Our Team
Backed by veteran experience in the submarine cable industry, APTelecom is recognised for its ability to combine deep technical knowledge with superior client service.
Our team delivers qualified pre-sales expertise to support system builds seeking funding or expansion, providing the insight and credibility that investors and stakeholders demand. By bridging technical design with commercial strategy, we ensure every project is positioned for long-term success and sustainable growth.
Expert guidance, trusted experience, and proven results in submarine cable development.
Our Team
Co-Founder and CEO
Eric R. Handa, Co-Founder and CEO of APTelecom, has built the company from a start-up in 2010 into a global telecom consulting firm. Under his leadership, APTelecom has been recognized with awards including Sales Team of the Year by the Global Customer Sales and Service Awards and Best VAS Consulting Company in Dubai by Telecom Review Magazine.
Co-Founder & President
Sean Bergin, President and Co-Founder of APTelecom, brings over two decades of executive experience in international telecommunications and digital infrastructure across mature and emerging markets. Since founding the company in 2010, he has helped build APTelecom into a global consultancy, delivering strategic outcomes for clients across Africa, Southeast Asia, EMEA, and Latin America.
Alex Chace
Vice President of Global Government Affairs
Alex Chace, Vice President of Global Government Affairs at APTelecom, leads international subsea-cable initiatives bringing trusted connectivity to underserved communities worldwide. He helps deliver U.S. government-funded programs across East Asia Pacific, Europe, Latin America, and Africa. His recent work includes the Central Pacific Connect Initiative, which brought Tuvalu its first-ever subsea cable, and upcoming systems in Bangladesh. Alex serves on the Bryant University International Advisory Council and teaches as an Adjunct Professor of Management. He holds a BS in Business Administration and an MBA in International Business from Bryant University.
Anup Gupta
President of India and SAARC
Anup Gupta, President of India and SAARC at APTelecom, brings over 24 years of experience in the global telecom industry across Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and Europe. He specializes in delivering large-scale telecom projects that improve connectivity in diverse markets. Before joining APTelecom, Anup served as Vice President and Business Head for Africa and Europe at Airtel, and later as Chief of Sales and Marketing for a submarine cable company in Mauritius. Anup holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Science and a postgraduate qualification in Business Management.
Arabinda Laha
Director – South Asia
Arabinda Laha, Director of South Asia at APTelecom, brings over 21 years of experience across India, Bangladesh, SAARC, South East Asia, and the Middle East. He works closely with mobile network operators to deliver telecom solutions that improve connectivity across diverse markets. His expertise spans telecommunications sales and business development, with previous leadership roles at Reliance Communication, SIFY, Epsilon Telecommunications, and Primus Telecommunications. Arabinda manages pre-sales for subsea and terrestrial networking solutions and provides consulting services for data centers and undersea cable landing stations. He holds an MBA from the Indian Institute of Social Welfare & Business Management.
Christina Restrepo
President of Latin American Operations and Controller
Christina Restrepo, President of Latin American Operations and Controller at APTelecom, leads regional engagement with governments, regulators, and industry stakeholders to advance trusted connectivity and subsea cable initiatives across Latin America.
She is currently focused on capacity building, spatial planning, and digital infrastructure development. Her work includes contributing to Central American connectivity programmes such as El Salvador’s planned subsea cable system. In her role, she helps strengthen resilient, secure, and sustainable digital infrastructure across Latin America.
Ian Mclean
Director - South East Asia & Oceania
Ian McLean, Director for South East Asia & Oceania at APTelecom, brings over a decade of experience in the telecommunications industry. He has held senior positions at leading enterprise telecom providers in Australia, including a national fiber optic network operator and a fixed wireless and satellite provider. In these roles, Ian delivered connectivity solutions to corporate and government clients. At APTelecom, Ian leads business development across the Asia-Pacific region, partnering with clients on subsea connectivity, fiber sales, and digital infrastructure strategy.
John Maguire
Director - Europe
John Maguire, Director for Europe at APTelecom, brings over 30 years of experience across the telecommunications industry. His career spans security and network control software sales, establishing regional federation fiber networks, and building interconnect networks and wholesale structures for leading telco brands in new markets. John’s expertise covers satellite and cable technology for both OEM and service providers across fixed and mobile domains. A native of Dublin, Ireland, John has lived and worked across Australia, UK, Singapore, Hong Kong, Thailand, Qatar, UAE, and Malaysia.
John Manock
Head of Research
John Manock has been a consultant in the submarine cable industry for more than 30 years. He created the first commercial submarine cable database in the early 1990s while at KMI Corporation. John has worked on over 100 submarine cable feasibility studies during his career at KMI, T Soja & Associates, Inc, and Ocean Systems Inc. He joined APTelecom as Head of Research in 2022.
John Melick
Director - M&E
John Melick, Director for M&E at APTelecom, brings over 30 years of international telecommunications experience. John was co-founder and Chairman of Djibouti Data Center, the first carrier-neutral data center in Africa built to Tier 3 standards, with access to 11 subsea fiber optic cable systems. He also co-founded the Djibouti Internet Exchange. Prior to this, John was part of the co-founding management team of a global voice and data service provider with operations in 14 countries. John holds a Bachelor of Arts from University of Maryland and a Master of Science from George Washington University.
