Luis Guillermo Echeverri Vélez

Luigi, como prefiere que lo llamen, es Domador y criador de caballos y Rejoneador Profesional de Toros. Abogado de la Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana, con maestría en Economía agrícola en la Universidad de Cornell. Visionario, empresario destacado a nivel nacional e internacional, experto en política y economía. Asesor general de grandes grupos económicos. Se desempeña en relaciones a largo plazo ayudando a los clientes con decisiones, problemas estratégicos y resolviendo crisis. Dirigió la agencia gubernamental Proexport para Norteamérica y el Caribe y tuvo un importante papel durante su paso por el Banco Interamericano de Desarrollo (BID) para Colombia, Ecuador y Perú.

Luis Guillermo Echeverri Vélez

Luigiecheverri@gmail.com / Skype name: Echeverriluigi

Hacienda Caballo Bayo                                                                Tel. +57 1 828 8666

Kmt. 3 Via a Subachoque.                                                            Cel. +57 318 750 0868     

Madrid, Cundinamarca, Colombia. S.A.                                      Home. +57 18248035

Luis Guillermo Echeverri Vélez – Medellin, Colombia, October the 5th 1957

PERSONAL SKILLS:

Self-discipline and solid responsibility complimented with a strong work ethic and common sense, acquired by lifelong exposure to an agriculture, cattle work and farming environment. Competent and successful aptitude for judging people, risks and making efficient decisions, developed from years of experience at diverse cultural and professional environments. Possesses a natural ability for public and private personal relations combined with strong leadership. Excellent: communications, policy and strategy drawing and challenging projects implementation, personnel management, mediating and negotiating skills, applied to large organizations as well as small and medium business.

Currently acting as President of the Board ECOPETROL S.A., of “Asociación Primero Colombia” a foundation helping former President of Colombia, Doctor Alvaro Uribe Vélez with his domestic and international agenda in favor of promoting democratic ideals. Representing the President of the nation, is Vice-President of the Board of Directors of the Bogotá´s Chamber of Commerce, Member of the Boards of Telefonica Telecomunicaciones S.A., and also participates in the boards of Pragma S.A., Acuaterra S.A., Colmedica and Susalud.

From 2014 to august 2018, promoted the political carrier of Colombia´s current President Dr. Iván Duque Marquez, and successfully architecture, strategized, managed and financed, Duque´s presidential campaigns, government transition process and inauguration ceremony.

A Colombian Lawyer with a Master’s degree in the field of Agricultural Economics from Cornell University with more than 25 years experience in the field of international business (trade & management), marketing, business and public policy design and implementation, IT and conventional projects development, business institutional representation, import / export promotions, business development, strategic planning and public/private international and multilateral finance. Experience leading and conducting successful business initiatives and innovation and change management process at top-management and Board of Executive Directors environments.

Master in the equestrian ancient art of “Rejoneo” (Bull fighting on Horse Back – Acted from 1975 – 1986 being his main performance at Plaza de Toros de las Ventas – Madrid, Spain October 12 1983). Professional and amateur Polo Player and horse trainer, breeder and trader since 1974. Enjoys writing about horses, adventure and politics, painting horses, blacksmith work and leather hand-craft.

Creative thinker and avid writer with experience and ability to design and implement comprehensive projects for private businesses, large organizations and the public sector. Experienced in international business development and match-making through organizing large scale events linking private sector with government representatives in order to solve problems, conduct business and facilitate international trade operations. Extensive experience as systems’ architect for B2B and other business-oriented Internet Protocol Applications.

Developed great understanding of International law, multilateral public and private finance, telecommunications, agriculture commodities, food and beverages production, processing and merchandizing, tropical crops and tropical agricultural issues, marketing and distribution, market access issues, trade related services, logistics and transportation, and knowledge of production and manufacturing processes for exportable goods. Also has knowledge in international trade related to industrial goods, apparel/textile sourcing and manufacturing and natural resources exploitation and trade.

During his entire carrier has devoted special time and efforts promote Colombia’s Agriculture in world markets by design and implement marketing strategies, initiatives and projects along with Research and Development programs involving world leaders and scholars of the international science community with Colombia’s Tropical agriculture, including human capital development and training as well as leading programs in Biotechnology and Genome work contributing to the Colombian Arabigas’ Coffee industry.

Entrepreneurial experience. Founder and president of Trade Winds Networks Inc., (www.e-twn.com) a company aimed at combining international trade and e-business consulting practices with IT development and integration.

