Our Team
Andreas Eggenberg, CEO
- Swiss national, Political and economic scientist graduated from the University of Lausanne, Business Administration, management and executive management specializations at the Universities of Munich, UCLA, Kellogg and INCAE.
- Previously, Executive Director Amanco Agricultural Solutions, leading irrigation systems provider in Latin America based in Brazil. Before that various executive positions at Grupo Nueva and Amanco in Argentina, Costa Rica and Guatemala, including Regional Head Amanco Central America and Carribbean.
- Previously, Senior VP at Volkart Brothers Holding, and Executive Director at Green Cross International.
- Fluent in Swiss German, German, English, French, Spanish and Portuguese, he is Member of the Boards of Avina Foundation, Business Council for Sustainable Development (BCSD) Panama, of the Advisory Boards of the IADB Conference on Corporate Social Responsibility, and of the Latin American Advisory Board of the World Water Forum; and is a faculty member of Sustainability, London; and was Chairman of the Board of Fundes Guatemala and member of the local INCAE Council.
José Guardiola, CFO
- Born in 1969, Panamanian national, bilingual (English, Spanish), graduated in Finance of the Santa Maria La Antigua University, Panama, and holds an MBA from Vanderbilt University-Owen Graduate Shchool of Management (Nashville, USA), postgrade courses in Universidad Latina (Panama) and Universidad del Contador (Panama) and several seminars in managerial habilities in Panama, Costa Rica and Colombia.
- Before his current position, José was CFO of Empresas Tagaropulos (2001-2007) one of the leading distribution companies for the food industry in Panama, CFO of GBM Panama (2000-2001) an IBM alliance for Latin America and CFO of Amanco Panama (1996-2000).
- José is member of Fulbright Panama Association, member of the Beta, Gamma, Sigma (The Honor Society for Accredited Business Programs), member of the Financial Planning Association and of APEDE (Panama Executive Business Association).
Claudio Cabezas, Investment Manager, Forestry Investments
- Chilean national with over 10 years of background in Forestry: Operations, Timber Sales, Land Valuations and Optimization Models. Forest Engineer from Universidad Austral de Chile and holds a Diploma in Forestry Economics and Silviculture.
- Previously, Head of Forestry Technical Department in one branch of Arauco Company in Chile. Arauco's forestry resources are distributed in Chile, Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay, being the owner of 930.000 hectares of plantations in South America with annual sales over US$ 2.8 billion.
- Fluent in English and Spanish. Member of Chilean Forest Engineers Association. Masisa Company and Universidad Austral de Chile Senior Consultant.
Salvador Escobedo, Investment Manager, Cleantech Investments
- Mexican and French national with a strong background in international business and marketing operations. Holds a Bachelor's degree from Rollins College and an MBA from INCAE Business School with a double focus on Finance and Sustainability Strategy.
- Previously, Salvador was International Marketing Director residing in New York City for a group of 21 Mexican agroindustrial companies including three Nasdaq traded multinationals. He was responsible for multimillion dollar marketing campaigns and was a key actor in exports growth of more than 300% in 4 years for hundredth's of millions of produce pounds per year, soon becoming a figure in trade media.
- Fluent in French, English and Spanish, Salvador has lived and worked in six countries and three continents.
Paulo Hernandez, Investment Analyst, Forestry Investments
- Colombian nationality, Forestry engineer graduated from Universidad Nacional de Colombia. Currently he is finishing his master's studies in Environmental Socioeconomics in the Tropical Agricultural Research and Education Center (CATIE) in Costa Rica.
- With experience in the establishment, management and harvest of tropical forest species. During recent years engaged in research work in the area of climate change, participated as an exhibitor in international courses on forestry plantations and the establishment of carbon sequestration projects.
- Paulo has worked, as an assistant, in software and tools development for estimating Green House Gases for international entities such as the World Bank.
Antonio Arauz, Investment Analyst, Cleantech Investments
- Nicaraguan and U.S. national, holds an MBA from INCAE Business School and obtained a full scholarship for a 15 month postgraduate joint program in Germany between INWENT and the Technological University of Berlin in Sustainable Energy Policy, focusing on Financial Instruments for Renewable Energy Projects.
- Previously, Antonio worked for Banco de la Producción (Banpro) in Nicaragua, where he began as a Regional Branch Manager. He also served as Senior Corporate Business Executive, where he was responsible for the management of a loan portfolio consisting of high profile key accounts. In addition, he advised in the development of the Environmental Risk Program and Policy for the bank and was in charge of overseeing forestry and renewable energy projects, including the promotion of an Energy Efficiency Financing Program with the Inter-American Development Bank and other organizations with experience in the field.
- Fluent in Spanish, English and intermediate German, Antonio has lived and worked in Nicaragua, Germany, Honduras and the United States.
Gerardo Rojas, Investment Controller
- Costarrican, with a strong background in accounting, treasury and finance planning. Graduated in Business Administration from Universidad de Costa Rica with specialty in Finance. Attended several seminars at INCAE and ICAP on Advance Financing. Bilingual English-Spanish. Professor of Finance and Financial Math for 10 years.
- Group Controller for Precious Woods Corporation for 5 years with operations in Costa Rica, Brazil and Europe. Based partial time in Costa Rica and Manaus Brazil.
- Worked at Del Monte Fresh Fruit for 8 years. Controller in Costa Rica, for the Banana operations with farms exporting $ 100 million per year. Based 2 years in Tabasco and Mexico DF., as Financial Manager.
- Finance Manager 3 years for Eaton Cutler Hammer, a US Industrial Electric Control Products and 4 years for Union Carbide Central America.
- Worked at Instituto Costarrricense de Electricidad for 10 years in different positions of the energy area.
- Currently Board Member of Precious Woods C Rica S.A. and Asociación Cultural Tibetano-Costarricense.
Ricardo Mesa, Financial Analyst
- Colombian National with Bachelors in Economics and software programming from the University of Florida.
- Strong background in security analysis and investment valuation. Previously, was investment analyst for Banicol Ltda in Bogota Colombia. Worked for Investment Fund Mesatechtrading where he held the position of portfolio manager and investment analyst. Also, worked for The Bureau of Economics and Business Research Center of The University of Florida where he was involved in the recollection and analysis of Economic Data. Fluent in Spanish and English.
George Millard, Head Accounting
- Panamanian, bilingual (English, Spanish), graduated in Accounting of the Santa María La Antigua University (Panama) and holding an MBA from Lindenwood University, (St Louis, Missouri - USA).
- For over a decade, George has been working with multinational companies such as (3M, KPMG and Dell). Responsible for general accounting operations. Also has an extensive financial and analytical experience in budget forecasts, cost accounting, inventory control, internal audits and overseeing different operations in Latin America.
- Since 1998, is a member of the Certified Public Accountant Association in Panama and holds a local CPA certification.
Lourdes Pérez, Executive Assistant
- Panamanian nationality with experience in accounting and administrative management related to maritime operation and consultant services in Panama. Specialized in administrate new business and streamlining procedures, bilingual (Spanish and English).Graduated in Business Administration from the Universidad Interamericana of Laureaute International Study.
- Previously, was the Office Manager of Crea Consulting S.A. a Swiss company, subsidiary of Crea Trust reg that provides financial, trust, accounting, controlling and auditing services in Latin America and Europe.
- Also worked for Manzanillo International Terminal-Panama, S.A., in the Department of Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable.