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SUSTAINABLE LANDSCAPES: PROMOTING ECONOMIC GROWTH
AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
A Regional Project for the Western Hemisphere
These visitors are invited to the United States under the auspices of the Department of State's
International Visitor Leadership Program. Their program is arranged by FHI 360.
Primary Program Contacts: Mr. Marc Weinstein and Ms. Marina Isaacson, FHI 360, 1825
Connecticut Avenue, NW, Suite 800, Washington, DC 20009; Telephone - (202) 884-8042 or
(202) 884-8905; Toll-free - (800) 634-8956; Fax - (202) 884-8477; Email [email protected] or [email protected]
Department of State Program Contacts: Mr. Scott Van Alstine and Ms. Alicia Pelton, Office of
International Visitors; Telephone - (202) 632-3334 or (202) 632-9394; Fax - (202) 632-9391;
Email - [email protected] or [email protected]
Accompanied By: Mr. Javier CASTILLO, Interpreter; Ms. Sylvia COATES, Interpreter; Ms.
Jenny DONAHUE, Interpreter
May 9 - 27, 2016
______________________________________________________________________________
PROFESSIONAL OBJECTIVES
The Department of State has outlined the following specific objectives for the project:

Assess how various businesses and environmental groups communicate and
cooperate with each other to meet common goals;

Understand how environmental regulatory structures are formed, managed, and
enforced, across all levels of government; and

Become acquainted with the efforts of businesses to be resilient to the myriad
interests of various stakeholders.
LIST OF PARTICIPANTS
Costa Rica
Ms. Tirza Lizeth MORALES SANCHEZ
Executive Director, Talamanca Association for Ecotourism and
Conservation
Dominican Republic
Ms. Solangel GONZALEZ ESPIRITUSANTO
Director, Climate Change Office, National Meteorology Office
El Salvador
Ms. Karla Elena HERNANDEZ MOLINA
Representative, La Libertad Department, Legislative Assembly
Mexico
Ms. Gisela MARTINEZ AGUSTIN
Planning Advisor, Sustainable Regional Development, Azul y
Verde Biologia Integral
Mexico
Mr. Carlos Valentin VEYNA MARTINEZ
Executive Director, Environmental Law Institute
Nicaragua
Mr. Carlos MENDEZ VIVAS
Environmental Technology Officer, Humboldt Center
Panama
Mr. Roberto Carlos FORTE TAYLOR
Executive Director, Panama Green Building Council
Panama
Ms. Yadira MONTILLA CUEVAS
Chief, Environmental Unit, Aviation Authority of Panama
Paraguay
Mr. Alfred FAST SCHMIDT
Vice President, Friesland Cooperative
Peru
Mr. Victor APAZA VARGAS
Chief, Lake Titicaca National Reserve, National Service of
Protected Natural Areas
Venezuela
Mr. Jose Rafael MONTANEZ RODRIGUEZ
Fisheries Engineer, Foundation for the Defense of Nature
Venezuela
Mr. Juan LOMBARDI BOSCAN
President, Municipal Institute for Environment, Office of the
Mayor, Maracaibo
BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION
Costa Rica
Name:
Ms. Tirza Lizeth MORALES SANCHEZ
Present Position:
Executive Director, Talamanca Association for Ecotourism and
Conservation
Previous Positions:
Administrator, Cabinas Ole, 2008 - 2009
Project Coordinator, Talamanca Caribbean Biological Corridor,
2005 - 2006
Education/Training:
B.A., Tourism Administration, Latin University, 2010
Diploma, Tourism, Limon Community College, 2007
Address:
ATEC Main Road
Puerto Viejo
Talamanca, Limón
Telephone: 506-8708-0486
Languages:
Spanish (primary), English
U.S. Travel:
No previous U.S. travel
Professional Background:
Ms. Tirza Morales Sanchez is the Executive Director and Co-Chair
of the Talamanca Association for Ecotourism and Conservation, a
small non-profit based in the small coastal town of Puerto Viejo de
Talamanaca. The organization works to preserve the local
environment by supporting ecologically-sustainable tourism
providers as well as other local small businesses. Through her
participation in this program, Ms. Morales Sanchez hopes to learn
more about environmental conservation in the United States.
