I restore and conserve ecosystems by increasing planning and operations effectiveness with nature-based solutions, leadership, project management methodologies, and systems-thinking.
EXPERIENCE SUMMARY
In the past 15 years, I have acquired work experience around the world which sums up to:
In addition to holding an MBA in Sustainability Management, subject areas I have been working and studying in, and have participated in a total of +150 courses and trainings include:
Certified:
PgMP (Program Management Professional)®
(issued by PMI)
PMP (Project Management Professional)®
(issued by PMI)
Arborist®
(issued by ISA)
TRAQ (Tree Risk Assessment Qualified)®
(issued by ISA)
Remote Pilot (Drone/UAS)
(issued by USA FAA)
SEA (Sustainability Excellence Associate)®
(issued by GBCI/ISSP)
A FAVORITE PROJECT QUOTE:
"EXPECT THE BEST, PLAN FOR THE WORST, AND PREPARE TO BE SURPRISED."
~ DENIS WAITLEY
CLICK ON IMAGE OR TITLE TO VIEW MORE INFO
Developing a culture-strengthening business model that restores and conserves ecosystems while empowering indigenous communities.
Identified key agroforestry value creation points in their circular supply and value chain for their market communication strategy.
A wildfire destroyed 95% of the Town of Paradise. We removed 3.1M tons of hazardous materials and debris for the State and Federal agencies to allow for commercial and residential owners to rebuild or sell.
Almost all of the Town of Paradise's school district buildings and commercial properties were destroyed by a wildfire that burned 95% of the city. We needed to identify and map hazardous trees for removal from school district and commercial properties.
After a wildfire burned down the Town of Paradise, the region was left without electricity and gas. Over 100,000 hazardous trees were left standing in the city and needed to be removed as quickly as possible for reinstallation of new utility lines and safety of roadways.
Improves instream flow to a critical southern steelhead habitat on Ysidro Creek through capturing stormwater to be used for landscape irrigation and increases groundwater recharge, rehydrates soils of fragile oak woodland upland habitat.
This land restoration project stabilized slopes from soil erosion through reforestation of planted trees irrigated by the installed greywater systems.
Farm crop experiment to observe the effects of soil microbiology on the growth and yield of crops.
Developed free mobile app, plant database, blog, and social media accounts to disseminate information on how to grow food, optimize water resources, and build natural shelters.
Wrote successfully awarded grant for a conservation program I developed to increase water security for the Ojai Valley by integrating the City of Ojai and multi-sector partnerships
Maximized food production and water retention of landscape.
Maximized food production and water retention of landscape.
I had the pleasure to work with Benoît on the Paradise (Camp Fire) restoration project in 2018/2019. With several thousand people responding to the restoration effort, it was hectic to say the least, working in incredibly difficult conditions, I was looking for people to step-up to help get the project organized. Benoît was one of those individuals who stepped up to the challenge, bringing an incredible drive with skills to truly make a difference. Benoît quickly became an invaluable asset to the team taking on any assignment with the pride, commitment and competence needed to get the job done. He is highly skilled, motivated and eager to learn and contribute.
I managed Benoît throughout a consultancy project at reNature focused on creating an agroforestry transition strategy for 30.000 cocoa farmers in Ivory Coast. His tasks encompassed the program design, proposal writing, communication, planning and project management all of which he fulfilled with great success. Benoît impressed with efficient time-management, structure, organization and a diligent approach to his work and displayed great leadership in cooperating with the project consortium. Would gladly work with him again!
With his excellent communication and organizational skills, Benoit manages projects smoothly and efficiently - even when working remotely with stakeholders in a range of locations. His leadership style provides an invaluable combination of both professional and personal support. I very much look forward to working with Benoit again as he develops much-needed mechanisms for the large-scale adoption of agroforestry worldwide.
I very much enjoyed working with Benoît on a cocoa agroforestry project. He had a lot of (technical) knowledge which he is happy to share, and at the same time is open to new information and learning from other people's experience. Overall great energy and great enthusiasm!
Benoît is a leader who is not only a quick learner, and a problem solver, but also possesses the quintessential leadership traits that are indispensable for a modern business leader. His unique ability to approach a problem, by breaking it down into little systems, and solving each piece before combining the entire solved puzzle has produced marvelous results. Benoît always presented solutions that clearly reflected a mix of his rich experience, and out of the box thinking. He always displayed a knack for learning, be it in any form, which can clearly be seen in his ability to come up with the most creative solutions to some of the most complex problems. It has always been a very engaging and a very exciting experience to work with Benoît, mainly due to his problem solving abilities, honesty, and the sheer commitment towards his work. I highly recommend Benoît and wish him all the very best for his future endeavors.
My experience with Benoît as a permaculture consultant, designer and educator has been inspiring. He has generously shared his knowledge and experience of holistic design by integrating systems in my urban homestead that work together as efficiently as possible assuring resources of the land are used to their full potential. He is a good listener and a graceful communicator. I find him very professional and trustworthy with excellent project management skills.
