About Us

WHO WE ARE

Who
we
are

T-CETRA is a leading financial technology enabler that focuses on the prepaid wireless industry. It converts cash payments into secure, auditable, transactions at over 10,000 independent retailers in the U.S. and Puerto Rico that primarily serve underbanked, more convenience-based customers. Our system bridges the digital divide for these underserved communities and are used by Fortune 500 companies within various sectors, connecting them to the 84.8 million un/derbanked individuals in the U.S via an independent retail network.

VIDAPAY, our proprietary cloud-based processing portal, helps these retailers mitigate risk and increase sales. Its intuitive interface enables retailers to manage consumer accounts/profiles in real-time within a safe, secure processing framework.

Our Values

Since T-CETRA’s founding in 2007, we have prioritized our customers and our employees. It’s this passion that drives our core values everyday:

T-CETRA is and has been committed to the application of continuous improvement methodology, enhancing its proprietary, disruptive, game-changing technology. Our constant focus and extremely strong relationship with the customer allow us to develop new and creative approaches to serve their needs.

Our laser focus on our employees creates a collaborative, creative environment where everyone’s ideas are valued. We have worked to create a culture that cultivates and encourages open dialogue across the organization. Every single employee gets to be a part of the process.

Our leadership team is comprised of genuinely good people that care about people, experiences, and relationships. They don’t just talk the talk, but walk the walk, as evidenced by the founding of the T-CETRA Foundation.

We hail from 30 countries and speak 20 languages. Organizations vastly larger than ours are playing catch-up to accomplish what we have established from day one — to bring diverse values and mindsets to our team. Simply put, we believe diversity improves our working environment, our product, and our community.

T-CETRA is and has been committed to the application of continuous improvement methodology, enhancing its proprietary, disruptive, game-changing technology. Our constant focus and extremely strong relationship with the customer allow us to develop new and creative approaches to serve their needs.

Our laser focus on our employees creates a collaborative, creative environment where everyone’s ideas are valued. We have worked to create a culture that cultivates and encourages open dialogue across the organization. Every single employee gets to be a part of the process.

Our leadership team is comprised of genuinely good people that care about people, experiences, and relationships. They don’t just talk the talk, but walk the walk, as evidenced by the founding of the T-CETRA Foundation.

We hail from 30 countries and speak 20 languages. Organizations vastly larger than ours are playing catch-up to accomplish what we have established from day one — to bring diverse values and mindsets to our team. Simply put, we believe diversity improves our working environment, our product, and our community.

LEADERSHIP

Abdul Akel, Co-Founder, CEO
Co-Founder/CEO

Abdul Akel

Gus Hashem
Co-Founder/CIO

Gus Hashem

Ghazwan Tarabishi, Chief Operating Officer
Chief Operating Officer

Ghazwan Tarabishi

Executive Vice President of Business Development

Steven Ascher

Mohamad Al-Souqi, VP of Merchant Services
Vice President of Merchant Services

Mohamad Al-Souqi

Samer Bazerbashi, Vice President of Operations
Vice President of Operations

Samer Bazerbashi

Director of Supply Chain and Logistics

Todd Kohl

Amar Zedan, VP of Product Development
Vice President of Product Development

Amar Zedan

Cindy Johns
Controller

Cindy Johns

Zaher Al Sabbagh, Director of Software Development
Vice President of Technology

Zaher Al Sabbagh

Olimpia Dawidowicz, Director of Finance
Director of Finance

Olimpia Dawidowicz

Jennifer Kaser, Director of Human Resources
Director of Human Resources

Jennifer Kaser

Todd Walberg
Director of Sales

Todd Walberg

Director of Software Engineering

Nick Alt

Vice President of Product Strategy and Marketing

Alex Avery

Associate Director of Product Operations

Lisa Determan

Co-Founder/CEO

Abdul Akel

As Co-Founder and CEO, Abdul leads an extremely diverse team of world-class talent to constantly address the underserved’s barriers to accessing premium products and services. In addition to conceptualizing and bringing to fruition all T-CETRA’s cutting-edge technologies, he continues to be the strategic visionary and innovator for T-CETRA’s sustainable growth in new sectors.

Childhood Aspiration: To work in the construction industry

Akel was named an Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2022 East Central Award winner, a preeminent competitive business award for entrepreneurs and leaders of high-growth companies.

