Leadership
Klaus Schottenhamel
President and CEO
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, a 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
COO
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.
Phillip Schell
Industry Director – Construction and Real Estate
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.
Carmen Kaechler
Vice President – Finance
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).
Jacquelyn Thrasivoulos
Vice President – Corporate Communications
Serving as a consulting vice president for B4 corporate communications, Jackie Thrasivoulos helped to strengthen IMG Americas’ global brand and led the rebranding initiative resulting in B4 Consulting. At B4 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.