Most people are overly competitive and make it hard for others like them to work side by side. It's not everyday that you come across people who want to share as much as possible about their experience and knowledge-base to lift those around them up and work collaboratively. Benoit's passion and depth of knowledge about sustainability, the environment and project management skills reflected in the various presentations that he has given, often voluntarily, is inspiring and indicative of a natural leader who wants to spread the knowledge he has gained from years of experience. His insights and ideas are creative and honest and it has been an enriching experience working with him.
When confronting scattered information about what is best in terms of sustainability, environmental conservation and restoration, Benoît is knowledgeable and a natural leader in this area of expertise. After attended talks that Benoît hosted at the Sustainability Management School, on topics such as systems-thinking, I was impressed with his commanding and inspiring speaking capabilities along with the creativity he brings to his presentations. If I ever needed to hire someone to speak to and educate a group of people, Benoît would be my first call.
"Let our advance worrying become advance thinking and planning."
~ Winston Churchill
AGROFORESTRY / INDIGENOUS DEVELOPMENT / ECOSYSTEM RESTORATION-CONSERVATION
For more information, contact Benoît by clicking > here <
Project Context
Indigenous communities are often located in critical ecosystems and key biodiversity areas, living in poverty, with little or no access to education nor sustainable economic opportunity, leaving them to sell land and timber for sustenance.
Project Objective
Create a model for a pilot project that aims to improve the livelihoods of local communities by using agroforestry as a nature-based solution for restoring and conserving ecosystems, creating local economic gains, strengthening culture, and allowing for sustained competitive participation in local and global market economies.
Project Highlights
ENVIRONMENTAL SHARED VALUE & MARKETING COMMUNICATION
Organization Name
SUSTAINABILITY MANAGEMENT SCHOOL (SUMAS)
Client
DOI TUNG DEVELOPMENT PROJECT
Location
Chiang Rai, THAILAND
Project Role/Title
Communication Strategist & Environmental Subject Matter Expert
Project Objective
Identified key environmental value creation points in their circular supply and value chain for their market communication strategy.
Project Features
Survey Doi Tung facilities in Chiang Rai, Thailand and learned about their history, supply chain and value chain management.
Doi Tung Development Project
Doi Tung Agroforestry Model
Doi Tung Agroforestry
Doi Tung Environmentally Friendly Production Process
Doi Tung Waste Management Center
Doi Tung Waste Management Center
Doi Tung Waste Management Center
Doi Tung Waste Processing Center
DISASTER RECOVERY / DEBRIS REMOVAL
Organization Name
Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) and Tetra Tech
Client
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), California Governor's Office of Emergency Services (CalOES), California Environmental Protection Agency (CalRecycle), & City of Paradise
Location
Paradise, California, USA
Program Title
Division Supervisor
Program Context
A wildfire destroyed 95% of the City of Paradise. We needed to remove all the hazardous materials and debris for the State and Federal agencies to allow for commercial and residential owners to rebuild or sell.
Program Objective
Remove all hazardous waste and debris from commercial and residential parcels.
Program Highlights
Burned area 153,336 acres (62,053 ha)
Cause Electrical transmission fire; by PG&E
Buildings destroyed 18,804
Fatalities 85 civilians
DISASTER RECOVERY & VEGETATION MANAGEMENT
Organization Name
Tetra Tech
Clients
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), California Governor's Office of Emergency Services (CalOES), California Environmental Protection Agency (CalRecycle), & City of Paradise
Location
Paradise, California, USA
Program Role/Title
Consulting Certified Arborist & Tree Project Manager
Program Context
Almost all of the City of Paradise's school district buildings and commercial properties were destroyed by a wildfire that burned 95% of the city. We needed to identify and map hazardous trees for removal from school district and commercial properties
Program Objective
Ensure safety of occupants and passersby of the region
Role Features
DISASTER RECOVERY & VEGETATION MANAGEMENT
Organization Name
Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) and Tetra Tech
Client
City of Paradise
Location
Paradise, California, USA
Program Title
Programme Office Coordinator
Program Context
After a wildfire destroyed 95% of the City of Paradise, the region was left without electricity and gas. Over 100,000 hazardous trees were left standing in the city and needed to be removed as quickly as possible for reinstallation of new utility lines and safety of roadways.
Program Objective
Remove Hazardous Trees from Utility Line Zones and Roadways
Program Highlights
WATERSHED & HABITAT RESTORATION & STORMWATER MANAGEMENT
Organization Name
Watershed Progressive
Client
La Casa De Maria Retreat Center
Location
Santa Barbara, California, USA
Project Role/Title
Water Resource Specialist
Project Objective
Project Features
Commercial Greywater System, Erosion Control, & RESTORATION
Organization Name
Watershed Progressive
Client
Rush Creek Lodge
Location
Yosemite, California, USA
Project Role/Title
Water Resource Specialist
Project Objective
Project Highlights
REGENERATIVE AGRICULTURE
Organization Name
Center for Regenerative Agriculture Non-Profit Organization 501(C)(3)
Client
Steel Acres Farm
Location
Ojai, California, USA
Project Role/Title
Project Manager
Project Objective
Increase crop yield
Project Description
Farm crop experiment to observe the effects of soil microbiology on the growth and yield of crops.
