Our management team has many years of experience in agriculture, land procurement in Panama, and agricultural investment opportunities.
>100years
farming & investing experience
Donald Ewert
General Manager / Partner
Mr. Ewert’s experience in land acquisition, project development and management along with sales & marketing began in late 1994 in Southern California and transitioned to Costa Rica, Panama, and Colombia beginning in early 2007. He began his career as a land broker at the land division of Grubb & Ellis Company in San Diego California and following this held positions at Whittlesy Doyle Land, Amcal Multi-Housing, and John Laing Homes as either a land broker/development advisor or land acquisition and project manager. Since relocating to Central America in early 2007, Don has had key involvement with various types of land development projects in Costa Rica, Panama, and Colombia.
Donald played a key role in acquiring and launching the farm project with the first 11-hectare parcel known as phase 1 in late 2017. Following this he also played a key role in the farm’s expansion in the following years with the acquisition of another 27 hectares, 40 hectares and finally a separate farm of 63 hectares known as phases 2,3, and 4. In addition, he was involved with the creation and launching of the Caimito Fruits growers’ alliance and export brand. Lastly, he worked with the other farm partners in recently establishing an import and distribution company based in Madrid Spain as a key part of the farm’s final expansion. Going forward, the import and distribution company will serve to help ensure steady, long-term, profits for farm investors and partners by opening new markets and taking the farms excellent quality pineapples directly to various retail buyers in Europe.
Donald played a key role in acquiring and launching the farm project with the first 11-hectare parcel known as phase 1 in late 2017. Following this he also played a key role in the farm’s expansion in the following years with the acquisition of another 27 hectares, 40 hectares and finally a separate farm of 63 hectares known as phases 2,3, and 4. In addition, he was involved with the creation and launching of the Caimito Fruits growers’ alliance and export brand. Lastly, he worked with the other farm partners in recently establishing an import and distribution company based in Madrid Spain as a key part of the farm’s final expansion. Going forward, the import and distribution company will serve to help ensure steady, long-term, profits for farm investors and partners by opening new markets and taking the farms excellent quality pineapples directly to various retail buyers in Europe.
James Gooden
Partner / Director Caimito Fruits Import & Distribution Europe
James is originally from Houston Texas where, after receiving his primary education, was employed by Remington Oil & Gas to work on oil platforms in the early 2000’s. Following this, he moved to Panama in 2007 where he attended the UNIVERSIDAD AMERICANA and earned a law degree. While Mr. Gooden was earning his degree, he was employed by the law firm of Gray & Co as a legal assistant and later by Infante y Perez Almillano as a Para-legal. After receiving his law degree, James achieved success in a number of business ventures in Panama. In addition to being a key investor in the Caimito Fruits pineapple farm in Panama, James is very fluent in Spanish, and brings a wealth of knowledge with on the ground problem solving and management experience to the project. This has allowed him to play a key role in the ongoing success of the Caimito Fruits farm and more recently directing the new import and distribution company in Europe based in Madrid Spain.
Juan Carlos
Chief Agricultural Engineer
Juan Carlos is an agricultural engineer with an orientation in plant protection in addition to being a horticultural and fruit technician. He earned his agriculture engineer degree at the University of Panama. He also holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Manuel Maria Tejada College in Las Tablas Panama.
He began his career at Melo y Cía., S.A. (the largest agricultural supplier in Panama) as a technical promoter. His duties included the promotion and sale of agricultural products at the national level. Following this, he joined Rocasa Panama, S.A., an agro chemical supply company, as a sales representative. In this capacity he coordinated logistics in the management of sales and inventories of agrochemicals throughout Panama. After this he accepted a position at Agro Industries Golden West. S.A. as a production manager where he performed evaluation, implementation and development of strategies in the establishment and management of agricultural production projects.
Juan Carlos then moved on to a position of chief agricultural engineer at Verba Odrec, a pioneer in pineapple production, packing, and exporting in Panama. At Verba, he oversaw every aspect of commercial pineapple production from land preparation, planting, crop care, harvesting, packing and exporting. After his tenure at Verba, he accepted a position as production manager at Cabo Zarzo, S.A. one of the largest commercial pineapple growers and exporters in Panama. Again, at this position he oversaw all aspects of commercial pineapple production.