Dominican Republic
Name:
Ms. Solangel GONZALEZ ESPIRITUSANTO
Present Position:
Director, Climate Change Office, National Meteorology Office
(ONAMET)
Previous Positions:
Secretary, Agrometeorology Division, ONAMET
Head, Agrometeorology Division, ONAMET
Drought Monitor, Agrometeorology Division, ONAMET
Coordinator, Climate Change Unit, ONAMET
Head, Climate Change Unit, ONAMET
Meteorological Technician, Instituto Nacional de Sismología,
Vulcanología, Meteorología e Hidrología, Guatemala
Drought Monitor, Agrometeorology Instituto Nacional de
Meteorológica, Spain
Education/Training:
Post-Graduate Studies, Business Management, Universidad Acción
Pro-Educación y Cultura
Accounting Degree, Unversidad Autonoma de Santo Domingo
Address:
C/O Diego Mendez #17 La Corporanea
El Almirante
Santo Domingo Este
Dominican Republic
Email: [email protected]
Languages:
Spanish (primary)
U.S. Travel:
No previous U.S. travel
Other Travel:
Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Guatemala, Haiti, Spain
Professional Background:
Ms. Solangel Gonzalez Espiritusanto has been an employee of the
National Meteorology Office since 1993, in which capacity she has
gathered, manipulated, and disseminated climate information to
different audiences. Through her participation in this program, she
hopes to learn about climate change experiences in the United States
and to build networks of like-minded individuals.
El Salvador
Name:
Ms. Karla Elena HERNANDEZ MOLINA
Present Position:
Representative, La Libertad Department, Legislative Assembly
Previous Positions:
Advisor, Economic Commission, Legislative Assembly, 2011 –
2015
Consultant, Legislative Assembly, 2009 – 2011
Director, Strategy and Policy, Ministry of Agriculture, 2007 - 2009
Education/Training:
B.A., Communications, Francisco Gavidia University, 1999
Memberships:
Committee of Directors for the Salvadoran Institute for Professional
Development
Publications:
“Central American Agriculture Policy 2008-2017,” Food and
Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, 2007.
Address:
Palacio Legislativo, Centro de Gobierno
El Salvador
Telephone: 7682-7399
Email: [email protected]
Languages:
Spanish (primary)
U.S. Travel:
California
Other Travel:
Colombia, Germany, Honduras, Italy, Peru, Spain
Professional Background:
Ms. Karla Hernandez Molina was elected to the Legislative of
Assembly of El Salvador in March, 2016, representing the
Department of La Libertad. Through her participation in this
program, she hopes to learn how environmental and economic
policies are made at the state and local levels in the United States
and how U.S. businesses balance environmental protection and
business interests.
Mexico
Name:
Ms. Gisela MARTINEZ AGUSTIN
Present Position:
Planning Advisor, Sustainable Regional Development, Azul y
Verde Biologia Integral
Previous Positions:
Head, Department of Land and Regional Policy, Secretariat of
Environment and Natural Resources, Puebla State, 2011 - 2015
Lead Environmental Specialist, Department of Forest Service and
Soil, Secretariat of Environment and Natural Resources,
2008 - 2011
Environmental Specialist, Department of Forest Service and Soil,
Secretariat of Environment and Natural Resources, 2006 - 2008
Environmental Specialist, National Forest Commission, Puebla
State, 2006
Trainer, Cultivation of Vegetables, Secretariat of Labor and
Competitiveness Directorate of Labor, National Employment
Service Puebla, 2005
Education/Training:
B.S., Biology, Meritorious Autonomous University of Puebla, 2003
Address:
3 Poniente # 2926
Col. La Paz
Puebla 72150
Mexico
Email: [email protected]
Languages:
Spanish (primary)
U.S. Travel:
No previous U.S. travel
Other Travel:
Peru, United Kingdom
Professional Background:
Ms. Gisela Martinez Agustin currently serves as a Planning Advisor
for Sustainable Regional Development at Azul y Verde Biologia
Integral, an environmental NGO in Mexico. In this capacity, she
works to develop land management plans for communities in Puebla
State, many of which are at high risk for climate change. Through
her participation in this program, she hopes to learn more about how
the democratic process can promote sustainable development and to
support marginalized communities.
