Senior Management

Asif M. Shaikh, President, is a widely recognized authority on the links between economics, governance, and rural production systems, as well as on environmental policy, poverty alleviation and population. A frequent lecturer at universities and international forums on the development challenges of societies in transition, Mr. Shaikh has experience in more than 35 countries throughout Africa, Asia, Europe, the Caribbean, and North America. MA, Economics, Columbia University; BA, Economics, Yale University. Languages: French.

Benjamin S. Farrah, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, has over 20 years of experience working in a government contractor environment. He served as the chief financial officer and treasurer for an international software engineering firm and an information technology services firm, and he worked for several years as an auditor with the Defense Contract Audit Agency, where he received the 1985 Special Service Award. MT, George Washington University; BS, Accounting, Christopher Newport University.

Cynthia K. Pflugh, Executive Vice President and Director, Corporate Development, has 20 years of international development experience. Since serving with the Peace Corps in the mid-80s, she has focused on marketing, recruitment, corporate communication, and other business information systems design and implementation. She has field experience in Asia and Africa. Graduate coursework in Political Science, Organizational Development, and Information Systems; BA, International Relations, US International University.

Doug Clark, Senior Vice President and Director, Environment and Natural Resources, has more than 30 years of experience in international economic development, including 27 years with USAID. Mr. Clark's former positions include chief of party for the Environmental and Natural Resource Policy and Training project; associate mission director for agricultural resources, USAID/Egypt; and director of the Office of Technical Resources, USAID/Thailand. MPS, International Development, Cornell University. Languages: Thai.

Timothy R. Knight, Senior Vice President and Managing Director, Relief and Reconstruction, is a recognized authority on crisis and conflict/post-conflict management and disaster relief. Over a 25-year period, he has organized responses to complex situations in more than 50 countries. Mr. Knight formerly served as assistant director of USAID’s Office of US Foreign Disaster Assistance, overseeing emergency assistance and reconstruction programs in Africa, Europe and the Middle East. From 1993 to 1997, he managed the US government’s $240 million humanitarian assistance program in former Yugoslavia. He also served as chief of staff for the International Commission on Missing Persons in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Languages: Spanish, French, and Croatian.

Rick Whitaker, Director, Energy & Environmental Management Division, brings 35 years of business and finance experience, principally in the infrastructure and energy sector. He has proven program leadership abilities in conflict environments, energy sector institutional strengthening experience, and reconstruction management skills. He has extensive knowledge of USAID, having served as Acting Director and Senior Team Leader for USAID’s $2.8 billion infrastructure reconstruction program in Iraq and as Chief of Party for USAID’s Liberia Energy Assistance Program. MBA, Harvard Business School; BS, Engineering, West Point Military Academy. Languages: Bahasa Indonesia, German, Japanese, Spanish.

Sylvia Megret, Vice President, has 15 years of experience in recruitment systems, proposal development, and project implementation for USAID and other donor-funded programs. Prior to joining IRG in 1999, Ms. Megret served as Project Specialist with the USAID-funded POPTECH project, overseeing the planning and management of complex consulting assignments for the design and evaluation of USAID's worldwide reproductive health programs. Ms. Megret has worked in Brazil, Indonesia, Jamaica, Kenya, and France. MA, International Development, American University; BA, University of Michigan, Political Science. Languages: French.

Russell Misheloff, Principal and EPIQ II Deputy Manager, is an environmental economist with more than 30 years of experience in managing and implementing programs related to strategic planning, assessment of environmental and natural resource policy and management options, and institutional strengthening. He previously served as IRG’s deputy manager and policy advisor on the USAID-funded Environmental Policy IQC. Mr. Misheloff’s past experience includes work as environmental economist and program manager in USAID’s Office of Environment and Natural Resources. MA, Economics, American University; MA, International Relations, University of Pennsylvania. Languages: Spanish.

Technical Experts

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A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Joan Ablett, Communications Director, has 25 years of experience in development assistance, media and government relations. Ms. Ablett specializes in the design and implementation of public affairs programs, international crises strategies, media outreach and writing and editing publications. Most recently, Ms. Ablett helped launch the USAID signature road project in Bandeh Aceh, Indonesia. From 2003-2005, she served as USAID's Public Affairs Officer at its Afghanistan Mission, where she developed and managed an information strategy to promote the US foreign assistance program. MEd, Education, University of British Columbia, Canada. Languages: French.

John C. Acree, Senior Manager, has 17 years of experience in the design, implementation and management of development, relief, and humanitarian assistance programs. Specializing in emergency response, food aid, and mitigation situations for post-conflict and disaster prone areas, he has extensive field experience in the Middle East, Central Asia, Central America, and Africa. Mr. Acree has represented IRG and USAID in senior level positions serving the United Nations, the Prime Minister of Albania, and as Senior Manager of Albania's Emergency Management Group during the Kosovo refugee emergency. MA, International Public Administration, Monterey Institute of International Studies. Languages: Spanish.