He currently serves as head of the agricultural production plant at Viveres Unidos, S.A. in nearby La Chorrera. This involves the supervision of the organic fertilizer production plant, sales coordination, supervision, and production of horticultural products. As chief agriculture engineer, Juan Carlos oversees all aspects pineapple production.
He began his career at Melo y Cía., S.A. (the largest agricultural supplier in Panama) as a technical promoter. His duties included the promotion and sale of agricultural products at the national level. Following this, he joined Rocasa Panama, S.A., an agro chemical supply company, as a sales representative. In this capacity he coordinated logistics in the management of sales and inventories of agrochemicals throughout Panama. After this he accepted a position at Agro Industries Golden West. S.A. as a production manager where he performed evaluation, implementation and development of strategies in the establishment and management of agricultural production projects.
Juan Carlos then moved on to a position of chief agricultural engineer at Verba Odrec, a pioneer in pineapple production, packing, and exporting in Panama. At Verba, he oversaw every aspect of commercial pineapple production from land preparation, planting, crop care, harvesting, packing and exporting. After his tenure at Verba, he accepted a position as production manager at Cabo Zarzo, S.A. one of the largest commercial pineapple growers and exporters in Panama. Again, at this position he oversaw all aspects of commercial pineapple production.
He currently serves as head of the agricultural production plant at Viveres Unidos, S.A. in nearby La Chorrera. This involves the supervision of the organic fertilizer production plant, sales coordination, supervision, and production of horticultural products. As chief agriculture engineer, Juan Carlos oversees all aspects pineapple production.
Iris Rios
CEO / Owner
Iris earned a degree in marketing and advertising at Isthmus University in Panama followed by earning a post-graduate degree in international business at the University of Palermo in Argentina. She has also completed a real estate brokerage course from ACOBIR in Panama.
Iris began her professional career at NSOLITE PANAMA, S.A. by accepting the position of Brand Manager for Panama and Central America. Following this she accepted a position as Sales and Project Manager at CONSTRUCTS ENGINEERS PANAMA, S.A. Iris then went on to accept a position as advisor for all types of real estate investments at INVERSIONES IRMAR, S.A. Her responsibilities included being in charge of advising clients in the sale, rent, purchase, administration and bank loan of their properties in Panama City and Costa Rica.
Iris’s educational and professional background makes her a valuable member of the management team.
Iris began her professional career at NSOLITE PANAMA, S.A. by accepting the position of Brand Manager for Panama and Central America. Following this she accepted a position as Sales and Project Manager at CONSTRUCTS ENGINEERS PANAMA, S.A. Iris then went on to accept a position as advisor for all types of real estate investments at INVERSIONES IRMAR, S.A. Her responsibilities included being in charge of advising clients in the sale, rent, purchase, administration and bank loan of their properties in Panama City and Costa Rica.
Iris’s educational and professional background makes her a valuable member of the management team.
Tomas Calp
Lot Sales & Marketing Coordinator
Tomas earned a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology, Universidad Interamericana de Panama (Summa Cum Laude) with a focus in the business and entrepreneurial fields. His professional experience includes a position as administrator at Becas Market where he was responsible and oversaw executive administration and accounting tasks. Tomas also coordinated logistics and documentation managing at Importadora CBC, a local importing company the fulfills public tenders offered by the Panama government. He is currently part of the team at Caimito Fruits in Panama where he directs sales and marketing for the investor income producing farm lot program in phases 1,2, and 3. He also assists in farm accounting and auditing activities.
Ms. Mariel I. Cárdenas
Director of Export Logistics
Mariel graduated from the Universidad Tecnológico de Panamá with a Bachelor's degree in Logistics and Multimodal Transport. She then earned a Master's Degree in Logistics Systems and a Master's Degree in Higher Teaching with specialization in Educational Didactics. She began her career as a student assistant with the Panama Canal Authority in the area of shipping logistics. Following this, Mariel accepted a position as Logistics Manager with Cabo Zarzo SA, the largest pineapple grower and exporter in Panama. She then accepted a position with Caimito Fruits pineapples as director of export logistics where she plays a hands-on role in the ongoing packing and shipping containers of premium pineapples to markets in Europe and the Middle East.
Our Pineapple Farmers and Pineapple Specialists