Iván Vélez
Director Organic Program

Born in Colombia, educated in El Zamorano (Honduras) and University of Illinois in Agriculture, Ivan holds an MS in Agriculture and several high management course at Incae (Costa Rica). Ivan has worked in Tropical Agriculture (bananas, flowers) for over 39 years, and his life has been dedicated to Dole in 11 countries in America, in areas like Research, Agri Services, Quality, Food Safety, Environmental Production and Organics. His personal goal is to go back to the soil and go back to being a "campesino" a field worker in his own retirement and to enjoy reading and the family life.

Luis Monge
Manager Organic Certifications & Quality

Agronomist. Born and educated in Costa Rica, obtaining an Engineer Degree in Agronomy from the Instituto Tecnologico de Costa Rica and a Master Degree in Project Management from the University for International Cooperation.

He is also an Organic Inspector trained and recognized by IOIA. During his 15 year professional carrer he has worked in greenhouses, corn and alfalfa production in Mexico, organic coffee in Costa Rica. He has been involved in organic certification since 1998. He joined Dole Organic Program in 2004. and his hobbies include Mountain bike, tennis and Social Networking. He lives in Costa Rica.

Carlos Santos
Director Diversified Products - Ecuador 
General Manager, Copdeban SAC - Peru

Agronomist. Born in Ecuador and educated in Honduras obtaining an Engineer Degree in Agronomy from Escuela Agricola Panamericana El Zamorano, and in New York, USA obtaining a Master Degree in Agricultural Economics from University of Cornell. He joined Dole in 2002. Among his hobbies are: reading, playing soccer and spending time with his family. He lives in Peru.

Eugenio Guerrero
Production Manager DOLE PERU

Agronomist. Born and educated in Ecuador. He has an Agricultural Engineer Degree from Universidad Tecnica de Machala. He has been working with Dole since 1989. In 1999 he moved to Peru and started the organic program in that country. He lives in Peru

Luis Pilamunga
Manager Quality Department - DOLE PERU

Born in Ecuador, holds a BS in Agriculture from Universidad Agraria del Ecuador, he has been working in bananas since 1998 and at DOLE since 1999, in areas like Quality, Production, Materials, Certifications and Organics. His hobbies include music and reading. Luis is currently based in Peru.

Frans Wielemaker
Director Organic Program

Agronomist. Born in Indonesia, raised in Iran, and educated in The Netherlands obtaining an Agricultural Engineer Degree in Tropical Crop Production and Crop Protection from the Tropical Agricultural College of Deventer, a university which today is based in Wageningen. He is also an Organic Inspector trained and recognized by IOIA.

During his 30 year professional career he has worked in most Central and South American banana and pineapple exporting countries. He initiated the Organic Program in Dole in Latin America 12 years ago. He farms a small organic coffee farm. He lives in Costa Rica and his hobbies include sailing, woodcrafting and tennis.

Ligia Ramos
Scientist. Research Department - Honduras.

Agronomist. Born in Honduras. She has an Agricultural Engineer Degree from Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Honduras and a Master Degree in Soil Fertility from University of Mississippi in the USA.

She is also an Organic Inspector trained and recognized by IOIA. She joined Dole in 1994. She had developed propietary programs for fertilizer of organic banana farms. She loves the gardening and playing Wii with her grandchildren.

Marcelo Elizondo
Farm Manager - EcoPiñas del Arenal.

Biotechnologist. Born and educated in Costa Rica with a BS in Biotechnology from Instituto Tecnológico de Costa Rica.

Marcelo has worked with organic crops since 2005 (vegetables, coffee and now pineapple) and his principal goal is to keep learning and developing in organics, hand by hand with environment and social responsibility. His personal goal is to get a postgrade in biotechnology & environmental research.

Oscar Porras
General Manager - EcoPiñas del Arenal Farm.
Born and educated in Costa Rica, with a degree in Finances and Business Administration at Universidad Interamericana de Costa Rica.

He has been working with DOLE in several positions since 1989.

Henry Quirós
Quality Manager - Pineapples Costa Rica.

Born in Costa Rica, educated at the University of Florida, USA, with a B.S. in Agronomy and a M.S. in Plant Physiology. Henry has worked in the Research Department for almost 20 years, first in bananas and then in pineapples.

For the past 3 years, he also has led the Pineapple Quality Department. His major priorities are his family and his work. Henry enjoys horse caring and horse backriding, and when the time comes he wants to retire to live in the countryside among his family and pets.

Adriana Obando
Research Department - Pineapples Costa Rica.

Born in Costa Rica , educated in ITCR (Costa Rica) in Agriculture, Adriana holds an MS in Biotechnology at University of Costa Rica. Adriana has worked in Pest management and control for three years in Standar Fruit Company - Costa Rica - Dole.

Her goal is to continue works with insects and to colobarate to find alternatives friendly with the environment to pest control; her personal goal is to enjoy the life at home with her future family.