Glen Anderson, Senior Manager, has extensive professional expertise in environmental policy, strategic planning, and institutional strengthening in developing and transitional countries. Dr. Anderson has worked in senior consulting positions for USAID, the World Bank, and OECD-funded programs and is an IRG senior policy advisor under the EPIQ II contract. Recently, he worked in Romania on USAID projects dedicated to conducting analyses of the financial and environmental costs of natural disasters, reducing agricultural pollution, and strengthening environmental management. PhD, Agricultural Economics, University of Wisconsin at Madison.

Leslie Anderson, Manager, has more than 30 years of professional experience in design, development, and implementation of international educational projects, communications, community outreach, and advocacy. Mr. Anderson has served as Program Officer for the Bureau for Latin American and the Caribbean at USAID, Director of US Career Development Programs at the Institute of International Education, and Assistant Cultural Affairs Officer at the US Embassy in Baghdad. MS, Reading Education, University of Southern Maine; BA, Government/History, Beaver College.

Aws Bassil, Program Manager, Liberia Emergency Power Project, has 12 years of experience in architecture, urban planning, and project management, specializing in the architectural design and management of construction projects. As the Senior Architect and Assistant Executive Officer for USAID/Baghdad, he successfully designed and managed all USAID construction projects in Iraq, including residential, commercial, and office compounds. He also designed and assessed US Government buildings in South Sudan. MS, Architecture, University of Baghdad; BS, Architecture, University of Baghdad. Languages: Arabic.

Charles Benjamin, Senior Manager, has 20 years of experience in natural resource management and program management with extensive experience in more than 15 African countries. Dr. Benjamin is an expert in rural livelihoods, institutional development, natural resource management, and program conceptualization, design, and management. For nearly six years, he served as Country Director of the Near East Foundation in Morocco, where he led rural development projects designed to enhance livelihoods, promote sustainable natural resource management, and strengthen rural civil society. PhD, Natural Resources and Environment, University of Michigan. Languages: Arabic, French.

Romeo Bernal, Disaster Management Coordinator, is an agronomist with 14 years of experience in project management, rural development, and risk assessment in Central America. Mr. Bernal served IRG as a Mitigation Plan Specialist in El Salvador for the Municipal Disaster Mitigation Project. In this capacity he provided technical assistance in identifying geological and hydrological hazards and incorporating risk management criteria and planning in the local development process. Prior to his work with IRG, Mr. Bernal acted as Risk Management Specialist for CARE International. BA, Agriculture, University of El Salvador. Languages: Spanish.

James Billings, Chief of Party, Senegal Accelerated Growth and Increased Competitiveness (SAGIC) IQC, has 38 years of experience in economic growth, trade facilitation, public sector reform, and integrated community development. Mr. Billings has first-hand knowledge and expertise implementing multi-million dollar donor-funded (including USAID, The World Bank) projects at the regional and local levels in Africa and the Middle East. Working hand-in-hand with governments and local communities, he has restructured governments and expanded economic opportunities in 10 countries, including Rwanda, Zambia, Lebanon, and Egypt. MA, International Administration, School for International Training. Languages: Arabic, French.

Julie Browning, Senior Democracy and Governance Advisor, has 12 years of democracy, governance, human rights, and civil society program and advisory experience in the Middle East, Balkans, Southeast Asia, and the United States. Prior to joining IRG, Ms. Browning was an advisor and manager of election, political party, and institution-building projects for USAID in Afghanistan. While in the Balkans, she worked on refugee, human rights, and rule of law programs for UNHCR, Office of the High Representative and various NGOs. MA, International Studies, University of Denver. Languages: English, Serbo-Croatian.

Christian Burren, Forestry Specialist, has over 15 years of experience in international forestry management. He has worked to increase awareness of sustainable management in Rwanda, the Congo, and Madagascar, and facilitated the development of training programs for agencies such as the Swiss Disaster Relief and the International Tropical Timber Organisation. Mr. Burren specializes in the development, organization, and execution of community-based forestry management projects and the conservation of forest resources. BA, Forest Engineer, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Zurich. Languages: German, French, Italian.

Jose Roberto Cabezas Cortez, Manager, has more than 20 years of experience in natural resources management, and evaluation of forestry, water, and biodiversity, including project planning and management. Mr. Cabezas has expertise in developing and implementing agribusiness, rural development, and ecotourism projects in Central America. Throughout his career, he has worked extensively with the European Union, the World Bank, the United Nations Development Program, and governmental and non-governmental agencies. MS, Economics, New Mexico University; BS, Industrial Engineering, BA, Sociology, Central American University (El Salvador). Languages: Spanish.

Luis Castañeda, Chief of Party, Panama, is a seasoned project manager and watershed management specialist with over 20 years’ experience leading and directing watershed and NRM programs. Mr. Castaneda has been directly involved in improving and effecting change in public policy processes; developing and transforming institutions; and designing, evaluating, and negotiating rural sustainable development projects. Mr. Castaneda has worked on multiple projects modernizing, improving, and developing financial, administrative, and technical information management systems worldwide. MS, Management of Renewable Natural Resources, University of Costa Rica. Languages: Spanish, English.

