Amsterdam
Paramaribo
Miami
The Apura Team
From left to Right: Michael D, Michael L, Miguel and Steven.
Evora City, Portugal, 3 December 2006
Michael Loswijk B.Sc., Secretary, Treasurer and Director Content
Michael is currently rounding off his second study towards becoming a pilot at the Oxford Aviation Training in England. Until 2004 he worked for KLM’s technical support staff as a maintenance engineer. He had more then 4 years of experience in commercial aviation mainly focusing on feasibility studies and cost analyses. Michael was the first to initiate Apura Networks: during his study he had an idea to setup a company also for the benefit of Suriname. With this idea in mind Michael decided to bring together a group of friends with the same shared ideals – the management team behind Apura Networks. Michael grew up in Suriname and holds a Bachelor in Aeronautical Engineering from the Polytechnic College of Amsterdam. While finishing his studies to become a commercial pilot, Michael primarily focusses on the online content, community and the strategic planning of Apura.
Miguel Rodrigues B.Sc., Founder, President and Director Networks
Miguel is currently finishing off his Masters in Systems Engineering & Policy Analysis at the Delft University of Technology with a specialisation in transport, infrastructure and logistics. He previously worked for Suriname’s State Oil Company (Staatsolie) as an industrial engineer where he focussed on technical and economical feasibility and enhancement studies. During his work in Suriname Miguel realized that there was a large opportunity for the worldwide networking and deployment of Surinamese and Surinamese businesses regarding large scale projects, especially in the mining sector. Project plans regarding the development of West Suriname also had an impact on this vision. With this realization in mind, Miguel returned to the Netherlands to embark on his second study to subsequently realize a dream: Apura Networks - networking people and capital towards the development of Suriname. Miguel grew up in Suriname and holds a Bachelor in Industrial Engineering from the Polytechnic College in Amsterdam. Within the Apura MT Miguel is responsible for the day to day operations, product development and online innovations.
Ir. Steven Coutinho, Board Member and Director Research
Steven Coutinho works as a management consultant in London for Accenture (previously Andersen Consulting) where he focuses on formulating and implementing business strategies within the Investment Banking industry. He has more than 5 years of experience in market research, financial analysis, business operations restructuring, business strategy and project management with various firms like McKinsey & Co., Johnson & Johnson, KPN and Philips. Steven just returned from a year’s Leave of Absence in Suriname where he worked as Policy Advisor on the Multi-Year Development Program 2006 – 2010 of the Ministry of Planning & Development. Steven grew up in Australia and Suriname. He holds a Masters degree in Physical Engineering (cum laude) with an additional study in Business Administration from the University of Groningen. Within the Apura MT, Steven is responsible for the overall strategic planning and produces social and Economic research on Suriname and the region.
Michael Dooijes, B.A., Economics, Director Business Development
Michael is VP & Director with ABN AMRO Bank in London. He started his career in 1996 in the Netherlands and in 1999 he moved to Spain to take responsibility for Business Acquisition in Southern Europe. In 2004 Michael moved to London, assuming the position of Global Cash Flow Advisor for the largest business relationship of the bank which he currently manages. Before joining ABN AMRO, Michael worked as an investment advisor in Amsterdam and as Financial Markets dealer with ING Bank’s Global Treasury. Michael recently started with the prestigious TRIUM ‘Executive MBA’ program, the international program of NYU (Stern) in New York. Having a special interest in Suriname and personal relationships with the other team members, Apura have asked Michael to join the management team to leverage his professional experience with Latin America and economic knowledge on Suriname. His advises and network provides a positive contribution while developing the strategic direction in the current growth phase. In 2007, Michael will focus primarily on the roll out of Apura Community Works (Phase III).