OUR TEAM
Meet our passionate team of experts.
Leadership Team
Rick Warner
Sustainable Environmental and Economic Development Leadership
BIO
Rick has considerable experience leading and managing global teams of diverse
people, initiating new corporate ventures, raising venture capital to build new
businesses, and garnering and deploying government funding to enable the use of new
technology, all to achieve mutually agreed-upon objectives and key results.
Rick is a Year 2000 ComputerWorld Smithsonian Laureate and is a 2008 Lawrence
Tech Innovator of the Year nominee. This prestigious honor was awarded to him and
two of his Action Engine company colleagues for their efforts in developing a consumer-
oriented mobile services platform.
Before Action Engine and setting the standard for his work there, Rick trained and
worked to bring to market new services with firms such as Boeing, British Telecom,
BMW, Ciba, General Motors, Hexcel, HNTB, McDonnell Douglas, Mitsubishi Heavy
Industries, Paccar, Palm, Vestas. He also has extensive experience within the capital
markets, working with Angels, VCs, Debt structure, strategic investor structures, and
M&A processes to speed up and scale up sound objectives.
Rick, whose Great uncle was Joshua Slocum (the first man to sail solo around the
World), holds four Sailing World records; like many sailors, he knows the value of our
natural assets. Also, his namesake was the three-term governor of Michigan, who
fostered conservation and economic growth. These role models shaped his way of life
and career in value-driven business development.
Competing and delivering Areté (a foiling trimaran) has given him firsthand experience
and the ability to share what the great bodies of water on the Blue Marble enable for all.
Katarina Fjording
Operations and Implementation
BIO
Katarina’s career has been focused on engineering, major industrial operations, complex program management, sustainability, and community outreach.
She is a mechanical engineer and executive with over 35 years of cross-functional global experience, encompassing product development, tooling development, industrial operations, manufacturing, supply chain, program management, sustainability, construction, education, customer experience, board work, fundraising, and non-profit work.
Katarina was previously employed with Ford Motor Company and Volvo Cars and has also worked for French and German automotive companies as a Tier 1 supplier.
With Volvo Cars she held several senior positions. As Vice President of Manufacturing Asia she oversaw logistics, and the build-up, launch and operations of three different production facilities as well as operational responsibility for a further manufacturing site.
As Vice President Purchasing & Manufacturing America, she led the establishment of Volvo Cars’ first industrial footprint in America, a greenfield mega project, including overseeing the build of the LEED certified production facility in SC, and the supply chain.
Paulo Nobrega Lopes
Business Development
BIO
Graduated in International Relations at Lusíada University, and former top-level athlete, initially focused his professional career in two multinational corporations, Citibank and Novartis. After a short period in the Board of a top media company, started his business career in Communication, Sports and Marketing; Sustainability was added to the portfolio, through a partnership with a scandinavian company before launching The Seaquester Project and joining Coastal 8.
Ted Lavoie
Financial Management and Governance
BIO
Ted contributes over thirty years of seasoned executive experience leading both public and private companies as CEO, COO, and CFO.
Deeply client and profit-oriented, he has deployed his financial and operational leadership skills to spearhead many complex business operations and shepherd various private equity transactions and public IPOs from preparation to execution.
His visionary ability to construct viable growth and exit strategies has consistently and significantly advanced returns for founders, investors, and stakeholders.
Ted’s broad functional C-Suite experience includes core executive financial and operational responsibilities; reporting and analysis; milestone and project accounting; developing strategic operational frameworks, quantifiable OKRs and KPIs that have notably enhanced margin, cash flows, revenues, and market share. He has led annual audits, shared services, supply chain, IT, IP generation and monetization, and HR/compensation plans. Particularly throughout the valuation and negotiation processes, Ted’s demonstrated aptitude for M&A transactions will undoubtedly prove to be a meaningful and immediate value add for Coastal 8 LLC.
