CMI Leadership
CMI’s leadership is experienced and committed to exceptional quality and client satisfaction. We have an open door policy and encourage employees to communicate freely with management. Through teamwork and shared values we aid in our clients’ successes while adding to our own achievements.
Our team operates with a lean performance-based structure to encourage innovation and attention to the needs of clients and employees alike.
Abe Abraham, President and Chief Executive Officer
Mr. Abraham is President and CEO of CMI. He founded the company in 1989, successfully guiding it through the SBA 8(a) program and cultivating it into a thriving firm. Mr. Abraham and CMI have been recognized across the industry – featured in the Washington Business Journal, ranked as the 11th fastest growing company in Washington Technology “Fast 50,” named to Washington Smart CEO “Future 50” list, named one of the Nation's 50 Most Influential Minorities in Business by MBPN, and featured in the Black Enterprise “Top 100” list for three consecutive years. Mr. Abraham also recently received CMI’s third Northern Virginia Business Success award.
Mr. Abraham works with large and small businesses across the country to galvanize solid business relationships and partner on contract opportunities. He works with customers and potential customers to assess their needs and develop high quality, innovative service solutions that are timely and cost effective.
Prior to his work at CMI, Mr. Abraham served as staff Vice President, Marketing and Industry Services of BOMA International and Merchandising Manager for Better Homes and Garden Magazine. Abraham received his BA from Baldwin-Wallace College and MBA from Northwest Missouri State University.
Edward Gaudette, Chief Financial Officer
Mr. Gaudette has over 20 years of experience in accounting, auditing, financial analysis and financial management. He has advised senior management in investment strategies, represented companies in critical Internal Revenue Service issues, and directed finance, accounting and contract departments. As CMI's CFO, Mr. Gaudette manages and directs all corporate financial functions. He prepares cost analysis and pricing models for federal and state government proposals and acts as a liaison to governmental regulatory agencies and the financial community. Mr. Gaudette is a Certified Public Accountant and holds an MBA from Babson College.
Azzi Abraham, VP Corporate Resources
Ms. Abraham brings a breadth of management experience from the World Bank, American Export Group and Better Homes & Gardens Publishing Company. She leads CMI's Human and Corporate Resources with her distinct and instinctive ability to recognize, place and develop talented employees. She oversees all HR policies and procedures, and helps develop training and performance measures. Ms. Abraham provides continual leadership on growth strategies and facilitates the development of a professional, diverse and respectful workplace. Her attention to detail and sensitivity to the individual needs of our staff contribute greatly to the vision and success of CMI. Ms. Abraham earned her MBA from Northwest Missouri State University and holds numerous certifications, including Sarbanes-Oxley Control Self-Assessment, Training the Trainers, Building a Respectful Work Environment, Financial Products and Delivery, and Earned Value Management.
Shason Yavari, VP Administration and Corporate Secretary
Mr. Yavari is responsible for the day-to-day administration of CMI, ensuring efficient operations and a quality delivery of services. He provides for a healthful, safe and secure office environment; acts as signatory authority; manages Network and Technology resources; supports contractual agreements; and develops and administers mechanisms for operational efficiency and growth. Mr. Yavari has handled all aspects of operations in his experience with CMI, from accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll management, contract administration, business development, and information technology management. Mr. Yavari began his career as Communication Manager at Bordali Enterprises.
David Smith, Esq., Legal Counsel/Contracts Manager
Mr. Smith handles all contractual and legal matters for CMI. He is experienced in all aspects of government contracting, commercial contract management, intellectual property rights, trademark, employment and litigation. Mr. Smith supports all CMI partnerships, assisting with legal contracts and providing effective collaboration on expected value to ensure mutually-effective partnerships. Mr. Smith provides visionary ideas for CMI's growth, advises on legal matters and the legal impact of management decisions, and assists CMI with performance management and metrics to achieve strategic corporate objectives. Mr. Smith is a member of the Bars of Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, and Illinois. He earned his JD from DePaul University and his BA in Political Science from Central State University in Ohio.
Dr. Ash Rofail, Chief Technology Officer
Dr. Rofail serves as the Chief Technology Officer at CMI, providing strategic vision for the CMI technology service offerings and IT process efficiencies. He has served as Chief Technology Officer for User Technology Associates, a $100 million software consultancy with more than 1,000 employees. Dr. Rofail was responsible for setting technology strategy and technical leadership. Dr. Rofail is a thought leader in enterprise software as a member of Microsoft's Visual Basic advisory board since 1997; patent holder for artificial intelligence technology; author of six software engineering books on topics such as XML, .NET, COM/DCOM, building n-Tier Applications and Service Oriented Architectures; and Adjunct Professor at the Johns Hopkins University School of Business. Dr. Rofail holds a PhD in Artificial Intelligence and an MS in Computer Science.
Dwight Evans, Program Manager
Mr. Evans serves as Program Manager for CMI managing relationships with Government representatives and providing oversight to our contract sites. He is responsible for ensuring all deliverables are submitted to clients in a timely and correct format while supervising activities at multiple sites.
Mr. Evans retired from the U. S. Navy after twenty years of service. Mr. Evans began his military career as a hospital corpsman and had numerous promotions to include Senior Medical Representative for 1100 Marines. He retired as Command Senior Chief, Military Sealift Command, Washington, D.C. In his last position he was responsible for ensuring all issues pertaining to enlisted personnel were addressed as well as other duties for medical programs for 130 afloat medical departments.
After retirement, Mr. Evans served as Newark District Site Manager for the INS Records Services Support contract. Mr. Evans was directly responsible for all daily site operations. These responsibilities included management and staffing, coordinating work with local INS Management, site COTR, Quality Control contractor and Functional Area Supervisors to ensure tasks and priorities were met.
George Downer, Sr. Program Advisor/Northeast Regional Manager
Mr. Downer serves as CMI’s Northeast Regional Manager responsible for assisting the Project Manager and Assistant Project Manager in providing management oversight to the district offices including staffing, training and maintaining relations with Government representatives. Prior to his services with CMI, Mr. Downer had a successful twenty year career working for banks and savings and loan associations in the Washington, D.C. area, holding positions as both an Executive Vice President/Branch Administrator and as Senior Vice President/Controller.
Mr. Downer has extensive experience with Award Fee Contracting, Quality Assurance Surveillance Plans and Quality Control. George also holds certifications as a Certified International Project Manager, Master Project Manager, ISO9001:2000 Lead Auditor and Six Sigma Green Belt. His range of Government Agency contracting includes the Department of Defense, Defense Information Systems Agency, Defense Logistics Service, U.S. Coast Guard, General Services Administration, National Institute of Health and Department of Homeland Security.