Speaks fluent English and Spanish and manages Portuguese.  Has lived in Argentina, Colombia, Spain, Portugal and the United States (Florida, New York, Virginia and Washington DC.). Maintains excellent relationships with U.S., European, Central American and Caribbean business community and government officials, the Colombian private sector, private business leaders and current public representatives throughout the US., Europe, Asia and many Latin American and Caribbean countries.

Privately has served as general advisor to foreign investors in Colombia and across Latin America in the areas of: Re-insurance, professional project management, infrastructure, mining, communications, energy and O&G.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:

2012 to date  President of ECOPETROL S.A., (the Colombian Petrolium Company), Member of the Board of Directors of the Bogotá Chamber of Commerce, representing the President of Colombia, Member of the boards of directors of PRAGMA (a Colombian large software and applications IT company) and Colmedica, Susalud and Aquaterra. President of the Board and legal representative of “Asociación Primero Colombia”, a non-profit organization that managed former President Alvaro Uribe Vélez presidential campaigns of 2002 and 2006, and today promotes democratic and community participation principals, and Dr. Uribe’s state and public management philosophy. Organizer of the international event (I+D): Innovation Dialogs for Democracy, also a digital media concept devoted to promote leadership and democratic values.

From 2016 to 2018 Worked the General Manager of the political and presidential campaigns, the government transition process and the presidential inauguration of Colombia´s current President, Dr. Iván Duque Marquez.

2011 to date  Co-Founder & Partner at “Siete -7- Business & Strategies”. Professional advisory across Latin America and the Caribbean. Assisting and consulting in investment, financing, business development, acquisitions, risk and government relations. Helps and assists Dr. Alvaro Uribe Vélez, former president of Colombia in his international work. Manages private business and family agricultural and horse-breading operations in Colombia. General Advisor & strategic partner of JLT-Re (Jardine Lloyd Thompson Reinsurance Brokers), XIGNUX Industrial Conglomerate, Crest Investment, Continental Towers, ALPHA Corporation and other investors across Latin America and The Caribbean.

2002 to 2010            Executive Director at the Inter-American Development Bank, (IDB) representing Colombia, Perú and Ecuador. Additionally, Colombian representative to the boards of FOMIN (Multilateral Investment Found) and the CII (International Investment Corporation) at Washington D.C. Appointed by and directly reporting to the President of Colombia, Dr. Alvaro Uribe Vélez.

In 2009 was honorably nominated by the Colombian Government represented by the Minister of Finance and the President of the Nation, as one of the 3 official candidates for General Manager of the National Federation of Coffee Growers of Colombia. After a very short but impressive national campaigning against the manager in charge, for the very first time in the long history of the institution the nomination of the general manager was openly contested and candidates spoke directly to nationwide leaders of coffee growers from 15 different States of Colombia.

Accomplishments at the IDB Group’s Boards:  In June 2010, managed the Bank’s Presidential campaign for the second election of Mr. Luis Alberto Moreno Mejia as Colombian candidate to the Presidency of the IDB group.

During 2009 and the first quarter of 2010, presided the Special Committee conducting the IDB’s Group 9th Capital increase/replenishment process at the IDB’s Board of Executive Directors and was responsible for the architecture and handling of the entire replenishment process including the final negotiations. The successful results of this one year assignment include that the IDB group doubled it’s annual lending capacity from 6.5 to 12 billion dollars a year and increased the size of the bank from 100 Billion to 170 Billion dollars. In addition, the agreement includes: A historical aid package for Haiti of 2 billion dollars; a debt release exercise in the amount of 479 millions and strengthening the institution’s development effectiveness practices. With this agreement the IDB secured its leadership as the worlds largest Regional Development Financial Institution.

Successfully responsible for leading the organization and management of the 50th Inter-American Development Bank’s Board of Governors and Annual Meeting held at Medellín, Colombia from March 25th to 31st 2009. Served as the official liaison between the IDB-IIC and the Government of Colombia; created the organizational structure, assembled and acted as member of the Host-Committee responsible for financing and running the event. Personally, develop the overall concept/structure and ran all the developmental activities successfully executed under the frame of this large-scale International meeting; a 7 million dollar investment gathering 6,500 professionals including 48 Country Delegations lead by Ministers of Finances and world wide Bankers and leaders of Multilateral and Financial Institutions. This meeting included several innovative development promotion concepts such as:

• Expo-Desarrollo, a tridimensional Development showcase including: A 70 exhibition stands; Match-making of 115 selected projects worth 43 billion USD with more than 80 International Investment bankers and Funds; and specialized development tours.
• The First Inter-American SME’s Forum, gathering more than 900 institutions that finance and support SME’s across Latin America and the Caribbean.
• The First Inter-American Foreign Investment Dialog.
• Seventeen Youth and Cultural and specialized development events and conferences.
• More than 50 Development related lectures at local Universities and High-Schools.
• Lead the team that designed and implemented four top-level academic seminars discussing:

The roll of S&T in the future development across LAC; the important relation of Policy and quality of life across LAC; the actual Global Economic Crisis and the Great Challenges ahead of us.

