PARTNERS

critical operations group 

Critical Operations Group (COG), a Dubai-based company, utilizes its unique approach to partnership in a variety of post-conflict and underdeveloped regions worldwide to create wealth through its primary business lines: Life Support Services, Construction, Satellite/IT services, Secure Accommodations and Procurement. COG is an emerging leader in the provision of goods and services to public, private commercial entities and governmental armed forces in challenging markets around the world.

COG is determined to make a difference in the countries in which it operates by fostering partnerships, providing employment opportunities and developing a long-term “footprint” to ensure prosperity – not just for themselves, but for their customers and the local communities they touch. This approach allows COG to earn a reasonable return while keeping costs low, all the while making a difference in regions that have seen strife and want for too long.

Our company’s approach has been validated in perhaps some of the most inhospitable environments in the world, including Afghanistan, the Northwest Frontier of Pakistan, Mongolia, Kenya, and others.

horn business solutions

Horn Business Solutions (HBS), based in Hargeisa, Somaliland, is a leading provider of security and logistics services throughout the Horn of Africa, including Somalia, Somaliland, Djibouti and other locations.

Founded by Somaliland native Jimaale Farah, HBS provides a wide variety of services designed to ensure the combination of safety, comfort and efficiency for corporations, government entities, NGOs and individuals. Utilizing its highly-trained security personnel, its regional network of “safe houses,” its deep local knowledge and its state-of- the-art technology, HBS has grown to become one of the leading suppliers of security and logistics services in the region.

HBS continues to expand its heavy investment in the region by partnering with Dubai-based Critical Operations Group, an emerging leader in the provision of goods and services to public, private commercial entities and governmental armed forces in challenging markets around the world, to develop housing, logistics services, vocational training and security capacity-building in the port city of Berbera, Somaliland. The company’s commitment to Somaliland and its citizens will continue to grow through this exciting partnership.

sargon heinrich

Mr. Sargon Heinrich is the co-founder of COGS. Mr. Heinrich was a co-founder of Kabul and Dubai-based ACCL International, a leading provider of Construction, Life Support Services, Satellite/IT services, and Procurement/Warehousing to government, NGO and commercial entities in Afghanistan.

Mr. Heinrich served ACCL as Executive Vice President from its inception in 2003 until recently, and he remains an equity partner in that company. Prior to co-founding ACCL, Mr. Heinrich served as President and Principal of several companies he founded and eventually sold, the most recent being Monolith Interactive Solutions, which was purchased by internet logistics provider iLink Global in 2000.

Previously, Mr. Heinrich spent thirteen years with Bechtel Corporation leading domestic and international project management, public relations, project finance, and business development activities.

These experiences culminated in his coordination and management role in the extinguishing of Kuwait oil fires after Operation Desert Storm in 1991-1993.

Mr. Heinrich is based in Dubai.

richard wilson

Mr. Richard Wilson is a co-founder of COGS. Mr. Wilson has served as the Chief Executive Officer of ACCL International for 3 years, prior to which he was Chief Operating Officer of that company. Previously, Mr. Wilson was Vice President for RA International, a provider of construction and life support services in Africa and the Middle East, and whose Afghanistan operations ACCL acquired in 2012.

Mr. Wilson also completed a successful and accomplished career in the Royal Navy as a Marine Engineer in 2008, after 30 years of service. Notably he served as the Liaison Officer for Souda Bay, Crete where he was responsible in Southern Europe for engineering, logistical and operational support to NATO ships operating in the eastern Mediterranean.

In 2003 he was re-appointed to the UK’s then Flag Ship HMS Illustrious, where he served as the Marine Engineering Department Coordinator, responsible for the complete set up of departmental management structures and implementing the training of crew prior and during formal assessment periods.

Mr. Wilson is based in Dubai and makes his home in the United Kingdom

PAUL STUKEL

Mr. Paul Stukel is a co-founder of COGS. Mr. Stukel has acted in various roles to ACCL International since its inception in 2003, including Acting Chief Financial Officer and, most recently, Senior Advisor.

Mr. Stukel is also the founder of Nexxus Publishing LLC, a Chicago-based, multi-faceted corporation that integrates media, marketing and online retailing, and which is a portfolio company of COG. Mr. Stukel was previously the Co-Founder and President of iLink Global, a Chicago-based provider of internet-based transportation management systems and on-line logistics services, which was ultimately sold to a publicly-traded company in late 2000.

Prior to iLink, Mr. Stukel was the Senior Director for Strategic Assessment for The HAVI Group, an Illinois-based $4.0 billion logistics, manufacturing and marketing company.

Prior to his work for HAVI, Mr. Stukel spent approximately 10 years at PriceWaterhouse (now PriceWaterhouseCoopers) in both Chicago and London. Mr. Stukel received his CPA certification in 1989.

Mr. Stukel is based in Chicago, Illinois.

jimaale farah

Born and bred in Somaliland, Mr. Farah is the founder of a well-established and successful security and logistics company based in Hargeisa.  He is passionate about his native land and is eager to invest in the development of Somaliland.

Mr. Farah brings with him over 10 years of entrepreneurial experience throughout the Horn of Africa including financial management, economics, and regional security support services.

Mr. Farah is based in Somaliland.

VIRGILio AFRICA

Mr. Virgilio Africa is a co-founder of COGS. Mr. Africa was a co-founder of Kabul- and Dubai- based ACCL International, where he served as a Managing Director, and where he remains an equity partner.

Prior to co-founding ACCL, Mr. Africa had over 10 years experience in marketing and major account management in various executive roles.

Mr. Africa is based in Dubai.