our management team

Jack Freker is a seasoned Chief Executive Officer in the business services industry, having led six public and private companies providing consulting, technology, and support services globally. He has also served on the boards of eight firms during his career.

From 2018 to early 2023, Jack was CEO of Buck, a global leader in outsourced services for employee benefits, talent engagement, and administrative solutions. Under his leadership, Buck reversed a seven-year revenue decline, achieving consistent growth and tripling profits over his five-year leadership term.

Jack began his career at Procter & Gamble before moving to Convergys, a leading provider of outsourced customer service and back-office support, where he grew the company’s revenue from $40M to $2B over thirteen years, achieving an IPO during his tenure.

Jack, his wife Leidy, and their daughter Abigail reside in Miami Beach, FL, and enjoy spending summers in Damariscotta, ME. He is a Princeton University graduate and attended the T.E.P. executive education program at Dartmouth’s Tuck School of Business.

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Robert Cadena, Executive Chairman of the Board and Co-founder of Lean Solutions Group, boasts an extensive career in logistics. He initiated his journey by establishing a transportation brokerage business in 2001, supported by a back-office operation in Colombia. Following the sale of his brokerage firm, Mr. Cadena pivoted to assist logistics companies in reducing costs by establishing operations in Colombia.

Under his guidance, over 600 U.S.-based companies have successfully set up satellite offices in Latin America, achieving significant reductions in employee turnover, cost-cutting, and legal risk mitigation in HR issues. This strategic expansion has enabled these firms to grow their workforces more rapidly than possible within the U.S.

Today, Lean Solutions Group thrives under Mr. Cadena's leadership, employing over 9,000 staff across five Colombian cities, Guatemala, the Philippines, and expanding into Mexico in 2023. His adept management has led the company to feature on the INC5000 list of fastest-growing private companies in America for four consecutive years.

With a profound understanding of staff augmentation needs in operations, technology, sales, marketing, and traditional BPO services, Mr. Cadena continues to deliver tailor-made solutions, cementing his reputation as a visionary leader in the logistics sector.

Mario is a results-driven finance executive with over 25 years of experience in finance and operations management across Banking, Insurance, Education Management, and Marketing & Media. He has held CFO roles at leading organizations, including AIG, Zurich, Laureate Education in Mexico, and GroupM as Latin America Regional CFO.

Mario has a proven track record of delivering significant value in both publicly held and privately owned companies. His extensive international experience and leadership across diverse settings underscore his strategic acumen. He excels in strategic planning and execution, managing comprehensive full corporate finance functions including legal, procurement, commercial finance, and real estate.

His expertise includes overseeing mergers and acquisitions—handling due diligence, integration, and exit strategies—as well as financial risk management, reporting, and modeling. Mario is skilled in crafting value creation plans and growth strategies, driving operational margin improvements, and leading successful turnarounds and restructurings. He is also dedicated to the development of finance talent.

Mario holds an M.B.A. with Honors from the Wharton School, an M.A. in Economics from ILADES/Georgetown University, and a B.S. in Economics from Universidad del Pacifico.

Chris Strammiello serves as the Chief Revenue Officer at Lean Solutions Group. Mr. Strammiello brings a wealth of experience to his role with a comprehensive background in product sales, strategy and marketing. Prior to his position at Lean Solutions Group, Mr. Strammiello was the Senior Vice President of Channel Sales at Kofax and previously held various leadership positions at Nuance and Xerox.

Throughout his career as a strategic leader in software sales, Mr. Strammiello has been recognized for his ability to drive change and seamlessly integrate mergers and acquisitions, resulting in transformative shifts within software companies. His leadership style is inspirational, and he excels at building high-performance teams based on trust and rapport. He ensures that key leaders are actively involved in every initiative, making them valuable stakeholders.

Mr.Strammiello obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing from the University of Connecticut.

Daniel Agamez is a business administrator with over five years of professional experience in the transportation and logistics industry. Leading teams of more than 1,000 employees, he has come to understand the importance of high-quality services. He aims to define, and most importantly, create an all-time high service standard for internal and external clients. Establishing a more integral organization focused on its human resource is one of his main drivers. Daniel believes that grasping and embracing the significance of a well-built team is crucial, from a holistic point of view, and is the key to significant success.