Also played a key roll in assembling the consensus reached at Medellín by which IDB’s Governors adopted a resolution addressing the need for a capital addition for the Inter-American Development Bank.

Served as Dean of the Board of Executive Directors during the period 2007 – 2008. Also served as chairman of the Policy and Evaluation Committee of the Board of Executive Directors of the IDB, responsible for negotiating with 46 countries the terms and conditions of the Lending Framework 2005 – 2008 for 26 borrowing nations, representing a $ 32 billion dollar structure.

On behalf of Colombia, has enabled more than $7 billion dollars in public finance for the Colombian Government from the IDB public sector windows and $ 500 million dollars in private finance. From 2002 to date has conceptualized, presented and processed non-refundable cooperation projects for Colombia in excess of $ 120 million USD.

From August 2002 to date has brought to Colombia and, in many cases, designed, developed and implemented more than 147 non-financial technical cooperation’s, social and economic development related events.

Has been a leader, both on the board and within the larger IDB institution, in promoting work in the areas of: Technology, Science and Innovation, education, agriculture and rural development, environment, sustainable energy and climate change, development effectiveness, energy generation infrastructure, private/public partnerships, poverty reduction in middle income countries, and corporate policies revision, including policy up-dating as well as change management and restructuring.

In the year 2005, managed the Bank’s Presidential campaign for the Colombian candidate and current President of the IDB group; Mr. Luis Alberto Moreno Mejia and personally brought in the decisive votes of Uruguay and Paraguay and the Caribbean member countries.

2000 – 2002 President & CEO of Trade Winds Network Inc.  In charge of the supervision and expansion of a consulting and international marketing/trading network of partners and associated trade specialists, international consultants and IP/IT developers.  TWN operates in South Florida, Washington DC, San Juan de Puerto Rico, Chicago and Bogotá. It combines digital and conventional marketing strategies for helping businesses selling products and services off and online. TWN’s clients include:s  Oracle Caribbean, Ericsson, CBI Inc., Diveo, The Florida Ports Council, Aceros Diaco, Sicolsa, Cheney Broders, Outback Steakhouse, Summit Electronics, Eastman Aggregates inc., GiroFlecha Inc., Delta Bank., Dade Commmunity Fundation, Dynomat EAP, Direct Marketing, OGP Puerto Rico., DORAL Fiancial Group. – Puerto Rico. PBEC., PBC School District, Mathis Group, Equipment Rental, SO&GC etc.

1999 – 2000 Concept Architect and Managing Director of amarillas.com www.amarillas.com   Worked under a service / consulting contract with Yupi Internet Inc. (www.yupi.com).  Conceived and built amarillas.com as the first B2B Bilingual (English / Spanish), content rich, Portal of Portals launched in the Internet as a Global Trade Facilitator Platform.  The project employed more than 45 developers and 58 different field specialists. The system developed and launched on the world wide web on May 17, 2000, included 7-business support centers, an industry classification covering 217 industries and more than 80,000 products categories. Amarillas.com’s most popular features included 3500+ HTML specialized content documents, 58 business databases that interacted with 12 different specialized search engines, an intranet with a full range services including virtual office chats, forums, free multiple e-mails, classified ads, business opportunities structure, personalization, customization.  Also created and assembled second and third versions of this large IPA, including transactional and ASP structures, which due to market conditions and financial problems at Yupi Internet Inc., were never released to the World Wide Web.

1998 –1999   Founder and President of Trade Winds Network Inc. www.e-twn.com Established this Florida Corporation with two interrelated divisions that service local and international clients by offering International trade and marketing consulting developed and presented through Internet technology.  Opened markets and structured new business for several U.S. and Colombian clients including The Florida Ports Council, the Florida Trade Data Center, Enterprise Florida Inc., Organization Corona and Casa Lucker Groups, the National Association of Exporters of Colombia, Congelagro and Papas Margarita, Manilit, Herragro, Alumina, and others.  Extensive travel covering 17 nations across the Americas in early 1999 promoted Trade Winds as a network of highly qualified professionals with expertise in International Business.  TWN’s strong business, social and political influence in each individual market enabled the company to enter into a two-year partnership with Yupi Internet Inc. for the development of a large B2B IT/IP platform.

