Advisory Board
- Haidar Barbouti
- Girogio Borlenghi
- George Dodge
- Dr. Uri Gedalia
- Alan Helfman
- Dr. Michael Kaplan
- Daniel Ogbonna
- Gary Petersen
- Mathew Rigdon
- Alan Stein – Chairman
- Elizabeth Stein
- Robert Tijerina
- Ugo Tombolini
- Franco Valobra
- Hallie Vanderhider
- Wyatt Wainwright
- James Wu
- Russell Ybarra
- Luca Zanotti
Daniel Ogbonna
Daniel Ogbonna is the founder of Olimax Group, an investment company based in the United States. He has over 20 years experience that span the US, Europe and Africa in shareholder value creation, mergers and acquisitions, financial and investment strategies, turn-around and operational improvement, and strategic planning roles in diverse industries.
Prior roles include: Chief Financial Officer at Erin Energy, an NYSC and Johannesburg Stock Exchange listed company with oil and gas exploration and production assets across Africa, EVP/Chief Strategy and Investment Officer for a family office based in Houston, Director of Strategy at Limited Brands the company that owns Victoria Secret and Bath and Body Works. Mr. Ogbonna also worked at JP Morgan as an investment banker on Wall Street. He was an engagement manger at the strategy consultant groups at Deloitte and Arthur Anderson.
Mr. Ogbonna holds an M.B.A from Harvard Business School, a M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Michigan, and B.S. in Mechanical Engineering with honors from Tennessee State University.
Alan Stein, Chairman
Born in Shreveport, LA, Alan Stein was brought up around his father’s recycling facility where he worked at his father’s side, learning all aspects of the recycling business. In 1973 he moved to Lake Charles and became Co-owner / Manager of Lake Charles Paper Recycling with his brother. After several years on his own, he returned to Shreveport to once again join his father at Shaffer-Stein, assuming a more active role in the day to day business.
In 1982 Stein and his wife Elizabeth moved to Houston joining ACCO Companies where he became a partner in the recycling business. After a couple of years developing the Houston facility, Stein moved to central Texas to run the newly acquired ACCO recycling plants in San Antonio and Austin. Three years later he returned to Houston and expanded into the waste services business. During the 8 years Stein was at ACCO it grew from one plant in Houston to be the largest independent recycler in the Southwest with plants in Houston, San Antonio and Austin.
In 1990 ACCO was acquired by Browning-Ferris Industries and Stein spent over 9 years developing and leading BFI Recycling Services, first running their recycling program and later as an officer in the company. He remained there until it was sold to Allied Services in 1999. In 2001, he again entered the recycling business as an entrepreneur when he purchased interest in Gulf Coast Recycling, Ltd., a recycling facility in Beaumont. The next year he opened a sister plant in Houston and in 2006 added a third facility also in Houston. Stein owned and managed the three plant operation until 2008 when Waste Management acquired the company. Stein then worked for Waste Management for two years to facilitate the transition.
Currently Stein is managing the family office through A&E Interests where he is pursuing new investment opportunities while carving out time for his hobbies and community interests. Alan and Elizabeth Stein have been actively involved in not only the recycling industry, but the Houston community where they have raised two children, Laura and Jacob. As Houston residents for the past 26 years they have been dedicated to the growth and development of their community where they are proud supporters of multiple Houston area institutions.
American Cancer Society, Cattle Barons Ball, Citizens for Animal Protection, Family Services of Greater Houston, Holocaust Museum of Houston, Houston Achievement Place, Houston Children’s Charities, Houston Symphony, Houston Ballet, Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, St. Martins Episcopal Church and Veterans services have been a focus of the Stein family.
Alan Stein has also been an active member of the YPO/WPO since 1990. A current member of CEO, The Corkscrews supporting the HLSR, a founding member of the Houston Sheriff’s Foundation and a Founding member of the Houston Professional Fire Fighters Foundation.
Ugo Tombolini
Ugo Tombolini is a seasoned entrepreneur with over 25 years of experience in start-ups in various sectors. He started Compound Manufacturing Distribution (a plastics reclamation and recycling business) in 1993 and quickly became the 10th fastest growing small business in Houston. His business, Ugo Tombolini Investments INC., has most recently been investing in fine jewelry and timepieces, commercial real estate and oil and gas ventures. Mr. Tombolini is very active in the community. He is a founding member of the Harris County Sherriff's Foundation, he is on the advisory committee for Alan Rosen Precinct One, and he is the president of the Houston Professional Firefighters Association Charitable Foundation. Mr. Tombolini is happily married with three children. Ugo and his family love to spend time at their ranch in Brenham, Tx and travel often to their home in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. He also enjoys playing tennis at the Houston Racquet Club and resides in Hunters Creek Village in Houston, Texas.