Executive Officers

meet the team

Chris Decker, P.E.

Chris Decker, President and Founder of Planate Management Group, is a U.S. Navy Veteran boasting over 35 years of expertise in military and civilian installation management. His career encompasses a rich blend of uniformed service, senior government civilian roles, and leadership in the contractor arena. With a background in the Civil Engineer Corps/SEABEEs, Mr. Decker brings invaluable insights into facilities management and acquisition, honed through his extensive tenure within the US Navy. Notably, Mr. Decker served as the pioneering Public Safety Director for the US Navy, orchestrating a groundbreaking $9 billion program aimed at enhancing counterterrorism efforts in the aftermath of 9/11. His leadership steered critical initiatives, shaping the landscape of global security operations and complex infrastructure environments.

In 2007, Mr. Decker founded Planate Management Group, a dynamic team of technical specialist's adept at navigating complex environments. Under his guidance, Planate has emerged as a powerhouse, delivering innovative solutions in planning, design, construction, and professional services to clients worldwide. Beyond his corporate endeavors, Mr. Decker is deeply engaged in various philanthropic and leadership roles. He serves as the Vice Chairman of the International Stability Operations Association (ISOA), a Founding Board member and Vice President of the Navy Safe Harbor Foundation and holds the position of Director of the US Philippines Society, among other notable affiliations.

Chris is a licensed professional engineer and alumnus of the Harvard Kennedy School of Government, he holds a Master of Engineering in Engineering Management from the University of Florida, complemented by a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and Naval Science from the United States Naval Academy.

Timothy J. Stufft, PE, PMP, CEM, LEED GA

Chief Operating Officer

Timothy J. Stufft, PE, PMP, CEM, LEED GA

Timothy Stufft serves as the Chief Operating Officer for Planate Management Group, in leading our global operations. Tim has over 27 years of experience working as a professional engineer in the private and public sector. He began his career as a process engineer for Celanese Acetate and then FMC. Tim worked for Reckitt Benckiser in Poland, as head of new products for manufacturing for both powdered and liquid detergents; he also taught in the Chemical Engineering Department at the Polytechnical University of Warsaw. He later worked in Ethiopia for the State Department and USAID supporting refugee, environmental, and food security issues.

He joined CFM Engineering as a Senior Project Manager, managing construction projects in the Washington, D.C., area for many clients including the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Naval Facilities Command (NAVFAC), the Smithsonian Institution, the FBI, NOAA, KBR, Bioreliance, Acambis, and Sanofi Pasteur. Tim joined Planate Management Group in 2012 as the Installation Energy Manager at Camp Lemonnier in Djibouti. During this time, he helped lead energy efforts that helped Camp Lemonnier win the Lean, Clean, and Green Award from the White House’s GreenGov program in 2014, and his team also won a Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) award in 2014.

Tim then covered Planate’s portfolio in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, before being promoted to Vice President of Engineering Services. In 2023, Tim was promoted into his current position as Chief Operating Officer. Tim is a native of Pennsylvania, and graduated Summa Cum Laude from Case Western Reserve in Cleveland, OH. He is a registered Professional Engineer, Project Management Professional, Certified Energy Manager, and LEED GA and resides in Virginia with his wife and three children. He is currently on the SAME NoVa Post Board as the Veteran’s Co-Chair

William (Bill) Warnock

Chief Growth Officer

William (Bill) Warnock

Bill Warnock currently serves as the Chief Growth Officer for Planate Management Group where he directs all Business Development operations. Prior to this, Bill served as the Chief Operating Officer for RA Federal Services (RA FS). RA FS provides construction and logistics services to the Department of State and other federal agencies across the globe.

Bill retired from US Navy in 2015 as a Captain after serving over 30 years. His assignments included numerous postings at sea, and ashore in the United Sates, Middle East and Africa. Additionally, Bill served as the Senior Navy Liaison to White House under Presidents Bush and Clinton.

As a son of missionaries, Bill spent most of his childhood in Africa.  His last posting in the Navy was at the US Embassy in Nairobi and after his retirement he remained in Africa with his family while he started his career in the private sector.

