About Mesoamerican Development Institute
MDI’s mission is the design and implementation of sustainable technologies and biodiversity-friendly production methods for rural productive applications.
Mesoamerican Development Institute (MDI) is a nongovernmental organization with offices in Lowell and Honduras. MDI specializes in technology transfer and market development; we introduce renewable energy innovations for agro-productive industry to reduce costs and restore environments in rural Mesoamerica.
MDI has introduced sustainable technologies for rural productive industry, including the high-efficiency drying chamber used in Solar/Biofuel drying systems, hermetic storage systems for coffee, and Integrated Open Canopy™ production (IOC).
Technology transfer and sustainable market development in Mesoamerica entails creating the conditions in which new tools can be adopted by rural enterprises that allow them to participate in agro-industrial processing and the export of value-added products.
Meet The MDI Team
Richard Trubey
Program Developer and Co-founder of MDI
Richard Trubey is a co-founder of MDI and has, under contract through MDI, developed technology transfer programs for the World Bank, Inter-American Foundation, AVINA Foundation and others. Richard’s academic background is in environmental science.
Raul Raudales
Energy engineer and Co-founder of MDI
Raul Raudales has experience in both the private and public sector, he has managed international projects for the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, the Global Environment Facility, and Conservation International. Raul with co-founder Richard Trubey and Stanley Hawthorne are the developers of MDI’s patented solar/biofuel drying systems.
Arley Morales
Training Specialist in Coffee Processing
Arley Morales is an expert in efficient use and management of patios as well as the use of industrial solar/biofuel drying systems. He has trained cooperatives in coffee drying, milling and hermetic storage sytems throughout Central America.
Reyes Picado
Solar/biofuel Drying Systems & Off-grid Processing Installation and Maintenance Specialist
Reyes Picado is the system installation and maintenance specialist involved in technology transfer; he provides training of installation teams and the formation of local expertise in the operation and maintenance of solar/biofuel drying systems.
Sixto Aguero
Energy Efficiency Specialist, Central America
Sixto Aguero is an energy efficiency specialist and program advisor.
Victor Arce
Recognized Leader in Sustainable Production and Processing
Vicor Arcehas served on the Boards of the Costa Rican Coffee Institute (ICAFE) and the Fair Trade Consortium, COOCAFE. He is a former manager of the ISO14001-certified coffee cooperative Montes de Oro. Victor is an agronomist with a Masters in Business Administration and originator of the Integrated Open Canopy coffee production.
Spencer Jourdain
Marketing and Business Development Expert
Spencer Jourdain is a marketing and business development consultant for small enterprises and major corporations and specializes in cause related marketing and promotion. He is also the founder of 1420 Foundation, the Learning for a Sustainable World Network (L4SW), and a concept developer for integral models for sustainable development utilizing multidisciplinary nonprofit and for-profit organizational systems.
Luisa Rodríguez
Distribution Model Developer
Luisa Rodríguez is an industrial engineer with a Master’s in business administration and former CEO of the Honduran pharmaceutical company, Industria Farmaceutica, S.A. (INFARMA). Luisa is developing distribution models to promote products from the developing Yoro Biological Corridor.
Luis Raudales
Distribution Model Developer
Luis Rodríguez is an industrial engineer with a Masters in business administration. Luisa is developing distribution models to promote products from the developing Yoro Biological Corridor.
David Murillo, PhD
Field Biology Research Team Member
David Murillo conducts field research in support of the Yoro Model and the development of the Yoro Biological Corridor.
Ana Quiñonez, PhD
Administrator for the Yoro Biological Corridor Initiative
Ana Quiñonez focuses on applied research and knowledge creation to engender better biological management processes to increase resiliency and sustainability of watersheds.
Denis Velasquez
Field Biology Research Team Member & Coffee Producer
Farlem España conducts field research in support of the Yoro Model and the development of the Yoro Biological Corridor.
Cindy Dubon
Logistics, Export, and Quality Control Manager
Cindy Dubon implements programs and procedures in support of export and quality control for coffee production and processing.
Juan Ramon Rodriguez
Information Technology Specialist
Juan Ramon focuses on database implementation and quantitative methodologies applied to coffee quality controls.
Irene Acosta
Banking & Finance Program Developer
Irene Acosta develops banking and financing programs applied to the coffee and carbon trade.
Nancy Cross
Director of Special Programs
Nancy Cross develops multidisciplinary seminars to advance collaborative research and program implementation.
Mirna Andrade
Legal Services
Mirna Andrade, San Pedro Sula, Honduras
Gill Roderick
Chief Machinist for Manufacturability and Scalability of Dryer Production
Gill Roderick works with MDI in the design of custom tooling and welding procedures for the drying tower and other related components.
Karen E. Roehr
Creative Director for the Café Solar Program (Associate Professor, UMass Lowell)
Karen Roehr works to develop branding and graphic design for MDI’s sustainable coffee initiative implementing MDI’s clean technology and forest-friendly coffee production in a program to protect cloud forests and Pico Pijol National Park.
Agustin Acosta
Producer Liaison for the Yoro Biological Corredor Initiative
Agustin Acosta promotes adoption of innovation among producer communities including the adoption of IOCFarm™ methodology.
Maira Manzanares
Women's Liaison for the Yoro Biological Corredor Initiative
Maira Manzanares promotes participation of women in all stages of coffee production and export in support of the Yoro Biological Corredor Initiative.
Santos Acosta
Train the Trainer Program Manager
Santos Acosta provides training in support of the implementation of Integrated Open Canopy™ coffee production and outreach to cooperatives and producer organizations.
Dionisio Dominguez
Water System Developer/Project Implementation Manager
Dionisio Dominguez works to implement community programs in support of the Yoro Biological Corridor Initiative and to open new European markets.
ADVISORS and INVESTIGATORS BIODIVERSITY STUDIES
Dr. David King Research Wildlife Biologist, UMass Amherst, formerly with the U.S. Forest Service Northeast Research Station
Dr. Richard Chandler, Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia
Environmental Partners and Supporters