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Mary Jane Velasquez is the Vice President of Human Resources for Lean Solutions Group, Inc. She has rapidly progressed in her levels of responsibility at Lean Solutions Group. Ms. Velasquez has accumulated ten years of business experience.  Before joining Lean Solutions Group, Ms. Velasquez developed her exemplary management and organizational abilities at ECOPETROL, a Colombian refinery and oil company where she served in various roles of responsibilities. Mary Jane utilizes her skills, bringing balance and organization to an ever-growing workforce for Lean Solutions Group, through strategic tools and techniques. Ms. Velasquez spent three years living, working, and studying at Greenwich University in London, where she received a master's degree in International Human Resource Management. She has also received her bachelor’s degrees in both Business Management with an emphasis on International Business and Finance at Tecnologica Bolivar University, Cartagena. 

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Jeff Smargon brings a wealth of experience and a commanding presence to his role as VP of Operations and Infrastructure at Lean Solutions Group. With a distinguished 20-year career, Jeff excels in crafting data-driven strategies that boost efficiency and elevate process performance. His expertise spans global operations, business services, and project management, making him a linchpin in driving organizational success.

Before joining Lean Solutions Group, Jeff was the Sr. Director of Global Business Services at Alorica where he consistently demonstrated his ability to lead high-impact initiatives across diverse regions, including Asia Pacific, Latin America, North America, and Europe.

A certified Prince2 Practitioner and Six Sigma Green Belt, Jeff is known for his strategic acumen and exceptional stakeholder management skills. His global perspective and track record of managing complex projects in over 25 countries highlight his expertise in navigating and optimizing international operations.

JC Reyes serves as the Vice President of Performance Management at Lean Solutions Group, where he leads operational analytics and data-driven strategies to enhance business performance. With extensive experience managing multimillion-dollar budgets and driving large-scale digital transformation, JC specializes in aligning strategic initiatives with organizational objectives to achieve measurable success.

Before joining Lean Solutions Group, JC spent over seven years in senior leadership roles at Fortune 500 companies. In these roles, he led transformative projects that significantly enhanced customer satisfaction and operational efficiency. His background also includes leadership experience managing operational functions for prominent financial services clients like Fiserv and Goldman Sachs, where he drove substantial improvements in service delivery and operational performance.

JC holds multiple professional certifications, including Six Sigma Green Belt, PMP, and PMI-ACP, which underpin his expertise in process improvement and project management. His academic background includes a Bachelor of Science in Business with a major in Marketing Management from Universidad APEC and studies in Business Management and Operations at Instituto Tecnológico de Santo Domingo.

Known for his results-oriented approach and commitment to operational excellence, JC is passionate about fostering a culture of innovation and high performance, making a substantial impact on organizational growth and customer experience.

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Sergio Alvarez is the Director of U.S. Operations at Lean Solutions Group. Mr. Alvarez started in the transportation industry in 1997 with drayage, hazmat, and bonded shipments. With over 24 years of experience, Sergio utilizes his knowledge and expertise to assist customers in getting the most out of their nearshore partner. Alvarez is a highly resourceful and self-motivated individual who maintains efficient operations by effectively managing staff, facilities, and equipment and building solid relationships with clients. In 2009, Mr. Alvarez worked in an asset-based 3 PL company, managing LTL, TL, Intermodal, and Volume shipments.

Sergio was one of the first LSG customers utilizing the Colombia operation to streamline the LTL and TL division processes. He helped grow that team from data entry and track trace to carrier sales, AP/AR, claims, bill auditing, etc. Mr. Alvarez had the privilege of getting his associate degree from Florida State University and his bachelor's from Dakota Wesleyan University.

