DON POLK
Executive chairman, Interim President & CEO
Don Polk has developed business around the globe with a prestigious list of highly recognized retail brands and clients. He is co-managing partner of AC Advertising & Media Group LLC, and has lead the firm in its expansion and reach. The company develops marketing, media and niche tourism strategies and campaigns for local, regional and national US multicultural and general markets, as well as for global primary and emerging markets.
With more than 30 years of business experience under his belt, Don Polk has serviced and partnered with cutting edge businesses in entertainment, fashion, marketing and commodity industries. Polk, along with partners and various companies, designed and manufactured apparel and/or created marketing campaigns for “Fortune 500/1000” corporations like Walt Disney, AEG, Ford, Chevron, Coca-Cola, 3M, General Motors, Dillard’s Department Stores, Wal-Mart, JC Penney, Bloomingdale’s and The National Football League – just to name a few.
Mr. Polk also manages and/or consults companies in advertising, multimedia, commodities, oil & gas; hair and haircare products & services; healthcare/medical supplies, equipment & services
Don Polk laid the groundwork for fulfilling his vision of a business model that achieved fiscal success while also embracing a platform of social responsibility. His prowess in building a business extends to building communities around the globe as well.
Mr. Polk is also Chairman of a developing “Think Tank” to be headquartered in Washington, DC
DE'BORA JOHNSON
VP & Chief Accounting Officer
De’bora Johnson, an accountant by profession, has over 30 years of general and upper level accounting, management and administrative experience. She worked as a controller for a Los Angeles based investment banker for five years in addition to serving other accounting roles for various industries. Some sectors included entertainment, legal, medical, local governments and accounting agencies. Ms. Johnson also has been an accounting specialist for various companies managed by Vantera Commodities Group/Don Polk for over 10 years.
De’bora has been responsible for carrying out a wide array of accounting functions; from being responsible for payroll for over 300 employees to developing accounting policies, as well as for overseeing various accounting departments. She also prepares both individual and corporate taxes, primarily for small businesses and nonprofit organizations. De’bora also develops business plans, which include a full set of financial projections that have resulted in both debt and equity financing for new and existing business ventures. In addition to her role as an accountant, Ms. Johnson is also a business consultant where she performs business development, organizational development and strategic planning.
De’bora studied, business, accounting and entrepreneurship. She received an AA Degree from Los Angeles Trade Technical College, a Bachelor’s Degree from CAL State Los Angeles, and a Certificate of Completion in Nonprofit Management and Fundraising from UCLA.
GAIM HAGOS
SVP & Chief Operating Officer
Gaim Hagos, an entrepreneur and native of Ethiopia, is
dedicated to introducing Ethiopian coffee to the U.S. market. Recognized among industry insiders for its exceptional quality, Ethiopian coffee has long been valued for its distinctive flavors and rich heritage. However, Gaim observed that this recognition was much less ingrained in the minds of typical U.S. consumers. Driven by this gap in awareness, he launched a venture to showcase Ethiopia’s diverse coffee offerings and create greater awareness of its unique origins. His aim was to build a brand that celebrates Ethiopian coffee’s depth and variety, bringing it into the mainstream consciousness of American consumers who might otherwise overlook it.
Now, as part of the Vantera Coffee Bean Company management team, Gaim continues this mission with a focus on making Ethiopian coffee a household name. His dedication centers on elevating its profile within the competitive U.S. market, helping consumers understand the rich story behind each cup and cultivating a deeper appreciation for Ethiopia’s coffee-growing legacy. Throughout his entrepreneurial journey, Gaim has remained committed to quality and authenticity, developing innovative strategies to connect with coffee enthusiasts seeking ethically sourced, high-quality products that also honor the heritage and value of Ethiopian coffee.
Jose (Juan) Seijo Uzal
Authorized Agent & General Manager Vantera Coffee Bean Company/Spain
Born in A Coruña – Spain 14/05/1971 but moved later at early age of 4 years with his parents to London- Great Britain.
Son of a Galician hotel owner immigrant to London in 1962, where he started to study and obtain a degree in Business administration and bachelor degree as translator at Surrey Business school and University of Rome Sapienza, his specialism include the study in digital advances, leadership, organisational behaviours and sustainable enterprise..
Funded in Rome (Italy) a language and translation company in 2009 World Connect where he was President along with his ex wife that later would expand to another three allocations in Milan, Avezzano and Maccerata. Bringing exceptional fluency in English, French, Portuguese and Spanish and proven written and oral communication skills, also providing effective translation services in a fast- paced environment, obtaining a position in Italy of Spanish Analytic Translator in RayMind with an enormous ability to read and write Spanish ,knowledge of and use of slang, and analysing Spanish from various regions and helping law enforcement clients providing top quality review, validation, and translation services and conducting consecutive and simultaneous interpretation in Italy and via Skype courses also including multilingual expert students with exceptional proficiency in English, French, Portuguese and Spanish., to obtaining a Bachelor Degree graduates threw the Spacienza University in Rome .
Also Founder of Keltik Solays Group in 2000 specialising in corporate restructuring and insolvency work for over 22 years ,where we advise our clients on a wide range of corporate recovery, restructuring and insolvency matters in all sectors ( Real Estate, house building, engineering, leisure ( hotels, public houses and Public and private Clinics)
We have also been involved in a high number of profile formal insolvency appointments and multi-jurisdictional cases. Our company advise regularly on insolvency practitioners who engage in restructuring and recovery assignments and lenders in relation to security enhancement and enforcement. Acting in loan and security acquisition transactions and advising corporates and directors in times of financial difficulty and when dealing with insolvency of counter- parties .
Jose Juan Seijo Uzal President and Director threw his company Keltik Solays group also keeps the strategy in focussing in direct contact with Frank Wijnen at MX Diamond located in Antwerp (Belgium) , Russia, Zurich and Dubai with contribution in the mining industry for precious stones (rough and polished) and metals.
Overall keltik Solays and Worlds Connect generated a recognised EBITDA increase in the last 11 years with a net cash flow and is to the stage of having achieved record revenues predominantly derived from its success threw it`s share of challenges by the companies team nonetheless, having delivered many new records and robust financial outcome and are excited to new challenges and having a significant effect with downstream clients and on end consumers and make a faster and more severe change into broader market conditions, also making it our priority in the near future, the wellbeing of our employees and most importantly our clients.
Jose Juan created his companies with determination, sacrifice and enthusiasm, always making his main focus that his clients satisfaction comes first and making his priority and philosophy to not only being seller ,but also manufacturer and distributor. He highlights individualism, team work, and great power of observation and perfectionism as fundamental traits of his character.
In addition to his two businesses , Juan has diversified initiative into other industrial sectors such as real estate, finance, Eolic and Photovoltaic projects, Medical product supply (PPE,Production contract) and investment fund management.