R. Bruce Schulte
Los Trigales
Quito, Ecuador
Email: bruce2010@gmail.com
Mobile: +593-96173018
Skype: bruceschulte

Experience

Independent Consultant and Entrepreneur, March 2006- Present

Currently focused on bringing low-cost, self-sustainable wireless Internet and VOIP services to remote areas of Ecuador.  As Consultant for the International Institute for Communication and Development (IICD.org) of Holland, worked with six local organizations to identify and implement best Internet connectivity solutions throughout Ecuador.  In less than 45 days, conceived and implemented project which installed wireless Internet service in Salinas de Guaranda, Ecuador, a small town internationally famous for its highly innovative community based agro-industries.  Installed solar-powered wireless network linking various sites of Yachana.com in the Amazon.  Assisted in Spanish translation of the recently-published book “Wireless Networking in the Developing World”.  

Founder and General Manager, CyberCom and Stealthtelecom Quito, Ecuador 1994 - March, 2006

Founded CyberCom, the pioneering Internetworking company in Ecuador and later the one of the very first Wireless ISP`s in Latin America.  CyberCom represented such companies as USRobotics and Lucent Technologies, with annual sales topping $1M.   Introduced best of breed internetworking equipment into Ecuador and later opened the market for refurbished networking equipment to best meet customers’ needs.

In 1997 formed Stealthtelecom, successfully pioneered wireless Internet in Ecuador, using highly innovative routing and bandwidth control solutions in Linux.  Developed a breakthrough linux-based DVB satellite downlink and wireless uplink.   The wireless Internet operation was profitable within first six months, with over 100 corporate customers served by a network stretching 250km across three provinces.  Gained extensive hands-on technical knowledge as well as successful entrepreneurial and management abilities, with staff of sixteen employees.  Proud IT Advisor to the British School of Quito.

Agricultural Market Information Systems Consultant  1990-1993

Designed and implemented Agricultural Market Information Systems in Central America, India, Turkey and Africa as Consultant for Chemonics, DAI, Agridec and the World Bank.  Consulting assignments involved commodity market analysis, agricultural market information systems, trade policy and development.  Participated in comprehensive Internet market study in Central America in 1993 which foresaw the explosive growth of the Internet led to formation of my own Internet company.

Chief Technical Adviser, Food and Agricultural Organization, of the UN, Malawi 1988-90

Headed UN/Danish project with $1M budget, aimed at establishing system for forecasting and reporting on the food security situation of one of neediest countries in Africa.  The “National Early Warning System” later proved its worth during recent food crises’ in Malawi - was highly encouraging to see reports on the Internet and BBC on Malawi’s plight from ex-colleagues which the project helped train.  Instituted practical and successful crop forecasting methods based on statistical sampling, which FAO used as model and implemented in other countries in Southern Africa.  Honored to have served as  an “insider” in Food Security issues in both the Office of the President and Cabinet and in the Minister of Agriculture, while maintaining close, constructive ties to NGOs and International Donor Agencies.  

Agricultural Market Information Systems adviser, Ecuador 1986-88

Played critical role in establishing successful nation-wide agricultural market price reporting system, which is still functioning some 20 years later. Installed first PC’s and modem connections for the Ministry of Agriculture.  Was later senior author of major USAID-sponsored study of market potential for Ecuador’s high-quality “Arriba” variety cacao.

Senior Grain Market Analyst, Dean Witter Reynolds, Chicago 1984-86

Provided in-depth, daily analysis and forecasts of global wheat markets for Dean Witter’s major corporate customers - primarily US manufacturers including Pillsbury and Nabisco,  as well as other multinational companies in Europe, Japan, Argentina and Brazil. Consistently ranked among the most accurate crop forecasters for the U.S.  Ample experience with information systems technology.

Agribusiness Advisor and Commodity Market Analyst, Brock Associates, Milwaukee 1983-85

Served as principal crop and livestock market analyst for highly-innovative firm which operated actual hedging and sales operations for large-scale farms and agri-businesses.  Assistant Editor of weekly commodity advisory newsletter, “The Brock Report.”   Completed extensive commodity market modeling tests using the “new-fangled” IBM PC and Apple MAC’s. thereby gaining considerable computing experience right from the very beginning of the PC Era.

Languages

Native English, fluent Spanish, conversational French, basic Chichewa (Malawi). 

Countries of Work Experience:

USA, Ecuador, Malawi, Uganda, Chad, Zimbabwe, Morocco, Bolivia, Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Panama, India, and  Turkey. 

Education

MS in Agricultural Marketing, University of Minnesota. 1982 

Full scholarship. Thesis:  “Cash-futures Price Relationships in Minneapolis Hard Red Spring Wheat Markets”.  Studied grain marketing and international trade and development under leading economists in top-rated AgEcon department.
 
BS in Agricultural Economics, with Honors, Virginia Tech, 1980
In-depth practical training in Agribusiness and commodity markets

Latin American Studies / Econ Major George Mason University 1976-78 Honors Student.  Studies included intensive Spanish coursework in Mexico.

Personal Information

Born 1958, Kansas, USA
Married, three wonderful kids
Hobbies: mountain climbing, scuba diving, accomplished jazz/rock bassist.

References: Available on request

List of publications: Available on request