Our management team has many years of experience in land procurement and delivering environmentally-friendly property & resort projects.
Phillip La Plante
Director of Project Development / Founding Partner
Phillip has been involved in all facets of real estate development and investment for over 30 years. He has successfully developed in excess of $500 million worth of real estate projects, including retail, multi-family, office, hospitality and residential land. His experience and responsibilities include site selection and acquisition, planning and design, financing, entitlements, construction, marketing, management and disposition. Phillip is proud of his track record of successful projects and his integrity in dealing with others. With his extensive project experience, Phillip plays a key roll in directing the overall development of the Playa Belen project and ensuring it’s successful implementation.
Roberto Arauz
Project Advisor
Mr. Arauz is a citizen of Panama and attorney specializing in the area of agrarian law, land titling, and acquisition of easements through administrative concessions from the state. He earned a bachelor’s degree in international relations at the University of Panama in 2002. Roberto then earned a degree in law and political science from Santa Maria La Antigua University in 2009. Roberto is also master certified by the IDB (Inter-American Development Bank).
His past professional experience includes providing legal services for Petaquilla Gold and Petaquilla Copper as an internal attorney, advisor for Minera Panama for land acquisition, and legal Advisor on land easements services for major Panama builder and developer Grupo Los Pueblos. He is currently president and 100% shareholder of Atlantic Land Investment, corp. The company was founded in 2007 and is dedicated to investment, land acquisition and eco-friendly development on the Panamanian Caribbean coastal area. In this capacity, Mr. Arauz, is a both a land owner and valued partner in the planned Playa Belen resort & marina project.
His past professional experience includes providing legal services for Petaquilla Gold and Petaquilla Copper as an internal attorney, advisor for Minera Panama for land acquisition, and legal Advisor on land easements services for major Panama builder and developer Grupo Los Pueblos. He is currently president and 100% shareholder of Atlantic Land Investment, corp. The company was founded in 2007 and is dedicated to investment, land acquisition and eco-friendly development on the Panamanian Caribbean coastal area. In this capacity, Mr. Arauz, is a both a land owner and valued partner in the planned Playa Belen resort & marina project.
Henry Dowling
Plan Studios – Land Planner
Henry Dowling is a registered Planner and Landscape Architect with extensive experience in the design and development sectors of Resort + Hospitality, Lifestyle and Mountain Communities and Luxury Residential properties. His unique background brings a multi-faceted approach to projects balancing highly creative planning and design with thorough development analysis and strategy. With over 20 years of experience in the profession, he provides his clients with more competitive and market driven solutions while maximizing real estate value for their projects.
Henry is skilled at communicating through sketching to translate a collaborative idea into a creative development vision. He is accomplished at creating distinctive outdoor environments that are highly experiential and artfully detailed. Henry’s strong relationships with many industry leaders including master developers, hotel operators, golf course architects, ski and marine engineers, architects, builders and investors help his clients to more successfully implement high quality designs in challenging geographic locations.
Henry is skilled at communicating through sketching to translate a collaborative idea into a creative development vision. He is accomplished at creating distinctive outdoor environments that are highly experiential and artfully detailed. Henry’s strong relationships with many industry leaders including master developers, hotel operators, golf course architects, ski and marine engineers, architects, builders and investors help his clients to more successfully implement high quality designs in challenging geographic locations.
Dr. Donaldo Sousa Guevara
Environmental Attorney
Graduated from the José Daniel Crespo School in Chitré, Doctor of Law, from the University of Padova and Ferrara Italy, specializing in Development and Environment, International Institute of Geneva, Switzerland. Dr Sousa has vast experience in political science, environmental and maritime law along with sustainable development, environmental protection, territorial and bioregional planning of the state. He has distinguished himself as a staunch environmentalist for more than 40 years, promoter, adviser and president of environmental, community, indigenous, peasant, public employee, workers, numerous professional associations.
He is president of the Environmental Law Association and the Ecologist Association Panamanian and for more than 40 years, advisor to the National Technical Council of Agriculture. Dr Sousas vast experience in Panama along with his political relationships makes him a valuable addition the Playa Belen eco adventure resort and marina project.
He is president of the Environmental Law Association and the Ecologist Association Panamanian and for more than 40 years, advisor to the National Technical Council of Agriculture. Dr Sousas vast experience in Panama along with his political relationships makes him a valuable addition the Playa Belen eco adventure resort and marina project.
Jorge Sousa Antola
Real Estate Attorney
Jorge graduated from the Santa María La Antigua University (U.S.M.A.), with a degree in Law and Political Science. With multiple studies, seminars and conferences, such as: Contracts in Roman Law; Water, Development and Quality of Life. Active member of the Environmental Law Association and the Panamanian Ecologist Association, adviser to the canal pilots and other companies and unions. With several years of experience in the marketing and sale of commercial, residential and land properties, throughout the country, with a proven track record of closing sales and high customer satisfaction.
Competent in market research, contract drafting, negotiation and management of real estate projects. Mr. Sousa brings years of valuable experience with real estate transactions and solving issues related to real estate development to the project team for Playa Belen.
Competent in market research, contract drafting, negotiation and management of real estate projects. Mr. Sousa brings years of valuable experience with real estate transactions and solving issues related to real estate development to the project team for Playa Belen.
Mike Castillo
Project Aviation Advisor
Mike is a commercial pilot who began his professional flying career in 1988 and has accumulated over 7400 total hours with 6,900 hours as pilot in command. He has extensive experience flying aircraft ranging from single engines Cessnas to multiple engine piston and jet aircraft. He holds an FAA air transport license and commercial privileges rating. Also, seaplane licenses in Costa Rica and Panama as well as being a certified flight instructor in Costa Rica. In addition, Mike is an FAA airframe and powerplant mechanic with Inspection Authorization. He also an aircraft mechanic technician in Panama.
Mr. Castillo also accumulated extensive flying experience in Central American as chief pilot for Sea planes Costa Rica and Sea planes Panama. He is currently part of the Playa Belen resort & marina project as both a land owner, pilot, and aviation advisor for the development group. Mike (a permanent Panama resident) resides in Panama with his Panamanian wife.
Mr. Castillo also accumulated extensive flying experience in Central American as chief pilot for Sea planes Costa Rica and Sea planes Panama. He is currently part of the Playa Belen resort & marina project as both a land owner, pilot, and aviation advisor for the development group. Mike (a permanent Panama resident) resides in Panama with his Panamanian wife.