Our Team

Nidal Z. Zayed

CEO, President, & Chairman of the Board

Nidal Z. Zayed is the Chairman, President, CEO, and a founding executive of Pernix Group, where he has served since 1996. With a J.D. from Loyola University School of Law, he has extensive experience in litigation, international business law, and global transactions.

Since becoming CEO in 2005, Nidal has led Pernix's strategic direction, overseeing corporate activities with a commitment to excellence.

Bill Steckel

Chief Financial Officer

William (Bill) Steckel is the CFO of Pernix Group, bringing over three decades of experience as a Senior Finance Leader in Construction, Manufacturing and Business Services. Bill brings significant financial and operational experience in global companies and was the CFO of Great Lakes Dredge and Dock, a global provider of marine construction, demolition and site preparation as well as remediation and site services to government and private customers around the world.

Bill’s expertise includes accounting, finance, human resources, IT, legal, risk management procurement and operations. He holds a B.S. in Accounting from Iowa State University and an MBA from Western Illinois University. Bill also passed the CPA exam and is currently pending renewal of his license in Indiana and Illinois.

Board Members

Nidal Z. Zayed

Chairman of the Board
CEO & President since 2005
Director since 1998
Nidal Z. Zayed is the Chairman, CEO & President, and a founding executive of Pernix Group, where he has served since 1996. With a J.D. from Loyola University School of Law, he has extensive experience in litigation, international business law, and global transactions. Since becoming CEO in 2005, Nidal has led Pernix's strategic direction, overseeing corporate activities with a commitment to excellence.

Daniel Engler

Board Member
Director Since 2016
Daniel Engler has been a board member of Pernix Group, Inc. since 2016. He brings over 20 years of experience in international private banking and financial markets, having served as Vice President at AIG Private Bank, Solitaire Wealth Management, and M.M. Warburg Bank (Schweiz) AG. Since 2016, Daniel has been the CEO of Trafex Ltd.

Ibrahim M. Ibrahim

Board Member
Director Since 1999
Ibrahim M. Ibrahim has been a board member since 1999, bringing expertise in finance, international business, and corporate governance. He retired after a 40-year career in senior roles at major banks in the U.S. and abroad, including Continental Bank, First National Bank Chicago, and Al Ahli Bank of Kuwait. Ibrahim holds an MBA from DePaul University and degrees in Taxation and Accounting from the University of Alexandria.

Carl Smith

Board Member
Director Since 2007
Carl Smith has been a board member since 2007 and brings over 30 years of expertise in government contracting, defense acquisition, and cyber law. A J.D. graduate from UC Law, he served as General Counsel for the Defense Information Systems Agency and Chief Regulatory Counsel-Telecommunications for the Department of Defense, advising on legal and regulatory matters impacting national security. Carl is a member of the Hawaiian and D.C. Bar Associations.

Shahrokh Shah

Board Member
Director Since 2020
Shahrokh Shah is a retired leader of BMO's Engineering & Construction Industry vertical, specializing in financial services for the E&C sector across the U.S. With over 40 years of experience, he has held senior roles in corporate and investment banking. Shahrokh serves on the boards of Tutor Perini Corporation and Pernix Group, Inc. He holds an MBA from Queen’s University, a B.A.Sc. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Toronto, and is a licensed Professional Engineer.

David Richter

Board Member
Director Since 2022
David L. Richter, PE, PMP is the Executive Vice President and Chief Growth Officer of Atwell, LLC, overseeing growth in various sectors including real estate, energy, and infrastructure. He previously served as CEO of Hill International, guiding its expansion from a private firm to a NYSE-listed company. David holds multiple degrees, is pursuing a Ph.D., and serves on Pernix Group's board since 2022.

Nidal Z. Zayed

Chairman of the Board
CEO & President since 2005
Director since 1998
Nidal Z. Zayed is the Chairman, CEO & President, and a founding executive of Pernix Group, where he has served since 1996. With a J.D. from Loyola University School of Law, he has extensive experience in litigation, international business law, and global transactions. Since becoming CEO in 2005, Nidal has led Pernix's strategic direction, overseeing corporate activities with a commitment to excellence.

Daniel Engler

Board Member
Director Since 2016
Daniel Engler has been a board member of Pernix Group, Inc. since 2016. He brings over 20 years of experience in international private banking and financial markets, having served as Vice President at AIG Private Bank, Solitaire Wealth Management, and M.M. Warburg Bank (Schweiz) AG. Since 2016, Daniel has been the CEO of Trafex Ltd.

Ibrahim M. Ibrahim

Board Member
Director Since 1999
Ibrahim M. Ibrahim has been a board member since 1999, bringing expertise in finance, international business, and corporate governance. He retired after a 40-year career in senior roles at major banks in the U.S. and abroad, including Continental Bank, First National Bank Chicago, and Al Ahli Bank of Kuwait. Ibrahim holds an MBA from DePaul University and degrees in Taxation and Accounting from the University of Alexandria.

Carl Smith

Board Member
Director Since 2007
Carl Smith has been a board member since 2007 and brings over 30 years of expertise in government contracting, defense acquisition, and cyber law. A J.D. graduate from UC Law, he served as General Counsel for the Defense Information Systems Agency and Chief Regulatory Counsel-Telecommunications for the Department of Defense, advising on legal and regulatory matters impacting national security. Carl is a member of the Hawaiian and D.C. Bar Associations.

Shahrokh Shah

Board Member
Director Since 2020
Shahrokh Shah is a retired leader of BMO's Engineering & Construction Industry vertical, specializing in financial services for the E&C sector across the U.S. With over 40 years of experience, he has held senior roles in corporate and investment banking. Shahrokh serves on the boards of Tutor Perini Corporation and Pernix Group, Inc. He holds an MBA from Queen’s University, a B.A.Sc. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Toronto, and is a licensed Professional Engineer.

David Richter

Board Member
Director Since 2022
David L. Richter, PE, PMP, Esq. is Executive Vice President, Chief Growth Officer and Chief Legal Officer of Atwell, overseeing strategic growth for this national engineering firm in various sectors including real estate, energy, and infrastructure. He previously served as CEO of construction manager Hill International, guiding its expansion from a small private firm to an NYSE-listed global company. David earned six degrees and has served on Pernix Group's board since 2022.
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