1995-1998     Commercial Attaché of the Colombian Diplomatic Mission to the United States. Director of the Colombian Government Trade Bureau, (Proexport-Colombia at its Regional North American and Caribbean Headquarters in Miami, Florida).  Responsible for all official trade related matters concerning bilateral trade relations of the government of Colombia with the United States government and the Islands of the Caribbean. Acted as the official commercial liaison of the Diplomatic Mission of Colombia with the public and private sectors in these markets. Worked in conjunction with the Embassy in Washington D.C., The Ministry of Foreign Trade, the Ministry of Foreign Relations, and the Ministries of Treasury and Economy, Social and Economic Development, Agriculture and Environment, as well as with all Colombian industries, trade associations, and Chambers of Commerce.  As Director of the Trade Bureau, was responsible for the design, planning, management and implementation of the Colombian government’s commercial trade promotion in the United States and Caribbean markets.  Managed a staff of twelve professionals and directed the work of two North American and Caribbean sector-specific programs (Agriculture & Food Products and Textiles & Apparel).  Was responsible for managing government-to-government relations, assisting the Ministry of Foreign Trade in bilateral and multilateral trade negotiations, and resolving multiple problems affecting exports from Colombia at specific ports of entry.  Created and guided more than 160 annual promotional projects, including 34 buyers’ missions to Colombia, 30 selling and technical mission to the U.S., and several trade development projects of special economic and social impact.  Worked directly with different sectors and associations of the Colombian industry and trade, as well as with Federal, State, and local agencies, ports authorities, and trade development organizations in the U.S. and the Caribbean.  Personally designed, supervised, and provided training to Proexport’s commercial specialists, both in Colombia and the U.S.   Participated as a speaker in several U.S. industry conventions.  Traveled the U.S. to make product, company, industry, and country presentations to major and small U.S. importers and buyers of Colombian goods and services.

Throughout a total of 9 years, worked closely with Colombian exporters and U.S. importers of various manufactured products, Auto-parts, commodities such as coal - PRODECO), sugar – ASOCAÑA, coffee, fruits and Vegetables FNCC), textiles, apparel and accessories, fresh cut flowers ASOCOLFLORES etc., by designing financing strategies and implementing marketing programs and commercial relations.

Successfully assisted in the Bogotá/Miami-based floral industry to breach their way into the U.S. retail and supermarket industry.  This extensive process included seven plus years of attending shows and participating actively at the international committees of the trade larger associations FMA – PMA (Floral Marketing Association and Produce Marketing Association), the FMI (Food Marketing Institute) and the National Food Distributors Association.  Additionally, worked very closely on logistics and regulatory matters with the Miami Airport Cargo Authority, the USCS, the Colombian Flower Council, the large air and truck transporters in particular Tampa- Airlines, Frontier, Challenge Air and Armellini; as well as with large and mid-sized flower wholesalers across the U.S. and Canada.

During 1996 and 1997, worked in conjunction with different communities and U.S. importers, transporters, customs brokers, and freight forwarders, law firms, flower, banana, and coffee industries, and state level politicians in several states.  Advocated for the United States government certification of Colombia, which was finally awarded in February of 1998.  In February of 1997, organized and managed the event “Certify Colombia” with the support of more than 250 U.S. corporations and the participation of all South Florida’s trade development related entities.  Starting in 1994, served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Colombian-American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Miami, The Colombian Accuracy Program “CAP”, as well as in many international trade committees and Boards of Directors of national trade associations.  For five years, helped to organize the “Hemispheric Customs Trade and Finance Symposium” hosted by the USCS in Miami, along with other South Florida business and public leaders.  Has participated in all advocacy efforts made at both State and Federal levels to substantiate increases in budgets and personnel efficiency in all trade related services along the South Florida ports and the Miami International Airport.  Formulated the idea for and realized the “Cartagena ’97 Business Matchmaking Forum” which brought more than 240 North American buyers to Cartagena, Colombia for two days of matchmaking meetings with more than 500 Colombian suppliers; the event resulted in more than $ 90 million USD in export deals.  For eight years worked with over 50 industry associations in Colombia, the US and the Caribbean.  Played a key role in the creation and implementation in Colombia of a Florida Commercial Trade Office serving the Andean Region.