Ted brings over 20 years of effective Board leadership in Governance, Risk, Compensation, Executive & Strategy Committees, with 12 years as an Audit Committee Chair. He possesses extensive experience in SOX compliance, including the resolution of complex Rule 144 issues – IPO, M&A and Audit Company upgrade from regional to national firms. Ted currently and formerly sits on the Boards of Pacific Diversified Capital (NYSE), Wahlco Environmental Inc. (NYSE), Tech Target Inc., Local.com Inc. (NASDAQ), Medical Staffing Direct, Inc., Coastal 8 LLC
Philanthropic efforts include service as Director, Finance Committee Chair, and Treasurer on the Board of The Salvation Army, Golden State Division, he also assists homeless Vets in Marin County and has helped 4 to secure housing and benefits,.
Ted has a Master of Business Administration Finance and Management Systems, and Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration/Finance,
He resides in Marin County, California and enjoys cycling, golf, Aikido, and spending time with Angus, his rescued Terrier.
Trevaun Solomon
General Management & SaaS Services
BIO
Trevaun has an extensive portfolio of start-up experience. He serves educational and financial interests in the Caribbean by starting and operating the Caribbean's first online regional private school, and is a passionate activist for entrepreneurial development in the Caribbean.
Trevaun is the 2019 UNOPS Hackathon winner, and the 2020 winner of the Eastern Caribbean Start-up Investment competition hosted by Daymond John - the Shark Tank judge.
Having won other start-up pitch competitions hosted by organizations such as the Caribbean Development Bank, USAID, and the US Embassy in Barbados. Known for his ability to turn theoretical plans into well-oiled operational machines, Trevaun consistently delivers efficiency and innovation to the companies he aligns with.
Paul Bohn
Legal
BIO
Paul graduated from the University of Michigan School of Natural Resources in 1985 and then received a further degree in Law from the University of Oregon Law School in 1988.
He had dedicated much of his career to working for veterans and after practising law with several firms , he co-founded Legal help for Veterans PLLC, with partner James Fausone.
During his career, Paul has won many awards, including DBusiness Magazine’s Top Lawyer. He also has served on various local boards and chambers of commerce helping the people of his native Michigan.
Paul has now retired from law, although he still continues his work assisting veterans.
Paul’s interest in conservation and the environment can be traced back to his formative years and indeed his first degree course. He has retained this love of nature.
Paul retains an active outdoors life and like several other members of the team is a keen sailor.
Aracio Rameriz
Venture Investment
BIO
Throughout his 25+ year professional career, Aracio has been extensively involved
with early-stage companies. As an attorney with Wilson, Sonsini, Goodrich & amp; Rosti, he advised start-up companies with financing, commercial, corporate governance and intellectual property issues. In financings alone, he directed projects exceeding $100M.
From the practice of law, Aracio transitioned into entrepreneurial ventures,
organizing, securing financing, operating and selling two companies, including one of
the first venture-funded transaction-based Internet sites, Do It Sports. Aracio has
also served on the management team, board of directors and acted as a business
consultant to numerous early-stage companies.
In addition, Aracio has been engaged as a management consultant by several
Fortune 50 companies, including AT&T, Intel and Ford Motor Company.
Engagements included new product development strategy, customer segmentation
and restructuring, financial process re-engineering and private marketplace strategy
projects. These projects saved/earned clients millions of dollars.
For the past dozen years Aracio has worked as a management consultant for the
state of Michigan. His focus has been working with early-stage technology
companies particularly in the clean/climate tech and manufacturing verticals.
Aracio received his business education at the University of Michigan Business
School. He earned his Juris Doctorate from Stanford Law School and his BA with
highest honors from the University of Michigan.
Paul Stocking
Investor Relations
BIO
Paul Stocking enjoyed a 35-year career as a global finance professional both as an investment banker and capital market specialist at JP Morgan and as an award-winning analyst and portfolio manager at the Columbia Fund family of Ameriprise Financial.
As an investment banker at JPMorgan, he provided merger & acquisition advisory services to financial institution clients in the US, Europe and in developing markets in Latin America and Asia. He helped arrange and fund billions of dollars of bank loans, and both privately-placed and publicly-traded US debt and equity for global clients. At Columbia, Paul and his team grew client assets from $2bn to over $21bn creating and managing 7 separate strategies across 6 distinct product categories including mid-cap and large-cap value, equity income and global equity income.
