Leadership

Klaus Schottenhamel is an SAP consulting and business technology veteran. Expert in building SAP systems integration consultancies worldwide, Klaus is passionate about helping customers grow their business with SAP solutions. Prior to B4 Consulting, he was president and CEO of IMG Americas, a company of S&T. At IMG Americas, he directed a successful management buyout from S&T resulting in his establishment of B4 Consulting. Previously, he was president and CEO of SAP SI America, Inc., the systems integration division of SAP AG.  Earlier in his career, he worked with PLAUT AG where he launched several PLAUT international business units, including a joint venture with Deloitte/PLAUT in South Africa, PLAUT UK, and PLAUT Consulting Inc. USA. Klaus also served as a member of the SAP National Partner Advisory Council and in executive management positions with other consulting and technology companies including Inforte, living systems, inc., and ConnectUS, LLC.

Peter Zagel, who manages day-to-day operations at B4 Consulting, also leads B4 Consulting delivery teams in all SAP implementation projects. Peter’s SAP experience spans successful careers with PLAUT Consulting and Deloitte Consulting where he held both executive- and consulting-level positions in which he advanced business process improvements and rapid implementation methodologies. Part of the PLAUT leadership team in North America, Peter was instrumental in helping to build PLAUT’s presence, client base, and implementation projects. Additionally, he launched and staffed competency centers in Waltham (MA), developed customer-training programs, and established SAP Academies for PLAUT clients. During his tenure at Deloitte, he led cross-industry implementations in which he focused on costing models and SAP upgrades. Early in his career, Peter worked as a software support consultant with Nixdorf Computer.

Carmen Kaechler brings to B4 Consulting a unique blend of finance and operations expertise rooted in management consulting experience.  Previously, she led finance and administration at IMG Americas, Inc. where she played a key role in IMG Americas' transition to B4 Consulting. One of IMG Americas' first employees, Carmen helped establish the company's US headquarters in Kennett Square (PA) and opened regional offices throughout the US. While at  IMG Americas, she created the infrastructure that enabled the company's growth from 1998 to 2007. Prior to IMG Americas, Carmen helped launch IDS Scheer offices in Pennsylvania and supported the consultancy's US expansion. Fluent in German and English, she has served as a technical translator at the Institute for Information Systems and Management at the University of Saarbruecken (Germany).

Phillip Schell leads a team of consultants experienced in providing SAP solutions to the homebuilding, construction, real estate, and heavy equipment industries. He has been instrumental in developing B4 Consulting’s SAP Best Practices approach, which accelerates the time-to-value of SAP Business All-in-One solutions for clients throughout North America.  Expert in project systems, variant configurations, subcontractor management, and real estate management, Phillip has led successful ERP strategies that enable Leed Construction, Carbon Footprint Management and other Green Initiatives. Prior to B4 Consulting, Phillip led the Homebuilding, Construction and Real Estate practice at Plaut Consulting and IDS Scheer, and was a managing director at RealFoundations. His client engagement experience spans Fortune 50 companies, homebuilders, institutional investors, and developers such as ABB, Alstom, Raytheon, Kiewit, Fluor, Home Depot Supply, John Laing Homes, Marcus and Millichap, and Forest City Enterprises, and The Minto Group.

Serving as a consulting vice president for B4 Consulting corporate communications, Jackie Thrasivoulos helped to strengthen IMG Americas’ global brand and led the rebranding initiative resulting in B4 Consulting. At B4 Consulting she directs all corporate marketing and communications, public relations, and customer and partner programs. With a career devoted to corporate communications in the high-tech arena, Jackie has managed both US and global marketing and public relations programs. While much of her work has focused on go-to-market initiatives for early-stage companies, she has worked for many years in the SAP community and has supported industry leaders such as Cisco Systems, EMC Corporation, and SAP SI Americas. Prior to consulting, Jackie held account management positions with advertising agencies in the Greater Boston area.

Eugene Jones spearheads the development and customer adoption of industry-specific solutions in SAP Business Analytics and technologies -- spanning business intelligence, mobile applications, and HANA. A domain expert in real estate management and construction operations, Eugene is highly-regarded for his deep knowledge of SAP software and how it can be used to streamline business operations. With more than 15 years of information technology experience at leading real estate management, home building and construction companies, Eugene brings strong business process reengineering and business mapping experience to B4 Consulting projects. Prior to B4 Consulting, Eugene worked with other leading consultancies including PLAUT Consulting, Inc. and Capgemini Consulting, Inc. A certified Project Management Professional, Eugene is certified to implement a full suite of business-critical SAP solutions.

Juan Moore, Industry Principal for B4 Consulting practices in Engineering, Construction & Operations and Professional Services, architects and guides successful SAP implementations at leading construction companies throughout North America. With 20 years of industry experience, which includes SAP projects at Kiewit, Fluor, Home Depot and John Laing Homes, Juan uniquely blends construction-industry know-how and SAP solution expertise. He brings this value to the field of project cost management where he is helping to pioneer ERP solutions as the platform for improved productivity and profitability on construction projects. Earlier in his career, Juan was a solution architect at AT&T and Raytheon, SAP Platinum consultant with IDS Scheer, and an engineer with Monsanto. Juan holds a BS in electrical engineering from Georgia Tech as well as SAP solution certifications in Project Management, Cost Management, and Business Intelligence.

Frank Paetzold directs all customer projects for SAP Business One, SAP Business Objects, and SAP Business All-in-One and the application of these solutions in Heavy Equipment Management, Field Services, and Professional Services industries. In addition, he has pioneered and is an advocate for global subsidiary rollouts of SAP Business One. His wealth of implementation experience and SAP expertise also contribute to his leadership of the B4 Consulting SAP Partner Center of Expertise as well as the company's Application Managed Services (AMS). From due diligence to go-lives to on-going support, Frank's career has focused on developing, implementing and managing information systems and leading teams that drive successful projects worldwide. Prior to B4 Consulting, Frank worked with a number of other leading consultancies including Deloitte Consulting and PLAUT Consulting, Inc. Certified in a full suite of SAP solutions plus the rigorous Partner Center of Expertise certification, Frank has been an instructor with SAP Walldorf (Germany). He has a Bachelor of Science in Economics and IT from the University of Nurtingen (Germany) and is a certified Project Management Professional.

Paul Stern, a domain expert in all facets of equipment management and field services, leads the Heavy Equipment Management practice at B4 Consulting. Experienced in fleet maintenance and management, asset management, equipment rental and sales, and service and parts, Paul has led successful implementations at leading companies including The Brock Group, Kiewit, and The Minto Group. A veteran of the John Deere industry, prior to B4 Consulting, Paul held a number of leadership positions at John Deere spanning logistics, SAP Sales and Distribution, and SAP Production Planning. Paul holds a BBA in management from the University of Wisconsin.