Private Jet Summit 2025

Holmes Stoner occupies prominent positions within several esteemed organizations, showcasing his diverse leadership roles. As the current President of CEO CLUB GLOBAL-AMERICAS, he assumes multifaceted responsibilities across key leadership positions.

Stoner is notably at the helm of both the American International Chamber of Commerce and the Pacific Rim Chamber of Commerce. In these roles, his influence likely extends to fostering robust international business relations and promoting economic collaborations between entities spanning the Americas and the Pacific Rim.

In addition to these significant roles, Holmes Stoner holds the distinguished title of Honorary President of Forbes China. This honorary position underscores his substantial influence and recognition within the business community, especially in the realm of Chinese business and economic affairs.

Furthermore, it is noteworthy that Holmes Stoner serves as an umbrella for more than half a million businesses and enterprises in the USA and rest of the world. This massive scope of influence reflects his pivotal role in connecting and supporting a substantial network of businesses across the Globe.

Dr. Shambhu Pokharel is the GLOBAL CEO of CEO CLUB GLOBAL. He is known as Innovation Activist. Dr. Pokharel Holds Wide range of knowledge on International Relations, Diplomacy, Startup and Entrepreneurial Ecosystem, Economic Ecosystem, International Economics, Supply Chain Ecosystem and Brand Building. Recipient of More Than Dozen International Awards, Dr. Pokharel has been pivotal to drive Entrepreneurial Ecosystem in Developing Countries and Emerging Cities. Dr. Pokharel is also an architect of the NEW GLOBAL ECOSYSTEM. NEW GLOBAL ECOSYSTEM is the concept of transformation of developing countries into developed one with the help of Policy Reformation/deviation.

Dr. Pokharel is also the Founder and CEO of FRANCHISE GLOBAL, a Global Franchise exchange platform; Founder of Startup Hub Global (Global Startup Incubation Centre). Besides that, Dr. Pokharel is the Global Steering Committee Member of WORLD SOCIAL INNOVATION FORUM, Chairman of CENTER FOR DIPLOMATIC DIALOGUE and International Board of Director of IBM TV-USA.

Jerry Prendergast is the founder of Prendergast and Associates, and has been an adviser and consultant on every type of restaurant project – from creative mall and shopping center restaurants to high profile, large budget operations around the world.

Jerry has developed a reputation for taking the vision of the chef or owner and turning that dream into a profitable business.  His extensive restaurant management experience, along with a lifelong passion for fine food, wine, and high quality service, gives him unique insight into establishing and successfully running a high quality establishment.

He has been retained by large corporations, including Disney, Safeway/Host Marriott, and Festival Companies on such projects as “Encounter” in the landmark theme building at Los Angeles International Airport,” and both the food court and stand alone restaurants in the Royal Hawaiian Center in Honolulu.  He also has worked extensively in New York with numerous fine dining restaurants, including his association with New York Restaurant Group, owners of Smith & Wollensky.  Additionally, many world-class chefs chose Jerry to help them create a variety of one-of-a-kind fine dining establishments, including Los Angeles’ critically acclaimed Divino, Alex, and Melisse.

Jerry is currently based in Los Angeles California.  In addition to his consulting projects, he is actively involved in the local food scene, contributing as a commentator with the LA Business Journal as well as Nations Restaurant News.

Lady Shelley Sykes is a British born Australian; part owner of a Scottish Castle & substantial Malibu Estate in California, where she currently resides. Ceo of 6 American companies, incorporating music, film, PR, book publishing & her Happycharity. Shelley has an MBA, PhD in Psychology, Bachelor of Science in IT & Journalism and is an award winning Author, Speaker, Producer, Actress
, Singer/Songwriter, Television host, Diplomatic Foreign Correspondant, Designer & Entrepreneur. She has won 5 USA book awards so far, speaks 7 languages, booked globally giving her inspirational keynotes, & licenses her Shelley Sykes Spas. She was nominated Australian of the Year in 2009 & received the USA Susan B Anthony Award in 2012 for her philanthropy, founder of the Happy Charity in 2005. Currently, Shelley has a TV Studio in Malibu USA interviewing celebrities & creating 5 Glamorous TV Show Series being distributed by Warner-Discovery Chanel. She is open to Luxury Product Endorsements & to align with travel, food, beauty & fashion manufacturers & interview anyone of interest for her TV Shows with an inspirational story.

Thomas Stiegler is currently working as a Supervisory-/Advisory Board Member and business
consultant for public clients and for national- and international companies in the following
sectors: infrastructure investment, renewable energy, power, design engineering, real estate
development and construction (infrastructure, building, oil and gas). He is acting mainly in the
EMEA region and supporting his clients in business development, transformation, digitalisation
and merger and acquisitions.
Thomas Stiegler was a Board Member and Group Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Vienna
based PORR AG, a 150-year-old public listed company at the Austrian Stock Exchange until 2021.

