BOARD MEMBERS

At NUSACC our focus is to help business men and women in Nigeria and the United States develop international business opportunities and to address related legislative interests.

Numbering Successes

Meet the Board

Mr.-Lee-Kareem-image.jpg
Lee Kareem
Founding Board Member and CEO of NUSA Chamber of Commerce (NUSACC), Cleveland, OH, and Abuja Nigeria (www.nusacc.us) (2010-Present) : a fast growing nonprofit international business and legislative advocacy organization with members in 13 US States, United Kingdom and 4 States in Nigeria including Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory(FCT). NUSACC has collaborated with government agencies and private organizations to organize successful annual international Business Matchmaking Summits and Trade Missions.

President, Tech-Consultants(2007-Present):Cleveland, OH: focusing on small business turnaround, strategic business development including but not limited to planning and analysis; private placement memorandum (PPM) preparation; efficiency analysis, intellectual property negotiation and acquisition support; strategic technology market research and acquisition, transfer and commercialization; alliance development; government procurement, SBA8a/HUBZone/SDB/MBE Certification, GSA Schedules, SBIR/STTR/BAA/ATP, IRS 501(c) 3 and 6 Non Profit Tax Exempt and Chamber of Commerce Support. Social Network Media Market Research and Demographic Analysis Advisory services.

Founder and President, Biotronics, Inc.(a NASA Contractor)(2002-Present): Strongsville OH: a fabless MicroElectroMechanicalSystems (MEMS) fabrication firm, with primary focus on harsh environment application in the aerospace sector.

Co-founder and Managing Partner (2005-2007):MTA, LLC., Cleveland, OH: a Healthcare Mobility Facilitation Services firm that grew to 13 employees within 6 months of operations with no debt.

Co-founder and Managing Partner (2002-2004): Edjolee Enterprises, Oshodi, Lagos-Nigeria: an international document management and telecommunications firm

Founder and President (1987-2002):Digital Interface Systems, Inc., Youngstown, OH: a proprietary flow measurement, machine vision, image acquisition and process control design and manufacturing firm. Business grew to $1m+ annual sales in the 10th year of operation.

Management Consulting Experience:

Affiliated Management Consultant with the following Consulting Firms (2007-Present):
I. Thomson- Reuters : a global information consulting and international multimedia firm.
II. GersonLehmanGroup Consulting Management Council: a global management consulting firm.
III. Guidepoint Global Advisors: a global management consulting firm.
IV. Advantus Global, Inc.: an international management consulting firm.
V. Business Advisor, North East Ohio Territory, Growth3LLC. ( 2012-2014): an International Value Enhancement Auditing and Consulting Firm

Program Management Experience:
NASA Glenn Research Center Contracts, 2006-2014: Fabless SiC Piezoresistive MEMS Pressure Sensors Fabrication and support for harsh environment application
US State Department Contract, 2009: Communications Systems Supply and Support for the US Embassy, Monrovia, Liberia
US Department of Defense Contract, 2007: Test & Measurement Supply and Support for the Air Force, Utah
NASA GRC GESS Contract 2002-2003:
(i). Development of Signal Conditioning Algorithm for the development of MEMS Silicon Carbide Piezoresistive Pressure Sensor for Sensors & Instrumentation Branch.
(ii). Software development, hardware integration, system testing, installation and documentation of Gas Flow Control Systems for Sensors & Instrumentation Branch’s Chemical Sensors and Electronic Nose Laboratory.
NASA GRC Microgravity Development Contract 2000-2002: Design, development, programming and integration of data acquisition and process control systems for the FEANICS Systems for the KC-135 Aircraft
NASA GRC Contract 1999-2000: Market Opportunity Analysis, licensing and commercialization of Stereo Imaging Velocimetry (SIV) Graphical User Interface & Laboratory Methodology Development for SIV.
Defense Supply Center Columbus, OH: 1997-2000: Waveguides & Semiconductors Supply Contract on Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) Platform.
Department of the Navy Network Contract: 1993-1994: Contract to network (Norfolk,Virginia) Naval Base and San Diego (Coronado, California) Naval Bases.
General Services Administration (GSA) Schedules Contract: 1994-1999:Information Technology (IT) Systems Supply and Support.

