Russell Joseph Kelly – President

Russell Joseph Kelly joined Madagascar Oil S.A. as its Chief Executive Officer in September 2018. Previously he held positions as an Independent Director of Resources Prima Group, listed on the Singapore stock exchange. He has been involved in the restructuring of several petrochemical companies since his arrival in Indonesia in 1997, focusing primarily on legal and financial issues with both domestic and international creditors. From 2002 to 2007, he was the technical operations director of PT Trans-Pacific Petrochemical Indotama in Indonesia. From 2007 to 2013, Russell Joseph Kelly was the technical operations director of PT Tuban Petrochemical Industries, a petrochemical holding company based in Indonesia. He was the managing director of Polytama International Finance B.V. from 2004 until 2015 and was a member of the board of commissioners of PT Tuban LPG Indonesia from 2008 until 2016 and was the President Director of PT Sulfindo Adiusaha from March 2015 until March 2016. From his graduation in 1980, until his relocation to Indonesia in 1997, Mr. Kelly held several positions within UOP LLC. Russell Joseph Kelly obtained his Bachelor of Science (Honours) degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, United Kingdom in 1980.

Tom Cushman – Vice-President

Tom Cushman is a GIA Graduate Gemologist and is the International Colored Stone Association Ambassador to Madagascar where he has been involved in gemstone trading for over 20 years.  Tom founded and managed the Institute de Gemmologie de Madagascar under a grant from the World Bank.  He has been active in small-scale mining policy and development in Madagascar for many years as a consultant to the Ministry of Mines and Energy and is a founding member of the Malagasy National Mines Committee.  Tom now serves as a board member of the Madagascar Chamber of Mines and AmCham, the American Chamber of Commerce in Madagascar. Tom opened Richfield Investor Services in Antananarivo, Madagascar in 2007 to assist incoming international investors navigate the Malagasy business environment.  Richfield’s clients are primarily in natural resource industries.  As the Country Manager of the NGO Artminers Madagascar, Tom is instrumental in building a strong domestic gem industry and is a leader in the development of Fair Trade Jewelry.  In 2008 Tom was honored for his years of service to Madagascar by being awarded Chevalier de l Ordre National.

Andrew B. Whang - Treasurer

Andrew B Whang is a business consultant working in Madagascar for the last 7 years. His past and current clients in Madagascar include Benchmark Advantage Fund and Madagascar Oil. He is a United States Marine Corps veteran and has worked in a wide variety of  different fields and industries including military intelligence, hotel and restaurant management, business management and social development. 

Harimahefa Francia Ranaivoson - Secretary

Harimahefa Francia Ranaivoson is working as the Key Account Manager at Airtel Madagascar within the Corporate Department since October 2016. She is in charge of Corporate and High Value customers. Specialized in Marketing and Trade, Francia started her journey with Airtel in November 2013. Since then, she has experienced a rapid evolution on her career path within the same company. Apart from her social commitments, she just joined the AmCham Board 2019-2012.

MIRELA COMANICIU

Mirela Comaniciu works as  General Manager for Symbion Power Mandroseza since 2016, but her career with Symbion started in 2005 in Basrah, Iraq.  Prior to joining Symbion, she worked for Al Bahar and Bardawil and Mott MacDonalds at Basrah International Airport, Iraq, as well as in hospitals in Kuwait, Libya and Romania. Mirela has been a member of AmCham since 2009 and she has resided in several countries in Africa, Middle East, USA and Europe. Mirela holds a BS Degree in Nursing, a BS Degree in Management and Marketing and currently she is pursuing her Master of Business Administration with a specialization in finance.

GREGOIRE MOSER

Grégoire Moser joined SOMIA as a Financial Consultant in 2018. Previously he worked as a financial consultant for FTI Consulting in Paris, France and as an M&A advisor for Greenhill in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Grégoire holds a BS in Economics and Statistics and a Master’s degree in Banking and Finance.

ANDRIAMISA RAVELOMANANA

Andriamisa Ravelomanana know as "Ami", is the Country Senior Partner for PwC in Madagascar.  He is also the Tax&Legal Los Leader of PwC Madagascar.  Ami is a chartered accountant member of the Madagascar Council of Chartered Accountant.  He has developped a strong experience and practise in business law.  He assists various foreign investors from the design, due diligence, implementation and exploitation of their business in Madagascar. Throughout the running of the business, Ami and his team assist a wide range of clients in various sectors and provide financial, tax and legal services.   On the social side, Ami is one of the founders of the Association Ed+ aiming to promote education and development of vulnerable populations by combating malnutrition through agricultural and environmental education.

JOHN JAMES

John William James is the owner and general manager of Mioty Voajanahary SARL, producer of dried vahona (Aloe macroclada) gel for export. Following his 12 years of experience at Targacept, Inc., NC, USA, he launched his consulting business, JWJames Consulting, whose mission is to assist pharmaceutical companies in bioanalytical, analytical and metabolism areas. John James holds an Executive M.B.A., focus on entrepreneurship and a B.S. in Chemistry. This year, he joined AmCham Madagascar's Board of Directors.

WINIFRED FITZGERALD

Winifred Fitzgerald is the Senior Advisor for External Relations in the Sustainability Division of Ambatovy, a nickel and cobalt mining enterprise.   Her background includes work with and for non-governmental organizations, foundations, private companies in the extractive industry, a university research center, and governmental and multi-lateral development agencies.  She and her husband have been living and working in Madagascar for 14 years.  She is very pleased to be re-joining the AmCham Board, having previously served from 2013 to 2017.