Thomas M. Catterson, Senior Manager, has over 30 years of international experience in environmental assessment, forestry, and natural forest management with particular strength in program/project management, design, and monitoring and evaluation. Since 1991, Mr. Catterson has worked in over 70 countries worldwide serving as division chief within USAID’s Office of Technical Resources, Africa Bureau, and as a team leader on dozens of natural resource projects. MS, International Forestry, State University of New York. Languages: French, Haitian Creole, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish.

Adam Chambers, Manager, has over 14 years of experience in climate change and renewable energy projects in Southeast Asia, South Asia, Europe, and the United States. Dr. Chambers’ specialty includes assessing air pollution and greenhouse gas policies and implementing clean energy and energy efficiency technologies. Dr. Chambers has served as an energy technical expert for International Energy Agency, United Nations, US Environmental Protection Agency, and National Renewable Energy Laboratory. PhD, Natural Sciences, Vienna University of Technology; MS, Environmental Management, Yale University. Languages: Spanish.

Greg Clough, Manager, is a communication specialist with more than 17 years of experience in managing communication strategies for governments, the private sector, and non-governmental organizations in Australia and Indonesia. Prior to joining IRG, Mr. Clough served as Executive Officer of Public Affairs Group for AusAID, Public Affairs Specialist of Northern Territory Government, and Manager of Australian Government Public Information and Education Project. MBA, University of Southern Queenslad (Australia); BA, English, Curtin University (Australia). Languages: Bahasa Indonesia.

Denise Dauphinais, Senior Manager, has more than 25 years of professional experience in post-conflict and transition political process management. She specializes in elections and political process design, development and administration, small infrastructure reconstruction, job creation schemes, civil society development activities, human rights and transitional justice programming, and humanitarian assistance. She has worked for USAID/Office of Transition Initiatives, UNDP, US Embassy in Liberia, and the United Nations. BA, Political Science and English Composition, Drake University. Languages: French.

Philip J. DeCosse, Senior Manager, is a senior development professional with more than 15 years of experience, 11 of them with IRG. He has worked to improve environmental and natural resources institutions and practices in South Asia, Africa and Latin America by focusing principally on environmental impact assessment, co-management, economic analysis, performance assessment and monitoring, and policy analysis. Mr. DeCosse has long-term experience working in Bangladesh, Madagascar, Sri Lanka, and The Gambia. MS, Agricultural Economics, University of Wisconsin at Madison. Languages: French, Spanish, and Wolof.

Michelle DeFayette, Senior Manager, has worked for more than 15 years in training design, facilitation, and intercultural communication and management with nonprofit organizations and the US government. She specializes in staff training programs for disaster assistance including emergency operations and planning, cross-cultural communication, and development. She was formerly Director of Training for the National Association of Community Action Agencies and Training Specialist for the Peace Corps. MA, International Communication, American University. Languages: Portuguese.

Sinikka DeHanas, Senior Manager, is an international development professional with extensive project, financial, and contract management experience. Ms. DeHanas possesses 15 years of US-based experience in the management of USAID-funded natural resources, water and coastal resources, agribusiness, SME and training projects. She has extensive experience coordinating field operations in the Middle East, Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Newly Independent States. Previously she worked with private industry companies residing in Europe, Africa and the Middle East. MA, Managerial Economics, University of Oklahoma; BS, Business Economics, University of Tampere, Finland. Languages: Finnish, Swedish, French, German, and basic colloquial Farsi and Arabic.

Pascal (Pat) DeLaquil, Principal, Energy and Environmental Management, is an internationally recognized expert in the development, commercialization, and market introduction of clean, renewable, and energy efficient technologies. Dr. DeLaquil has been actively involved in this field for over 26 years in the US and over a dozen developing countries. He is widely recognized for his work to commercialize biomass, solar, thermal, photovoltaic, and small hydropower technologies. Dr. DeLaquil has developed significant expertise using MARKAL models for the analysis of renewable energy commercialization strategies. PhD, Nuclear Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Dieynaba Diallo Bah, Senior Manager, has 20 years of project management experience with expertise in financial management, personnel procedures, and general administration. Prior to joining IRG, Ms. Diallo Bah has coordinated the management of numerous USAID and other donor-funded projects in Africa and the Caribbean. She also coordinated daily interactions with USAID field offices to ensure grants management and compliance agreements. MS, Business Management, University of Maryland; MS, Economics, University of Paris X. Languages: French, Wolof.

Peter DuPont, Chief of Party, ECO-Asia, has more than 20 years' experience working on sustainable energy development programs in Thailand and throughout Asia. He specializes in the design, implementation, and evaluation of energy efficiency and renewable energy programs. Dr. du Pont serves as Secretariat for the APEC Expert Group on Energy Efficiency and Conservation and is an Adjunct Professor in Energy Policy at the Joint Graduate School of Energy and Environment in Thailand. PhD, Energy and Environmental Policy, University of Delaware; MPH, Environmental Toxicology, University of California, Berkley. Languages: Thai, French.

Sarah Durso, Manager, has 19 years of experience in international development program management, with a specialty in natural resources, the environment, agriculture, fisheries, international education, training and research, intercultural communications, social marketing design, population, and small enterprise/ commercial development. Prior to joining IRG, Ms. Durso has worked for US Embassies, international NGOs, and numerous USAID-funded projects in Africa, the Middle East, and the United States. MS, International Administration, School of International Training; BA, Foreign Affairs/Africa Region, University of Virginia. Languages: Arabic, French, Portuguese, and Spanish.