During his career in asset management, Paul was named “The Best of the Buyside” by Institutional Investor for his work as an equity analyst focused on financial stocks. Nine times over his career at Columbia, mutual funds managed by Paul and his team received the prestigious Lipper Award for the best risk-adjusted long-term performance in five separate investment-style categories.
Paul received a BBA in Finance/Accounting from the University of Michigan School of Business and an MBA in Finance from the University of Chicago.
Jeff Roof
Systems Integration
BIO
Jeff is an experienced project director adept at leading teams, developing plans, and delivering mission critical projects with a 26-year track record of success in financial administration, strategic planning, and performance optimization.
He has a track record in the field of highly technical life science, healthcare, commercial office, advanced tech, and higher education capital projects.
He has a career project volume of over A$1.6 billion. Consistently delivering projects with gross profit margins exceeding 6%Amongst his accomplishments, he successfully bid, negotiated, planned, purchased, and directed construction of a new A$ 335 million cell gene cGMP manufacturing campus for a A$30 billion pharmaceutical company, achieving over 8 % gross margin profit on this project.
He started CRB Builders Maryland office and grew revenue from $0 to A$55+M.
Dave Proctor
Content and Messaging
BIO
JLike many of his British peers, Dave’s interest in marine conservation dates back to the documentaries of Jacques Cousteau,
After an eclectic career both in public service and enterprise, Dave had life-changing cancer treatment. He, therefore, took early retirement and whilst recuperating at his new home in Spain, he discovered his writing ‘voice’
He has won several awards for his writing and his fictional works have been performed professionally on stage and radio. He is an advocate for the Plain English Campaign and brings a fresh insight to the team.
His ‘green’ philosophies can be seen in his lifestyle. He relies on Solar power at home. The food he consumes comes from local cooperative stores, his sailing boat is fifty years old and he drives a car that he describes as a fuel sipper.
Advisory Team
Alex Amengual
Island Art
BIO
Alex Amengual has over 10 years experience in Interior Design, Real Estate and Architectural photography. He is a Art and Commercial photographer producing Private Art Books.
Dr. Mark Hammond
Natural Products Development
BIO
TBD
(AKI) Ahamed Allagholi
Coral Reef Restoration and Banking
BIO
In marine conservation since 2011, having served as a project manager for a Philippine based NGO on coral restoration, MPA Management and alternative livelihood, with a Master’s degree in “Sustainable Natural Resource Management” and a thesis in “Coral Reef Restoration” from the UN mandated University for Peace in Costa Rica. Managing the NGO Coralive for the last 6 years led to the enormous project for Soneva in the Maldives.
Dr. Antares Ramos-Alvarez
Policy, Natural Resources Management, Blue Economy, Spatial Planning, and Marine Protected Areas
BIO
Antares is a geographer and marine environmental conservation strategist with over 20 years of experience in the environmental conservation field. A Puerto Rico native, she has worked with NGOs as well as local and federal governments in Mexico, Hawaii, and the Caribbean. Antares has a BA in Psychology from Yale University, an MSc in Geography focused on biodiversity, conservation and management of natural resources, and a DPhil in Zoology (marine ecology) from the University of Oxford.
Her work has focused on climate change adaptation, resilience, coral reef conservation, nature-based solutions, community integration, disaster preparedness and recovery, and marine and coastal management strategies. She has led multi-sectoral teams on land, watershed and coral reef management and conservation efforts, from both federal and nonprofit roles. Antares is successful in making connections between unlikely partners, resulting in innovative collaboration. Her experience includes the management of $3M federal government awards.
In 2019, Antares founded her consultancy, Antares Conservation Tactics (ACT), focusing on developing innovative climate adaptation strategies for Caribbean islands as well as serving as a bridge between the scientific community and decision-makers, including the public. In 2021, she co-founded Sail for Reefs, Inc., a nonprofit that aims to provide a bridge between water-based sports and the conservation of marine resources, mainly coral reefs, through education, interaction with the ocean and habitat restoration work.
