As part of our ongoing series introducing the people behind CE+T Power, we are excited to feature our newest Sales team member: Antonio Fernandes, Key Account Manager. In this interview, Antonio shares his educational background, professional journey, and personal interests.
Could you share with us your educational background?
“I had professional training during high school in electrotechnics. Afterwards, I shifted to telecommunications in the 1990s, which became a big part of my career.”
Where did you start working, and how did your career progress from there?
“I was born in Lisbon and moved to Belgium in 1996. I began my career working for a company in Antwerp as subcontractor for (then) Orange and Mobistar. In 2001, I joined Siemens, which later became Nokia Siemens Networks and eventually Nokia. I stayed with the company until 2024, holding various positions such as Site Engineer and Project Manager, primarily focusing on deploying networks across Africa. Due to Belgium’s historical ties with the continent, I spent most of my time there between 2001 and 2013, working all over from Morocco to South Africa, including three years in Kenya and two years in Mali. For the past decade, I have been mostly involved in Product Management, I was responsible for developing and launching energy solutions in Nokia’s portfolio, ranging from cabinets to batteries.”
What led you to CE+T?
“I wanted a change of pace, which is why I am now part of the sales team. I still keep a technical connection, but with a bit more distance. Having a technical background is a real advantage because it allows me to understand the finer details while ensuring I bring the best solutions to the customer.”
What are your expectations for your role at CE+T?
“I want to quickly grasp everything happening internally. My goal is to bring new clients to CE+T, as I have many contacts in the telecom world and beyond.”
Can you tell us about your experience working at CE+T so far?
“Very positive interactions up to now thanks to the support and warm welcome from colleagues!”
What drives you about being a Key Account Manager?
“Managing the project and coordinating the entire operation from A to Z. In a way, it is similar to what I used to do as Project Manager but it goes beyond that. That is why I moved away from the technical side: I wanted to oversee the entire project from start to finish having direct interaction with the customers.”
What are some of your hobbies and interests outside of work?
“I would qualify myself as a bit of a geek, I love anything related to computers, testing servers and home lab servers, trying out new hardware and distros, … I am always looking to explore new things. I have also been practicing traditional crossbow in national competitions as a hobby for the past two years in a guild based in Antwerp that has been around for over 160 years. It is a hobby that takes up a lot of my time. Whenever I have a free moment, I also love going for a walk, even if it is just for an hour.”
Do you have a motto you live by?
“Generally, I am an avid user of pragmatic approach to prevent or even solve possible issues. With a passion for technology innovations.”