Jeffrey Fredericks, Water Resources Management Expert, has over 25 years of experience working on water resource and irrigation projects in Asia, the Middle East, and the Caribbean. A registered professional engineer, he has worked on policy reform; national master plans; international transboundary agreements; basin modeling; project design, implementation and evaluation; and environmental assessments. Before joining IRG, Dr. Fredericks was deputy chief of party and water/environmental cluster leader on the USAID Central Asia Natural Resource Management Project and chief of party for USAID's EPIQ Egypt Water Policy Reform Program. PhD, Civil Engineering, Colorado State University. Languages: Indonesian, Russian, and Arabic.

Gary Goldstein, Senior Manager, has spent 28 years in the application, training, and development of complex energy databases and modeling frameworks. He has directly supported and trained researchers and policy-makers from more than 50 countries, as well as the USEPA, USDOE, and various US states, in the development, application and use of the MARKAL® energy, environment, and economic planning model. He formerly was team leader for the International Atomic Energy Agency's Department of Safeguards and researcher at Brookhaven National Laboratory. MS, Computer Science, State University of New York at Stony Brook. Languages: German.

Thomas Gramaglia, Project Manager, has 17 years of management and technical experience in telecommunications and defense. Working for Lucent Technologies, the US Air Force Federal Contract Research Center, and a number of successful startup technology companies, he has managed and implemented complex telecommunications projects in the United States and overseas. Before joining IRG, Mr. Gramaglia was the director of a leading telecommunications research and consulting firm. MBA, Business Administration, Harvard University.

Pavan Gupta, IT Advisor, Relief and Reconstruction, is an expert in the design, implementation and management of information systems in secure environments. An active participant in proprietary and open technologies, he emphasizes secure and sturdy solutions. USAID, NASA, and the Department of Defense have retained his expertise to implement projects ranging from enterprise monitoring to employee tracking. BS, Biomedical Engineering.

Frederick Guymont, Civil Engineer, is a senior manager and engineer experienced in major infrastructure project design, implementation and operation that has led to increased economic growth, health and environmental improvements. Mr. Guymont has more than 20 years of experience working at USAID. Most recently, serving as Director of Office of Energy and Information Technology, he oversaw the development of programs to support presidential initiatives to increase access to energy and telecommunications through increased private sector investment. MBA, Harvard Business School; MS, Civil Engineering, Villanova University.

John Heermans, Chief of Party, Agricultural and Natural Resource Management, (Senegal), has nearly three decades of experience in forestry, natural resource planning, and the development of forest-based enterprises. He brings to IRG a wealth of experience in community-based natural resource management and capacity building efforts from 15 African countries. BS, Forest Management, University of New Hampshire. Languages: French, Hausa.

Trias Hermanu, Information Systems Analyst, is a programmer with nearly a decade of professional experience in information technology. Mr. Hermanu possesses significant expertise in developing analytical models and databases. He has developed a number of computer models and systems for evaluation purposes. He has contributed tremendously to the incorporation of information technology tools into environmental performance analysis and evaluating ratings. MS, Faculty Engineering, Technical University of Delft, Netherlands. Languages: Indonesian.

Kelly Hewitt, Chief of Party, Increased Capacity for Energy Access in Bangladesh, is an energy regulatory specialist, attorney, and economist, who has led and managed emerging energy regulations, and policy reform programs and projects since 1990 in the US and throughout South Asia. Ms. Hewitt specializes in the design, management, and implementation of energy sector reform initiatives, including advising governments, local civil societies, and international donors on necessary market structure, energy regulatory reform, and best practices to attract private investment. JD; MA, Public Administration; MA, Economics.

John Higgins, Manager, possesses nearly a decade of professional experience providing overseas and US-based technical, financial, and administrative management to donor-funded development programs, including training and conflict management activities in Africa, central Asia, south and southeast Asia, and the Caribbean. He has a comprehensive understanding of working with funding agencies, international and local NGOS, PVOs, national and regional representatives, and local stakeholders. Through his work with IRG, Mr. Higgins has devoted particular emphasis to projects that are dedicated to improving disaster response and crisis management capacity that inherently contribute to the development of regional networks. BA, International Relations, Carleton College. Languages: Ilonggo.

Geremie Hopkins, Operations Manager, is an accomplished construction manager with over a decade of experience in the construction industry. His specialty includes land development, contracts administration, and budget development and compliances. BA, Liberal Arts, Southeastern Louisiana University.

Christopher Howell, Chief of Party (Egypt), has over 30 years of experience in economic and environmental sustainability and regional strategic planning, primarily in the Caribbean, Middle East, and the United States. Dr. Howell has held senior positions as Chief of Party, senior advisor, and team leader to oversee USAID, UNDP, and other international agency projects relating to tourism, economic development, and natural resources management. PhD, Geography, University of Florida; MS, Geography, University of London; BS, Economics, University of London.