John Rhee
CTO
John Rhee, Chief Technology Officer at APTelecom, brings over 30 years of experience as an ISP and telecom executive across Asia Pacific and United States markets. He is the founder of Kuentos Communications, the first ISP in Micronesia, operating on the US Territory of Guam. Before joining APTelecom, John served as VP of Transport Networks for DOCOMO Pacific, where he led network operations and strategic development. Throughout his career, he has developed deep expertise in the competitive telecom markets of the Asia Pacific region.
Jonathan Kriegel
Senior Advisor
Jonathan Kriegel, Senior Advisor at APTelecom, brings decades of leadership experience in telecommunications, digital transformation, and business development. Before joining APTelecom, Jonathan served as CEO of DOCOMO Digital, leading the strategic turnaround and sale of the company. From 2014 to 2018, he was CEO of DOCOMO Pacific, overseeing mobile and fixed telecommunications services in Guam and the Northern Marianas, including the ATISA subsea cable system. Prior to that, Jonathan spent 15 years at Vodafone Group in executive roles across Asia and the Americas. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from Pomona College and an MBA from Wharton School.
Matt Christie
Vice President & Project Director
Matthew Christie, Vice President & Project Director at APTelecom, is a certified Project Management Professional with extensive experience leading complex development initiatives across multiple industries. His career began in manufacturing and engineering in Australia before progressing into construction and project management throughout Asia, where he has built nearly two decades of regional expertise. Matthew has diversified his knowledge into subsea cable project development, spanning feasibility studies, design assessments, detailed planning, and project implementation. In his current role, he provides senior leadership and project oversight, maintaining direct communication with boards, stakeholders, and investors.
Owen Best
Consultant
Owen Best is a Consultant with APTelecom, working on strategy, business development, and project initiatives. Before joining APTelecom, Owen was SVP of Sales and Business Development for PCCW Global and subsidiary Console Connect. He served as President for Asia at FLAG Telecom and Reliance Globalcom, and as Country Head of Japan and Korea for Telstra. While in Tokyo, he was Chairman of the Australia/New Zealand Chamber of Commerce. Owen has over 30 years of experience in telecommunications infrastructure and data services. He holds a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering and an MBA from the University of Queensland.
Paul Murphy
Senior Advisor
Paul Murphy, Senior Advisor at APTelecom, brings over 30 years of experience as a transactional attorney and strategic consultant, specializing in project finance, development, and contracting. Paul is Founder and Managing Director of Murphy Energy & Infrastructure Consulting, LLC, and serves in several leadership roles across the energy and infrastructure sectors. He is an eight-time appointee to the U.S. Secretary of Commerce’s Civilian Nuclear Trade Advisory Committee. Paul graduated from Princeton University’s School of Public & International Affairs and Harvard Law School, then served as a Captain in the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps.
Peter Mueller
Administrative Support
Peter Mueller serves in Administrative Support at APTelecom, where he supports company operations. His responsibilities include assisting team members across departments, maintaining company records, and contributing to payroll administration. Peter joined APTelecom in the spring of 2024, bringing a diverse background in compliance, customer service, and financial services. He began his career in 2021 at AML RightSource before moving to Commonwealth Financial Network in early 2022. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in History and Government from St. Lawrence University (Class of 2021). During the 2024–2025 academic year, Peter also served as a part-time Social Studies teacher.
Robert Crinks
Network Engineering
Robert Crinks works in Network Engineering at APTelecom, bringing over 30 years of experience in major communication and IT systems. His expertise spans network engineering, service development, service transition, network operations, and security. Throughout his career, Robert has focused on planning, designing, and implementing telecommunication solutions. His experience includes requirements development and analysis, project risk analysis, schedule development, configuration management, and budgeting across technical and management organizations.
Tony Razzell
VP Financial Modeling
Tony Razzell, VP Financial Modeling at APTelecom, brings over 25 years of international telecom management consulting experience, specializing in commercial, finance, and pricing functions across telco, enterprise, and government sectors worldwide. He has been part of the APTelecom team for 10 years. Tony has built a successful business modeling practice defining and evaluating commercial and marketing strategies, as well as monetizing network assets. His core activities include modeling business plans to support debt and equity raises, especially for subsea cables, and developing analytics for data traffic distribution, data center strategies, and smart city buildouts.
Nate White
Vice President
Nathan White is a Vice President at APTelecom, specializing in government acquisition and telecom and satellite communications services. Before joining APTelecom, Nathan was Vice President and General Manager for Peraton Communications. He held executive roles at TENICA Global as Vice President and at Polar Star Consulting as President and co-owner. Nathan is a retired Colonel with a 24-year career in the U.S. Air Force, serving as an ICBM Officer, Contracting Officer, and Program Manager. His career culminated in an executive position managing the information and communications technology infrastructure engineering group for a large government agency. He served with distinction in Iraq.
Be Part Of Our Growing Global Team
At APTelecom, we believe our people are the foundation of our success. Joining our team means working alongside industry leaders on projects that shape the future of global connectivity – from subsea cable systems to next-generation digital infrastructure.
We foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, and integrity, where every voice contributes to meaningful outcomes for our clients and communities. If you’re driven to make an impact in a fast-evolving industry, APTelecom offers the opportunity to grow, lead, and be part of a company creating lasting global value.