Helped to introduce and implement the USCS “BASC” program (Business Anti-Smuggling Coalition), a critical program for the Colombian export industry, the import community in the U.S., and the USCS (United States Customs Service).  Maintained and improved relations with the USCS, the FDA, the USDA (APHIS and PPQ) offices at all U.S. international airports and ports of entry.  The result of his work has been extensively praised for its great accomplishments in trade facilitation and strategic problem-solving sessions with U.S. authorities.  During 1998, worked with more than 463 Colombian exporters and nearly 2,000 U.S. and Caribbean corporations and businessmen, linked to the United State’s nine billion-dollar bilateral trade.

Agricultural Specialist, Colombian Government Trade Bureau, Proexport-Colombia, and Agricultural Attaché for the Diplomatic Mission of Colombia to the U.S..  Responsible for the planning and management of a national sector-specific promotion programs focusing on improving agricultural products exports from Colombia.  Activities included establishing technical research programs, performing market studies, organizing trade shows and commercial missions, creating business links for Colombian exporters, and assisting exporters in the understanding and compliance of government regulations.  Managed Colombian interests with respect to sanitary and phytosanitary issues in the North American Market.  Developed a system of contacts within the food industry in the U.S. and Canada and good working relationships with key government agencies, such as USDA and FDA.

Actively participated in trade negotiations with the U.S. government regarding banana quotas in the European community and worked constantly with the USDA and ICA (Colombian Institute of Agriculture) on technical negotiations regarding sanitary issues related to admissibility of flowers, Rubbus spp., apples, grains, citrus, etc.  Represented the Colombian Ministry of Agriculture in several international meetings including the annual Ministerial Meeting of Agriculture of CARICOM.  Participated as keynote speaker and panelist in several forums and industry conventions of PMA, UFF&V, Specialty Coffee Association of America, Growtech, and other agriculture related international conventions.  In 1992-95, led the effort that supported the creation of an USDA (APHIS, IS) office attached to the U.S. Embassy in Bogotá, Colombia. Responsible for developing and implementing trade promotion and marketing programs, strategic alliances and commercial partnerships between US importers, distributors and retailers and Colombian exporters of fresh cut flowers, fresh produce, processed specialty food industry.

Agricultural Negotiator, Government of Colombia.  Served as Agriculture Negotiator before the Bilateral Commission of Foreign Trade and the US government vis-à-vis the agricultural component of the Andean Trade Preference Act (ATPA).  Prepared the response of the Andean Community to the US government’s CORR report concerning the technical basis leading up to the US Congress’ concession of the ATPA legislation.

Private Consultant in International Marketing and Agricultural Economics. Managed several business projects and conducted numerous market studies in Europe and the US for the “Colombian National Found of Coffee”, “The Federation of Coffee Growers of Colombia”, and the “Financial Corporation of the State of Caldas”.  Designed and conducted studies for non-traditional product’s market development and evaluated marketing programs for alternative crops.  Developed ample knowledge on coffee, non-traditional tropical crops, and the production, post-harvesting, handling, and marketing of tropical agriculture products. Analyzed, in cooperation with economists from the World Bank, the implementation and results of the 5th National Plan of “Coffee Diversification” and revised the basis for the 6th Plan. Main consulting accounts during these years were the Colombian National Found of Coffee, the Colombian National Federation of Coffee Growers, the Financial Corporation of the State of Caldas, several private coffee exporters, the Ministry of Agriculture, the Proexpo-FNCC agreement, Bancoldex, Proexport and Delagro Corporation.

Economic and Marketing Advisor, Diversification Program, Colombian National Federation of Coffee Growers, Bogotá, Colombia.  Performed economic analysis and market studies to aid in the development of alternative production methods and crops for coffee producers.  Helped the coffee industry cooperatives and growers around the country to develop distribution and marketing concepts to work more efficiently within the domestic market as a more realistic approach to reaching foreign export markets.  During the same period, operated several private international business ventures exporting from Miami to Colombia.  Worked with agriculture seeds and technology transfer, computer systems, security equipment, and software.

State Police Inspector, (People’s Judge) At San Antonio de Pereira, State of Antioquia, Municipality of Rionegro, Colombia.  In addition to law, order, and judicial work, developed programs to serve the local community, including housing for 180 families, three rural health centers, a community high school, and a local police station. Also served on municipal boards at the city of Rionegro.

1976 – 1986.  Artistic Professional Bull-Fighting on Horse-back Career (Rejoneador de Toros). Actively performed in the major bullring arenas and fairs of Spain, Portugal, the South of France, and Colombia as a world top ranked and leading Colombian professional bullfighter on horseback: “Rejoneador de Toros”. Receiving his seniority or antiquity on October 21st 1979 at the Santa Maria Bull-Ring of Bogotá Colombia, and his “Doctorate” at “Las Ventas” Bull-Ring, Madrid – Spain, in October 12th 1983. 

