Balam Investments – Dr. Hart Porsch
Dr. Porsch Managing Member of Balam Investments, LLC, with 15 years of experience is a visionary developer who twice before has successfully shepherded large-scale land development projects. He has keen insight into what will make a development successful, and a unique ability to view the potential of a parcel of land, and then work diligently to see that parcel achieve his vision.
Verena Foundation (www.verenafoundation.org)
As Verena Foundation, an American Private Foundation in support of the Arts and Education, we had a dream. A dream to contribute to the Arts. A dream to support the education of especially underprivileged athletes. In the Arts we want to give a platform for artists of all kinds. We always will act professionally, with emotional intelligence, commitment and in the spirit of creativity. Our support will be for those who have committed their lives to creativity in the field of Arts; and for those athletes who are underprivileged, but ready to fulfill their dreams.
Swaback Partners (www.swabackpartners.com)
Swaback Partners provides hospitality design, special case architectural design, community master planning, interior design, graphic design and landscape architecture. The firm was founded in 1978 and currently practices throughout the United States and abroad. From the start, Swaback Partners, lead by its founder and Managing Partner, Vernon D. Swaback FAIA FAICP, set out to build an organization of exceptional depth in order to undertake very special projects. The firm's award winning work has included numerous resorts, hotels, private clubs, spas and resort communities.
Victor Barrett, Architect
For the past 15 years, Victor has focused on the practical application, design, and development of New Urbanist Master Planning, Authentic Architecture, and Sustainable Design. He has experience covering small and large mixed use projects, infill, and development of environmentally sensitive, coastal/desert, flood plain, and remote sites. His firm, New Urbanist Design. LLC grew into a full service firm practicing architecture and urban design for cutting edge international development in the U.S., Mexico, Belize, and China. Currently, Victor is Senior Urban Designer for Halcrow International based in Shanghai, China.
HVS (www.hvs.com)
A global consulting and services organization focused on the hotel, restaurant, shared ownership, gaming and leisure industries has been retained to conduct a comprehensive feasibility study for the mixed use Balam Escape project.
Blue Dolphin Research and Consulting, Dr. Harzen
Blue Dolphin Research and Consulting, Inc. (BDRC) is an international, multidisciplinary consulting firm, specializing in environmental sciences and sustainability. By integrating the temporal, spatial and contextual relationships of natural resources, environmental conditions, human activities, and green technologies, BDRC provides its clients with custom-tailored solutions that are both sustainable and economically viable. Clients include visionaries, designers and planners, developers, landowners, manufacturers, universities, and governmental agencies.
Paola Peῆafiel, Director of Marketing and Sales
Paola has proven experience in Marketing and Sales, and strong knowledge of the Latin American, American and European markets. She has also lived and studied in Europe, and is fluent in English and Spanish. She holds an MBA with a major in Marketing from Rey Juan Carlos University (ESERP Business School) from Madrid, Spain & LUISS Business School – Rome, Italy. She received her B.A. with both majors in Marketing and Finance from U.S.F.Q. and is a licensed Realtor in the State of Florida.
CBRE Consulting (www.cbre.com/consulting)
CBRE Consulting provides a wide range of real estate and urban economic consulting solutions to corporate, institutional and public sector clients throughout the United States, Europe, and Asia Pacific regions. As a distinctive group within the world's largest full-service real estate company, CBRE Consulting focuses on the development of strategic platforms and processes, enabling clients to make highly informed real estate decisions, reduce costs, create value and improve performance. Our goal is to ensure that real estate strategies are fully aligned with an organization's overall objectives.
Ecoworks (Belize) (www.ecoworks-bz.com)
Ecoworks is one of the largest environmental service companies in Central America. Their services include Site Imaging, Land Assessment and Marine Assessment for various industries, including aquaculture, conservation and tourism & infrastructure.
Ecoworks completed the Environment Impact Assessment for the Balam Escape and that comprehensive study allowed the project to receive the full approval to proceed from the government of Belize.
EDSA (www.edsaplan.com)
EDSA was founded in 1960. Since that time, they have become recognized as one of the world’s leading planning, landscape architectural, urban design and graphic design firms. Their expert staff of planners, landscape architects, engineers, graphic designers and support personnel is adept at managing complex planning and design challenges for both the public and private sector.
Douglas Walker, Professional Engineering Services (Belize)
Professional Engineering Services (PES) is a general civil engineering consultancy offering design CAD drafting and contract supervision services, and has an in-house materials testing laboratory. The company has worked on many large projects in Belize, including the Philip Goldman International Airport expansion.
Shafe Consult, LLC - John Shaffer, LEED AP (www.shafeconsult.com)
Shafe Consult, LLC, offers comprehensive consulting services for sustainable marina and waterfront development. We tailor our approach to fit the needs of each project, taking it from the initial planning stages, through the regulatory permitting process, and into design and construction management. We promote sustainable site selection, design, materials, construction methods, and other technologies that minimize impacts and maximize efficiencies, improving a project’s overall economic and environmental performance. Mr. Shaffer has substantial experience in the marina and waterfront development industry and has provided consulting services in the US, Bahamas, Caribbean, Central America, and the Middle East.
Chromo Design LLC (www.chromodesign.com)
Graphics Design, Marketing Communications, Signage Design services.
With 21 years of experience, Chromo Design provides a full-service graphics design and marketing communications services to a broad range of clients, including but not limited to new residential communities and resort development, public sector, and others. They specialize in the design of all marketing components such as project naming, logo design, vision and consumer brochures, signage design, sale centers/exhibits, website/electronic presentations, advertising, and more.
Habitare (www.habitare.com.gt)
Habitare is a well establish real estate brokerage house and developer in Guatemala City. As such, Habitare is engaged to find capital investors for The Balam Escape project. In addition they are engaged in the sale of individual Lots of Phase 1 of the project. Furthermore, they are considering becoming the Project Manager of Phase I of the project (The 50-acre Island).