Elaise Darwaton
Island Resilience and Energy
BIO
An attorney-at-law of 24 years’ experience, 18 years of which has been served as In-House Counsel at the Dominica Electricity Services Limited (DOMLEC), in the dual roles of Company Secretary and Legal Officer. She is an experienced Company Secretary with a demonstrated history of working in the utilities industry. A strong business development professional who is a Fellow of the Chartered Governance Institute of Canada (CGIC) [Formerly Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Canada -ICSA] with a Master of Laws – LLM focused in Energy and Infrastructure Law from York University – Osgoode Hall Law School
Rhoda Green
USA and Barbados History of the Future
BIO
Having been a Court Reporter for 28 years in Charleston County, South Carolina, it was a chance reading of a book, ‘the Barbados Carolina Connection’ co- authored by Dr. Henry Fraser and Mr. Warren Alleyne that made Rhoda realize the role Barbados played in the settlement of the Carolinas.
As a result, she became active in the Charleston community to highlight Barbados and Carolina’s shared history and became associated with several historical groups and organizations interested in history, heritage, and culture.
Rhoda served as President of the now-defunct Carolina Caribbean Association for many years and received many awards and acknowledgments for work in the community. Barbados acknowledged her contributions in keeping the Barbados Carolina connection before the Carolina public by awarding her the Silver Crown of Merit in November 2000. In March 2008, Barbados commissioned Rhoda as its Honorary Consul to South Carolina.
She founded and served as CEO, of the Barbados and the Carolinas Legacy Foundation“to highlight, research, archive, facilitate and promote opportunities for Barbados/Carolina collaboration.”
Rhoda served as a past president for The Friends of Charles Towne Landing, where British settlers from Barbados first landed and established the Carolina colony in 1670.
She also served on the International African American Museum (IAAM) board and is active on its Programing Committee.
She is currently serving as a Board Member of the South Carolina National Heritage Corridor (SCNHC)
Rhoda is also a bit of a TV superstar, having been involved with documentaries, which have been shown to National and International audiences
Sherif Farghal
Data and Information
BIO
Dr. Sherif Farghal is the founder and CEO of Allovance, a software company specializing in strategic planning and capital allocation methodologies. His pioneering work on incorporating subjectivity into quantitative decision models was born out of his Ph.D. research at the University of Michigan, where he developed techniques for prioritizing conservation efforts for priceless historical artifacts and buildings after the 1992 Egyptian earthquake.
More recently, Dr. Farghal's Allovance methodology has been applied to enhancing coastal resilience for island nations. Working with the Climate Resilience Execution Agency for Dominica (CREAD), he led the development of the Dominica Resilience Scorecard - a framework that aligns potential projects and investments with the island's strategic resilience goals stemming from the National Resilience Development Strategy 2030. By quantifying subjective priorities and enabling data-driven prioritization, the Scorecard enables effective allocation of limited resources to build climate resilience tailored to Dominica's unique needs in recovering from devastating hurricanes.
Omar Farghal
Data and Information
BIO
Omar Farghal serves as the Chief Operations Officer at Allovance, playing a pivotal role in driving one of the company's missions to enhance coastal resilience for vulnerable island nations. With nearly a decade of experience in financial services, business analytics, and strategic planning honed at Fortune 500 companies, Omar brings a unique combination of expertise to Allovance. His strong background in finance, marketing, and process improvement methodologies enables him optimize Allovance's innovative decision-making platform.
Omar supported the successful implementation of the Dominica Resilience Scorecard project, ensuring the seamless execution of Allovance's proprietary 5-step methodology & software. By managing the team's resources effectively and fostering cross-functional collaboration, he ensures Allovance's coastal resilience solutions are delivered efficiently to island communities grappling with the immense challenges posed by climate change and natural disasters. Omar is committed in supporting Coastal 8 provide data-driven prioritization tools & methodologies that empower island nations like Dominica to allocate resources strategically and make progress towards their climate resilience goals.
