- 20+ years fostering strategic partnerships with diverse stakeholder groups, e.g., global private sector and governmental partners, vendors, and customers, with proven record of technology solution implementation and project delivery to generate new business.
- 20+ years of business development to build digital platforms and advanced automation industrial capabilities. Highlights include transformation of a legacy manufacturing facility into a state-of-the-art Advanced Manufacturing Platform (i.e., CAPEX of USD $50m+). The facility is the first of its kind in the MENA region ‘machining-as-a-service’ manufacturing platform & meets Tier 1 global partner supplier compliance standards.
- 15+ years vetting innovative technologies and implementing smart city solutions such as smart parking, integrated digital signage, adaptive traffic signalizations, driverless vehicles and V2X, V2V communications, resulting in revenues of $50 million-$100 million per project.
- 10+ years working with the Executive Board of the International Road Federation and committees to focus the strategy of business development and innovative road technology solutions for the MENA region including AI/Generative AI, Cybersecurity and Automated Vehicles/Infrastructure.
Steven Nasser is the Chief Technology Officer for SABER Investment Company L.L.C., a locally owned company holding a diverse portfolio of products and services anchored around its long-standing expertise in manufacturing and engineering since 1976. In his role, he manages the company’s strategic growth and key partnerships with a global network of technology vendors and manages the company’s IT infrastructure implementing innovations in cloud computing (leveraging SAAS models), application-driven operations, and software automation. Steven leverages the dynamic manufacturing and experienced engineering platform of SABER’s group of companies towards projects in defense, aerospace, automation, transportation and integrated intelligence.
He is the Chairman of the IRF MENA Committee and the Chairman of the ITS Committee. When outlining the technology paradigm shift taking place in digital roads, sustainable infrastructure, and automated vehicles, Steven looks to collaborate with all stakeholders from the private, public and education sectors. Through the expanded platform of the IRF, Steven works to bring best practice methodologies and create state-of-the-art benchmarks for the region. Such platform includes integrating experts from AI/ML, Cybersecurity, C-ITS, Automated Transportation and MAAS. He believes that to optimize infrastructure and build future roads networks we need an all ‘inclusive’ hands-on approach.
Recently, with the help of the management team of IRF Global, under his leadership, he created three subcommittees within the IRF MENA Committee: Road Safety, ITS and Sustainability. Each subcommittee is chaired by dedicated, experienced and skilled professionals from the Roads and Infrastructure Industries. The goal is to generate roadmaps and objectives within the MENA Committee that are specifically focused on creating customized solutions against the ever-growing challenges in the region.
He was responsible for spinning off a technology entity, IKARIS, within SABER that focused on system integration and customized ‘smart’ solutions towards technology transformation. The entity is responsible for deploying solutions geared towards smart cities and smart infrastructure. Within such a role, Steven managed deliverables for government road, traffic and highway authorities like Abu Dhabi ITC, Dubai RTA and Abu Dhabi Police
He is responsible for the manufacturing digitization of the factory and the integration of the machines into a connected work cell so that the workflow can be controlled from the back office (supply chain) through the manufacturing cell to the deployment of finished goods to the client. When executing key projects, Steven looks to collaborate with all stakeholders to bring in innovative technologies to the region. He has deep insight and experience in bringing breakthrough technologies to the market.
He is quick to understand the requirements of the client and in translating the requirements into value and revenue generation to the technology vendor. In the defense sector, he works closely with Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, and other key defense companies, bringing business opportunities to fruition. Working closely with their corresponding business units and responsible Tawazun officers, Steven is responsible for aligning offset requirements against key technological innovations needed in the defense sector roadmap that meet Abu Dhabi vision and milestones. Such engagements have generated multi-million-dollar contracts for the defense companies. To date, Steven continues to explore and nurture such collaborations. He sits as a Board of Advisor for the Defense Securities Marketing Council and works closely with the Tawazun Council for Defense Enablement.
Steven joined SABER Investment Company L.L.C in 2009. He obtained a Bachelor of Science in Manufacturing Engineering from Boston University in 1998 and a Master of Business Administration in Entrepreneurship from Babson College in 2009. He has over 18 years of experience in sales and business development. He recently earned executive certification from MIT Sloan School of Management in Strategy and Innovation. During his time in Boston, MA he worked for multiple software technology companies (PTC, CSC, SAP) managing key clients in various sectors (industrial, healthcare, retail, aerospace, and technology) and engaging with product development teams.
Steven is enthusiastic about data analytics, machine learning, automation and artificial intelligence. He believes that mining the ‘right data’ drives the ultimate value for the enterprise. Today’s businesses cannot survive without the advanced analytical insight needed to make strategic decisions, execute tactical processes, align key stakeholders and enhance optimized workflows.
Steven recently joined as Board of Advisor to two companies in the Mobility and Sustainable Infrastructure space: MobilityVision and SustainInsight. His role in both companies is to help advise and support the vision and mission of the CEO. Within his role he engages with different stakeholders looking to learn and adapt to the growing innovative solutions offered by both companies.
Steven has become a member of American Chamber of Commerce, Abu Dhabi. Within his position he has is promoted to join the US-UAE Government Affairs Committee.
Today, Steven is a driving force and strategic executioner of the future mobility roadmap and what smart cities of tomorrow will look like. Working to address and integrate with all paradigm shifts taking place in technologies across Agentic AI, EV, AV, and Micro Energy Stations.
