Experience matters.

Technologies are evolving at an increasing pace, and business models have to adapt.  With more than 25 years of experience guiding technology companies through technological and economic cycles, The York Group provides practical advice and solutions that produce quick results for its clients.

TEAM

The York Group People

The York Group has business development experts in all major markets – all with deep experience in helping technology companies leverage the dynamic changes that are transforming our industry.  Meet our team.
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Management Team

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President and CEO

Harald Horgen

Harald Horgen is an acknowledged expert in the field of helping technology companies expand into new business models and markets.  This includes:
  • Building indirect channels for enterprise solutions across Asia, the Americas, EMEA and Africa
  • Helping software companies transition their business model from on-premise, perpetual licenses to Cloud-based subscriptions
  • Working with global manufacturers to design the right go-to-market strategy for their IoT solutions.
With more than 25 years of experience, Harald has a deep understanding of what it takes to take repeatable IP solutions to market and the organizational structure needed to be successful.  The York Group is a preferred vendor with Microsoft, and Harald has helped a wide range of companies, from early-stage and VC-funded firms to industry giants such as JCI, ABB, Ericsson, Schneider Electric, Olympus, BASF, Siemens and many others.
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CFO/COO

Oystein Konsmo

Mr. Konsmo’s background includes fifteen years of international management and entrepreneurial experience with US and European software and hi-tech companies. He has practical experience in strategic and financial planning, implementation of enterprise applications, marketing research, channel partner development and venture funding. Specific technology experience include telemetry, wireless data communication, smart cards, intelligent transportation, enterprise applications and video/data switching. Mr. Konsmo holds an MBA in Business Administration from Arizona State University and an undergraduate engineering degree from Oslo College of Engineering.

Regional Managers

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North America

Steve Holstein

Tel: +1 480 246 9406
Email Steve

With more than 20 years of marketing and sales experience in the Information Technology (IT) industry , Steven Holstein has played a key role in the development of The York Group since 1998. Prior to joining The York Group he held director and vice president positions in a number of companies, and has had responsibilities for international and national sales channel development and management, franchising, vendor management, marketing, communications, business development and government relations. His career includes experience in working in a number of start-up technology and service ventures, including two that became publicly traded and one which grew to become a Fortune 500 company.

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Latin America

Dagoberto Hajjar

Tel: +55 (11) 3841-2525
Mobile: +55 (11) 3044-0867
Email Dagoberto

Mr. Hajjar is a 35-year veteran of the technology industry. For the last 15 years he has provided training and consulting for top Brazilian IT companies in key areas such business management, sales and marketing, and building successful channels.

He spent nine years at Microsoft Brazil serving in various capacities, including director of Internet, director of Marketing and director of Strategy. During this time, Mr. Hajjar developed innovative marketing strategies that placed Microsoft’s Internet technologies at the forefront in Brazil.

He graduated in Mathematics and Nuclear Physics from the University of São Paulo.

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The UK and Ireland

Jacqui Rand

Tel: +44(0) 7710908086
Email Jacqui

Jacqui 25 years of experience in EMEA technology channel development, sales, marketing and management, working with early stage companies as well as many engagements with multi-nationals such as Microsoft, Dell, SAP and Intuit.

In addition to deep channel expertise she consults with companies on joined-up marketing; verbalizing value propositions and making IT understandable to non-technical audiences;  presenting; lead generation; pipeline management; and social and business networking and development.

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France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Benelux

Claude Demolis

Tel: +33 (0)60783 3443
Email Claude

Claude Demolis is a strategic and passionate growth business leader with over 25 years of international and local business experience (sales, marketing and channel) in the EMEA region. He has an accomplished career track record known for building growth strategies and landing sustainable business performances in highly competitive markets such as Cloud Infrastructure (Microsoft Azure), Mobile Apps and Application Platform in the world’s leading software company and startups.

Claude has developed a systematic approach to growth strategy and brings with him best practices in building geographic expansion for software products

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DACH

Julia Jauss

Email Julia

With over ten years of experience in the IT sector as Software Developer, Cloud Solution Architect and Channel Manager, Julia built up deep technical as well as sales and Business development knowledge.  Julia was able to experience customers challenges of various sizes and Industries in a variety of projects.

This knowledge is now combined in her own company, supporting software companies in building a sustainable, scalable and professional indirect sales model.

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Nordic Region and the Netherlands

Steen Helmer

Tel: +45 4040 9099
Email Steen

Steen has 25+ years of experience in the software industry, mainly in the international sales and marketing of Business Management solutions and services. Since 1994 he has been a co-founder and owner of several software companies that have focused on Business Management software, mostly with a vertical approach and both with a direct and indirect market approach.

Steen is a LinkedIn expert and trainer and helps it- and software-driven businesses to understand how to use LinkedIn, Sales Navigator and selected 3rd party tools strategically to support their growth plans.

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Central & Eastern Europe

Gregor Dedic

Tel: +386 41 745 164
Email Gregor

Gregor has more than 15 years of professional experience in the IT services industry throughout Europe and APAC. His understanding of various business models & industries, together with a multicultural approach, gives him a unique edge in identifying and addressing the needs of clients & partners.

He spent part of his career in multinational IT companies in CEE & APAC, supporting and enabling IT partner in their cloud GTM journey.

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Dubai – United Arab Emirates

Asem Galal

Mobile: +971 5 655 3230
Email Asem

Asem Galal has more than 20 years of experience in multinational IT companies in the Middle East market, including Microsoft, HP, Compaq, Borland & McAfee in management, sales, marketing, product management & systems development roles. He helps companies from around the world to operate in Middle East and Africa with no physical presence and minimal resources, by helping them develop the sales channel, customer funnel and marketing activities. Asem is considered a pioneer in providing such services in the Middle East.

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South Africa

Francois Triegaardt

Tel: +27-21-686-4241
Mobile: +27-83-440-0100
Email Francois

Francois has been in IT for over 30 years. An engineer by training, he started his career with IBM in large-account sales and systems. After managing the IT consulting division for an international firm of consultants he started his own business and made various investments in the IT industry. These included systems development and integration, mainframe brokering and the supply of IT services to the enterprise market.

His association with The York Group goes back to 1996. In this time his focus has been on international software sales and distribution. He has a comprehensive understanding of the local market and major international markets and has worked with ISVs and Distribution Partners around the world. His experience covers both inbound and outbound sales and marketing.

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Asia-Pacific

Ananth Lazarus

Managing Director – Asia

Tel: +65.9727.2950
Email Ananth

Ananth is a technology executive with deep expertise in general management, P&L, sales & marketing. He has helped burgeoning tech companies break new ground in Asia Pacific and achieve scalable and sustainable growth. His 30+ years of experience includes senior executive positions at Microsoft, IBM and Compaq among others.

At Microsoft, Ananth served as Managing Director, Malaysia. He spearheaded the biggest APAC channel ecosystem transformation. Ananth has helped transform many technology companies and has garnered deep expertise across Enterprise, Commercial, SMB’s and start-ups. Today he also helps technology companies land, launch and scale in APAC leveraging the power of the ecosystem.