Co-Founder/CIO

Gus Hashem

Gus is a technology executive with a diverse skill set built over the years. He strategically conceptualizes, guides, and positions all T-CETRA’s unique and cutting-edge technology solutions to help bridge the digital divide for underserved communities by connecting Fortune 500 companies to the 84.8 million un/derbanked individuals in the U.S.

Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Management Information Systems from Bowling Green State University

Childhood Aspiration: When he was 11, Gus fell in love with programming on his Atari 400. He took classes to advance the skill and while doing so, found a passion for helping others and solving complex problems.

Chief Operating Officer

Ghazwan Tarabishi

As Chief Operating Officer, Ghazwan oversees T-CETRA’s ongoing diverse business operations as well as executes its growth strategies and performance procedures. He is the strategic leader of the sales organization, working closely with carriers and dealers in the prepaid wireless sector. Ghazwan built and leads T-CETRA’s sales team that supports 10,000 independent retailers nationwide as well as owns the relationships with wireless carriers to ensure their business objectives are met.

Executive Vice President of Business Development

Steven Ascher

As Executive Vice President of Business Development, Steven is responsible for negotiating agreements with Tier 1 wireless carriers, MVNOs, payment providers, and other strategic partners to support the national indirect retail distribution channel.

Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Finance from Hofstra University

Childhood Aspiration: Magician

Vice President of Merchant Services

Mohamad Al-Souqi

As Vice President of Merchant Services, Mohamad garners new business and manages the team that connects retailers looking for an omnichannel credit card solution via T-CETRA’s Merchant Services (TMS). Mohamad manages the growing TMS team by bringing new approaches and updated technologies for credit/debit card acceptance.

Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from Rutgers University

Childhood Aspiration: Doctor

Vice President of Operations

Samer Bazerbashi

As Vice President of Operations, Samer oversees the Billing, Merchant Services, Operations, and Dealer Support teams. Samer leans on his years of experience at T-CETRA to make decisions that ensure T-CETRA is efficient, collaborative, and sustainable.

Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Finance from The Ohio State University

Childhood Aspiration: Leader of a successful business team

Director of Supply Chain and Logistics

Todd Kohl

Todd is a seasoned Supply Chain and Logistics executive boasting three decades of diversified experience across industries, spanning from the intricacies of medical devices to revolutionizing meal delivery systems tailored for correctional facilities. Presently at the helm of T-CETRA’s Supply Chain division, Todd is committed to elevating our service standards, empowering our clientele to expand and thrive. His leadership spearheads a logistics team dedicated to implementing agile process enhancements that adeptly navigate the dynamic landscape of telecommunications.

Education: MBA from The Ohio State University and a BS from Malone University, enriching his practical expertise with a robust academic framework.

Childhood Aspirations: Todd’s journey from childhood aspirations of being an Oceanographer to his current role demonstrates a deep-rooted passion for exploration and problem-solving. His core business aspiration is centered on fostering growth and cultivating future leaders within the organization. He ardently shares his wealth of knowledge, equipping individuals with indispensable tools and leveraging his vast experience to drive both personal and organizational success.

Vice President of Product Development

Amar Zedan

As Vice President of Product Development, Amar leads the product development team. Amar ensures that Marketplace products meet customer expectations and positions T-CETRA’s unique all-in-one brand solutions based on technical, competitive, and trend analyses to better serve carrier and retailer needs.

Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science Engineering from AI-Ahliyya Amman University in Jordan and completed two Master’s Certificates in Applied and IT/IS Project Management from Villanova University

Childhood Aspirations: Aviation engineer and pilot

Controller

Cindy Johns

As Controller, Cindy works closely on all aspects of T-CETRA’s accounting and financial management, including financial reporting; compliance; risk assessment and mitigation.
She is also instrumental in the development of internal control policies, processes, and procedures to improve T-CETRA’s financial health.

Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting from Minot State University and a Master’s of Business Administration from Indiana Wesleyan University.

Childhood Aspiration: Doctor

Vice President of Technology

Zaher Al Sabbagh

As Vice President of Technology, Zaher oversees the Development, QA, Design, Software Architecture, UX/UI, and Product Management teams. He enhances T-CETRA’s product offerings to address market needs as well a strategizes and provides new solutions to both internal and external stakeholders.

