Staff & Board of Directors

Gregory Ch’oc – Executive Director    ( gjchoc@satiim.org.bz )

Gregory Ch'oc is a Q'eqchi' Maya from San Miguel, Toledo. Presently, he is SATIIM's Executive Director and now lives in Punta Gorda. He was elected to chair the Sarstoon Temash National Park Steering Committee (STNPSC) in 1997. In 1998 he assisted the STNPSC lobby for the International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD), and the Government of Belize (GOB) to support community co-management of the Sarstoon Temash National Park. In 2001 Greg was formally contracted to serve as the Executive Director of SATIIM and act as the coordinator for the COMSTEC project. He has been instrumental in promoting the work of SATIIM in a variety of international forums including: World Parks Congress (Durban South Africa), White Water to Blue Water Conference (Miami USA), Central American Parks Congress (Managua Nicaragua), Grantmakers without Borders (Arizona USA), as well as tours to Washington, Jordan, Hawaii, Ottawa, and Chicago.

Lynette Gomez – Community Development Program Manager   ( technicalcoord@satiim.org.bz ) or (cdeprogramsmanager@satiim.org.bz)

Lynette Gomez joined SATIIM in July of 2005 in the capacity of Technical Coordinator. She is a graduate of the School of Environment (Masters in Earth and Environmental Resource Management) from the University of South Carolina. Miss Gomez is a native of Toledo and was previously employed by another conservation organization in the Toledo District: TIDE (Toledo Institute for Development and Environment) as Freshwater Coordinator. She has gained a wealth of experience collaborating with other organizations and working on various watersheds in southern Belize. Her duties at SATIIM include coordinating all SATIIM’s projects and programme with the limited resources in a timely and cost effective manner.

Cordelia Requena - Environmental Stewardship & Human Rights Program Manager  (cdeprogramsofficer@satiim.org.bz)

Acela Cho Sambula joined SATIIM in August of 2006 and is the Administrative Assistant/Secretary for the institute.

Anasario Cal – Community Ranger (Crique Sarco)   ( criquesarco@satiim.org.bz )

Anasario is SATIIM's Community Ranger as well as a native of Crique Sarco community. Mr. Cal was previously serving in the Belize Police Force for eighteen years. He is much disciplined and is a well respected individual. He has received training in tour guide, first aid, Firearm and weapon safety. Mr. Cal works in collaboration with the Crique Sarco Community leaders to ensure communication and education on activities which takes place within the community and the national park.

Thomas Ishim – Community Ranger (Midway)   ( midway@satiim.org.bz )

Thomas is a SATIIM Community Ranger  as well as a native of Midway Community. Mr. Ishim is a volunteer of the Belize Defense Force for approximately seven years. He has received training in tour guide, national guard training in Louisiana, first aid, ranger training with PROARCA, Park management training in Honduras and training with Program for Belize. He works in collaboration with the Midway Community leaders to ensure proper communication and education on activities which occurs within the community and national park.

Ornando Paau – Community Ranger (Sunday Wood)   ( sundaywood@satiim.org.bz )

 Ornando Paau is SATIIM's Community Ranger for the village of Sunday Wood.  He is also a native of the village.  He works with the community members and school to promote environmental awareness and patrols the park for illegal activities.

Egbert Valencio – Community Ranger (Barranco)   ( barranco@satiim.org.bz )

Egbert is SATIIM's Community Ranger as well as a native of the Barranco Community. Mr. Valencio was previously serving on both the Belize Defense Force and the Belize Police Force. He has received training such as Tour Guide, First Aid, Small Hotel and Hospitality Management, Firearms and Weapon Safety Training, participated in Ralleigh International Expeditions and Police expeditions to Victoria Peak and ranger training with PROARCA. He works in collaboration with the Barranco Community leaders to ensure proper communication and education on activities which occurs within the community and national park.