Bill leads the East Africa Chapter of International Stability Operations Association (ISOA) representing member companies across the continent. He has been an active member of ISOA since 2017 and is a regular guest speaker on Africa panels. Bill is currently leading the organizational efforts for the ISOA Africa Conference in Nairobi on February 13-15.
He has a bachelor’s degree from the Virginia Military Institute and a master’s degree from Marymount University.

John Nguyen

Chief Financial Officer

John Nguyen

John Nguyen serves as the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Planate Management Group, LLC. and brings 24 plus years of finance and accounting experience. Before being appointed to Planate’s CFO role, John held senior finance roles in financial operations, financial planning & reporting, treasury management, and administrator of financial systems in Government contracting sector, at public and private companies, ranging in size from Fortune 500 (Deloitte, CACI, Computer Sciences Corporation) and more recently in small to middle market companies (Neosystems, Ambit Group, Take2 Consulting, Nava).

Prior to joining Planate, John served as a Controller for over 12 years, overseeing all financial and accounting functions, audit, banking relationship, pricing, indirect rates administration, operational controls and financial reporting. Most recently, at Nava, John proactively led the scaling of the finance and accounting teams to prepare for business growth. At Take2 Consulting, John successfully led the ERP system implementation of Deltek Costpoint and drove the company’s first GovCon budget that aligned with projects, accounted for indirect rates, and scenario modeling. At eGlobalTech, under John’s watch, the company’s financials were successfully passed due diligence process for merger and acquisition. At the Ambit Group, John led the transition of moving accounting function from outsourcing to in-house. At Neosystems, John provided consulting services, led the stand-up of the finance and accounting functions for small government contractors.

John graduated from George Mason University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, took accounting courses at the University of Virginia. When John isn’t developing new and exciting pivot tables and charts, he is busy raising two dogs and looking for excuses to travel and be on a tennis court.

Alla Kovalova

Chief Management Officer

Alla Kovalova

Alla Kovalova has been part of the Planate team for over 9 years. Currently serving as the Chief Management Officer, Alla has served in various roles within the organization, showcasing adaptability and strategic acumen.

Born with a global perspective, she proudly identifies as a dual national of Ukrainian and Dutch heritage. Her multicultural background enriches her professional interactions, bolstered by fluency in four languages.

Educated at the prestigious National University in Kyiv, she graduated with a degree in economics in 1999, laying the foundation for a distinguished career in the field. While her professional journey has taken her to different corners of the globe, she now calls the picturesque south of Spain home, where she resides with her husband and two children. Despite the distance, her dedication to Planate remains unwavering.

Throughout her tenure, Planate has provided her with opportunities for personal and professional growth, fostering a deep sense of loyalty and gratitude. With a steadfast commitment to reciprocate the company's support, she continues to drive excellence within Planate's executive team, ensuring the company's continued success in its mission and vision.

Hashim Paiman, MSc.

Chief of Staff

Hashim Paiman, MSc.

Hashim Paiman is a seasoned professional with a master’s degree in Telecommunication with a multifaced career spanning various strategic roles. He has demonstrated his prowess in both the public and private sectors.

Starting his journey as Director of Planning and Policy and Director of International Relations in Notable Organizations, Hashim has contributed significantly to shaping policies and fostering international collaborations. Transitioning to the realm of project management with Planate Management Group, he showcased his versatility by excelling in roles such as Project Controls and Operations Director.

Currently serving as the Chief of Staff and Vice President of Internal Audit, Hashim Plays a pivotal role in overseeing organizational operations and ensuring adherence to regulatory standards. His leadership is characterized by his ability to establish and execute both short and long-term organizational goals, driving strategic initiatives with precision.

Outside of his professional endeavors, Hashim prioritizes personal well-being by engaging in activities such as exercise, walking, and indulging in music. This balance reflects his holistic approach to life, emphasizing both professional excellence and personal fulfilment. With a track record of success and a commitment to continuous improvement, Hashim Paiman embodies the essence of a dynamic and accomplished professional.