Amit Jain, Managing Director, IRG Systems South Asia Pvt. Ltd. (IRGSSA), has 13 years of national and international experience working in energy and the environment on projects funded by agencies including USAID, World Bank, European Commission, Asian Development Bank, financial institutions, and the government of India. Mr. Jain has worked extensively in resource and policy planning, institutional strengthening, project financing, and capacity building. M.Tech, Engineering, Indian Institute of Biotechnology and Biochemical Technology (India); MBA, Asian Institute of International Business Technology (Thailand). Languages: Hindi.

Jevie Joyner, Training Coordinator, is a trainer-facilitator with 25 years of experience in curriculum development, project management, research and analysis and auditing in the government and private sector. Her training work with USAID has taken her to 27 countries where she has taught over 600 participants. Ms. Joyner has also served as manager at several financial institutions monitoring and assessing compliance with federal banking laws and regulations. MS, Business Administration, Marymount University.

Alisia Kachmar, Training Manager, has a decade of experience designing, facilitating and managing training and training-related systems. While working with OFDA, Ms. Kachmar has designed, facilitated, and evaluated courses for USAID, the Department of State, the Military, and partner organizations. Previously, she has served as a Training Contract Facilitator with the Peace Corps and as an English teacher with the Japan Exchange and Teaching Program. Ms. Kachmar possesses extensive cross-cultural experience, and has spent significant time traveling, living and working abroad in over 20 countries. MA, International Training and Education, American University.

Jane Kahata, Environmental Impact Assessment Specialist, is a lead expert in environmental assessment and environmentally sound design of small-scale activities, including conservation and natural resources planning and management. She also has long experience working in protected area planning and management, project planning, design, appraisal, and monitoring and evaluation in Southern Sudan, Eritrea and Kenya. Ms. Kahata is the chief authority on African Wetland Management providing technical advisory assistance at the Kenya Wildlife Service Training Institute and is actively involved in several national environmental task forces. MS, Resource Management, Edinburgh University, United Kingdom. Languages: Kiswahili.

C. Andrew Keck, Chief of Party (Madagascar), has 13 years of professional experience in international environmental management and sustainable development, specializing in project management, sustainable finance, climate change, and environmental economics and policy. He recently served as lead technical advisor on sustainable finance under PAGE, a USAID-funded assistance project in Madagascar. Under PAGE, he provided assistance to the government in formulating a long-term environmental financing strategy, as well as a wide array of specific environmental financing mechanisms, such as trust funds, the Clean Development Mechanism, and natural resource user fees. MEM, Environmental Economics and Policy, Duke University. Languages: French.

Stroud Kelley, Institutional Manager, has over 30 years of extensive private practice and public service experience, with expertise in regulatory, legislative, administrative, and commercial law, with a focus on management of public resources, oil and gas, and electricity regulation. He has served as a senior advisor in West Africa, the Caucasus, and Central and South Asia, working with national governments, United States embassies, USAID missions, and aid implementers supporting rule of law, democracy, and economic growth initiatives. JD, University of Texas.

Christopher Keppler, Manager, brings 20 years managerial and technical experience in international development, public affairs, and communications and media relations. He has worked extensively with the US Department of State and USAID successfully executing numerous strategic communications and policy programs worldwide. Mr. Keppler has developed public awareness strategies, managed disaster relief operations and organized media outreach campaigns throughout the Middle East and Africa. MS, International Management, Thunderbird School of Global Management. BS, Political Science, Arizona State University.

Bruce Kernan, Chief of Party, Sudan, has more than 30 years of experience in sustainable environment and natural resources development. As a seasoned environmental assessment specialist and team leader, Mr. Kernan has prepared and evaluated dozens of programmatic environmental assessment programs in the Latin American and African regions. Mr. Kernan is an experienced team leader, with experience in 11 countries worldwide. MPS, Agriculture and Environment, Cornell University.

Patria Klein, Manager, has 12 years of international experience managing energy and environment capacity building programs in Africa, Central Asia, Europe and Eastern Europe, Latin America, South Asia, and Southeast Asia. She brings extensive experience in all aspects of program development, implementation, evaluation, and management of technical and training programs ranging from power sector policy, regulation, restructuring, and human resource development to renewable energy, environmental issues, and oil and gas sectors. JD, Loyola Law School; BA, Government/Sociology, University of Notre Dame. Languages: Tagalog, Visayan.

Satish Kumar, Chief of Party, Energy Conservation and Commercialization Project (India), is an energy efficiency expert with over 15 years of experience in public sector energy efficiency, measurement and verification protocol development, energy audit, and energy policy design and implementation. He has an extensive background in data acquisition and management, benchmarking, as well as information and outreach. Prior to joining IRG, Dr. Kumar served as the Chief Technical Advisor of the USAID/EPA-funded energy efficiency project in India, where he worked with state government officials in project design and budget allocation. PhD, Architecture, Carnegie Mellon. Languages: Hindi.

Anne Lewandowski, Senior Manager, has over 20 years of experience in designing, managing and evaluating natural resources and environmental projects and programs for USAID and the Inter-American Development Bank. Her recent experience includes serving as the deputy coordinator of the USAID-funded Environmental Policy and Institutional Strengthening (EPIQ) IQC, project development with Cuban environmental groups and coordination of a comprehensive disaster assessment for all seven countries in Central America. MS, Water Resource Management, University of Wisconsin at Madison. Languages: Spanish and Polish.

