Paul M. Cofoni

Chairman, Member of the Board

Paul M. Cofoni is the former President and Chief Executive Officer of CACI International Inc, a multi-billion dollar professional services and information technology (IT) company.

Under Mr. Cofoni’s guidance, CACI broadened its penetration of the federal marketplace, with special emphasis on increasing CACI market share in defense, homeland security, the intelligence community, and the transformation and modernization of government.  Mr. Cofoni has played a key leadership role in developing CACI’s ability to compete for large-scale contracts at the highest levels of government service. He has overseen the growth of CACI from $1.6 billion of revenue in 2005 to more than $3.8 billion at the end of 2012. His responsibilities also included managing CACI’s corporate development and mergers and acquisitions (M&A) program.   CACI acquired 20 companies under Mr. Cofoni’s leadership.  Mr. Cofoni served on the board of CACI and its Executive Committee from November 2006 till December 2012.

In 2008, and again in 2010, Mr. Cofoni was named to Federal Computer Week’s Federal 100 list of government and industry leaders who have had a positive impact on the federal IT community.  Mr. Cofoni was honored as the 2011 Executive of the Year at the Greater Washington Government Awards ceremony, and was selected by Government Computer News as the 2012 Executive of the Year.  He has served as Chairman of the Board of the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association (AFCEA) International. AFCEA serves the military, government, industry, and academia as an ethical forum for advancing professional knowledge and relationships in the fields of communications, information technology, intelligence, and global security. Mr. Cofoni also served as Chairman of the Professional Services Council, an association of federal services contractors.  PSC’s purpose is to advocate with congress and the executive branch for government policies which will promote effective contracting between government and industry.  Mr. Cofoni served as the Executive Chairman of Pacific Architects and Engineers, a $1.6 Billion Company operating in the Federal Services Marketplace, from April 2013 till February 2014.  Mr. Cofoni has served on the Board of the Virginia Hospital Center since 2010, where he is Chairman of the IT Oversight Committee.  Mr. Cofoni also serves on the Executive Committee of the Board of the University of Rhode Island Foundation, and is a member of the Advisory Board of the Guglielmo Marconi University in Rome, Italy.

James Nguyen

President and Co-Founder

With over 20 years of experience in business development and entrepreneurship, James Nguyen has built a strong reputation as a strategic leader specializing in acquisitions and organic growth in both Canada and the U.S. As the President of IT Unlock, James has consistently driven innovation and growth by identifying high-performing companies for acquisition, optimizing operational performance, and creating synergies that add value for stakeholders.

James possesses a clear roll-up vision focused on consolidating fragmented sectors. His approach prioritizes enhancing critical operations and remediation strategies, leading to improved operational margins and accelerated growth. His business philosophy emphasizes revolutionizing corporate cultures by fostering environments where productivity, quality service, and client success are paramount.

Beyond his entrepreneurial achievements, James is at the forefront of industry transformations. As President and Co-Founder of OptikFirst, he spearheads initiatives in the optometry sector, building a robust network of clinics through strategic acquisitions. His commitment to excellence, coupled with deep industry knowledge, positions him as a key figure in shaping the future of the businesses he leads.

Madalina Stefan

Vice President & Co-Founder

Madalina Stefan is a dynamic entrepreneur with over 17 years of experience in the healthcare and medical care sectors. As the Vice President and Co-Founder of OptikFirst, Madalina is at the forefront of acquiring and consolidating optometry clinics in Canada. Her leadership is driven by a vision to revolutionize the optometry field by enhancing patient care and operational efficiency through strategic acquisitions.

Madalina brings a unique blend of human insight and business acumen to her ventures. She believes that each acquisition represents an opportunity to create lasting, positive change, improving both the business model and patient outcomes.

A serial entrepreneur, Madalina has successfully launched and managed multiple businesses since 2007. Her ability to inspire and lead teams, combined with her deep commitment to excellence, makes her a formidable force in the healthcare industry. Her expertise in clinic acquisitions is not just about business growth, but about elevating the standards of care and service in the optometry field.

