My History
Born in Sacramento, California. Graduated from University of California Davis and relocated to Latin America (Puerto Rico, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Costa Rica). Successful in both corporate and private business. Active in social, business, and government issues and causes.
Education - University of California, Davis
Master of Science (M.Sc.), Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.)
Food Science and Technology, Business
Societies: Kappa Sigma
Research Laboratory - Co-authored two published research papers establishing international standards for food products. Did multiple research projects on fruits, vegetables, nuts, dairy and meat products.
Production - Coach/Lead Student trainer in Pilot Plant (processing).
Development - Fabrication/Testing of new process machinery and techniques.
President American Chamber of Commerce in both Cost Rica and Guatemala
Volunteer duration 21 yrs 1 mo
Cause Politics
Held many positions including board member, treasurer, secretary, vice president and president spanning 21 years and two countries: Guatemala and Costa Rica. American Chamber of Commerce President in both Guatemala and Costa Rica. Participated in numerous high-level meetings and negotiations between business and governments.
Vice President AACCLA/U.S. Chamber of Commerce
Representing Central America at the US Chamber of Commerce and US Congress.
President of The Costa Rica American Colony Committee
The American Colony Committee represents and organizes events for over 50,000 US citizen residents in Costa Rica. Participated in various officer roles culminating in President.
Country President Toastmasters International, Guatemala
Board Director Camara de Comercio Crecex
Participated in Costa Rica's first trade mission and various follow-up visits to the Peoples Republic of China at a sensitive time when Taiwan was Costa Rica's exclusive trading partner but the PRC was making trade overtures to Latin America. Negotiator.
Board Director (various positions), American Cultural Center - Costa Rica
Cause Arts and Culture
Head of engineering and consulting for Latin America. Sold projects, supervised, and directly collaborated on many studies, plant engineering and plant construction projects throughout all of the Americas.
Vice President Chiquita Brands
Vice President of both the Technical Services and the Processed Foods divisions at both US corporate headquarters in Cincinnati, Ohio and regional headquarters in Costa Rica. Managed 4 food companies and Data Processing Center for all regional Chiquita divisions with twelve direct reports and over 1,000 employees.
Liaison with Nicaragua high level government officials while negotiating for the purchase of national communications company.
Lead Negotiator - Telecommunications, Government of Costa Rica
Tasked by President Miguel Angel Rodriguez to lead negotiations aimed at setting guidelines for new telecom legislation. Led talks between business, the national legislature, a state run telecom operator, labor unions, the International Telecommunication Union, and citizen organizations. Negotiated and achieved consensus and approval among extremely diverse and hostile groups. Costa Rica's mobile telecom and data services were eventually opened to various world class participants including Ericsson-Worldwide, Telefónica, América Móvil, Movistar and Claro.
Founder and CEO of three cut foliage companies in Costa Rica and two in Nicaragua.