Full Name: Joe Ndala
Position: MD of AECOM South Africa and CFO of AECOM Africa
Main Activity of the Company: A Fortune 500 company, AECOM designs, builds, finances and operates infrastructure assets for governments, businesses and organisations in more than 150 countries
Date and Place of Birth: August 1971, Gajubane, Ogies, Mpumalanga
Education: BCompt, FCCA and MSc (finance and management)
First Job: Office administrator
Career History Prior to Current Position: Office administrator, financial/projects accountant, financial manager/controller/director, associate director, CFO
Size of First Pay Packet: R1 600 a month
First Job with Present Group: Regional finance director for Africa
Value of Assets under Your Control: R1.8-billion
Number of People under Your Leadership: 680
Management Style: Relationship-focused and people-orientated, with the goal of being a visionary leader who inspires and mentors
Personal Best Achievement: Buying my first car ever, a Jetta II
Professional Best Achievement: Becoming MD of a global engineering firm
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My father
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: Anthony Jackson
Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Richard Branson
Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Sipho Nkosi
Philosophy of Life: Be the reason why others smile
Biggest Ever Opportunity: The opportunity to lead AECOM Africa
Biggest Ever Disappointment: Switching studies from commerce to engineering and then back to commerce
Hope for the Future: That I inspire others to take up leadership roles and realise their true potential
Favourite Reading: Who Moved My Cheese, by Dr Spencer Johnson
Favourite TV Programme: Live soccer games
Favourite Food/Drink: Pizza
Favourite Music: Kwaito and R&B
Favourite Sport: Soccer
Favourite Website: Coca-Cola.com
Hobbies: Walking
Car: Mercedes-Benz
Pets: Two dogs (Topie and Tiger-Jack)
Miscellaneous Dislikes: Laziness and complaining, which are counterproductive and negative
Favourite Other South African Company: Discovery
Favourite Foreign Company: Coca-Cola
Married: To Jeanette
Children: Hlumela, a boy, 15; Xhumile, a girl, 13
Clubs: None