprise objectives. Li is a dedicated and cost-conscious leader with solid commitment to success.
Li holds a Bachelor Degree in Accounting from DePaul University, Chicago and also holds a US CPA certification.
Mark Kadziela
Sales Manager
Mark comes with 20 consistent years in selling account solutions management, as a worldwide Project Management Director; whose efforts focus on facilitating cohesion and understanding, so as to provide a vision which must be paired with the power of execution. Responsibilities included overseeing business development and design of product launches, staff management and developing new product lines that coincide with the organizations business objectives, and deliver them on schedule and on budget.
Mark holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Loyola University – Chicago.
Advisory Team
Michael Fung
Chairman
Michael has been the Interim CFO of JCPenny. He was Senior Vice President and CFO of Walmart U.S. He joined Walmart in 2001 as
Vice President, Finance and Administration for Global Procurement. He was promoted to Senior Vice President, Internal Audit Services in February 2003 and was later promoted to his current position Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer Walmart U.S. in 2006. He also has served as Interim COO & CFO for Neiman Marcus and is currently an Advisor to 99 Cents Stores.
Michael holds a MBA from University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, a BS in Accounting, University of Illinois, Chicago, Illinois and is a certified CPA in the State of Illinois.
Nykia Wright
Advisor Strategy
Nykia Wright joined the Chicago Sun-Times as the Chief Operating Officer in October of 2017. She was named Interim Chief Executive Officer one year later. She was recently honored as one of the top ten most powerful women in Chicago journalism in 2019 – she has only been in the media industry for two years.
Before joining the Sun-Times, Nykia was a corporate strategy consultant with experience in financial management, business restructuring, performance improvement, supply chain, and human resources. Her work history included roles with JPMorgan Chase, Huron Consulting, and North Highland Worldwide Consulting.
Nykia has a Bachelor of Science in Finance from Carnegie Mellon University, International Business Certification from the University of Cambridge (England), and an MBA from the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College. She is a member of the 2018 Crain’s Business 40 under 40 class, and also a member of the 40 gamechangers under 40 class, a recognition bestowed from a partnership between WVON and Ariel Investments.
Alexander Renz
Advisor Mobility & DLT
Alex’s passion is technology-driven business model innovation with a focus on the future of mobility and transportation. How do you leverage technologies to create thriving ecosystems and associated digital business models whilst protecting data and mitigating cyber security risks?
He brings perspectives from the tech world and some of the world’s best software companies. Alex lived through major technology shifts including web, Internet of Things (IoT), mobile and the transition towards cloud computing and software as a service. He is now actively shaping the future of edge and fog computing and open ecosystems.
Terrance Bey
Advisor Technology
Terrance is a forward-thinking leader, strategist and trusted advisor who has been at the forefront of driving technology transformation by partnering with executives to implement change that align IT with business objectives. He is progressive and customer focused, providing 15+ years of experience, vision and dedicated leadership for key technologies including IT Portfolio & Strategy Management, Cloud Consulting, Enterprise Solutions, Architecture and Global Business Development. Experienced in designing, building and enhancing global solutions and systems to meet the objectives of clients across multiple verticals.
Charles Johnson
Advisor Partnerships
A true visionary with high marks of integrity, commitment, courage, and selflessness, are just a few of the qualities that make Charles Johnson a leader.
From his early career in sales at Inland Steel in Chicago, to a role leading SodexoMAGIC, a joint venture between Sodexo and Magic Johnson Enterprises (MJE) that he personally helped to create, Charles has built relationships with a strong foundation of understanding his clients business, coupled with a vision of success that benefit all parties.
Currently, Charles created Ideal Concepts Group (ICG) using his extensive experience of quickly assessing a client’s business model and understanding its end users. He has developed strategic partnerships in several industries including Airport Concession and Travel (Airline) and Private Education by offering value-added solutions that extend ties between the client and end consumer.
Mr. Johnson is a native of Chicago, IL who graduated from Tuskegee University.