About Personal

Experienced in start-ups, planning, monitoring & evaluation, operations, contract negotiations, logistics, production, marketing, budgeting and P&L. Effectively managed variety of private and government agricultural operations in the United States, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Zimbabwe, Botswana and UK. Provided country and company evaluations and acquisition proposals for projects in Argentina, Uruguay, Romania, Holland, Spain, Turkey, Syria, Germany, Ethiopia, Uganda & Kenya. Startup of NGO organization in Angola. Leader, troubleshooter, and negotiator able to identify organizational needs, develop and implement effective plans. Highly motivated with broad-scale management experience in large and small enterprises. Hands-on operations manager with proven track record of streamlining operations. PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE Field Manager AGRODAIRY LLC, SAMUKH, AZERBAIJAN Oct 2019 - 2021 25,000-hectare farming operation located in western Azerbaijan. 12,000 hectares under center pivot growing Wheat, Barley, Sugar Beet and Maize/Corn. Responsible for all farming operations incl. managing 60,000 ton grain drying and silos, workshop facility, warehouses. Managed budget and P&L. All fixed assests - 8 pump stations, all equipment. Over 300 labourers & 8 reporting dept managers. Achieved highest yields for farm in Wheat Barley Sugar Beet and Soybean. Grew an extra 2,000 hectares of crops using a 20% increase in irrigation Operations & Managing Director FAGA MOTO HOT SAUCE, ZIMBABWE & UK 2010 –2012; 2016 - 2019 Started a Hot chili sauce company using own recipe. Responsible for selecting chilies varieties and out-sourcing growers, helping growers in production, processing, sales, marketing and financial management. Started as a hobby and turned into successful operation. Started making and marketing in UK as cottage industry. Director & Farm Manager ITERELENG SYNDICATE (PTY) LTD, BOTSWANA March 2012 – Jan 2016 Started new eco-friendly farming company in Botswana. Utilized alternative construction methods (earth bag construction) to build farm infrastructure using unskilled labor. Finalized lease agreement, cleared land, obtained water rights, reviewed and recommended changes to irrigation facilities. Developed unusual crop plan and rotation. Empowered local women entrepreneurs by mentoring and helping to develop new markets and products from the farm. Chief Executive Officer FARMERS MARKET (PVT) LTD, PAKISTAN March 2007–March 2009 C.E.O. of 1st glass greenhouse operation in Pakistan; Instituted new financial procedures; Reorganized entity to ensure profitability; Developed transport facilities & new markets for high quality vegetables in Middle East; Instituted new labor management and practices. Chief Of Party, Angola ROOTS OF PEACE, San Rafael, CA 2006 Project Design & Implementation. Develop concept papers for Project funding. Management of in-country Personnel & Programs. Manage in-country fundraising opportunities. International & Agribusiness Development PROGRESSIVE AGCO, BLAKELY, GA, USA 2003/05 Developed Project study for agricultural operation in Ethiopia. Negotiated with Ethiopian Government for 3,000 has land and tried to source private financing for Project. Proposed add-on project for this operation for farmer training to USAID. Major contributor to Project Feasibility Study for rehabilitation of Kenyan Cotton industry. Study funded through US Trade & Development Authority. Short Term Evaluations ABT ASSOCIATES, INC., Bethesda, MD Nov. 2002 Conducted program evaluations for commercial opportunities for USAID/Uganda with relevance to the new Agricultural Initiative to Cut Hunger in Africa – AICHA; Agricultural Production Enhancement Program – APEP; Uganda Trade & Diversification of Exports – UTRADE. Egypt – Agricultural Led Export Business. Review Agricultural Led Export Business (ALEB) program for fresh horticultural produce in Egypt. Chief Operations Officer AGROINVEST, INC., Georgia, USA 2001–2002 Conducting Farm Appraisals and Feasibility studies locally and International. Reviewed operations resulting in significant (20%+) savings in production costs. Sourcing of financing for large Agribusiness operations in Zambia and Argentina. Chief Operations Officer F&W AGRISERVICES, INC., Georgia, USA 2000 - 2001 Development of Corporate strategies in Cotton Agribusiness entity through 2003. Development & Implementation of corporate restructuring to improve efficiencies. Presented proposal that resulted in US$15 million capital investment in corporation. Responsible for daily operations of operation, including client farmers, ginning and warehousing and marketing operations. Company is a subsidiary of Agricultural Services & Investments, Inc. Troubleshooter AGRICULTURAL SERVICES & INVESTMENTS, INC., Switzerland 1999 Responsible for Country Analysis in establishing Company investment policy in agricultural development projects in Spain, Turkey, Syria and Sudan. Reviewed company purchase of irrigation supply company and recommended termination of project. General Manager AFFLORA FARM, Texas 1994 - 1999 Established Exotic Cut Flower and Organic Vegetable operation, constructed greenhouses, installed irrigation system, and developed local markets. Started development of production of Antique roses. General Manager, Agribusiness AL KHALIDIAH FARM, Saudi Arabia 1991 - 1994 Managed 2500-hectare desert farm owned by HRH General Prince Khalid bin Sultan. Crops include Dates, Citrus, Grapes, Wheat/Hay, Cut Flowers, Nursery, Glasshouse, Sheep & Quail Unit, Windbreaks and Forested area, and landscaped areas. Established Jojoba, Olive and Deciduous fruit orchards. Managed large multi-million budgets and large labor force. Partner AGRICULTURAL SUPPLIERS, INTERNATIONAL, Houston, Texas 1990 - 1991 Established business and performed feasibility studies while locating/supplying equipment and other commodities. Manager SEVEN SPRINGS FARM, Havre de Grace, Maryland 1989-1990 170-hectare pedigree Brangus Beef Herd and Alfalfa/Grass farm. Assistant Farm Manager WESTERN AGRI-MANAGEMENT, INTERNATIONAL, Egypt 1987 - 1988 4000-hectare Egyptian Military desert farm. Pivot irrigated cereal/vegetable production. Crops included Potatoes, Wheat, Barley, Corn, Alfalfa, Tomatoes, Peppers, Cantaloupe, Watermelon, Sweet Corn, and Greenhouse Vegetables. Managed 5,000 military conscript labor force and 10 expatriate managers. OTHER EXPERIENCE MILITARY SERVICE C SQUADRON, RHODESIAN SPECIAL AIR SERVICE - S.A.S. 1976 - 1979 Special forces Combat Military - Medic, Signals, Demolitions, and Drill, Weapons and Heavy Weapons Instructor. EDUCATION MRAU, Agriculture, 1982, Royal Agricultural University, Cirencester, UK Diploma in Project Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, 1989, Wye Agricultural College, Wye, UK

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Farming & Crops

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