PORR is one of the largest European construction companies with a turnover of 5.7 bn
Euros and more than 20,000 employees. Mr. Stiegler was leading PORR´s international
activities mainly in North- and Eastern Europe, the Middle East as well the tunnelling and
railway divisions with projects in Austria, Germany, Switzerland, UK, India, Asia and Australia.
On group level he was further responsible for the risk management, quality assurance and
process management and took lead on transformation, digitalisation, lean management and
innovation projects like soil data collection, site logistic and strategic acquisition applications.
With more than 28 years of experience in the construction sector, Mr. Stiegler has an excellent
track record in various functions and organizations and has gathered a large network in the
entire construction industry.
Mr. Stiegler has demonstrated his entrepreneurial strength and leadership capacities for years.
Within PORR, he started the international business from scratch from 2011 to 2016 and
successfully managed the largest projects in the company´s history, a Metro Underground
System (2 bn. Euro) and a soccer World Cup stadium (600 mio. Euro). After he completed his
secondment in the Middle East, Mr. Stiegler chaired as CEO the international Business Unit 3 in
Vienna, before he was nominated by the Supervisory Board as a full Board Member of PORR
Group in 2018.
From 2000 to 2010, Mr. Stiegler was acting as Member of the Executive Management at
Bilfinger Berger Civil (Germany, Top 5 European Contractor) with a turnover of more than
3.2 bn. Euro and approx. 5,600 employees. As a CFO, he specializes in funding and financing
of projects including PPP/BOT. Mr. Stiegler was responsible for the international markets mainly
in North America, Europe, Middle East, Africa, Asia and Australia. He was focused on the
commercial part of civil business, had full balance sheet responsibility according the IFRSregulations and standardized his division with uniform software tools and procedures. Mr.
Stiegler was involved in all M&A activities and focused on business development opportunities.
Due to his strong entrepreneurial approach, he had several mandates as a COO and
Supervisory Board Member of affiliates in Australia and North America. In 2007, Mr. Stiegler
was seconded to Qatar to manage the largest construction project in company’s history. With a
contract volume of 1 bn. Euro he took lead with more than 4,500 employees in operation and
managed all client relations.
Mr. Stiegler joined Bilfinger Berger in 1993. He was responsible for auditing, controlling of
international subsidiaries and in-house consulting on corporate group level for seven years.
Earlier in his career, Mr. Stiegler worked for KPMG (auditing and consulting), where he was
responsible for the industrial, banking and IT sector. He became a Certified Information System
Auditor (CISA) during this time.
He earned his Master’s Degree in Business Administration and Economics from the University
of Applied Science in Ludwigshafen, Germany

Vazil Hudák is a prominent European leader in finance, energy, and innovation. Currently serving as the Chairman of Avanea AIFM, part of the IPM Group—founding shareholder of InoBat—he plays a pivotal role in shaping future-focused investment strategies.

He is also a member of JP Morgan’s Senior Advisory Council for EMEA and a key figure in the Czech National Development Fund, where he contributes to infrastructure and strategic development planning.

Previously, Vazil served as the Minister of Finance of Slovakia and Vice President of the European Investment Bank (EIB), where he oversaw innovation and investment initiatives across Europe.

With deep expertise in government, finance, and clean technologies, Vazil brings unique value to cross-border economic development and visionary capital projects.

Dr. E. Lance McCarthy is a renowned global economist, public policy advisor, and faith-driven finance expert with over three decades of experience in economic strategy, urban revitalization, and inclusive investment.

As a former advisor to President Bill Clinton’s White House Economic Defense Conversion Task Force, Dr. McCarthy helped shape national policy focused on economic reinvention and community transformation. In 2023, he was honored with the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award by President Joe Biden in recognition of his lifelong service to economic and social justice.

Dr. McCarthy is the co-founder of Ferguson 1000, a national movement that created thousands of jobs in underserved communities. He serves as an advisor to global institutions, foundations, and governments, with a particular focus on empowering faith-based economies, Black and Brown capital markets, and sustainable wealth ecosystems.

He has lectured at prestigious institutions including Harvard University, UCLA, USC, and All Nations University (Canada & Ghana). His TED Talk, “African Americans and Technology – Empowerment or Exclusion,” has influenced conversations on equity in innovation and finance.

Dr. McCarthy is the bestselling author of “Wall Street to the Hood” and is a frequent contributor to forums like the United Nations and Digital DAVOS, where he addresses topics on economic diplomacy, minority capital inclusion, and global investment strategy.

A trusted voice in legacy finance, faith-integrated investing, and urban economic growth, Dr. Lance McCarthy continues to advise decision-makers, high-net-worth families, and mission-driven organizations around the world.

Dušan Lichardus is the CEO and Co-Founder of TESLA Group a.s., a vertically integrated energy company specializing in battery storage systems, 100% renewable electricity, and advanced energy services. With over 16 years of experience leading international projects across both technical and financial domains, he brings a strategic and solutions-driven approach to transforming the global energy landscape.

An expert in strategy, finance, and problem-solving, Dušan is dedicated to accelerating the shift toward renewable and decentralized energy systems. Under his leadership, TESLA Group is pioneering sustainable innovations that create long-term value for customers, partners, and investors—advancing a cleaner, more resilient future for the planet.