Board of Directors (in alphabetical order)

Abtin Assadi has extensive experience in building and managing successful organizations from the ground up including technical, marketing and sales in large corporations as well as start-up environments. Abtin started his career as a data communication software development engineer at Honeywell and worked in a variety of software development and management positions in high-tech companies in Silicon Valley such as Bridge Communications and 3Com Corp. Abtin's entrepreneurial spirits inspired him to start two of his own technology companies since 1999. Abtin founded iChatterbox, Inc. in May 1999. iChatterbox developed Voice, Video and Data Conferencing software over Internet Protocol for the enterprise market and was acquired in December 2000. Abtin then started Celeros Corp. a data storage company focused on development of SAN and NAS products where he is still the founder and CEO. Abtin has been a member of baivoter board of directors since 2003, he also publishes opinion pieces at Iranian.com and other publications. Abtin holds a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science from San Diego State University, where he also did graduate studies.

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Sadri Zahir is a veteran in the high tech industry with over 15 years of experience in a variety of software related projects.  As one of the founding members of BAIVOTER, Sadri has been involved with different facets of operations within the organization, as well as promoting civic participation and raising awareness within the Iranian-American community throughout the Bay Area.  Sadri holds a Bachelor degree in computer science from Utah State University.

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Arash Alavi has lived in the San Francisco Bay Area since 1992.  Arash holds a Ph.D. in Computer Science and has worked in a number of small and large software companies since moving to the Bay Area. Having a keen interest in empowering citizens to take effective control over the political process through informed and active participation, Arash co-founded baivoter in 2002 as a California nonprofit public benefit corporation, to help encourage greater Iranian-American participation in the democratic process.  In 2003, Arash worked to secure recognition of tax exemption for baivoter from the Internal Revenue Service and the state of California.

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Niloufar Nouri moved to the US in 1985 to pursue her education.  After obtaining a Bachelor’s in Sociology/Anthropology and a Master’s in International Affairs, she began her career in the nonprofit field.  She has had extensive experience working in refugee resettlement, immigrant advocacy and mobilization, fundraising campaigns and co-founding two organizations.  Currently she engages in Resource Development at United Way Silicon Valley.  Her other interests include flamenco dance and playing the Setar.  Since 1999 she has made the Bay Area her home and lives there with her husband and sons.

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Farshid Samsami was born December 22 1958 on the eve of the longest night of the year (Yalda).  He came to USA in December of 1978 in the midst of the Iranian revolution to study.  After receiving a Bachelor degree in Architecture from University of North Carolina in Charlotte he moved to Bay Area.  He also received a Master Degree in Systems and Project Management from Golden Gate University.  He started his own General Contracting Company in August of 2000.  He has been living in Burlingame with his family since 1992.  Farshid and Delfarib, his wife, have three children, two daughters and one son.  He has strong belief in human rights and he enjoys poetry by Rumi and Khayam.  His biggest joy is to watch his kids playing in the backyard and listen to their laughter.