Keith Marsland, Deputy Chief of Party, Liberia Emergency Power Program, is an expert in procurement, contracting and training. As a procurement manager in post-conflict Iraq, he was responsible for the design, engineering, and construction of the USAID residential and office compound in Baghdad. He requisitioned, evaluated, and awarded more than 200 construction and commodity supply contracts. MA, Education, William Carey College; BS, Workforce Education, Southern Illinois University–Carbondale.

James Martin, Country Coordinator, East Asia and Pacific Affairs, is an expert in promoting governance and business reforms in developing and emerging economies in Africa, the Middle East, Central Asia, and Southeast Asia. For more than 20 years he served in various US diplomatic posts where he provided economic and political analysis to the US department of State. MS, Foreign Service; BA, Government. Languages: German, Uzbek, French, Russian, Thai, Arabic.

Nives Mattich, Senior Manager, has nearly 15 years of experience addressing needs in complex emergencies including disaster response, conflict mitigation, post-conflict reconstruction, and community development. Prior to joining IRG, Ms. Mattich served as Program Officer for USAID/OFDA's Disaster Assistance Response Team, where she managed a US $57 million humanitarian aid portfolio for Kosovo, Macedonia, and Albania. As Deputy Chief of Party for the US Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning System Program, she supported the US Government’s contribution to creating a disaster management and mitigation system for the Indian Ocean. MS, Social Psychology, London School of Economics; BA, Psychology, McGill University. Languages: Serbo-Croatian, French.

James McArthur, Deputy Chief of Party, Aceh Road/Bridge Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Project, is a seasoned project manager with over 25 years of implementing environmental management and business development projects. Mr. McArthur has extensive knowledge of USAID environmental projects, having worked in both private and public sectors to help implement infrastructure programs. He has managed field operations for a poppy eradication program in Afghanistan, and also developed and oversaw carbon emission awareness campaigns in the Philippines and Indonesia. Languages: Bahasa Indonesian.

Margaret Snyder McKay, Deputy Director, Energy and Environmental Management, has nearly 20 years of international project experience in Africa, Asia and the Middle East. Mrs. McKay currently serves as home office manager of two USAID-funded energy projects in Liberia—the Emergency Power Project (EPP) and the Energy Assistance Program (LEAP)—as well as the South East Europe Regional Energy Market Support Project. She has conducted assignments on a broad range of energy policy issues, including tariff analysis, regulatory policy, institutional strengthening, market design and reform, performance benchmarking, energy efficiency, and outreach. She is an accomplished manager of experts from diverse technical and cultural backgrounds. MA, International Commerce and Policy, George Mason University. Languages: French and German.

Katherine A. McNeil, Senior Manager, has 13 years of experience in risk management, disaster response, mitigation, and program management. Serving as chief of party of the IRG Technical and Administrative Support Contract with USAID's OFDA/LAC in Costa Rica, she was responsible for overall contract management and oversight, performing technical assistance activities, and immediate response actions, including leading teams, conducting damage assessment, and recommending appropriate US government emergency assistance. Ms. McNeil held the positions of advisor to the Minister of Foreign Trade and senior advisor to the Minister of Agriculture in Costa Rica. Languages: Spanish.

Robert C. Means, Electricity Advisor, is a public utility regulation and energy policy expert. He possesses more than 25 years of experience serving in these fields as a regulator, consultant, academic and author. As Director of the Office of Regulatory Analysis of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, he was instrumental in the substitution of competition for regulation in limiting the wholesale price of electricity. Dr. Means specializes in ratemaking methodology, renewable energy and establishing regulation boundaries. SJD and LLB, Harvard Law School. Languages: Spanish.

Juan Carlos Méndez, Regional Director (Central America), is a natural resources policy and management specialist with over 20 years of experience in leading development programs related to international cooperation technical and financial programs in Central American countries. Until recently, Dr. Méndez was IRG's Chief of Party in Guatemala. He has managed financial resources and personnel in development programs on a public/government level, and for international cooperating agencies, including multinational financed programs from different concurrent sources. PhD, Agrarian and Rural Economic Development, Agriculture National Superior School of Montpellier, France. Languages: Spanish, French.

Laurie Navarro, Country Director (Philippines), has more than 20 years of experience in technical, financial, and market applications of renewable energy systems in the Philippines, and currently leads the implementation of several subcontracts from the Philippine Department of Energy/UNDP on Capacity Building to Remove Barriers to Renewable Energy in the Philippines. She served as national team leader for a UNDP project for the Development Bank of the Philippines and the World Bank-funded Rural Off-Grid Electrification Project in the Philippines. BS, Chemical Engineering, University of Santo Tomas (Philippines). Languages: Filipino.

Douglas Pool, Senior Manager, has been designing, evaluating, and managing international development efforts in tropical ecology, agriculture, and forestry for more than 25 years. Mr. Pool's research and technical consulting have focused on the interaction of people with their resource base-ranging from studying Andean peasants who have colonized lowland Amazon forests to leading integrated rural development at the river basin level. His professional experience extends throughout Africa, Asia, and Latin America. MS, Agronomy, University of Florida. Languages: Spanish.