Mexico
Name:
Mr. Carlos Valentin VEYNA MARTINEZ
Present Position:
Executive Director, Environmental Law Institute
Previous Position:
Environmental Justice Coordinator, Environmental Law Institute
Education/Training:
LL.M., University of Guadalajara, 2010
LL.B., Western Institute of Technology and Higher Education, 2005
Address:
Isla Española 2859, Colonia Jardines de la Cruz
Guadalajara, Jalisco 44950
Email: [email protected]
Languages:
Spanish (primary), English
U.S. Travel:
Professional Background:
California
Mr. Carlos Valentin Veyna Martinez is the Executive Director for
the Environmental Law Institute (IDEA), a Guadelajara-based NGO
which works to solve environmental problems related to sustainable
development through legal instruments. IDEA provides public
interest environmental litigation, consultation services, training and
environmental education, and high social impact projects. Among
IDEA’s highest profile cases was helping the Nahua indigenous
group to renegotiate terms with a mining company, enabling the
community to share in revenue and to establish enhanced
environmental protections. Through his participation in this
program, Mr. Veyna Martinez hopes to learn more about the
regulatory environment in the United States and how regulations
related to the environment and human rights issues could be applied
in Mexico.
Nicaragua
Name:
Mr. Carlos MENDEZ VIVAS
Present Position:
Environmental Technology Officer, Humboldt Center
Previous Positions:
Chief, Documentation Center, Humboldt Center, 2012
Project Coordinator, Disaster Risk Reduction in Vulnerable
Communities Western Nicaragua, World Lutheran Federation, 2011
Assistant Coordinator, Environmental Incidents, Suswatch Latin
America, 2010 - 2011
Regional Facilitator, Suswatch Latin America, 2010 - 2011
Education/Training:
B.S., Geography, National Autonomous University of
Nicaragua-Managua, 2009
Online Graduate Course, Risk Management and Adaptation to
Climate Change, Green Fund, Peru, 2013
Online Graduate Course, Risk Management and Public Investment
II, Central American Coordination Center for the Prevention of
Natural Disasters and Central American Institute of Public
Administration, 2012
Publications:
Various publications on environmental impacts and monitoring
systems
Address:
Bo. Altagracia, de Racachaca 1c. este
media c. sur
Managua
Nicaragua
Email: [email protected]
Languages:
Spanish (primary)
U.S. Travel:
No previous U.S. travel
Other Travel:
Costa Rica, El Salvador, Kenya, Nepal
Professional Background:
In his role as Environmental Technology Officer at the Humboldt
Center, Mr. Carlos Mendez Vivas is responsible for evaluating
governmental management of Nicaraguan natural resources. He
also serves as a liaison to Sustainability Watch, a network of Latin
American environmental NGOs. Through his participation in this
program, he hopes to learn more about U.S. approaches to
environmental policy-making.
Panama
Name:
Mr. Roberto Carlos FORTE TAYLOR
Present Position:
Executive Director, Panama Green Building Council
Previous Positions:
Director, Finance and Data Administration, Summerhill Group,
2012
Program Director, Summerhill Group, 2011
Field Engineer and Researcher, Eco Efficiency Center and
Ecopetrol, 2010
Head, Environmental Adaptation and Management, La Autoridad
Nacional del Ambiente de Panamá, 2008-2009
Education/Training:
M.B.A., La Universidad Latinoamericana de Ciencia y Tecnología,
Panama, 2011
M.S., Natural Resources and Environmental, Dalhousie University,
Halifax, 2010
B.S., Civil Engineering, La Universidad Tecnológica de Panamá,
2003
Certified LEED Green Associate, U.S. Green Building Council,
2014
Publications:
Various publications on the sustainability movement and green
construction
Address:
La Pradera, Pueblo Nuevo
Panama
Email: [email protected]
Languages:
Spanish (primary), English
U.S. Travel:
California, Pennsylvania, Washington, D.C.
