Management Team

Mahendra Vora
Chairman and CEO
Ascendum Solutions, LLC.

Mahendra Vora is a veteran entrepreneur who has over 18 years of experience in leading large cutting-edge software initiatives. He has helped co-found and merge with many high tech startups to Fortune 500 companies, including ICC (sold to Attachmate), Pioneer Systems (acquired by Unisys) and SecureIT (Sold to VeriSign). Vora has held senior executive positions at Fortune 500 IT firms and serves on the Board of Directors of many high-tech companies. Mr. Vora has extensive experience in working with and developing Information Technology solutions for many multi-billion dollar organizations across the world. Over the past 2 decades, Mr. Vora has contributed significantly to the computer industry in developing and delivering strategies, architecture and technologies to transition to distributed and Internet-based computing.

Mahendra was the finalist for the 2001 & 2002 "Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award" and a recipient of the 2000 "Entrepreneur Deal Maker of the Year" from the Association for Corporate Growth.

Mr. Vora holds a Master's degree in Computer Science from University of Michigan and a Bachelor of Science degree in Electronics and Communications from India.

Kris Nair
President and CEO
Ascendum EMEA

Kris has over two decades of rich experience in various industries and across multiple disciplines. Kris has held leadership roles in many successful Indian and International Corporations.

In his career he has led Global Business Development, Mergers and Acquisitions, New Business / Practice initiatives, Corporate Strategy etc. Kris was instrumental in driving the growth of 3 different IT companies during the last five years. An expert in corporate development, Kris has successfully managed many M&A deals in the software industry in India.

Kris founded a new agree software firm Garnet Infosolutions headquartered at Bangalore, which later merged into Ascendum. Before founding Garnet, Kris led the Indian operations of an IT services major and served on the board of an Indian BPO company.

Kris is an Electrical Engineer and has completed various programs in Strategic Business Management at ABB Academy, Zurich, INSEAD and IIM, Ahmedabad. CII ( Confederation of Indian Industry ) rated Kris among the top 10 young managers for the CII Young Managers Trophy 2000.

Micah Zimmerman
CFO
Ascendum Solutions, LLC.

In the course of a progressive 20-year career, Micah Zimmerman has made significant accomplishments in both finance and operations. He held leadership positions with multi-national corporations, such as Sony and Toyota, as well as heading up the finance team for several successful start-up companies. Mr. Zimmerman refines business models, streamlines operations and is heavily involved with the acquisition and distribution of portfolio companies. As the CFO he leads finance, administration, and contributes to the overall vision and direction of Ascendum Solutions.

Micah enjoys spending time with his family, cooking, running and volunteering in the community.

Micah holds an MBA from Indiana State University, in addition to an undergraduate degree in accounting from the University of Kentucky. Micah is also a CPA in the State of Ohio.

Walt McLaren
Vice President of Sales
Ascendum Solutions, LLC.

Walt has over two decades of experience in the technology consulting industry working in the areas of strategic planning, M&A, sales and operational management. A demonstrated leader, coach, and mentor with a successful track record of motivating sales executives to exceed their goals, Walt’s key strength is developing winning sales teams.

Walt began his career as a technical consultant working for organizations such as: EDS, The Limited, Honda, CG&E, and The Kroger Company. A former Senior Vice President at CIBER, Walt has led organizations in size ranging from $5mm to $325mm.

Walt holds a BS in MIS from the Ohio State University and enjoys spending his free time with friends and family, golfing and his automobile hobbies.

Jim Klimkowski
Vice President of Client Services
Ascendum Solutions, LLC.

Mr. Klimkowski is an entrepreneurial, innovative professional services leader who routinely identifies and delivers solutions that revolutionize the way his clientele do business. Jim possesses over 18 years of experience developing, marketing, selling and delivering complex, high-end consulting solutions to Fortune 1000 corporations and the middle-market. Because Jim has both a strong foundation in the Information Technology (IT) field and excellent business acumen, Jim’s key strengths is his grasp of both the IT solution and the value it must provide. Jim’s principle industry experience includes Federal, Consumer/Industrial Products, Manufacturing, Hi-Tech and Financial Services. Jim’s professional services experience includes major roles with Grumman Data Systems, Ernst & Young, Reynolds Reynolds, CSC Consulting, Triple-I and PDR.

As the VP of Client Services, Jim leads solutions development, client delivery, manages our solution practices and contributes to the overall vision and direction of Ascendum Solutions.

Jim lives in Springboro, OH where he enjoys spending time with his family, motorcycle riding, exercising, golfing and volunteering to coach youth athletics.

Jim holds an MBA from the University of Dayton where he was one of a select group presented a certificate for academic achievement. Jim also holds a BS in MIS from the University of Dayton.