Andrew Popelka, Chief of Party, Municipal Heating Reform Project in Ukraine, has over 27 years of technical and management experience in more than 40 projects related to district heating, energy efficiency of heat and power utilities, energy production facilities, project financing, and legal and regulatory reform in the power sector in Eastern and Central Europe. Prior to joining IRG, Mr. Popelka provided technical assistance and managed various energy efficiency projects for the US Government including US Department of Energy and Department of Defense, as well as USAID, the World Bank and the United Nations Development Program. MS, Mechanical Engineering, Czech Institute of Technology. Languages: Czech, Russian, and Polish.

Tony Pryor, Senior Manager, is a widely recognized leader and development expert with more than 25 years of experience, including 18 years as a senior advisor, program designer, and leader in USAID procedural reforms. He developed many of USAID's programming tools and procedures and is one of the few individuals authorized to train USAID employees on programming policies. Mr. Pryor leads IRG in developing a new practice of knowledge management and development, a range of tools and approaches related to sharing, leadership, and teamwork. MA, International Economics, Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies. Languages: French.

Carlos Rivas, Chief of Party (Bolivia), is a seasoned watershed management and biodiversity expert with over three decades of experience in natural resources and environmental management. Dr. Rivas has successfully served as Chief of Party on four USAID projects throughout Latin America. He brings extensive experience in biodiversity management and conservation, and tropical forest silviculture. PhD, Earth Resources, Colorado State University; MS, Irrigation, Utah State University; BS, Agriculture Engineering, National Autonomous University of Honduras. Languages: Spanish.

Barbara Rossmiller, Chief of Party (Cyprus), is an experienced financial manager with significant technical expertise in enterprise development, business analysis, strategic planning, monitoring, and evaluation. She possesses more than ten years of experience working in developing countries and emerging markets, in large part on USAID projects. As a senior evaluator for the Management Training and Economics Education Project for Central and Eastern Europe, she was responsible for assessing and strengthening private sector growth projects and market economies. MBA, Business Administration, Duke University. Languages: Spanish.

Lynn Sauls, Senior Manager, brings three decades of experience in managing and leading humanitarian assistance and disaster response projects for USAID and various international NGOs. In her previous role as a Management Specialist for USAID Asia and Middle East Bureau, Ms. Sauls led the Bureau’s civil military affairs, collaborated to lead a stabilization assessment in Sri Lanka with State Department’s Office of Coordinator for Reconstruction and Stabilization, and directed the Bureau’s Anti-Trafficking in Persons program in 20 countries. She also has extensive experience managing USAID/OFDA’s emergency response programs in the Horn of Arica. MSW, Fordham University.

Kimti Sharma, Manager, has over 35 years of professional experience in planning, urban design, engineering, and landscape architecture. He has successfully completed numerous urban infrastructure improvement projects in collaboration with governments, the private sector, and the World Bank in the Middle East, Asia, Europe, and the United States. Mr. Sharma has served as a technical expert providing advice on urban development with a focus on capacity building, training, and community development. BA, Architecture, University of Delhi (India). Languages: Farsi.

Ram Sharma, Protected Area Management Specialist (Bangladesh), is a natural resources economist and forester boasting a 20-year career in a broad range of forestry and natural resource programs in the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia. He acted as Director of the Swedforest International program in India and has consulted extensively for the Sida, the World Bank, and the Asian Development Bank. Post Doctorate Fellow, Resource Economics, Scottish Agricultural College; PhD, Resource Economics, Department of Forestry & Natural Resources, University of Edinburgh. Languages: Hindi, English, Bangla, Oriya, Sanskrit and Urdu.

Sandra Shuster, Senior Manager, brings over 16 years of experience implementing development, stabilization, and reconstruction projects in countries emerging from political and conflict transitions. Ms. Shuster is recognized as an expert in community revitalization, democracy and governance, conflict mitigation, capacity building, and civil-military relations. Prior to joining IRG, Ms. Shuster has managed several projects funded by USAID and international NGOs in Africa, East Asia, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and South America. MA, International Public Policy/Conflict Management, Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies. Languages: French and Spanish.

Eric Stephan, Knowledge Management Specialist, has over a decade of experience in knowledge management and international development issues. With IRG, he designs and implements knowledge management systems and practices for multiple USAID projects, and develops IT-based tools for knowledge sharing and collaboration goals of IRG clients. Mr. Stephan has developed community and interactive products for companies including Red Herring Communications and Netscape, and has also worked in Azerbaijan  with the United Nations Development Program. He is a former journalist and technology columnist. MA, International Relations, Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies. Languages: Spanish.

Mark Svendsen, Team Leader (Egypt), is an international agricultural development specialist with more than 30 years’ experience. Dr. Svendsen brings extensive knowledge of policy analysis, irrigation management transfer, private sector participation, impact assessment, monitoring and evaluation, and institutional analysis practices around the globe. He is an evaluation and analysis expert, specializing in the creation of national and regional implementation planning for the water and irrigation sectors. Prior to joining IRG, Dr. Svendsen served as a senior water expert for numerous integrated water management projects funded by the Asia Development Bank, USAID, and the World Bank in Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, Latin America and the Middle East. PhD, Soil and Water Engineering and Tropical Agriculture, Cornell University. MS, Water Resource Systems, Colorado State University.