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Luis Encinales is the Head of Lean Tech's Operation Department. He is an Electronic Engineer passionate about technology, software development, product management, and innovation. He has over six years of experience working in the tech and software development industry and more than three years working at Lean Solutions Group. He started his career as a junior mobile developer in Italy after receiving his master's degree in Automation Engineering from Politecnico di Milano University. Afterward, Mr. Encinales grew in the software development industry, going through positions such as backend lead, tech lead, and project manager, acquiring knowledge and experience from a technical side and a managerial standpoint. He received honors as the best student in his class for his bachelor's degree in Electronic Engineering from the Universidad del Norte, which he studied with a full scholarship. Mr. Encinales was also selected for another scholarship program for his master's degree in Italy.

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With over 8 years of profound expertise in quality management and extensive experience leading large-scale teams, Juan Felipe Ñañez is a notable figure in the field.  

Since joining Lean Solutions Group two years ago, Juan has made a substantial impact as the VP of Quality Excellence. His role involves championing initiatives to optimize internal processes, elevate operational performance, and drive productivity throughout the organization.  

Mr. Ñañez's journey before joining Lean Solutions Group encompasses diverse roles within quality and management. His versatile experience spans various industries, and his career progression has witnessed him assuming increasing responsibility, thus contributing to his exceptional grasp of quality and operational efficiency.

In 2015, Maria Patricia Crissien embarked on her LSG journey as a Data Entry Specialist for 3PLs and Asset-based operations. Her exceptional dedication quickly set her apart, propelling her into leadership roles as she progressed within the organization. Notably, she founded and led the Quality Department, securing international certifications highlighting her strategic insight and foresight in championing LSG's excellence.

Ms. Crissien's influence expanded further when she assumed the role of leading the Strategic Development Vice Presidency. In this capacity, she elevated organizational standards and actively sought avenues for continuous improvement that aligned with LSG's overarching goals. Holding a Major in Law from Universidad del Atlantico and certified as an ISO audit specialist, her academic and professional achievements mirror her commitment to fostering excellence within the organization.

Valeria Rojo is the VP of Operations for our Central Region. Ms. Rojo initiated her career with Lean Solutions Group in 2015 as a Logistics Coordinator. Valeria has vast experience in Customer Service, Dispatch, and Tracking fields for Logistic Companies specialized in Home Deliveries. Ms. Rojo continued her growth with LSG when she was appointed as an Operations and Implementations Manager in early 2018, a role which she performed until mid-2019. Ms. Rojo was then promoted as Branch Manager for our newest office in Bogota. As a result of her continued work and strive for excellence, she has contributed to the impressive growth our Bogota office has experienced. Ms. Rojo graduated from Universidad Autonoma Del Caribe with an International Business, and Finance Degree focused on Logistics and International Commerce.

Cindy Mercado is the Director of Operations for the Northbound Region. Ms. Mercado graduated in 2011 as a Professional in Finances and International Relations from Corporación Universidad De La Costa (CUC). Ms. Mercado has been a valuable asset to our team since she joined us in 2013 as an LTL Operations Assistant, working with one of LSG’s first clients, a 3PL company. Since then, she has gained extensive and valuable experience in different areas of the logistics and transportation industry. Througouht her time with LSG, Ms. Mercado has proven to be a dedicated and skilled key asset to the company, consistenly contributing to the success of our company.

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Kristell Pardo is the Director of Operations - Central Region. She is an International Business graduate from the EAN University. Kristell started her professional career as a logistics coordinator back in 2017, where she gained knowledge about different positions within the supply chain and logistics industry, focusing mainly on the LTL modality. Kristell started developing new skills and therefore transitioned to being a corporate trainer. In January 2019, she moved to Bogota and helped open the branch alongside our COO, Dany Moreno. Since that time, she gained personnel management skills which allowed her to become an Operations Implementations manager. As an Operations & Implementation manager, Kristell had the opportunity to land big names in the transportation industry, establish great partnerships and business relationships with clients, and contribute to the branch's growth and development.

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In 2022, Diva seamlessly integrated into our company as a Concierge Coordinator, swiftly establishing herself as an indispensable cornerstone. Her tenure has been marked by substantial enhancements to our client relationships and notable contributions to departmental structure.  

