Bios

Lavanya Bhavanasi >> President and CFO

With a robust background in analysis and financial oversight, Lavanya Bhavanasi is responsible for steering the company’s financial direction, encompassing budget formulation, accounting practices, and the preparation of financial statements. Lavanya’s academic foundation is a Bachelor of Engineering degree, specializing in Computer Science.

Kumar Bhavanasi >> CEO

Kumar Bhavanasi is renowned for his dedication to enhancing efficiency and fostering collaborative relationships among staff, clients, and suppliers. His approach involves a deep understanding of the factors contributing to the success of his clients and team, leading to the development of a comprehensive strategic vision and a practical action plan that inspires his team to achieve outstanding results. As the founder of First Tek, he has been pivotal to its growth, upholding the firm’s commitment to client and employee satisfaction.

With extensive experience in the IT services sector, Kumar excels in strategic planning, nurturing executive client relationships, increasing revenue, and expanding the business through strategic partnerships. His notable achievements include the development of enterprise systems for prominent institutions like Fleet Bank, ADP Brokerage, and Morgan Stanley, as well as forging strategic partnerships that benefit First Tek and its clientele.

Kumar holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from the Birla Institute of Technology & Science (BITS), India, and a Master of Science in the same field from the University of South Florida. He furthered his education with an Entrepreneur Certification from the Wharton School of Business, University of Pennsylvania. Presently, he contributes his expertise to various boards in an advisory capacity.

Jim Picou >> EVP of Operations

Jim joined Cenergy in June of 2004, working for Unocal, Chevron Pipeline, and Shell during his early years supporting their logistical operations. He then transitioned into the roles of Planner/Scheduler, Operations Manager, General Manager, COO, and currently serves as Cenergy’s  EVP of Operations, bringing with him over 25 years of management experience with operations and logistics.

Prior to joining Cenergy, Jim worked in management in the beverage distribution industry, and was then offered the position of Operations Manager of Ethan Allen for the New Orleans, Mobile and Pensacola divisions, where he served for four years.  Today, as EVP of Operations, he finds that some of the most rewarding projects that he has been a part of over the past 10 years were those involving disaster recovery, logistics, aviation set up in Alaska, and being part of Cenergy exciting corporate journey.

Jim holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Industrial Technology with a specialty in Supervision from Southeastern Louisiana University.

Stacy Warunek >> Vice President of Global Business

As VP of Global Business and with over 18 years in the professional services industry, Stacy leads our account and recruitment teams so client expectations can be exceeded. Prior to her role dedicated to Cenergy International, Stacy was Chief Operations Officer at Cenergy’ s Aerospace and Defense Company, MIDCOM, for 16 years providing highly skilled technical, engineering and professional support services to mission critical programs in the Top Secret sector nationwide. Her major mission today is to establish and grow diversity amongst MIDCOM and Cenergy and deliver stellar services to our client partners globally. When she’s not at the office you can find her with her family of 5 enjoying the outdoors.

PJ Malak >> General Counsel

PJ Malak is the General Counsel for Cenergy International Services, L.L.C. Prior to his role with Cenergy, he was Senior Legal Advisor for the boutique law firm of Chariton, Schwager & Malak, concentrating his practice in complex commercial litigation and oil and gas matters. PJ previously served simultaneously as the Secretary, General Counsel & Chief Compliance Officer for Mitsubishi Caterpillar Forklift America Inc. and UniCarriers Americas Corporation. Earlier in his career, PJ was an Associate Attorney with a long-standing Pittsburgh law firm and Corporate Counsel for a regional transportation company.

PJ is well versed in the negotiation and drafting of contracts, mergers & acquisitions, enterprise risk management, corporate governance and compliance, product liability, business competition and antitrust, intellectual property management, insurance coverage, and international trade compliance. At Cenergy, PJ focuses his attention on commercial affairs, labor and employment matters, litigation management, and general business advice.

PJ is a 1989 graduate of Dickinson College, cum laude, and a 1992 honors graduate of the Duquesne University School of Law. In 2008, he completed his executive business education in managerial leadership from the University of Texas at Austin – McCombs School of Business. PJ is admitted to practice law in numerous state and federal jurisdictions.