Other Travel:
Canada, Colombia, Honduras, Mexico, Venezuela
Professional Background:
As Executive Director of the Panama Green Building Council, Mr.
Roberto Forte Taylor plays a key role in persuading developers in
Panama to be mindful of the environment as they build new projects
and retrofit existing ones. He also advocates for more efficient uses
of energy, more rational building standards, and better protection of
Panama City's important wetlands and forests. Through his
participation in this program, he hopes to learn more about green
building and environmental advocacy in the United States and to
connect with environmental advocates in the United States and from
throughout the Western Hemisphere.
Panama
Name:
Ms. Yadira MONTILLA CUEVAS
Present Position:
Chief, Environmental Unit, Aviation Authority of Panama (AAC)
Previous Positions:
Analyst, Quality and Safety, AAC, 2010 - 2012
Technical Research Assistant, Smithsonian Institute, 2009
Education/Training:
Post-graduate studies, Management and Evaluation of
Environmental Risks and Safety, Universidad Latinoamericana del
Comercio Exterior, 2011
Post-graduate studies, Higher Education, Latina University of
Panama, 2007
B.A., Environmental Management Engineering, University of
Panama, 2005
Various courses, seminars, and workshops on environment, quality
management, aviation security, aerodrome inspection, and wildlife
control in airports
Memberships:
National Committee of Climate Change
Coordinator, National Bird Strike (Wildlife) Committee
Address:
Autoridad Aeronautica Civil de Panama
Bldg. 805, Albrook
Panama
Email: [email protected]
Languages:
Spanish (primary), English
U.S. Travel:
California, Florida, New York, Rhode Island
Other Travel:
Bolivia, Mexico, Spain, South Korea
Professional Background:
Ms. Yadira Montilla is the Chief of the Environmental Unit at the
Panama Civil Aviation Authority, in which capacity she is
responsible for coordination, supervision, and monitoring of
wildlife prevention and control at all airports in Panama. Ms.
Montilla is currently leading the implementation of a wildlife
mitigation project at Tocumen International Airport.
Paraguay
Name:
Mr. Alfred FAST SCHMIDT
Present Position:
Vice President, Friesland Cooperative
Education/Training:
B.S., Agricultural Engineering, National University of Asuncion
Address:
Email: [email protected]
Languages:
Spanish (primary)
U.S. Travel:
Illinois, Kansas, Missouri
Other Travel:
Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Peru, Uruguay
Professional Background:
Mr. Alfred Fast is the Vice President of the Friesland Cooperative, a
Mennonite agricultural cooperative in Paraguay. He is a
well-respected leader in the Mennonite community, and he hopes to
learn more about programs to increase environmental awareness in
the agricultural sector, as well as social projects to help small-scale
rural agricultural producers.
Peru
Name:
Mr. Victor APAZA VARGAS
Present Position:
Chief, Lake Titicaca National Reserve, National Service of
Protected Natural Areas
Previous Positions:
Chief, Bahuaja Sonene National Park, National Service of Natural
Protected Areas, 2010 - 2011
Specialist, Natural Resources and Planning, National Service of
Natural Protected Areas, 2006 - 2009
Chief, Organic Coffee Project, Regional Government of Puno,
2007 - 2007
Education/Training:
M.S., Agricultural Economics, National University Agraria La
Molina, 2004
B.S., Agricultural Engineering, Universidad Nacional del Altiplano,
1998
Diploma, Strategic Management, San Marcos University, 2013
Diploma, Public Investment Projects, Universidad de Ingenieria,
2007
Memberships:
Multi-Sectoral Committee for Prevention and Recuperation of Lake
Titicaca Basin and its Tributaries
Address:
Jr. Jorge Chavez 446
Juliaca
Peru
Email: [email protected]
Languages:
Spanish (primary)
U.S. Travel:
No previous U.S. travel
Other Travel:
Bolivia
Professional Background:
Mr. Victor Apaza has been the Director of the Lake Titicaca
National Reserve since 2011, in which capacity he promotes
bilateral and multilateral cooperation to reduce the pollution threats
to the lake and to the surrounding watershed. Through his
participation in this program, he hopes to learn more about how
natural resources are managed and how sustainable tourism is
promoted in the United States. He also hopes learn more about how
to engage with the private sector to solicit its support through
corporate social responsibility initiatives that can contribute to the
protection of natural resources.