Teaching Experience:
Cuyahoga Community College, Cleveland, Ohio (2008-2018): Adjunct Professor (2010-2018) of Mathematics, Business Mathematics, Probability & Statistics, Personal Finance, Management/Organizational Behavior, Labor Management Relations and Business Communication.

Instructor (2008-2015) at NASA’s Minority University Research Education Program ( MUREP), (formerly known as Science Engineering Mathematics and Aerospace Academy (SEMAA)),at Cuyahoga Community College, Cleveland. Grant Preparation Team Member: On the Team that prepared the successful 3-year $420,000 NASA’s STEM MUREP Grant that was awarded in 2015.

Cleveland State University, Cleveland, Ohio (2011-2014):

Lecturer of Mathematics in the Department of Mathematics and Cross-Functional Management in the Management Labor Relations Department at Monte Ahuja College of Business.

Kent State University, Kent, Ohio College of Business Administration (2013-2014): Adjunct Professor of Management, Collaborative Project Management and Business Statistics.

Principal Investigator Experience: Principal Investigator – National Science Foundation (NSF) SBIR Phases I, II & IIB ($1.3m ) Grants (2002-2006): Large Area Platform Technology for Small Diameter Silicon Carbide (SiC). Managing the research, development, fabrication, electronic integration, testing and strategic commercialization partner development for high temperature piezoresistive SiC pressure sensor for harsh environment application, using a proprietary fabrication technique.

Principal Investigator– National Science Foundation (NSF) SBIR Phase II Supplements: Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) and Research Experience for Teachers (RET) (2005).

Naval Air Warfare Center, Aircraft Division, Lakehurst, NJ. $100,000 SBIR Phase I Grant (1998): Electronic Schematic Archiving.

Non-Profit Management Experience :

2009-Present: Board Member, National Charitable Fund: a 501 c(3) IRS Certified organization that conducts annual free health screening and awards annual scholarship to the economically disadvantaged members of North East Ohio Community.

Licenses:
(i) Exclusive Licensee to NASA’s Stereo Imaging Velocimetry (SIV) US Patent., a flow measurement, image acquisition and analysis Technology
(ii) Licensee to US Patent on Discrete Wafer Array Process (DWAP) an innovative Silicon Carbide based Sensors Fabrication Technology.

Certifications:
State of Ohio: Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) and Encouraging Diversity, Growth and Equity (EDGE).

Languages Spoken: English, French and Yoruba

Education:
MBA Management, Youngstown State University, OH
MS Physics( 46 credit hours of required 40 credit hours, concentration on digital data acquisition, control systems and laboratory data analysis) Coursework Completed, The University of Akron, OH
BS Physics, Electrical Engineering minor, The University of Akron, OH
BA French, The University of Akron, OH
Certificate of Completion: Industrial Sensors, Kent State University, OH
Electromechanical Technology Studies, Institut Des Arts et Metiers, Brussels, Belgium

Community Leadership:
Member (February2018-Present), State of Ohio New African Immigrants Commission (NAIC): Education and Cultural Affairs Committee, Workforce and Business Development Committee.
Chairman, City of Cleveland Mayor’s Ibadan-Nigeria Sister-City Initiative (2009-Present)
Chairman (2009-2018), Nigerian Community’s Annual HealthFair Organizing Committee: non-profit organization that presents free annual Health Screen for disadvantaged Greater Cleveland residents who have no Health Insurance Coverage. 25 area physicians and dentists and 20 nurses from 9-County North East Ohio volunteer their services. Sponsors and partner organizations include Cleveland Clinic, University Hospitals, NEON, Cleveland Metropolitan School District, Cuyahoga Community College, City of Cleveland, Cleveland Public Library and many more.
Founding President, Nigerians In Diaspora Organization Americas (NIDOA) North East Ohio Chapter (2014-2019) President, Nigerians In Metropolitan Akron and Surroundings (NIMAS) (2008-2013) President, Association of Nigerians Abroad (ANA) (2002-2006)