Dave Payton
Director of Operations and Sales
Ascendum Solutions, LLC.

Dave Payton has been providing IT Solutions and Services to Fortune 100 companies for nearly two decades. His broad base of experience encompasses consultative sales, managed service solutions, branch operations leadership, service delivery, staffing and human resources. Dave has facilitated change initiatives and business expansion for both private and public national organizations. His success has been highlighted by President’s Club awards and recognitions as a leading contributor and performer by organizations such as ARC, Inc., ciber, Inc., SSS, Inc. and Computer Horizons.

A graduate of Indiana University, Dave is a native of Bloomington Indiana and has lived in Dallas, New York City, and Detroit. He currently resides in Cincinnati OH where he has raised his three children.

Dave is active in the community as a non-profit advisory board member and volunteer in support of disadvantaged individuals in the Tri-State. He is a classically trained musician and enjoys the performing arts. In his spare time, he enjoys week end motor cycle excursions riding two up with his wife Vickye.

Susan Ikeler
Human Resources Manager
Ascendum Solutions, LLC.

Susan Ikeler has been providing human resource and administrative management for more than fifteen years. Her career as a human resource manager for small businesses and regional offices of publicly traded companies brings a varied background in both the private and public arena. She has successfully partnered with management by guiding employees through mergers and acquisitions. Her experiences include outplacement consulting, business services and technology. Susan worked for Mahendra Vora from 2000 through 2006 as the Human Resource Manager for Intelliseek, Inc.

Susan enjoys spending time with family and entertaining friends. In addition she has a strong interest in land conservation and preservation and has worked vigilantly for the past year to successfully save local green space by working closely with local citizens, public officials and non-profit organizations.

She attended both Marshall University and the University of Cincinnati and was awarded her SPHR certification in 2007. Susan is a native of Avon Lake, Ohio and has family in Avon Lake, Ohio and San Diego, California. She is a member of the Society of Human Resource Management and GCHRA.

Diane Holle
Controller
Ascendum Solutions, LLC.

As Controller for Ascendum, Diane has overall responsibility for the preparation of the company financial statements, payroll processing, billing and accounts payable. She has over 20 years experience in various accounting positions. Diane received an Accounting degree from Wright State University and an MBA from Xavier University. She is a Certified Public Accountant and a member of the Ohio Society of CPA’s. Diane is married with two children. Outside the office, she enjoys water-skiing, snow-skiing and family activities.