Venezuela
Name:
Mr. Jose Rafael MONTANEZ RODRIGUEZ
Present Position:
Fisheries Engineer, Foundation for the Defense of Nature
Concurrent Position:
Advisor, Institute for Fisheries and Aquaculture, Ministry of
Agriculture and Lands
Previous Positions:
Assistant, FUDENA, 2007 - 2011
Education/Training:
B.S., Aquaculture, Universidad Nacional Experimental Francisco
de Miranda, 2007
Publications:
“Proposal for an Alternative Art for the Artisanal Fisheries of the
Octopus in the Morrocoy National Park,” Universidad Nacional
Experimental, 2012
Address:
Sector Centro
Chichiriviche, Falcon
Telephone: 58-412-198-7045
Email: [email protected]
Languages:
Spanish (primary)
U.S. Travel:
No previous U.S. travel
Professional Background:
Mr. Jose Rafael Montanez Rodrigues has worked for the
non-governmental organization Foundation for the Defense of
Nature (FUDENA) since 2002 and is currently the coordinator for
all of its operations. Through his work at FUDENA, Mr. Montanez
Rodriguez works to promote local community participation in small
scale, environmentally sustainable aquaculture. A key project which
he designed and implemented was an oyster cultivation project,
which has since developed into a sustainable model that now
provides income for a local community of approximately 600
families. Mr. Montanez Rodriguez also serves an advisor to the
Ministry of Agriculture and Land's Institute for Fisheries and
Aquaculture, in which capacity he brings together public and private
sector entities to combat environmental degradation and promote
sustainable economic development in communities that rely on the
oceans and waterways for their livelihood. Through his
participation in this program, Mr. Montanez Rodriguez hopes to
learn more about the role of civil society and about public-private
cooperation to promote sustainable development.
Venezuela
Name:
Mr. Juan Pablo LOMBARDI BOSCAN
Present Position:
President, Municipal Institute for Environment, Office of the
Mayor, Maracaibo
Previous Positions:
President, Village Lake Park, Maracaibo, 2012 - 2013
Director, Office of the Mayor, Maracaibo, 2011 - 2012
Branch Manager, Environmental Section, PROINCI Maintenance,
2005 - 2010
Education/Training:
M.S., Agricultural Systems Management, University of Zulia,
Maracaibo, Venezuela, 2008
B.S., Agricultural Engineering, University of Zulia, Maracaibo,
Venezuela, 2004
Address:
Avenida 16 (Guajira), Urbana Las Islas
Isla Tortuga, Casa Numero 3
Maracaibo
Venezuela
Email: [email protected]
Languages:
Spanish (primary)
U.S. Travel:
Florida
Other Travel:
Argentina, Canada, Colombia, France, Italy, Mexico
Professional Background:
As President of the Municipal Institute for Environment, Mr. Juan
Pablo Lombardi Boscan designs and coordinates environmental
policies for the city of Maracaibo. A leader of local environmental
politics, Mr. Lombardi Boscan previously served as President of
Village Lake Park, the largest park in Maracaibo, and was also the
Founder and Director of a non-profit environmental organization, la
Fundacion Sembrando a Maracaibo Mia, that is dedicated to
defending the environment through planting trees and recuperating
public spaces. Through his participation in this program, Mr.
Lombardi Boscan hopes to develop a greater understanding of
environmental protection programs in the United States and to
develop tools which will enable him to become a more effective
advocate for market-based economic and environmental protection
objectives.