Zahroof Valves makes two executive appointments

Jim Ilaria

Zahroof Valves (ZVI) has named Jim Ilaria its new chief executive officer and Javvad Qasimi a senior vice president. The team will oversea new multiple product launches while accelerating growth, customer and service, the company said.

Prior to joining ZVI, Ilaria led seven corporate transformations as CEO or president of private-equity-sponsored middle market firms in industrial and consumer businesses. Ilaria was previously an operating partner with Allied Capital, where he worked closely with portfolio company management and deal teams to drive enterprise value. Ilaria earned an MBA from Columbia Business School and a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Rutgers University.

“Our product line and our approach to the market is a genuine departure from the last 100 years of compressor valve development,” Ilaria said, “In short, what we do best is what the marketplace now needs the most.”

The company will focus on ESG-based products, he said. “We have compelling proof of cost savings and efficiency, but what resonates strongly with customers in an ESG-sensitive environment is the ability of our valves to stop emissions – not just incrementally, but dramatically across all of their compression assets.”

Qasimi has more than 18 years of industry experience in various leadership roles. Most recently, he served the energy segment as global sales and marketing director for ChampionX.

Javvad Qasimi

Prior to that, Qasimi held roles in engineering, product management, sales, and marketing with Eaton Corporation and Honeywell International. He has an M.S. in Electrical Engineering from Northern Illinois University and an MBA from The Ohio State University. He is a Certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, a Project Management Professional (PMP), and inventor of more than a dozen patents related to engineering products geared towards the industrial businesses.

“Zahroof Valves, Inc has a powerful value proposition for reciprocating compressor operators,” said Qasimi. “Our valves use patented StraightFlo modular reed technology that provides much longer operating intervals than traditional plate or poppet valves. In addition to cost savings, operators now have a significant source reduction opportunity, enabling them to lower their methane intensity and hit their net zero voluntary commitments.”

Zahroof Valves is based in Houston, Texas.