Education: Both Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Electrical and Computer Engineering from The Ohio State University

Childhood Aspiration: Astronaut

Director of Finance

Olimpia Dawidowicz

As Director of Finance, Olimpia manages the Finance team in addition to the Shipping and Logistics Team. She oversees all departmental budgets, manages T-CETRA’s cash flow and reconciliations, as well as ensures that Marketplace inventory arrives on-time utilizing the most efficient and cost-effective methods.

Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting and Finance from Franklin University and Associate’s Degree in Financial Management Services from Greater Poland School of Business and Administration

Childhood Aspiration: Drawn to the culinary arts, Olimpia always wanted to be a chef.

Director of Human Resources

Jennifer Kaser

As Director of Human Resources, Jen manages the entire Human Resources team from recruiting to onboarding to compensation and benefits and everything in between. She creates the programs and the policies that benefit each T-CETRA team and enrich the company culture.

Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing from Ohio University, holds a PHR Certification, and is a Certified Myers-Briggs instructor

Childhood Aspirations: As a teenager, Jen aspired to be fighter pilot and in college dreamed of being an FBI agent.

Director of Sales

Todd Walberg

As Director of Sales, Todd has built and managed a field sales team to support T-CETRA’s current distribution of over 10,000 stores across the U.S. and Puerto Rico. He helps lead T-CETRA’s efforts in adding new sales and distribution channels, focusing on retail as well as business to business opportunities.

Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management as well as PRSM Certificate from Bellevue University

Childhood Aspirations: Todd is still a baseball fan and always wanted to be a professional baseball player as well as a teacher.

Director of Software Engineering

Nick Alt

Nick is a seasoned technology leader who has been at the helm of organizations’ technical strategies for over eight years, serving as Lead Engineer, System Architect, and Director. He excels in leading teams to create robust, scalable, and efficient software systems that address both current and future company needs. True to his engineering roots, Nick is continuously on the lookout for innovative ways to advance the technology and methodologies that form the backbone of his team’s success, focusing on fostering a culture of continuous improvement, collaboration, and technical excellence.

Education: Bachelor’s of Computer Science and Engineering, The Ohio State University

Childhood Aspirations: Game Designer

Vice President of Product Strategy and Marketing

Alex Avery

As the VP of Product Strategy and Marketing, Alex is a dynamic leader who spearheads product strategy in collaboration with key stakeholders, telecom/carrier partners, and other brand partners. With a focus on delivering high-value tools and products, he has contributed to the success of T-CETRA’s flagship platform, VIDAPAY®, as well as other retail programs, platform integrations, and e-commerce initiatives.

His team, consisting of Product Management, Product Design/Experience, and Product Marketing, is responsible for ensuring an exceptional end-to-end user experience and driving platform and product engagement, retention, and utilization. With a keen eye for brand management, graphic design, video production, and digital advertising, he brings a holistic approach to product strategy and marketing.

Associate Director of Product Operations

Lisa Determan

As Associate Director of Product Operations, Lisa supports the development and execution of product strategies and assures they are aligned with company objectives. She also oversees the design and execution of effective go-to-market strategies for new products and features. She oversees the development of product-related communications and collaborates with marketing and communications teams to optimize product messaging across channels.

Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Communication from Arizona State University

Childhood Aspirations: Lawyer

Social Responsibility

T-CETRA  supports and respects our employees, partners, and external communities by fostering an environment committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. We have recently been recognized for our Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) efforts with the Vanguard Award for Corporate Citizenship, the Diversity in Business Award, and a Top Workplace Award. But we don’t adopt socially responsible initiatives for the accolades, we do it because it is the right thing to do.  

A natural extension of this ethos was the establishment of
The T-CETRA Foundation
to philanthropically address the evolving needs of the un/derbanked. We believe in equity, access, compassion, and innovation, particularly for ethnically diverse and economically depressed communities. Like the 6,000-year-old olive tree featured in our logo, The T-CETRA Foundation provides a lasting legacy to empower the underserved through technology and financial education grants

T-CETRA UNDERSTANDS THE UNDERBANKED MAY NOT HAVE ACCESS TO THE SAME PRODUCTS AND SERVICES AS THE FULLY BANKED — BUT THEY DO HAVE THE SAME ASPIRATIONS AND SKILLS.