Our work is made possible by a diverse group of researchers, practitioners, local experts and stakeholders, and international donors.
DIRECTORS
Frederick payton, Ph.D.
Co-Founder, executive director
Frederick Payton leads programs that enhance biodiversity conservation and improve the economic performance and social responsibility of local, national and international food systems, with particular focus on improving livelihoods of small-scale farmers and artisanal fishers. Dr. Payton has worked at the Institute of Community and Area Development and the Office of International Agriculture at the University of Georgia and was a senior scientist and interim director of the International Potato Center’s Central American and Caribbean regional office. Dr. Payton has served on the board of directors of Organic Farming Research Foundation, Henry A. Wallace Institute for Alternative Agriculture and Georgia Organics. He holds a Ph.D. in Horticulture from Cornell University.
Leoncio Pimentel
Vice President
Leoncio Pimentel is a founding member and the vice president of AgroFrontera. Leoncio comes from a long line of rice farmers in Montecristi Province and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to sustainable development and natural resource management. He directs AgroFrontera’s education and outreach programs in coastal communities in Montecristi. Leoncio holds a Bachelor of Science in agronomy and is an officer of several agriculture professional organizations in the Dominican Republic.
MIGUEL ANTONIO PIMENTEL JIMENEZ
Accountant and office manager
Miguel is a certified public accountant and has a bachelor’s degree in public administration from Universidad Tecnológica de Santiago (UTESA). As the accountant, Miguel serves as the director of finances for projects, an advisor to associations and other community groups, and is a specialist in association, cooperative, and business licensing.
COLLABORATORS
Tyler Pavlowich, PH.D.
Consultant, fisheries ecology
Tyler is a fisheries ecologist who first became involved with AgroFrontera's project in 2012 while he was conducting Ph.D. research. His research focuses on the way coastal communities and coral reef ecosystems interact through fishing in order to inform decision making around marine resource use. He has studied the way spearfishers select individual fish while fishing, how we can predict the ecological and economic impacts of fishery management options, and the social context and governance arrangements around fishing. Tyler highly values the personal relationships he has with the communities he works in.
Michael Cox, Ph.D.
Socio-Ecological Systems Research
Michael Cox is an assistant professor in the Environmental Studies Program at Dartmouth College. Prior to coming to Dartmouth, he studied under Elinor Ostrom at the Workshop in Political Theory and Policy Analysis at Indiana University, where he is an Affiliated faculty. He is also a member of the Resilience Alliance.
SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE TEAM
ERIDANIA TRINIDAD HERNANDEZ DE LA CRUZ DE VASQUEZ
AGRONOMIST
Eridania earned her bachelor degree in agronomy from the Universidad Central del Este (UCE) with a focus on macro and micronutrients for citrus. She works in the sustainable rice program building awareness of sustainable rice practices Eridania also trains young technical agronomists and supports local producers.
JOSE LUIS DILONE CRUZ
aGRONOMIST
José earned his bachelor degree in agronomy from Instituto Tecnológico San Ignacio de Loyola, Dajabón. He works for the Instituto Agrario Dominicano (IAD) and the Asociación de Productores on the border. José has more than 20 years of experience in plant health and the Montecristi National Park Biodiversity Conservation project.
DANIBEL MERCEDES PANIAGUA
AGRONOMY TECHNICIAN
Danibel works on the sustainable rice project as a technician. She graduated from the Instituto Tecnológico San Ignacio de Loyola (ITESIL) with an associate degree and is currently pursuing a bachelor degree from La Universidad Católica del Cibao (UCATECI) in agricultural engineering. She lives in Las Matas de Santa Cruz and really likes everything that has to do with nature.
COASTAL AND MARINE TEAM
Robinson skarly Jimenez cabreja
COASTAL AND MARINE Program director
Robinson is a community leader, entrepreneur, and certified scuba instructor in Montecristi. He is also a member of the Montecristi Fisherman Association and an advocate for environmental preservation. Robinson’s family has resided in Montecristi for more than 120 years and his love for his community drives his passion for community development.
ELIAS emanuel DE LA CRUZ rodriguez
COASTAL AND MARINE program ASSISTANT
Elias is a certified computer technician, and he earned his certificate from the Instituto Nacional de Formación Técnico Profesional (INFOTEP). He acts as a community liaison between AgroFrontera and local stakeholders. Elias is a Montecristi native who is passionate about the environment and community development.
SILVIO MANUEL RICHETTI MARTINEZ
COASTAL AND MARINE TECHNICIAN
Silvio is a trained as an Industrial Engineer from Universidad Tecnológica de Santiago (UTESA). He also holds certifications in accounting and customer service from Instituto Nacional de Formación Técnico Profesional (INFOTEP). The principle responsibility of Silvio is working with the Governance Councils of the Marine Protected Areas in Montecristi.
VICTOR ALBERTO FELIPE DE LA ROSA
COASTAL AND MARINE TECHNICIAN
Victor, a native of Montecristi, is a civil engineer by trade and earned his degree from la Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo (UASD). He assists with project planning, manages costal and marine program budgets, and supports the organizations communication strategy.
