Opportunities for U.S. Companies in Central America's Flood, Wildfire, and Emergency Management Sectors
Central America is one of the most vulnerable regions in the world, facing significant challenges due to the impacts of extreme weather. In this webinar, we will explore the specific risks each country in the region faces and highlight the opportunities for U.S. technology companies to provide solutions for disaster resilience and recovery.
Honduras
Honduras is highly susceptible to weather-related hazards such as tropical storms, hurricanes, floods, landslides, and droughts, which cause widespread damage to crops and infrastructure. The country’s vulnerability presents opportunities for U.S. technology companies specializing in disaster preparedness, recovery, and reconstruction, with particular focus on solutions for managing droughts, floods, hurricanes, and wildfires.
El Salvador
El Salvador is geographically prone to earthquakes and volcanic activity, and climate change has exacerbated the risks from tropical storms and hurricanes. These factors increase vulnerability to flooding and landslides, significantly impacting infrastructure and communities.
Guatemala
Guatemala’s agriculture sector is highly vulnerable, especially prolonged droughts and unpredictable weather, which reduce crop yields and threaten food security. Small-scale farmers face losses of up to 55% of grain production during droughts. In addition to agricultural challenges, changing rainfall patterns and rising temperatures heighten risks of floods and landslides, particularly in urban areas with unstable infrastructure. Deforestation and unsustainable farming practices further exacerbate these vulnerabilities.
This webinar will delve into these critical issues, identifying key areas for collaboration and technological solutions that can help mitigate the impacts of severe weather and improve resilience in Central America.
Agenda:
· Welcome Remarks: SCO (Reinaldo Garcia)
· Regional Overview: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – Central America OIC (Maj. Peter Linscheid)
· Priority Needs / Opportunities: Country Representatives from El Salvador; Guatemala; Honduras (Emergency Preparedness Agency representatives)
El Salvador: Luis Alonso Amaya Durán, General Director – Civil Protection Agency
Honduras: Gonzalo Ernesto Funes Siercke, Director, National Research and Training Center for Emergency Management (CENICAC/COPECO)
Guatemala: Olga Gandara, Marcontresa
· BHA’s Regional Humanitarian Efforts in Central America: USAID/Bureau of Humanitarian Assistance (BHA) LAC Regional Director (Tim Callaghan)
· Natural Disasters Expo Miami 2025: (Jack Moss – Fortem International)
· Q&As
Date: Wednesday, January 15, 2025 | Location: MS Teams Webinar | Cost: $35
Questions: Contact: Anthony.Sargis@trade.gov or Paul.Matino@trade.gov
Maj. Peter Linscheid
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – Central America OIC
MAJ Peter Linscheid was commissioned an Engineer Officer through the Reserve Officer Training Corps through the University of Colorado, Boulder. He received his Bachelor of Science (BS) in Architectural Engineering from the same university. He holds a master’s degree in Business Administration from Eastern New Mexico University and a master’s degree in Civil Engineering from Missouri University of Science and Technology.
Following completion of the Engineer Officer Basic Course, MAJ Linscheid was assigned to the 130th Engineer Brigade in Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. He served as a Platoon Leader, operations officer, and communications officer in Hawaii. Next, MAJ Linscheid served as a Project Officer for the Army Corps of Engineers at Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico. MAJ Linscheid then attended the Engineer Captains Career Course and Missouri University of Science and Technology. Following his assignment in Missouri, MAJ Linscheid was assigned to the 8th Army in Pyeongtaek, Korea where he served as a real estate officer and company commander. After Korea, MAJ Linscheid was sent to the Mojave Desert to serve as an observer, coach trainer at the National Training Center and then Fort Leonard Wood, MO where he served as an instructor at the Army Engineer School. Most recently MAJ Linscheid was assigned to the US Embassy in Tegucigalpa, Honduras to serve as the Central America OIC for the US Army Corps of Engineers.
A few of his personal awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal (2 OLC), the Army Commendation Medal (2 OLC), the Army Achievement Medal (2 OLC), the Korea Defense Service Medal, and the Overseas Service Ribbon. MAJ Linscheid is also a registered Professional Engineer in the state of New Mexico and a Project Management Professional.