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Management Team About Vora Ventures		Management Team Mahendra Vora Chairman and CEO Ascendum Solutions, LLC. Mahendra Vora is a veteran entrepreneur who has over 18 years of experience in leading large cutting-edge software initiatives. He has helped co-found and merge with many high tech startups to Fortune 500 companies, including ICC (sold to Attachmate), Pioneer Systems (acquired by Unisys) and SecureIT (Sold to VeriSign). Vora has held senior executive positions at Fortune 500 IT firms and serves on the Board of Directors of many high-tech companies. Mr. Vora has extensive experience in working with and developing Information Technology solutions for many multi-billion dollar organizations across the world. Over the past 2 decades, Mr. Vora has contributed significantly to the computer industry in developing and delivering strategies, architecture and technologies to transition to distributed and Internet-based computing. Mahendra was the finalist for the 2001 & 2002 "Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award" and a recipient of the 2000 "Entrepreneur Deal Maker of the Year" from the Association for Corporate Growth. Mr. Vora holds a Master's degree in Computer Science from University of Michigan and a Bachelor of Science degree in Electronics and Communications from India. Kris Nair President and CEO Ascendum EMEA Kris has over two decades of rich experience in various industries and across multiple disciplines. Kris has held leadership roles in many successful Indian and International Corporations. In his career he has led Global Business Development, Mergers and Acquisitions, New Business / Practice initiatives, Corporate Strategy etc. Kris was instrumental in driving the growth of 3 different IT companies during the last five years. An expert in corporate development, Kris has successfully managed many M&A deals in the software industry in India. Kris founded a new agree software firm Garnet Infosolutions headquartered at Bangalore, which later merged into Ascendum. Before founding Garnet, Kris led the Indian operations of an IT services major and served on the board of an Indian BPO company. Kris is an Electrical Engineer and has completed various programs in Strategic Business Management at ABB Academy, Zurich, INSEAD and IIM, Ahmedabad. CII ( Confederation of Indian Industry ) rated Kris among the top 10 young managers for the CII Young Managers Trophy 2000. Micah Zimmerman CFO Ascendum Solutions, LLC. In the course of a progressive 20-year career, Micah Zimmerman has made significant accomplishments in both finance and operations. He held leadership positions with multi-national corporations, such as Sony and Toyota, as well as heading up the finance team for several successful start-up companies. Mr. Zimmerman refines business models, streamlines operations and is heavily involved with the acquisition and distribution of portfolio companies. As the CFO he leads finance, administration, and contributes to the overall vision and direction of Ascendum Solutions. Micah enjoys spending time with his family, cooking, running and volunteering in the community. Micah holds an MBA from Indiana State University, in addition to an undergraduate degree in accounting from the University of Kentucky. Micah is also a CPA in the State of Ohio. Walt McLaren Vice President of Sales Ascendum Solutions, LLC. Walt has over two decades of experience in the technology consulting industry working in the areas of strategic planning, M&A, sales and operational management. A demonstrated leader, coach, and mentor with a successful track record of motivating sales executives to exceed their goals, Walt’s key strength is developing winning sales teams. Walt began his career as a technical consultant working for organizations such as: EDS, The Limited, Honda, CG&E, and The Kroger Company. A former Senior Vice President at CIBER, Walt has led organizations in size ranging from $5mm to $325mm. Walt holds a BS in MIS from the Ohio State University and enjoys spending his free time with friends and family, golfing and his automobile hobbies. Jim Klimkowski Vice President of Client Services Ascendum Solutions, LLC. Mr. Klimkowski is an entrepreneurial, innovative professional services leader who routinely identifies and delivers solutions that revolutionize the way his clientele do business. Jim possesses over 18 years of experience developing, marketing, selling and delivering complex, high-end consulting solutions to Fortune 1000 corporations and the middle-market. Because Jim has both a strong foundation in the Information Technology (IT) field and excellent business acumen, Jim’s key strengths is his grasp of both the IT solution and the value it must provide. Jim’s principle industry experience includes Federal, Consumer/Industrial Products, Manufacturing, Hi-Tech and Financial Services. Jim’s professional services experience includes major roles with Grumman Data Systems, Ernst & Young, Reynolds Reynolds, CSC Consulting, Triple-I and PDR. As the VP of Client Services, Jim leads solutions development, client delivery, manages our solution practices and contributes to the overall vision and direction of Ascendum Solutions. Jim lives in Springboro, OH where he enjoys spending time with his family, motorcycle riding, exercising, golfing and volunteering to coach youth athletics. Jim holds an MBA from the University of Dayton where he was one of a select group presented a certificate for academic achievement. Jim also holds a BS in MIS from the University of Dayton. Dave Payton Director of Operations and Sales Ascendum Solutions, LLC. Dave Payton has been providing IT Solutions and Services to Fortune 100 companies for nearly two decades. His broad base of experience encompasses consultative sales, managed service solutions, branch operations leadership, service delivery, staffing and human resources. Dave has facilitated change initiatives and business expansion for both private and public national organizations. His success has been highlighted by President’s Club awards and recognitions as a leading contributor and performer by organizations such as ARC, Inc., ciber, Inc., SSS, Inc. and Computer Horizons. A graduate of Indiana University, Dave is a native of Bloomington Indiana and has lived in Dallas, New York City, and Detroit. He currently resides in Cincinnati OH where he has raised his three children. Dave is active in the community as a non-profit advisory board member and volunteer in support of disadvantaged individuals in the Tri-State. He is a classically trained musician and enjoys the performing arts. In his spare time, he enjoys week end motor cycle excursions riding two up with his wife Vickye. Susan Ikeler Human Resources Manager Ascendum Solutions, LLC. Susan Ikeler has been providing human resource and administrative management for more than fifteen years. Her career as a human resource manager for small businesses and regional offices of publicly traded companies brings a varied background in both the private and public arena. She has successfully partnered with management by guiding employees through mergers and acquisitions. Her experiences include outplacement consulting, business services and technology. Susan worked for Mahendra Vora from 2000 through 2006 as the Human Resource Manager for Intelliseek, Inc. Susan enjoys spending time with family and entertaining friends. In addition she has a strong interest in land conservation and preservation and has worked vigilantly for the past year to successfully save local green space by working closely with local citizens, public officials and non-profit organizations. She attended both Marshall University and the University of Cincinnati and was awarded her SPHR certification in 2007. Susan is a native of Avon Lake, Ohio and has family in Avon Lake, Ohio and San Diego, California. She is a member of the Society of Human Resource Management and GCHRA. Diane Holle Controller Ascendum Solutions, LLC. As Controller for Ascendum, Diane has overall responsibility for the preparation of the company financial statements, payroll processing, billing and accounts payable. She has over 20 years experience in various accounting positions. Diane received an Accounting degree from Wright State University and an MBA from Xavier University. She is a Certified Public Accountant and a member of the Ohio Society of CPA’s. Diane is married with two children. Outside the office, she enjoys water-skiing, snow-skiing and family activities.