Fernando Assens is the CEO and a co-founder of Argo. In his 14 years with the firm, Fernando has advised clients in a range of industries—including manufacturing, industrial and distribution—but his core of work is in Operational Due Diligence  and performance improvement for private equity owned businesses. In his current role as CEO, Fernando continues to spend a significant amount of time working with clients.

Over the last twenty years, Fernando’s work has focused on achieving lasting, operational improvements by transforming processes and people. His experience in the consulting industry dates back to 1992, where he began in Operations Improvement and Change Management. Prior to working in consulting, he held management positions in operations and finance with two European consumer product companies. Fluent in Spanish, English and Catalan, Fernando earned a five-year Business Degree from the University of Barcelona, and is a graduate of the Owner/President Management (OPM) program at the Harvard Business School.

"I work with truly exceptional people both at the client and at Argo. What I have always loved about my work is the opportunity to make a difference not just in our client’s companies, but also in people’s lives and careers."

Diego Polo co-founded Argo in 1998, bringing to life their shared vision for a truly global management consulting practice that implements bottom line, measurable results.  Today, Diego continues to leverage 25 years of experience in method improvement and process change, implementing Lean Manufacturing programs, while supporting many of Argo’s clients embarking on joint ventures, IPOs, buyouts and mergers in the U.S., Europe and South America.  Diego holds B.S. degrees in both Industrial Engineering and Electrical Engineering from the University of Houston, and is fluent in Spanish, English, French and Catalan.  Prior to founding Argo, Diego spent nearly 20 years in management consulting specializing in banking and financial services around the globe, after launching a commodities trading firm in Venezuela.

Edmond Baddour, President of Argo, uses his 20 years of experience in strategic operational transformation, product and plant rationalization, and business process redesign to optimize value creation that gives clients a competitive advantage. With degrees in Business and Marketing from the University of North Carolina, Ed leverages his expertise in implementing change on an executive level across a broad range of service industries, working with clients including Flowserve, United Technologies, Ford, GM, Parker Hannifin, Bayer, Rockwell, Johnson Controls, Ingersoll Rand, Delphi, Deere, Case New Holland, La-z-boy, Textron, Dana, International Paper, Sonoco, Cooper Industries, Mohawk Industries, Smith International, Coca-Cola, and Solvay.

Andreas has over 23 years of experience working in industrial firms and as a consultant. He began his career in the Petrochemical (British Petroleum, PdVSA) and Metalworking Tools (Kennametal) industries; he has also  been involved  in the Automotive, Pharmaceutical and Lighting equipment industries, working in Operations Improvement and Management.
Andreas completed a Five-Year Business and Economics Degree from the University of Fribourg/Switzerland. He speaks German, English, French and Spanish.

"At Argo we are not consultants but 'implementers'; This is one of the most fulfilling jobs I have ever done. Helping our clients transform their businesses is an incredibly rewarding experience."

James Mourafetis is a Vice President of Argo and has been with the company since 2009.  His major responsibilities include:  major platform development and account engagement with existing multi-national clients; share thought leadership through publications and public speaking with industry councils in transportation and manufacturing sectors; engage and network with Argo’s Board of Directors; and contribute to the progress of society.
 
James has over 22 years of professional experience.  He is a seasoned global manufacturing visionary and deployment leader across multi-site locations deploying rapid change in factories throughout various supply chains. 

 James’ latest work has been thought leadership within the Class 1 North American railroad transportation sector.
 
James is known for his collaborative engagement with senior leaders and has strong business acumen.
 
Specialties include: manufacturing operations management
; turn around management
; supply chain integration
; and enterprise asset management strategy & deployment for heavy asset industries.

David is a Vice President of Operations. He has been with Argo since 2007 and has advised a variety of clients in their transformation efforts. His work and leadership with CEOs and Executives on operational improvement, strategy and cultural transformation is considered by many to be cutting edge. One of David’s greatest strengths is his ability to effectively engage and work at all levels of the organization from the C-Level Executives to the front line employee. His broad knowledge, thought provoking, engagement style, coupled with his passion to achieve results, has enabled him to be a leader in transforming organizations into world-class companies.

Prior to joining Argo, David held management positions for companies such as Texas Instruments, Raytheon, and Philips. He is a former US Marine and has over 25 years operational experience working in various senior level positions in the defense, automotive, electronics, telecommunication, lighting, aerospace and the transportation business sectors. David earned his Bachelors Degree in Industrial Engineering at Eastern Kentucky University and continues his executive training at MIT and Harvard Business Schools.

"Collaborating with fellow Argonauts and clients on cutting edge ideas and methodologies to transform their business is a truly enriching experience. Because of this a unique and highly rewarding partnership is formed that endures the test of time."

Jorge manages projects with major international corporations in USA, Europe, Canada and Latin America focusing on company wide EBITDA & cash flow improvement initiatives, product portfolio and profitability analysis, design and delivery of Strategy Deployment programs.  These projects generally involve multi site Operational Transformations as well as turnarounds for portfolio companies of Private Equity firms.  In that role, Jorge has been the leading client partner with CEO’s and corporate level executives. Jorge’s consulting experience includes projects in the manufacturing, transportation & logistics, consumer products and paper & packaging sectors.  He leads Argo’s Lean Airlines practice and is one of the leaders in the re-structuring practice working with Private Equity firms.

Prior to Argo, Jorge worked as Corporate Lean Director at Freudenberg-NOK (a leading tier 1 auto supplier), Project Manager at Mckinsey & Company where he led projects in a variety of sectors for companies such as: LSG Skychefs, Thompson Electronics, US Postal Service and Delphi, and as VP Corporate Development at Cable & Wireless where  he managed the restructuring of back-office processes in customer service, accounting and operations.  Jorge has MBA in International Business from The Thunderbird School of Global Management and a B.S. Industrial & Systems Engineering from the University of Florida.  He speaks Spanish, English and Portuguese.

"Putting our team skills and strengths together to help our clients succeed is what motivates me everyday. It is critical for us to realize that fast and measurable results is what makes a difference and we commit ourselves and our teams to do that!"

Scott is responsible for evolving Argo’s significant base of business in Canada from the company’s base in Toronto, Ontario. For more than 20 years, Scott has worked with CEOs and senior level executives to improve revenue and implement operational and financial improvements while aligning performance and culture with strategic vision. Scott studied business and psychology at York University in Toronto, and continues to build his strategic perspective and skills through ongoing executive training at Harvard Business School.

Since 2001, co-founder and Vice President Magda Jakubowska has led Argo’s recruiting efforts worldwide. Prior to her current position, VP Recruiting, she spent 9 years as a Consultant and Project Manager with Argo, directing successful Lean Transformations for clients such as Parker Hannifin, Johnson Controls, John Deere, Ford, Zumtobel and Arvin-Meritor. She has worked in 11 countries and is fluent in English, German, Finnish, Polish and Flemmish, with a working knowledge of Spanish and French. Magda earned a degree in Economics from Suffolk University in Boston.

Peter Zentner is the CFO of Argo. Peter is an intellectually rigorous accounting professional with over 25 years of experience in private and public accounting. Peter has a proven ability of providing financial planning and financial reporting to senior management and board of directors. Areas of expertise include, cash management, vendor and lender negotiations, facilities management, insurance -including property, casualty, and workers comp & health. Peter earned his degree in Accounting from the University of Illinois.