Board Member:
International Center for Ethno-Religious Mediation (ICERM), a U.S. 501 c(3) Non Governmental Organization (NGO) with Special Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (UNESC): Executive Board Member and Executive Committee Secretary. Term: August 3, 2020-August 3, 2023)
Growth Angel, Rainmaker and Mentor at Growmotor, LLC: a social venture that applies entrepreneurship and technology to channel the expertise of Growth Angels to facilitate the growth of minority-owned businesses.
United Africa Federal Credit Union (UAFCA) (June2019-Present): Founding Board of Directors Member and Strategic Adviser
Greater Cleveland Collaborative Chambers Alliance (May 2020- Present)
Nigerians In Diaspora Organization Americas (NIDOA) Continental Board Of Trustees (BOT) (2017-Present)
NIDOA BOT Assistant General Secretary (2019-Present)
NIDO BOT Director of Community Projects (2017-2019)
NIDOA USA Board of Directors (20015-2019)
Alliant Health Group, Cleveland, OH, Board of Directors (June 2020-Present)
Vice President (2012-2014), The Black Faculty and Staff Organization (BFSO) at Cleveland State University
Vice President, Nigerian Community In Greater Cleveland (NCGC) (2007-2014)
Member:
NASA Aeronautics Sensors Working Group (NASWG)
MEMS Exchange
Cleveland Aerospace Partnership & Regional Alliance (CAPRA)
President’s Council, The University of Illinois
Relevant Technology Commercialization Awards
2017: Nzuko Ndi Igbo In Northeast Ohio (NNINO): Community Service & Engagement Award
2016:National Technical Association (NTA) ‘A Star Leader’ Nsoroma Award for Business.
2014:Congressional Recognition: ‘A Celebration of Unsung Heroes’ Award presented by Congresswoman Marcia L. Fudge on behalf of the 11th Congressional District of Ohio
2014: North Coast Nursing Coalition, Inc.’s Recognition Award for the Nigerian Community’s Annual Health Fair.
2004: -NASA Administrator Group Achievement Award: Glennan Microsystems Initiative Technical Team Award for exceptional technical achievements in significantly advancing the state of the art of harsh-environment SiC-based Microsystems.
2003: -NASA Glenn Research Center’s Garrett Morgan Commercialization Award -Senator George Voinovich and Congressman Dennis Kucinich Commercialization Awards.
2002: -NASA Glenn Research Center’s Garrett Morgan Commercialization Award for commercializing SIV -Certificates of Special Congressional Recognition for Commercialization by
Senator George Voinovich
Congressman Dennis Kucinich
Late Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones
2000:
-NASA Glenn Research Center’s 2nd Annual Garrett Morgan Commercialization Award for the development of SIV.
-Ohio Governor’s Award for SIV development
1999: NASA Glenn Research Center’s 1st Garrett Morgan Commercialization Initiative Award

NUSACC International Trade & Investment Summit Presentations:

1. October 21, 2019, Cleveland State University, College of Liberal Arts & Social Sciences, Introduction to Black Studies Class, Cleveland, OH: Nigeria: Colonialism, Imperialism and Assimilation.
2. July 10, 2019, Cleveland State University, Cleveland, OH: Trade & Investment In Nigeria: A Global Business Opportunity.
3. May 11, 2019, Consulate General of Nigeria, New York City, NY: International Real Estate Investment Summit: Affordable Mass Housing Government Backed Housing Investment Opportunities in Nigeria.
4. April 2018, Cleveland State University, Cleveland, OH: Introduction to Black Studies Class: Trade And Investment Opportunities In Nigeria for African American Entrepreneurs.
5. September 2017, Lagos State Ministry of Housing, Lagos, Nigeria: Affordable Mass Housing Development using Federal Land Acquisition Act of 1978 as Public Private Partnership (PPP) vehicle.
6. October 2016, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Abuja, Nigeria: Modular and Large Scale Refinery Development using Russian Technology and Western Financing Vehicles.
7. August 2016, Harmony Investments, Kwara State Government wholly owned Holding Company, Ilorin, Kwara State Nigeria: Large Scale Cashew Nuts Production for Export .
8. April 2016, Georgia Institute of Technology, Enterprise Innovation Institute, Atlanta, GA: Investment Opportunities in Africa, and the Role of the Government.
9. January 2016, Youngstown State University, Williamson College of Business Administration, Youngstown, OH: Trade & Investment In Africa, A Global Business Opportunity.
10. August 2015, Embassy of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Washington, DC: Emerging Business Opportunities in Nigeria, Africa’s Largest Economy. 11. August 2015: Columbus, OH: An Assessment of the Diverse And Rapid Growth Opportunities in Nigeria.
12. January 2015, Columbus, OH: Nigeria in Contemporary Global Politics And Resultant Investment Opportunities.
13. August 2014, Lagos, Nigeria: International Business Advocacy as a US-Nigeria Business Matchmaking Platform.
14. June 2014, Cleveland State University, Ahuja College of Business, Cleveland, OH: Overcoming Exporting Challenges and why Nigeria is increasingly becoming an attractive destination for American Businesses.
15. August 2013, Lagos, Nigeria: The United States’ African Growth Opportunity Act (AGOA) as a promising Growth Catalyst for Nigeria-based Manufacturers.

Career Highlights:
1. Cross-Industry Management Experience in Test& Measurement, IT, Healthcare, Telecommunications, Semiconducting and Management Consulting
2. 34 years of cross-industry, multi-lingual international entrepreneurial management experience.
3. On the Team that prepared, submitted and won the $1.2b NASA ODIN Contract in 1998
4. On the Team that prepared, submitted and won $500m NASA GESS Contract in 2001
5. Have won more than $10m in contracts from NASA, Defense Logistics Agency (DLA), Department Of Defense (DOD), Department Of Energy (DOE), Dept. of the Army, Dept. of the Navy, Dept. of the Air Force, State Dept and Commerce Dept. from 1992-2002
6. On the team that won $6.4m in Advanced Technology Program (ATP) Grant from National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in 2004
7. Won more than $1.5m in Small Business Innovation & Research (SBIR) Grants from National Science Foundation (NSF) from 2001-2005
8. 8 years Funded Projects Principal Investigator experience
9. US’ General Services Administration (GSA) Multiple Award Schedule Holder from 1995-1999, and GSA Schedule Adviser from 2001- present.
10. Successfully led 30 US Businesses on International Trade Missions to Africa in 2012, 2013,2014 and 2016.
11. 2 years experience as remote managing partner of an International Telecommunications and Document Management firm.
12. Exclusive licensee to US Patent: NASA’s Stereo Imaging Velocimetry (SIV) Patent and with applications in Flow Measurement, Machine Vision, Image Acquisition and Analysis in Biomedical and Manufacturing Environments in the Healthcare and Aerospace Industry Sector
13. Exclusive licensee to US Patent: Discrete Wafer Array Process (DWAP) Harsh Environment Technology Platform for the fabrication of MEMS- based Silicon Carbide piezoresistive pressure sensors with applications in geothermal, aerospace and high performance automotive industry sectors.
14. Graduate of US SBA’s 8a Program
15. First in North East Ohio to be certified into US SBA’s HUBZone Program
16. Ohio MBE/EDGE Certified.
17. Recipient of Technology Commercialization Awards from US Congress, NASA and Ohio Governor
18. Cross-discipline Higher Education Teaching Experience from 2008-2018

Easy steps to your foreign business success

We Will Help You Every Step Of The Way

From smoothly navigating through business legislative issues, to information about business opportunities, market analysis, import and export regulations, and much more. We've got you covered.

Easy steps to your foreign business success

We Will Help You Every Step Of The Way

From smoothly navigating through business legislative issues, to information about business opportunities, market analysis, import and export regulations, and much more. We've got you covered.