Robert (Bob) Dimond, CPA

Finance Director, Member of the Board

Bob Dimond is a senior financial executive with over 33 years of experience with large public food retail and wholesale companies, including over 20 years as CFO . His career reflects a strong track record in leading significant transformation initiatives, successful mergers and acquisitions, and identifying and delivering synergies. Bob has been a key leader in formulating and executing business strategy, determining capital allocation priorities, optimizing financial management processes, and driving significant balance sheet improvements. He also brings deep corporate governance experience from working closely with corporate boards for the last 20 years, including audit, finance and compensation committees, and is qualified to serve on audit committees as a financial expert.

Bob is the former Executive Vice President and CFO of Albertsons Companies Inc., a Fortune 100 company and the second largest traditional grocery retailer in the US with $70 billion in sales, 2,278 stores located across 34 states and 300,000 associates. During his seven years at Albertsons, Bob helped lead several acquisitions, including the $9 billion acquisition of Safeway in 2015, and oversaw the realization of over $1 billion in M&A synergies. In addition, he led the successful IPO of the company in 2020 which was the largest IPO to date in the food retail industry. Bob was also significantly involved in the Company’s execution of several large transformation initiatives that delivered in excess of $1.5 billion in annual productivity savings.

Bob was the Executive Vice President, CFO and Treasurer for 12 years at Nash Finch Company, a $5 billion food distribution and retail company where he was responsible for all aspects of accounting and finance, including investor relations, financial analysis and planning, internal audit, risk management, accounting and SEC reporting. He was a key member of the executive team that stabilized core fundamentals and restored financial vitality to the business after a time of economic distress under prior management. In addition, he led several acquistions that resulted in increased market share and drove shareholder value.

Prior to that, Bob served as Senior Vice President and CFO at Wild Oats Markets, as Group Vice President and CFO at Fred Meyer, and as Vice President and Controller at Smith’s Food & Drug Centers where he also was responsible for all aspects of accounting and finance.

Bob previously served as a member of the board of the Northern Star Council of the Boy Scouts of America where he served on the Finance Committee. Bob has also served in committee leadership positions with food industry and finance associations, including Food Marketing Institute (FMI) and Financial Executives International (FEI).

Bob received his bachelors degree in Accounting (Cum Laude) from the University of Utah. He is a CPA and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and the Utah Association of Certified Public Accountants (UACPA).

Dr. Mark S. Rakoczy

Optometrist, Member of the Board

Dr. Mark S. Rakoczy is a mostly retired optometrist currently serving on the Board of Directors and as Treasurer for VOSH International (Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity). He was appointed to this board in October 2018 and will finish his two, three-year terms in November of 2024.

Mark has been providing humanitarian eye care to the people of Haiti since 2010 when he joined a chapter of VOSH International, VOSH Pennsylvania.  He was appointed President of VOSH Pa in 2013 and has served in that role since.  Helping the people of Haiti was first instilled in him when he joined a student group SOSH (Student Optometric Service to Haiti), at the Pennsylvania College of Optometry in 1980 and took a trip there in early 1981.

Mark has been a team leader for VOSH Pa since 2011 carrying out clinics at least yearly.  Currently, he is working with colleagues to establish a sustainable eye clinic at New Hope Hospital in Plaine du Nord, Haiti.

Mark attended the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown from 1974-1977 and attended the Pennsylvania College of Optometry, receiving his Doctor of Optometry degree in 1981. There he received the Alumni Award for Academic Excellence, the Faculty Award for Clinical Excellence and Bausch & Lomb 2^nd Place award for contact lens achievement.  After graduation, he entered active duty as a Captain in the United States Army and was stationed at Fort Campbell, KY.  He served in the 326^th Medical Battalion of the 101^st Airborne Division for a year, then two years in the MEDDAC.

After the military, he started private practice in 1984 in rural Everett, Pennsylvania. His interests were glaucoma and macular degeneration along with general optometric services.  He sold his practice on January 1, 2019, but did fill-in work until recently.   He now spends his time volunteering in Haiti and community service with the Everett Lions Club since 1991. Mark raised funds through the Lions by running in 5k,10k and one-half marathon, sending $2,000 to Lions International Sight First II in 2008 and a total of $7,300 to Optometry Giving Sight from 2009 to 2015.  He received the Melvin Jones Service Award from Lions International in 2009.