Rebecca Poynton-Murray
Media
BIO
Rebecca is a Digital Advertising Pioneer who at age 25, served as the founding Leader of CNN’s International Product team and was asked if she would relocate from London, UK to expand both her role and her portfolio remit at Warner. Bro’s Discovery from CNN’S Headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia. She held the role of Global Vice President of Nielsen and is currently Vice President of
Decision Sciences Universal Mcann under the IPG holding agency. Her work has received global
press recognition and her Advertising Products continue to win Advertising of the year awards,
including the Native Advertising Institute for multiple years.
Rebecca Poynton-Murray has travelled the globe spanning her career at the intersections of
product, marketing, and data and has lived and worked in London, Toronto and Atlanta. She has
advised at 10 Downing Street to discuss the progression and importance of STEM topics in early
age education and is a well-seasoned speaker within the Digital space. She holds a Journalism
degree specializing in documentary Journalism from Lincoln University, United Kingdom.
Being from a small seaport town in the UK and calling Charleston her home, Rebecca is deeply
passionate about the preservation and protection of the Ocean, the arts and literature.
Sam Enfield
Renewable Energy and Sustainability
BIO
Sam began his work in renewable energy in 1980, motivated by his concern about climate change. He was a trailblazer, taking opportunities to work on Texas’ initial renewable portfolio standard and developing the first wind farm in West Virginia.
The wind energy’s relationship to wildlife is one of Sam’s major concerns and he was a founding member of the Bats and Wind Energy Cooperative, a group of experts from government, industry, and NGOs working to reduce bat mortality from wind turbines.
Sam also served for five years on the Federal Advisory Committee that formulated the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Wind Energy Guidelines. These guidelines continue to be the definitive resource for wind developers across the country. The advisory FAC was just one of many siting initiatives he was involved in.
He also served as President of AWEA’s Board of Directors and has been awarded with their Special Achievement Award.
Lane Martin
Marine Science and Business
BIO
Lane is a seasoned sales, business development, consultant, and entrepreneurial leader with over fifteen years of experience. He has a B.S. in Marine Science from the University of South Carolina, an MBA from The Citadel, and is working to complete a Master's degree in Environmental and Sustainability Studies from The College of Charleston.
Lane's experience covers environmental and business consulting, sustainable building materials manufacturing, LED lighting for the controlled environment agriculture industry, as well as tourism and hospitality. From start-ups to organizations, Lane's focus and leadership will serve Coastal 8 as the BGet Services Director, ensuring collaboration, business strategy, facilitation, and decision-making to help achieve the client's strategic goals.
Mark Way
Climate Risk and Nature-Based Solutions
BIO
Mark’s career spans both the private and NGO sectors with a heavy focus on climate risk, sustainability, and nature-based solutions.
Before joining Coastal 8 he led the Sustainability Underwriting team for Zurich North America, part of the Zurich insurance group. His team supported the development of innovative insurance products and services to support the transition to a low-carbon economy and other social and environmental outcomes. Prior to that, he led the Global Coastal Risk and Resilience team at the international
NGO The Nature Conservancy (TNC). The work focused on building the case for nature as a risk reduction measure as well as the utilization of innovative financial models to protect natural assets. This led to the implementation of the world’s first insurance mechanism to protect coral reefs. The approach has since been replicated in both the Caribbean and Pacific regions. Before joining TNC, Mark held the position of Head Sustainability Americas for the global reinsurance giant Swiss Re.
Long Now Team
Mike Staiger
Marine Biology
BIO
Mike Staiger works as a research assistant at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute in the Brosnahan Lab that studies harmful algal blooms across the north east.
Amongst his work he deploys and operates autonomous sampling platforms to monitor algal communities with a specific focus on harmful algal species.
These platforms vary from pontoon boats fitted with solar arrays to remotely operated surface vehicles that can remain at sea under power for months at a time. Much of his work centers around maintaining and updating these research platforms. He is especially interested in how we can more effectively answer important climate and biological questions using new and inventive technologies.
Harmful algal blooms traditionally have been a seasonal challenge for shellfish harvesters, but in our changing climate some of these blooms have been starting earlier and sticking around for longer.
The work in the Brosnahan lab aims to understand why this is happening and give stakeholders early warning systems to protect their harvests.