Legal Practice, Obtained Law Degree at “Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana”, Medellín, Colombia.  Acted as a free legal council associated to the University’s Legal Assistance Office.

Managed family-owned agricultural businesses, including short-term crops farming, cattle and horse breeding.  Member of the Board of Directors of “Automercantil de la Montaña” and “FILESA”, and member of the technical committee of the “Cattleman Found of the State of Antioquia”.

EDUCATION:

Public Finance and Public / Private Project Management Training, Bocconi University, Milan, Italy. Summer 2005.

Master in Agricultural Economics, specialized in International Business, Marketing, and Food Distribution.  Cornell University, Ithaca, NY.1989.

Completed the Food Executive Program.  Cornell University, Ithaca, NY. Summer 1989. Leading U.S. course for Presidents and CEO’s of the Food Retail and Distribution Industry – carried out every year by the Cornell’s Food Industry Management Program.     

Law and Political Science Degree, Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana, Medellin, Colombia.1981.

Rejoneador de Toros. Professional Bull-fighter in Horse-back. From 1976 to 1986. Performing in the world leading arenas including Madrid, Spain, October 12, 1983.

OTHERS:

Well-connected business and socially throughout most Latin-American and Caribbean countries. Member of a prominent family of four generations of agriculture, industrial and political leaders in Colombia. Horse breeder, professional polo player and horse trainer, amateur sailor and diver. Author of several papers and publications spanning numerous subjects. Actively engaged as a speaker and panelist in a wide range of Industries’ conventions, academic and international forums across Latin America, the Caribbean, and the United States.

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS

IT BLOG - https://luigiecheverri.blogspot.com

• Reflexiones sobre los Desafíos del Campo Colombiano. BID–CENICAFE 70 años - 2008
• La Sostenibilidad de Nuestra Civilización Hace Necesario Repensar y Revolucionar Nuevamente la Agricultura en Función de la Tecnología. BID-BOED.doc-2008.
• Consideraciones sobre las crisis energética y alimentaria. IDB 2008
• Gestión pública Eficiente. IDB 2008
• El Caso de Desarrollo Económico de Corea del Sur.  IDB 2002
• Korea a case of Development: A strategy to follow by Latin American Nations. 2002
• US. Market for Colombian Products – Policy considerations. 2002
• US Market for Tropical Flowers. Market and Opportunities. 1998
• Policy Recommendations Towards the U.S. Market. CGTB-Miami. 1998.
• Textile and Apparel Policy to Increase Export Capacity to the U.S. and Other Markets.  CGTB-Miami 1998.
• U.S. Market for Asparagus &. U.S.  Market for Pineapple. 1996 & 1997
• How to Prepare a Company for Exports to the U.S. Market.  Proexport Col, 1996.
• Decertification of Colombia. Political and Economic Analysis.  CGTB–Miami 1996.
• Comprehensive Assessment of the Colombian Agricultural Industry.  Colombian Government Trade Bureau, 1995.
• Special Assessment of the Colombian Agricultural Industry for Exports.  Working paper to be presented at the “Colombian National Agriculture Forum” in Cartagena, 1994.
• Flores, mango, pulpas y jugos de frutas, plátano, baby bananas. 1994
• U.S. Market for Colombian Agricultural Products. CGTB- AP- Miami.1994.
• El Mercado Norteamericano Para Pulpas y Concentrados de Frutas Tropicales.  Colombian Government Trade Bureau, Agriculture Export Support Program to the North American Market, 1993.
• North American & World Market analysis and opportunities for Gourmet and Specialty coffee. 1990 & 1991.
• North American Imports of Perishable Specialty Products: “Importers Perspectives”. Published in the Journal of Food Distribution Research. 1989.
• The Development of the Colombian Open Mines Coal Industry.  Joint work with Professor Tom Davis, Department of Economics, Cornell University, 1988.
• Trends and Changes in the North American Industry for Fruit Juices and Drinks.  Publication in conjunction with Professor Gene German, Department of Agriculture Economics (Food Industry Management Program). Cornell Univ., 1987.
• The United States Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Import Industry.  “Industry characteristics and demand analysis for selected tropical and sub-tropical products”.  Thesis for Agricultural Economics Master’s Degree, Cornell University, 1989.
• The United States Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Import Industry.  “Industry characteristics and demand analysis for selected tropical and sub-tropical products”.  Joint publication with Dr. Enrique Figueroa, Dept. Agricultural Economics, 1989.
• Social Demoralization Confronting Colombian Institutions.  Thesis for Law and Political Science Degree, Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana, Presented in 1987.

SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS

• Organización e Introducción de los Foros Interancionales Dialogos de Innovación para la Democracia (I+D). Bogotá 2015 y 2019.
• Participación y organización de Foros de Anuales Formación de Líderes en Valores Democráticos. Asociación Primero Colombia – Universidad Sergio Arboleda. 2016 y 2017.
• Baraboo Growth – Richard Strong Winter Vail Financial Round table gathering 2019.
• Fundamentals of Sub-National Public Management. Institute of Development of Antioquia. March, 2009
• Investing in LAC Seminar - Duque University, NC. USA – February 2008
• Asociación Nacional de Ingenieros, Bucaramanga, Colombia. 2008
• 70 Años de CENICAFE – FNCC. Bogotá, Colombia. 2008
• Expo-Gestión. Bogotá, Colombia. 2008
• Foro sobre las crisis energética y alimenticia. San José de Costa Rica. 2008
• INTEL Hemisferic Forum. Cartagena, Colombia. 2007
• Reunión Inter- Americana de Directores de Crédito Público. 2007
• Reunión anual de Delegados del IIRSA. Quito, Ecuador. 2007
• Foro Internacional sobre Bio-Cmbustibles. Buenos Aires, Argentina. 2006
• Asamblea anual de la Cámara de Comercio de Santa Cruz de la Sierra. Bolivia. 2005 
• IX National Competitiveness Forum.  Cali Colombia. 2005
• VII Hemispheric Microenterprice Forum. Cartagena, Colombia.  2004
• International Coffee Organization. 40th Annual meeting Cartagena – Colombia. 2003
• Asamblea Anual de ANDI (Colombian Nacional Asscociation of Industry) August 2003
• Guatemala City.  VI Foro Hemisférico de la Microemrpesa. IDB. 2003
• Medellín Chamber of Commerce IPES presentation. Doing business in the New Economy. 2002
• Bogotá Chamber of Commerce. IPES presentation. Doing business in the New Economy.  November 2002
• Custom Symposium of the Americas.  Panelist and Key note speaker. 1996, 1997, 1998 and 2000
• Internet and e-commerce realities and opportunities.  Annual meeting of the Associations of Free Zones of the Americas. San José de Costa Rica.  2000
• Andean Nations representative and spoke person to the Private Sector E-commerce Special Committee for the FTAA. 1998 - 1999
• International trade:  Latin America the US.  Natural trading partner.  Presentation as the Key note speaker before the annual meeting of all the Chambers of Commerce of the area of the US Golf of Mexico.  Gulf-Port, Mss. 1998
• Colombia Moda 1998.  Micro-marketing in the US Apparel Industry
• Inexmoda. 1998  Key Note Speaker.  Selling Private Level to the US apparel Industry
• Export Promotion Strategies before the Colombian-American Chamber of Commerce, Bogota, Colombia, 1998
• Key Note Speaker at the Annual gathering of US. South Eastern Chambers of Commerce Association. Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce. October, 1998
• Key Note Speaker with D. Lynn Gordon. Cartagena-97 Business Match-making Forum. 1997
• Creation and Introduction of the USCS – “BASC” program in 5 cities across Colombia. 1996 – 1997
• Good, bad and reality of the US.  Certification process.  World Trade Center of Miami.  1997
• Exporting to the U.S.  Feria Internacional de Bogotá. 1997
• Colombia Moda. August 1997.  World Markets for Colombian Textiles and Apparel products
• How to prepare a Company to export to the US.  “Semana del exportador” in 7 mayor Colombian cities.  July 1996
• Caribbean Conference. LCAA.  Keynote Speaker.  Miami, December 1996
• Growtech, Miami, FL. 1996
• Presentation and coordination before the Agriculture private sector working group before the Americas Business Forum held in conjunction with the FTAA Trade Summit, Cartagena, Colombia, April 1996
• Principles and Fundamentals for International Trade of Tropical Fresh Fruits and vegetables and related processed products. Special Lecture at Cornell University, Department of Agricultural Economics, May 1996
• Special Presentation to the US. Customs Commissioner on the effects of US., products as a vehicle for money laundering into the Colombian Economy throughout Miami, Panama and the Netherlands Antilles.  WDC. USCS-HQ. February 1996
• First World Symposium of Pineapple.  Cali - Colombia 1993
• Understanding the benefits of the ATPA (Andean Trade Preference Act).  Series of 12 Seminars at Hemispheric and US trade forums.  1993
• The Colombian opening of the Economy.  Series of seminars across 20 trade and US industrial centers. 1992
• Basic Concepts of Change Management as a Constant in Corporate Culture  IDB - 2004
• PMA Key note speaker and panelist in all annual Int’l. Trade forum, 1991 to 1995
• Export Markets Outlook.  Medellín and Bogotá – Colombia 1991
• Fundamentos para la Internacionalización de la Agricultura Colombiana. Foro Nacional Agro-pecuario. Cartagena, Colombia, 1992. 
• Agricultural Export Markets.  Armenia – Colombia. 1990
• United Fresh Fruit and Vegetables Association annual convention.  Keynote speaker and discussion panelist in the international trade forum 1990 to 1994.  Presenting topics on market access technical issues (phyto and zoo-sanitary matters), customs procedures and creative market promotion techniques.
• Development and Diversification Crops Forum.  Manizales – Colombia 1989