Mark enjoys exercising, fishing, travel and family time with his wife, three children and nine grandchildren.

Dr. Richard (Rick) K. Simonds

Optometrist, Member of the Board

Dr. Rick Simonds is a 1988 graduate of The Pacific University College of Optometry. Rick has had a very diverse optometric career.  He is a practicing optometrist with over 35 years of clinical experience.  His career started at an ophthalmology surgical practice. Then was the managing optometrist at two locations for EyeCare U.S.A. He then went into private practice and built a three-offices optometric practice.

While in private practice Rick rounded out his skills writing journal articles and giving continuing education lectures along with consulting for the following companies:

• Consultant, Alcon Labs
• National Advisory Board Member, Optum Health/Spectera (also known as UnitedHealthcare Specialty Benefits)
• Vice President of Provider Relations, Vision Plan of America
• Founder and Co-Author, Mission Statement for Western University of Health Sciences College of Optometry
• Consultant, Paradigm Medical
• Network Developer, Spectera of California
• Member, Advisory Panel for 1-800-Contacts
• Western Regional Consultant, Block Vision Care

Rick is a past President of the Ophthalmic Co-Management Section of the National Eye Research Foundation. In 2005 Dr. Simonds was the first appointee to The California State Board of Optometry by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. In July 2008 Rick sold his practices.

After a well-deserved vacation Rick went to work for FirstSight Vision Services. In 2013 he was recruited by Lenscrafters and in 2014 Rick won the Lenscrafters President’s Award. Rick is now a self-employed optometrist for Eyexam of California. He currently serves as a Subject Matter Expert for the California State Board of Optometry and is on the Advisory Board for the Nvision  Murrietta Surgery Center.

Dominic C. Mazzone

Legal Director, Member of the Board

Prior to Mazzone & Associates, Mr. Mazzone was the Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of Oxford Industries, Inc., a producer, marketer and retailer of branded and private label apparel for men, women and children located in Atlanta, Georgia.  Oxford’s brands include Tommy Bahama® and Ben Sherman®.  While at Oxford, Mr. Mazzone was recognized by Chain Store Age magazine as one of the top 40 executives in retail under age 40.

Before joining Oxford in 2004, Mr. Mazzone was the head of mergers and acquisitions in The Home Depot’s legal department.  During his tenure, The Home Depot’s transactions exceeded $2 billion and yield approximately $20 billion of annual revenue growth today, including two large Mexican home retail chains, a large distribution and supply company, and various service companies.  Prior to joining The Home Depot in 2002, he practiced law at Alston & Bird LLP in its Atlanta office, where he focused on mergers and acquisitions, securities, and finance transactions.  Mr. Mazzone was recognized as one of Georgia’s top up-and-coming lawyers in the Georgia Super Lawyers – Rising Stars Edition of Atlanta Magazine.

Mr. Mazzone received a B.A. from Wabash College as a Presidential Scholar; matriculated in and attended a term at Oxford University (St. Catherine’s College) in England; received an M.P.A. from Florida State University; and received a J.D. from Emory University with distinction and as a member of the Order of the Coif.  He was also an adjunct professor at the Emory University Law School. Mr. Mazzone is on the Board of Directors of Guardian Fuel Technologies, which was recently recognized as one of the fastest growing middle market companies in Florida; Axis Holdco, one of the fastest growing companies in Louisiana; and Fine Airport Holdings, one of the largest airport parking companies in the U.S.  He is also on the Board emeritus as the former Chairman of the Board of Trustees and one of the founders of the Christo Rey school for inner city high school students in Atlanta.  He is a past member of the Board of the HoneyBaked Ham Company; the past Chairman of the Atlanta Capital Connection; is a past member of the Board of Directors and past President of the Atlanta Chapter of the Association for Corporate Growth (ACG); a past member of the Advisory Board for the Georgia State University’s Business School’s Finance program; and is a past member of the Advisory Committee of the Southeastern Chapter of the Society of Corporate Secretaries and Governance Professionals.  Mr. Mazzone regularly speaks publicly at financing, merger and acquisition-related seminars and has published numerous articles on a variety of finance, merger and acquisition topics. He has also served or qualified as an expert witness on merger and acquisition transaction processes, transaction due diligence, business valuations and transaction fees.