KMG International has recently appointed a new management team as part of its strategy to develop, increase efficiency, and consolidate its operations in Romania and the Black Sea region.
According to recent decisions of the KMGI Board of Directors, the new team will be coordinated by Erik Sagiyev as Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
Erik Sagiyev, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) KMGI
With over 20 years of experience in the energy sector and expertise in major projects within the upstream segment of the oil industry, he will be responsible for leading and executing the Group’s overall strategy, driving the achievement of the business objectives and ensuring strong operational and financial performance, in line with the vision and strategic direction set by the sole shareholder of the Group, the national oil&gas company from Kazakhstan – KazMunayGas.
The new CEO will have an essential role in driving the Group’s continued growth and strengthening its regional and international positioning, objectives supported by the ability to navigate both industry and governmental environments, combined with deep expertise in business development and strategic partnerships.
Before joining KMG International, he held leadership positions in several companies within KazMunayGas.
Erik Sagiyev will lead the team consisting of Yedil Utekov (Chief Production & Industrial Services Officer), Abi Zivs (Chief Trading & Supply Chain Officer), Vlad Rusnac (Chief Marketing & Retail Officer), Arman Alimzhanov (Chief Corporate Services Officer) and Adrian Tohanean (Chief Financial Officer), highlighting the company’s commitment to excellence and strategic development in the core areas of production, supply chain, and retail.
Yedil Utekov has assumed responsibility for overseeing the production and industrial services operations within the KMGI Group. He held the position of Director of the Refining and Petrochemical Division of KazMunayGas from 2023 to 2024. In this role, he coordinated the operational activities of several production facilities, including refineries, power plants, and petrochemical units.
Yedil Utekov has over 20 years of experience in the field and has held several important positions within KMG International. From 2020 to 2022, he held the position of Director of the Production and Industrial Services Block.
Abi Zivs ensures the efficiency and development of logistics flows at the Group level according to the business strategy. The Trading and Supply Chain Block is responsible for the supply of raw materials to the Petromidia refinery, as well as for the distribution of finished products in Romania and the Black Sea region. In his over 30-year career, Abi Zivs has held managerial positions in strategic companies in Latvia, Turkey, and Kazakhstan.
Vlad Rusnac is responsible for consolidating and expanding retail operations in Romania, the Republic of Moldova, Bulgaria, and Georgia, developing business under the commercial brands Rompetrol, HEI, Fill&Go, and Efix, as well as overseeing wholesale activities in these countries.
Throughout his career of over 18 years within KMG International, Vlad Rusnac has accumulated extensive experience in commercial operations, finance, business development, retail, network development, supply chain, energy transition, and decarbonization within the various entities and divisions of the Group.
Arman Alimzhanov will be responsible for defining the strategy and ensuring operational management for the Corporate Services & Control Unit in line with business goals and expected operational and financial performance. With over 15 years of experience in corporate governance, M&A and capital markets deal structuring, Arman Alimzhanov also has expertise in legal & compliance.
Adrian Tohanean will continue his activity, which he started in 2007, in the KMGI Group. In his current role, he will provide expertise and strategic leadership in managing the Group’s financial activities, ensuring the oversight of financial operations and their financial integrity.