MAJ Linscheid is from Broomfield, Colorado and is married to the former Ms. Amanda Green of Albuquerque, New Mexico. Amanda worked as a Project Engineer for the Army Corps of Engineers before their oldest, Isaac was born in 2018. Caleb, their youngest was born in 2022.
Jack Moss
Commercial Director, Disasters Expo USA
Jack Moss serves as the Commercial Director for Disasters Expo USA, one of the foremost events dedicated to disaster management, preparedness, and recovery. With a proven track record in commercial strategy and event leadership, Jack has been instrumental in shaping the expo into a premier platform that unites industry leaders, innovators, and organizations to address global challenges and advance resilience initiatives.
In his role, Jack oversees the strategic planning, business development, and execution of the event, ensuring it delivers exceptional value to exhibitors, sponsors, and attendees. His ability to foster impactful partnerships and cultivate opportunities for innovation has solidified Disasters Expo USA's reputation as a must-attend event for professionals and organizations in the field of disaster response and mitigation.
With a deep passion for empowering communities and driving meaningful collaboration, Jack is committed to ensuring that Disasters Expo USA not only highlights cutting-edge solutions but also creates a space for actionable dialogue that drives progress. His dedication to excellence and his innovative approach to event management make him a key figure in advancing the critical work of disaster preparedness and recovery on a global scale.
Tim Callaghan
Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean, USAID’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance
Carolina Barrientos
Commercial Specialist, U.S. Commercial Service,Guatemala City, Guatemala
Rossana Lobo
Senior Commercial Specialist, Tegucigalpa, Honduras,U.S. Commercial Service
Rossana Lobo is an international trade executive with more than 20 years of experience in export promotion, business counseling and commercial diplomacy. Since 1995, Rossana actively participates in the formulation, planning and execution of strategic Commercial Service programs for market development involving U.S. – Honduras bilateral trade. Rossana has been recognized by the International Trade Administration and the U.S. Mission in Tegucigalpa, Honduras for her sustained leadership and extraordinary commitment to trade facilitation and the promotion of U.S. exports. Prior to her involvement with the U.S. Commercial Service, Ms. Lobo served as International Director for the American Chamber of Commerce in Honduras. Ms. Lobo completed an MBA program with the Catholic University of Honduras and has a B.B.A. in International Business from St. Mary’s University of San Antonio, Texas. Ms. Lobo is also a graduate from INCAE Business School’s Women’s Executive Leadership Program and a Certified International Credit Professional (CICP), a designation earned from The Finance, Credit & International Business Association (FCIB). In her leisure time, Rossana enjoys running and is a nature photography enthusiast.
Daniela Portillo
Commercial Assistant, U.S. Commercial Service,El Salvador
Daniela joined the U.S. Commercial Service in November 2023, where she supports U.S. companies across various sectors, including automotive, energy, environmental technology, plastics and packaging, and franchising. Her primary focus is helping these companies expand their presence in El Salvador.
She holds a degree in Business Administration with a minor in Financial Economics from Keiser University in Nicaragua. Daniela lived in Taiwan for six years, where she earned her MBA in Technology Management from National Tsing Hua University. With a strong background in overseas sales and business development within the tech and logistics industries, she brings valuable international expertise to her role, focusing on fostering trade opportunities and building cross-border relationships.
Daniela is Fluent in Spanish and English and has basic skills in Mandarin. She enjoys cooking, traveling, and exploring new cultures in her spare time.
Reinaldo Garcia
Senior Commercial Officer
Reinaldo Garcia is a Commercial Officer with the U.S. & Foreign Commercial Service, U.S. Department of Commerce. He is currently the Senior Commercial Officer at the U.S. Commercial Service in Honduras. His previous assignment was with the Multilateral & Strategic Initiatives Team, Office of Western Hemisphere, in Washington, D.C. Reinaldo also served as the Deputy Director of the SelectUSA Investment Services Team, in Washington, D.C. Prior to that, he served in Guangzhou, China. Before joining the U.S. & Foreign Commercial Service, Reinaldo worked for several years as the General Counsel for Latin America for a major U.S. real estate franchise company.