Meet The Team
Chairman of the Board of Directors
Tapio Vaskio
Mr. Vaskio is the Managing Director and co-founder of ERG Partners, a New York-based independent financial and strategic advisory firm providing counsel to clients on corporate finance and strategic matters including mergers and acquisitions, recapitalizations, and restructurings. ERG Partners has in-depth expertise in the security and intelligence industries and has extensive experience advising on cross-border and multi-jurisdiction transactions around the world.
Mr. Vaskio’s experience in international business spans over 20 years. He has held senior management positions and advised Boards, CEOs, and shareholders of risk management, security, and intelligence companies. Tapio holds a master’s degree in Political Science and Economics from Helsinki University and a Master of International Affairs degree from Columbia University.
Founder & Group CEO
Roope Ruokonen
Roope is a seasoned business leader with more than 20 years of senior management experience and an impressive track record of building businesses and creating shareholder value. Under his leadership, FRF has emerged as a leading high-end risk management company, offering a broad array of solutions to support diplomatic, government, NGO, and corporate clients in high-risk environments around the world.
Roope founded FRF in 2011 and leads FRF as its Group CEO, providing strategic direction, overseeing all aspects of FRF’s business, and spearheading the company’s growth to the next level.
Prior to founding FRF, Roope held senior leadership positions at multiple multinational corporations including Adidas, Kellogg’s, and Red Bull. Roope served in the Parachute Regiment of the Finnish Defense Forces and holds an M.Sc. degree in Economics and Business Administration from the Helsinki School of Economics.
HR Director
Anniina Ala-Prinkkila
As the HR Director, Anniina oversees all FRF’s human resources functions. She is responsible for talent acquisition, recruitment, deployment of personnel on contracts in Somalia, Kenya, Afghanistan, Pakistan and, Iraq, and other challenging environments ensuring that the appropriate personnel are always where clients need them. Anniina also oversees FRF’s compliance with complex contract requirements including employment and benefits laws and local regulations.
Anniina is an experienced HR professional who thrives under pressure and excelled in handling extremely challenging personnel management circumstances such as evacuating diplomatic clients from Kabul in 2021 and Kyiv in 2022.
Prior to joining FRF, Anniina held several HR positions in the Maritime Industry focusing on talent management and demanding recruitment programs. Anniina Holds a Master’s Degree in Adult and Continuing Education and a Master’s degree in Education and Learning, both from University of Jyväskylä.
CCO
Alexander Laroma
Alex is an experienced sales executive with extensive experience in international business developing business strategies and managing commercial teams. As the CCO, Alex is responsible for overseeing FRF’s day-to-day business agenda and commercial processes. He is also responsible for business development and captures efforts. Alex oversees the proposal development, bidding, and pricing processes across the business.
Prior to joining FRF, Alex held numerous senior sales, account and field management leadership positions at several multinational consumer product companies such as Danone, and Carlsberg.
Alex holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Marketing from Oulu University of Applied Sciences.
COO
Tapio Itkonen
Tapio is an experienced security professional and a special operations military officer with multiple operational tours and years of experience managing complex security projects in high-risk environments.
In his current COO role, Tapio oversees FRF’s day-to-day field operations. He is responsible for client contract management and operational delivery. Tapio is focused on continually improving client service and operational efficiency, and ensuring that FRF’s service always exceeds client expectations by applying lessons learned and industry best practices to clients’ unique needs.
Tapio joined FRF in 2015 and served as FRF’s Country Manager in Somalia and subsequently as the Africa Regional Director before relocating to Helsinki and assuming the COO role. Prior to joining FRF, Tapio served in the Finnish Naval Special Operations Forces. Tapio holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in International Business from Turku University of Applied Sciences.
Head of Engineering
Markus Vaha
Markus has more than a decade of experience in integrated security system design and providing turn-key security solutions to clients operating in high-risk environments including Iraq and Afghanistan. Markus leads FRF’s [Security Design & Engineering] business area with a focus on designing and implementing technical solutions to ensure the safety of clients’ staff, facilities, and operations.
Prior to joining FRF, Markus was the Head of Engineering at Restrata, a Dubai-based emergency response, security consulting, and system integration company with extensive experience in supporting clients in high-risk environments.
Markus holds a Bachelor of Engineering degree from Turku University of Applied Sciences.