Project Highlights
Concluded that actively aerated compost tea (AACT) can have a positive influence in the growth and yield of crops.
Project Features
SUSTAINABILITY & SELF-SUFFICIENCY EDUCATION
Organization Name
The Permaculture Life (my concept)
Location
Ventura, California, USA
Project Role/Title
Founder & Developer
Project Objective
Increase security and sovereignty of food, water, and shelter for underserved communities
Project Highlights
WATER SECURITY PROGRAM, GRANT, & OUTREACH
Organization Name
Ojai Valley Green Coalition Non-Profit Organization 501(C)(3)
Location
Ojai, California, USA
Program Title
Grant Writer, Program & Partnership Developer
Program Objective
Increase regional water security in face of severe drought
Program Highlights
EDIBLE & SUSTAINABLE LANDSCAPING
Organization Name
Permaculture Design Experts (my company)
Client
T. Marshall
Location
Newbury Park, California, USA
Project Role/Title
Project Manager
Project Objective
Project Highlights
EDIBLE & SUSTAINABLE LANDSCAPING
EDIBLE & SUSTAINABLE LANDSCAPING
Project Name
Harris Landscape Renovation & Installation
Organization Name
Permaculture Design Experts (my company)
Client Name
M. Harris
Location
Newbury Park, California, USA
Project Role/Title
Project Manager
Project Objective
Project Highlights
Edible Garden & Sustainable Landscape
Pest (Scale) Infestation
Scales were destroying the vine growing over the pergola and railways of the house. We removed the vines with the scales, shredded all of it, and composted it.
I had the pleasure to work with Benoît on the Paradise (Camp Fire) restoration project in 2018/2019. With several thousand people responding to the restoration effort, it was hectic to say the least, working in incredibly difficult conditions, I was looking for people to step-up to help get the project organized. Benoît was one of those individuals who stepped up to the challenge, bringing an incredible drive with skills to truly make a difference. Benoît quickly became an invaluable asset to the team taking on any assignment with the pride, commitment and competence needed to get the job done. He is highly skilled, motivated and eager to learn and contribute.
I managed Benoît throughout a consultancy project at reNature focused on creating an agroforestry transition strategy for 30.000 cocoa farmers in Ivory Coast. His tasks encompassed the program design, proposal writing, communication, planning and project management all of which he fulfilled with great success. Benoît impressed with efficient time-management, structure, organization and a diligent approach to his work and displayed great leadership in cooperating with the project consortium. Would gladly work with him again!
With his excellent communication and organizational skills, Benoit manages projects smoothly and efficiently - even when working remotely with stakeholders in a range of locations. His leadership style provides an invaluable combination of both professional and personal support. I very much look forward to working with Benoit again as he develops much-needed mechanisms for the large-scale adoption of agroforestry worldwide.
I very much enjoyed working with Benoît on a cocoa agroforestry project. He had a lot of (technical) knowledge which he is happy to share, and at the same time is open to new information and learning from other people's experience. Overall great energy and great enthusiasm!
Benoît is a leader who is not only a quick learner, and a problem solver, but also possesses the quintessential leadership traits that are indispensable for a modern business leader. His unique ability to approach a problem, by breaking it down into little systems, and solving each piece before combining the entire solved puzzle has produced marvelous results. Benoît always presented solutions that clearly reflected a mix of his rich experience, and out of the box thinking. He always displayed a knack for learning, be it in any form, which can clearly be seen in his ability to come up with the most creative solutions to some of the most complex problems. It has always been a very engaging and a very exciting experience to work with Benoît, mainly due to his problem solving abilities, honesty, and the sheer commitment towards his work. I highly recommend Benoît and wish him all the very best for his future endeavors.
My experience with Benoît as a permaculture consultant, designer and educator has been inspiring. He has generously shared his knowledge and experience of holistic design by integrating systems in my urban homestead that work together as efficiently as possible assuring resources of the land are used to their full potential. He is a good listener and a graceful communicator. I find him very professional and trustworthy with excellent project management skills.
Most people are overly competitive and make it hard for others like them to work side by side. It's not everyday that you come across people who want to share as much as possible about their experience and knowledge-base to lift those around them up and work collaboratively. Benoit's passion and depth of knowledge about sustainability, the environment and project management skills reflected in the various presentations that he has given, often voluntarily, is inspiring and indicative of a natural leader who wants to spread the knowledge he has gained from years of experience. His insights and ideas are creative and honest and it has been an enriching experience working with him.
When confronting scattered information about what is best in terms of sustainability, environmental conservation and restoration, Benoît is knowledgeable and a natural leader in this area of expertise. After attended talks that Benoît hosted at the Sustainability Management School, on topics such as systems-thinking, I was impressed with his commanding and inspiring speaking capabilities along with the creativity he brings to his presentations. If I ever needed to hire someone to speak to and educate a group of people, Benoît would be my first call.