REFERENCES

Mr. Iván Duque Marquez. President of Colombia. ∑ √ ƒ π

Mr.  Álvaro Uribe Vélez.  Former President of the Republic of Colombia. †

Mr. Luis Alberto Moreno Mejia. President of the Inter-American Development Bank. WDC. †

Mr. Enrique Iglesias. Former Secretary Ibero-American Cooperation Agency. Madrid, Spain. †

Mr. Enrique Garcia. Former President of “Corporación Andina de Fomento” CAF. √

Mr. Luis Ernesto Mejia. Former Minister of Energy and Maiming. Bogotá, Colombia. ∑ π

Mr. Isaac Yanovich. Former President of ECOPETROL. Bogotá, Colombia. π

Mr. Sergio Diaz-Granados. Former Colombian Minister of Trade. Bogotá, Colombia. ∑ √ π

Mr. José Dario Uribe. Former General Manager. Central Bank of Colombia ∑ √ π

Mr. José Luis Lupo. IDB Regional VP and Representative to Argentina. B.A. Arg. ∑ √ π ƒ

Mrs. Carlos Holmes Trujillo. Minister of Foreign Affairs of Colombia to the US. ∑ √ π

Mr. José Maria Alvarez P. CEO Telefonica Latin America √ π ƒ

Mr. John Ecehverri. Former V.P. Sprint – Latin America √ π ƒ

Mr. Roberto Junguito B. Former Colombian Minister of Finance. Bogotá, Colombia † ∑ π √

Mr. Alberto Carrasquilla B.  Colombian Minister of Finance † ∑ π √

Mr. Jorge Cardenas G., Former Chairman and C.E.O., National Federation of Coffee Growers of Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia † ∑ √ π

Mrs. D. Lynn Gordon, Former Director, United States Customs Service of South Florida ∑ √

Mss.  Sharon Merchant. Former Florida State Representative. WPB, FL ∑ √ π ƒ

Mr. Gene McGee. Former Sub-Secretary of State, State of Florida.  Tallahassee, FL ∑ √ π ƒ

Dr. Juan José Echavarria, President of Banco de la República, Bogotá, Colombia √ π

Dr. Daniel Sisler, Emeritus Professor, Department of Agricultural Economics, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York † ∑ √ π

Dr. Gene German, Emeritus Professor, Food Industry Management Program, Department of Agricultural Economics, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York † ∑ √ π

Dr. Douglas F. Antczak, Director of the Baker Institute for Animal Health, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York ƒ π

Mrs. Marta Pinto de D.  Former Colombian Minister of Telecommunications ∑ √ π ƒ

Mr. Tim Gannon, President and C.E.O., Outback Steakhouse, Tampa, Florida ƒ

Mr. Juan Enriquez Cabot. Professor, Harvard & MIT. Boston, MS. ∑

Dr. Roy Alvarez.  Professor of Hotel management, Statler Hotel School, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York. †

Mr. Grant L. Peeples, Attorney at Law, White and Case, Miami, Florida. ƒ π

Mr. Alejandro Figueroa. President of Banco de Bogotá.  Bogotá, Colombia √ π

Martin Echavarria, Former President and CEO of Antillana C.I.  Cartagena – Colombia ƒ π

Mr. Nicolas Echavarria. Former Ambasador of Colombia to the EU., and President BANAFRUIT Group.  Medellín – Colombia ∑ √ π ƒ

Mr. Salvatore Dina.  Owner and President Grupo PAM Supermarkets,  Vinece, Italy. ∑ ƒ π

Mr. Álvaro Domecq Romero.  Domaqc House.  Jerez de la Frontera, Spain. ∑ √ ƒ π

Type of References:

(† - Reported Directly / ∑ - Worked Together / √ - Professional Indirect References / π. - Personal Reference / ƒ  - Relative / Close Friend)