Belize Citrus Growers Association (CGA), Citrus Research and Education Institute (CREI)
Staff Members and their Responsibilities

Bridget Cullerton - Chief Executive Officer

Overall management and administration of the Belize Citrus Growers Association inclusive of its research arm, the Citrus Research and Education Institute; responsible for fiscal planning, budget adherence, revenue generation and financial accountability of the Association; provides leadership in strategic plan development, implementation and evaluation as directed by an elected nine-member Committee of Management.

Judith Williams - Executive Secretary

Works directly with the CEO and the Committee of Management; performs liaison activities with the Belize Citrus Growers Investment Company Limited; functions as office manager coordinating all the secretarial duties including procurement of office supplies; supervises the janitorial service staff; directly responsible to the CEO and can be entrusted with any confidential information in the CEO's absence.

Citrus Research and Education Institute

Dr. Stephen Williams - Research & Education Director
Dr. Stephen Williams is the Director of the Citrus Research & Education Institute (CREI), the research arm of CGA. He is responsible, through the CREI Committee (CREI's governing body), for developing and implementing the Institute's programmes.

Stephen recognizes that the development of technology is an obvious major activity for an agricultural research institute such as CREI, but argues that the approach used to develop and implement the technology, rather than the technology itself, is probably the most important and challenging aspect of CREI's work. He recognizes that there is a lot of experience and knowledge on citrus growing in Belize and sees CREI's key role as being to tap into this know-how and 'spread it around the industry'.

"This 'grower participatory approach' is becoming part of everything we do here at CREI" Stephen says, "Becoming CREI's philosophy if you like, and is being incorporated into all aspects of programme development. We are continually analyzing what really works in Belize, working with grower groups to identify and develop 'models of success', and through newsletters, brochures, workshops and group meetings, letting others know about it. The Belize citrus industry has the capacity to triple its production without planting any more trees and we believe that through this approach we are finding the levers that will bring about the necessary change".

Adrianne Saravia - Executive Assistant

To provide day-to-day receptionist, administrative and secretarial support for CREI's day to day operations and programs, contributing to the smooth and efficient operation of CREI. Adrianne also administrates CREI’s soil and leaf nutrient analysis service and coordinates the production of publications; the monthly Newsletter (CitroScope) and the quarterly News Magazine (CitriNews).

Fernando Majil - Belize Citrus Certification Program (BCCP) Officer
Coordinate the legal implementation of the Belize Citrus Certification Program, develop and implement the education program for citrus certification, revision of the regulations and guidelines, ensure the proper maintenance of the citrus germplasm collection, develop and implement a production plan for certified citrus propagation materials, conduct nursery and farm visits, liaise with the Belize Agricultural Health Authority (BAHA) and the International Regional Organization for Plant and Animal Health (OIRSA) to enhance cooperation in the prevention of pest and diseases of citrus.

Veronica Manzanero Majil- Laboratory Officer
Standardization of protocols for the detection of graft transmissible diseases of citrus via bio-chemical and biological tests, analysis of research data with emphasis on the Spread of Citrus Tristeza by the Brown Citrus Aphid in Belize. Development and implementation of laboratory and screenhouse management plans, development and implementation of protocols for the testing of graft transmissible diseases of citrus in support of the Belize Citrus Certification Program. Assist the Liming and Fertilization management program by facilitating soil and leaf tissue nutrient analysis for citrus farms and other crops.

David Saravia - Assistant Laboratory Officer
Assist the Laboratory Officer in the standardization of protocols for the detection of graft transmissible diseases of citrus via bio-chemical and biological tests; assist in research activities in finding out the Spread of Citrus Tristeza by the Brown Citrus Aphid in Belize. Ensure proper maintenance of various isolates of citrus diseases housed in the screenhouse for disease diagnosis, assist in the implementation of protocols for the testing of graft transmissible diseases of citrus in support of the Belize Citrus Certification Program and other research trials. Assist in the Liming and Fertilization management program by processing soil and leaf tissue nutrient analysis for citrus farms and other crops.

Ernest Sabal - Extension Officer


Assist the growers with technical advice on citrus production, facilitate and coordinate the Citrus Village Group meetings, assist the Information Unit with the dissemination of CGA publications and any other information to growers and in addition information from growers to CGA.

Davis Marshall - Information Service Officer


Point of contact for membership applications and for small-scale grower fruit scheduling. Issuance of License to growers, running and maintaining the Belize Citrus Database, maintaining, developing and updating the CGA Website. He is also responsible for providing general support for the information technology needs of the Association including, maintenance, upgrading, and administrating the computer system network.

Administrative, Financial, Sales

Deborah Chun - Acting Accountant
Accounts payable- enter and pay bills; reconcile monthly statements with suppliers; monthly bank statement reconciliation for all BCGAICL/CGA/CREI accounts; prepare wages and salary staff payroll; (CGA/CREI) inventory reconciliation monthly stock count as compare to systems inventory; accounts payables & receivables for social security loan programs, prepare cheques and record payments made towards accounts; assist in the daily sales and services; monthly reconciliation of inter-company accounts; daily cash reconciliation.

Luis Tzul - Grower Services Coordinator

Manage and coordinate the CGA Loan Programs: Revolving Fund, Short Term, and Social Security; supervise projects approved by Development Finance Corporation under the EIB Citrus Replanting Project; create progress reports for disbursement of funds for project implementation; assist DFC with loan applications, technical and appraisal reports for applicants. Coordinate the Extension Service to ensure the provision of information and technical assistance to citrus growers in the Belize citrus industry; oversee the Agricultural Sales Division unit for the efficient and appropriate distribution of citricultural inputs; oversee the Machinery Services Unit for the provision of machinery services and fruit haulage for citrus growers.

Thomas Tate - Senior Operations Officer

Administer the day to day running of agriculture retail sales, machinery hireage service, vehicle and building maintenance, security; collaborate with the processing plant managers with matters relating to scheduling and fruit quality during the harvesting season.

Donaldo Bardalez - Inventory Control Officer


Work Permits- ensure that immigration list is prepared on time for processing of work permits, enter work permit information in CGA database; pick up growers' fruit cheques and statements from the factory; pick up scale tickets on a daily basis; assist with loan disbursement of social security, revolving fund loans; deposits and payroll.

Ian Rosado - Accounts Payable Officer


Retail sales which constitute the sale of: diesel, fertilizers, agro-chemicals, plant & bud material reaping and nursery bag; monitoring the fruit production logistics pertaining to grower deliveries, membership registration and identification, grower loan repayments relative to the revolving fund loan program.

Francis Jang - Accounts Receivable Officer

The accurate entry of all related invoices into the records as well as being accountable for their proper filing and their appropriate entry into their respective subsidiary ledgers ensuring perfect balance with the accounts payable G/L. Keep up-to-date with current debtors as well as the current balances owed. Reporting due dates to the Acting Accountant before maturity. Produce weekly/monthly aged report along with a bi-weekly payroll sheet; also performing a weekly reconciliation of accounts and report any variances to the Acting Accountant. Reconcile accounts payable monthly with the Acting Accountant; and also the reconciliation of the inventory with the Inventory Control Officer. Also assisting the Accounting staff as necessary. Specifically establishing and monitoring accounts payable history.

Marilyn Peters - Receptionist/Accounts Clerk

Greeting customers, providing efficient and timely response to telephone calls, assisting the Executive Secretary with various other secretarial duties, updating and checking growers accounts and providing courteous and efficient services to them. Upkeep of individual grower's files in an orderly manner to maintain easy accessibility.