Diva's ardor for delivering unparalleled customer service has been a driving force behind her role, as she remains steadfast in her commitment to cultivating enduring client connections. Her prowess as a strategic thinker and an innate attention to detail set her apart within the organization.

Rebecca Barriga is the Branch Manager for our Cartagena Branch. She started her professional career as a customer representative at her university. Rebecca then had the opportunity to work as an intern for the Operations Department in the Port of Cartagena, Sociedad Portuaria, where she gained logistics knowledge and personnel management skills as part of the Refrigerated Containers Division for over a year. In October 2019, due to her previous experience, she started working as an Operations Administrative Assistant in Lean Solutions Group, assisting the Manager in developing the Branch and boosting clients' growth. During her time at Lean Solutions Group, Rebecca has developed managerial and efficient problem-solving skills, which have helped her contribute to the Branch's growth and the success of its customers and consolidate one of the biggest clients for Lean Solutions Group in the city.

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Tatiana Charris is the branch manager for our Philippines Branch. She is an Industrial Engineer graduate from the Autonoma Del Caribe University, focusing her dissertation on Strategic Management. Tatiana started with LSG as a Logistics Coordinador back in 2019, where she was able to excel in client resolution and shipping efficiency for Final Mile due to her previous Customer Service experience. As a result of her strong work ethic and dedication, Tatiana then started supporting the Operations Team relocating to our Bogota branch at the time and subsequently the Implementations Team, further fostering the growth and excellence that is characteristic of LSG. In 2022 Tatiana was named the Bogota Brach Manager and most recently, due to her excellent client handling and strong leadership skills, she has taken on our Philippines Branch to support our continued growth and further consolidation of the branch.

Andreina Guillen is the Bogota Branch Manager. Andreina has over ten years of experience in the outsourcing and customer service industry. She started as a dispatcher for an after-hours account. After just six months, she was offered the opportunity to be part of the Operations division in the LSG Cartagena branch. She learned more about the company and its internal operations during this time. In 2022, Andreina was promoted to Senior Operations Manager for the Cartagena Branch. During her time in this role, she was able to access more responsibilities, gain exposure, and work closely with upper management. Due to her excellent performance and commitment, Andreina is now the LSG Bogota Branch Manager.

Iader Salazar serves as Lean Solutions Group's Branch Manager for the Bucaramanga, Colombia, Branch. Iader is an International Business Professional from Universidad de la Guajira with a minor in Business Administration. Mr. Salazar started his career at LSG in 2018 as Logistic Coordinator focusing on Track and Trace and Dispatch. Shortly after, he was promoted as Night Supervisor, where he was able to support big clients in the industry. Afterward, Iader continued to grow in the company and was promoted to Operations Manager for the Lean BPO division. Due to his outstanding performance securing solid growth for one of LSG's most significant accounts, Iader was promoted to his current role as Branch Manager.

Esteban's background includes reputable media agencies in the UK and Colombia. He began at Lean Solutions in 2016 as an Account Manager for an FTL company, later advancing to lead teams in the Operations Department. Presently, Esteban heads the BPO division, guiding companies in establishing satellite operations across LSG's global reach.

Carlos Solano is Legal Counsel for Lean Solutions Group. Mr. Solano graduated from the Universidad de Cartagena with a Labor and Industrial Relations Major and is currently a candidate for a master's degree in Labor Law, Labor Procedure, and Social Security from Universidad del Externado in Bogota, Colombia. Mr. Solano began working with Lean Solutions Group in 2015 and currently represents Lean Solutions Group in all judicial matters. His personal distinction has always been to execute all duties from a preventive perspective to protect our company's interests in the areas of labor, civil, and commercial law.

Mr. Solano's expertise provides our Board of Directors with the trust and confidence they require in the decision-making process of these areas of law. Mr. Solano has over 15 years of experience advising companies on litigation processes. During these years, he has provided services to companies within many different areas such as Construction, Health, Gastronomy, Logistics, Technology, and the Public Sector through the Mayor's Office in Cartagena, Colombia.

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