Ken Swanberg, Senior Manager, is an accomplished team leader and agricultural economist with over four decades of experience in agriculture and agricultural development in Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East. Dr. Swanberg brings expert knowledge in high value agriculture, horticulture, wastewater management, and agribusiness privatization. Prior to joining IRG, he consulted on numerous agricultural production and marketing projects for Asia Development Bank, Millennium Challenge Corporation, USAID, US Department of Agriculture and World Bank. PhD, Agricultural Economics, Cornell University. Languages: Spanish.

Jim Tarrant, Senior Manager, has more than 28 years of experience in environmental economics and natural resource management, including environmental economic policies and impact assessments and project management. He served as chief of party for the Natural Resource Management II Program in Indonesia for five years and chief of party for the Red Sea Sustainable Development and Improved Water Resources Management Project in Egypt. Currently he is a Senior Policy Advisor for IRG/EPIQ II and manages IQC subcontracts on environmental health and sustainable urban management. Before working at IRG, Dr. Tarrant was a senior environmental policy advisor in USAID's Europe and Newly Independent States Bureau. PhD, Development Studies, University of Sussex (United Kingdom). Languages: Bahasa Indonesia.

Andy Tczap, Senior Manager, is a highly respected project manager and water sector expert with more than four decades of international experience, combining managerial ability and technical leadership in the water sector. Mr. Tczap’s career has included 13 years of field-based experience as Chief of Party on large-scale USAID-funded programs valued at well over $100 million. Mr. Tczap’s expertise in water resources engineering and technical assistance programs ranges from the detailed design of infrastructure to identifying policy reform measures that enhance private sector participation, decentralization, and water management. MS, BS, Civil Engineering, Michigan Technological University.

Pradeep Tharakan, Deputy Chief of Party, Energy Conservation and Commercialization (Asia), is a development professional with expertise in market facilitation of renewable energy systems, the Clean Development Mechanism, carbon sequestration, and community-based natural resources management. Dr. Tharakan has extensive experience in India and the United States, most recently analyzing aspects of the poverty-environment nexus, and environmental impacts of mining operations for WWF. PhD, Energy and Natural Resources Management, State University of New York; MPA, Environmental Policy and Administration, Syracuse University. Languages: Hindi, Kannada, Malayalam, and Tamil.

Robert Walker, Deputy Training Unit Manager, has over 21 years of experience designing and managing development, communications, and training projects. Most recently, as Training Specialist for OFDA, Mr. Walker designed, facilitated, and evaluated courses for the Department of State and USAID. Mr. Walker has served as training director for several domestic and international organizations including UN Food and Agriculture Organization and Children's Express Foundation. BA, European History, University of Texas; MA, International Training and Administration, School for International Training.

David Wall, Senior Manager, is an experienced financial sector practitioner, including advising on developing financial markets in emerging markets countries for the last nine years. Mr. Wall has advised international financial institutions on privatization, capital markets, pension fund, insurance supervision and international accounting standards. Currently for IRG, Mr. Wall provides overall strategic leadership and guidance for the development of the US Government Foreign Assistance Strategy for Iraq. He consults with US Department of State Near East Bureau, US Department of Commerce, Treasury, Department of Agriculture, Department of Defense, and other relevant agencies involved in the strategic planning of the US government’s efforts in Iraq. Mr. Wall’s global experience spans the US, Europe, Eastern Europe, Africa, Latin America, and Asia. BA, History, Pace University.

Rebecca Webb, Country Coordinator, Relief and Reconstruction, specializes in the strategic analyses of financial sectors, public policy development, microfinance, and SME financing. She is a recognized international financial expert and has consulted for USAID, the US Department of State, and the US Treasury. She has extensive experience in the Middle East; Central Asian Republics; Eastern, Central and Southern Europe; and Russia. MA, International Public Policy; BA, Business Administration. Language: Polish and Spanish.

Robert Winterbottom, Senior Manager, has more than 25 years of experience in environmental planning, natural resource management, and forest ecology. Currently, he manages projects in IRG's environment and natural resource portfolio and provides technical support to the EGAT and Africa Bureau of USAID. Mr. Winterbottom has served as IRG's Chief of Party in Senegal and Niger, and environmental planner/advisor to the Rwandan minister of planning. Before joining IRG, Mr. Winterbottom's positions included director of the Forestry and Land Use Program of World Resources Institute, and Peace Corps volunteer in Burkina Faso. MS, Forest Science, Yale University. Languages: French.

Evelyn Wright, Senior Manager, has over 10 years of experience in energy modeling with a specialization in MARKAL modeling. As an expert energy economist and modeler, Dr. Wright has performed numerous energy and climate change analysis for projects funded by USAID and US Environmental Protection Agency. She also brings experience with training MARKAL energy modeling for state-level officials. PhD, Ecological Economics, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute; MA, Physics, Harvard University.